1976–86 Jeep CJ-7 & CJ-8 Scrambler chassis
We haven't found a complete aftermarket chassis for this car yet, so the way to modernize it is to stiffen and upgrade the original frame.
Upgrade the original chassis
- How it's built
- Full ladder frame (narrow C-channel rails)
- Front suspension
- Solid Dana 30 axle on leaf springs; Saginaw recirculating-ball box (manual or power)
- Rear suspension
- Solid AMC 20 (some Dana 44) on leaf springs
- Weak spots
- Frame rails rust and crack, especially at the rear rails and the steering box area. The short, narrow leafs ride harshly and axle-wrap, and manual steering is heavy and slow.
Stiffening the body or frame? We list 2 kits for this car, such as frame rails, subframe connectors and braces, on its Chassis stiffening page.
Suspension and steering kits for the original chassis
| Area | Kit | What it does | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front suspension | Rough Country 2.5in Lift Kit, Jeep CJ5/CJ7 (SKU 61030) | Bolt-on leaf lift with N3 shocks; fits CJ-7 76-86 and Scrambler 81-85 | $679.95 Rough Country list Source |
| Rear suspension | BDS Suspension CJ to YJ Spring Conversion Kit (76-86) | Hangers and plates for wider, longer YJ leafs; not for Dana 44 rears without modification | $436.95 BDS list Source |
| Steering | PSC Motorsports Manual-To-Power Steering Conversion Kit SKEC151 | Complete manual-to-power steering conversion for CJ-7 | $1,970 ExtremeTerrain price Source |
| Steering | Borgeson Telescopic Steering Shaft 000910 (76-86 CJ, power) | Needle-bearing u-joint shaft that tolerates lifts and body lifts | $273.42 Borgeson list Source |
We're working through this on our own 1984 Jeep Scrambler.
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