Engine choice

Do you?

Can't tell unless we see pics.

Is the steering box like your XJ out under the bumper in front of the axle, or back on the frame behind the front axle? Out front = Saginaw, behind = Ross

 

Yes. Not as nicely as Saginaw steering but it'll do it.

 

Have'nt been to Fredricton for a few years & when I do it usually involves working all night & sleeping all day .

Hmmm- Maybe that's why I don't do it any more.

Beside which I'm more of a guy:twisted:

Tell ya what, next time you make over this way if you're so inclined I'll drag you down to the Lower Deck & buy you one-

H.

p.s. Admittadly I'm more of a "restoration" guy, so this advice may be biased but I think your idea of hanging onto the original bits is a good idea, a "stock" restoration CJ5 is probably worth a lot than all but the most "built" rigs & on one of those you'll be lucky to get 50% out of whatever $$$ you put into it, never mind your labour. H.

 

More on the body lift: Sell the one you have on Ebay. Since you have a glass tub, you must be careful. Hard mounts will crack the glass. Get a "salami" from 4wd.com:
http://www.4wd.com/newsite/shop/productdetail.asp?pid=5000
cut it yourself (best to cut with a bandsaw, very hard to get a straight cut). Cut each piece to about 1.5" long.
Get appropriate length bolts from a local hardware store or Tractor Supply. You need to use BIG washers or cut some 2" square plates (round the corners to prevent stress points in corners)from steel or aluminum plate 1/8" thick, drill the centers out to allow the bolts to pass through.. Put these on both sides of the fiberglassbefore running the bolts through the mounts.
Tighten the body mounts until the soft mounts deform a bit, but don't crank them down too hard. This will prevent your mounts from cracking the tub. You should still be able to keep your steering and pedals in the stock location... but you might need to open up the pedal holes a bit.
This will also allow your tub to flex a bit from the frame when offroad, again preventing cracking. I haven't cracked my tub at the mounts in 10 yrs of offroading this configuration.

 

Wanna see what hard mounts do to a glass tub?

I can get a picture.

Waiting on it to warm up before I "fix" the problem. I've got the Al plates thanks to 48cj2a...

 

BTW, if you have the original centered rear axle out of a '79 CJ7, it's not likely to be a D44. Probably an AMC 20. Is the cover round? Round is AMC model 20.
Got a pic of it??

EDIT: Also, the '79 CJ axles are somewhat wider than your original Jeep axles, but are not considered "wide track". Wide track axles started in CJ7s in 1982 model year.

 

Wasn't sure on the year of the difference...
The Dana 30 will have a better turning radious because of the open knuckle design. Better availability for lockers too.