What a mess!

So I've been "hired" by my friend to help him put this 83 CJ7 he bought, back togeather.
The kid he bought it from had started to put a big honkin V8 in it, then lost intrest. But not before he ripped apart everything from the dash forward. I mean even the steering column is in bits. The shift selector lever is gone, the turn indicator lever is gone, the steering wheel is removed and a bunch of the inner bits have been taken out.
Then, under the dash, all the wires have been disconnected, the computer is missing, and the heater box is hanging halfway out.
out under the hood, the engine long block has been bolted in, but that's about it. The wiring is a pile of spagetti, all the bolts (well more like half the bolts)and brackets are in coffee cans, Most of the other parts are in the back.
So first thing is to start making a list of missing parts, then decide the best option for making it run.
He's bought a pre-electronic carb, so we can forgo all that mess, but I still gotta figure out what sensors I need.
Or, if I have the non-electronic carb, do I even need the computrer?
There's a Dura-spark ignition module on the fender, so I know that computer dosen't run the engine, It probably just controls the carb.

 

Parting out 83 CJ7,or make offer.R)

 

I hope he didn't pay too much for it. Nothing like buying another person's problems.

 

If you have a carb that is pre like 1980?? I think? (definitely has to be pre 83) You should not need any electronic nonsense. But you most likely will need another distributor as well, or at least a different electronic ignition setup. Someone here correct me if I am wong on any of the above as I am not 100%.

The other option is to wire it up as an 83 and then use the hack that is out there on the web that allows you to bypass the computer all together while using all of the computerized pieces. I have heard that works very well and would prolly be the cheapest way to do things.

You can always just slap a points ignition in there with a new non-feedback carb.

 

You can use a Motorcraft 2100 or 2150 2V carb in place of the original "electronic" Carter BBD. There are lots of articles on the web about the 2100 swap - I have one on my truck. The BBD is universally hated in any form, so you might think twice about putting one back. I'm sure there are other 2V carbs that would work too - Strombergs have the same pattern as the BBD, maybe some Rochesters or other Carters, and the progressive Weber that Redline sells for these apps should fit easily, either bolting on or with a simple plate adapter.

The hack for the electronic BBD is called the Nutter bypass.

Since you're in the northest, it might be a good idea to find a rust bucket parts car of the same vintage, and use parts from both.

hth!