99 TJ tub on a 78 CJ-7 frame/drive train

Hey

I have a 78 CJ-7, Golden Eagle, 304, 3 spd. stock with 25k miles actual, the tub is totally shot, rust. the frame seems good. I just bought a 99 TJ tub for it. I can weld/fab & paint okay but the under dash stuff is my weak area. The new tub has all wiring harness/heater/peddles but no steering column. I plan to use the new master cyl. and hydr. clutch and am okay there. If i put a TJ tilt wheel in-- my ignition, wiper controls, turns/hazards should just plug in, right?? BUT, I really don't want to do a complete TJ dash, I like the center CJ instrument cluster. The new (TJ)heater/fan is still in the tub and should be much better than the CJ's (I plow snow). I am considering building the CJ dash out to permit enough clearance for the gauges and using the push/pull cable controls over to the TJ vent levers (it COULD work?? right??)

Has anybody done one of these? I know about the shifter/T-case line up problems and tub mounts. Has anyone converted a TJ T-case shifter to a CJ T-case? My CJ-7 is complete and running with all parts. The only body parts I can save are the hood and MAYBE grill. I am finishing the front clip as a CJ.

When I put a 97 TJ tub, hood and grill on a 61 Scout frame I built an interior roll cage and mounted a custom dash to the cage. The wiring in the TJ tub is designed for the computer controlled drive train. No computer in the CJ. If you try to use the TJ wiring you will end up with a spider web of unused wiring. Wering on a CJ is not rocket science. Get a CJ motor manual and follow the wiring diagram and start from scratch. Painless has a wiring for  CJ's that will make the job easy.   

Thanks retired39

That sounds like the plan, I like simple. I have the tub on dollies and am firing up the sander; just got some POR 15.

I'll post if I have any more problems.

Floyd Collins