I am the new owner of a 1984 Jeep CJ7.

I am pretty decent mechanic and I feel confident in my ability to diagnosis and fix any problems. However I am not naturally an organized person.

What are some tips and tricks to stay organized as I fix things.

I plan on getting every thing how I want it. Then I will probably pull the body off and to have it painted.

I am sure I will be dissembling and reassembling multiple times and I am ok with that but I want to stay as organized as possible as I complete projects.

I have never taken on a project of this magnitude.

Plastic tubs, ziplock bags you can write on, sharpies, and take pictures before disassembling and put the picture in the bag or label the picture file the same that you label the tub and plastic bag.
Get a notebook take lots of notes especially when different size and length fasteners are used in the same piece.

Example:
Tub 1 - Drivers front interior, bag 1 (tub 1) steering column trim and fasteners. Bag 2 (tub 1) dash surround and gauges.

And so on and so forth. Interior I found it easiest to do quadrants for the tubs then a 5th for the center console.
Though with a Jeep there is much less than my Mustang you you may be able to get away with front half and back half.

I used the notebook and referenced the tub and bag also if their was anything odd about the removal of of something would have to go back together in a specific order.

Take lots of pictures. Put hardware in ziploc bags with label. Get yourself a project book that has various checklists.

A friend of mine did a frame off restoration of a 63 Corvette. I often watched him. To stay focused and organized, he broke the car down into sub sections and did each one in turn. He did the body as sub sections, such as hood, bumpers, doors, etc. He said it was the only way the process did not drive him nuts.

not only 'stay organized' but "stay SOLVENT" was a tip I should have followed....

X a bunch of what Black sez. (and those other fine fellers up there...)

Having been around it since I was a li'l chile, and all my adult life, plus military career in aircraft maintenance, add to that; "making lists" and more lists and lists.

Of what you want to accomplish, what you have done during the process, and diagrams of things, any wiring mods, or other mods to OEM or how you got the project/vehicle, and get the manufacture's manuals, and often good aftermarket manuals.

The key is to have any and all things that can help you "rewind" to before it got in pieces at any or all points in time.

Too often a move, someone getting in yer stuff and changing "your organization", life events or whatnot, can leave you in a place where you think lose track and spatial awareness of the whole thing.

(I never realized how valuable my photographic memory, "relational" mind and such helped me with this kind of thing. I always thought everyone was like that. Then I figured out not all had those abilities, and then I saw mine "going away" with age, and how much I took all that for granted.)

But the most important thing is, that is all supposed to be for your enjoyment. Never forget that as the primary goal.

Black92 mentioned pretty much what I did on two of my restos. Now with digital so easy I'd do photos even videos to make reassembly easier.

I had a million zip-loks in tupperware tubs and cardboard boxes.

I'd suggest getting something major COMPLETE like a rolling chassis or the body. To have something POSITIVE to look at while you're battling the stuff that sucks.

BEFORE photos on the wall were a morale booster too as I got things completed.

Pretty much what Black said, but also get the book for the vehicle, it helps to have all of the intructions AND torque specs for everything. I've also found lots of blue tape with instructions on the ziploc bags for some items (ie. install this before that). Also number the bags for each area in the order the bolts came apart, number the corresponding pieces the bolts go on in some cases.

I'd try to take it apart in the reverse order you'll be reassembling it in.

I plan on driving it for a few years doing small little things over the winters.

First is the normal maintenance stuff ie. oil change, brakes, flush and change all fluids.

I need to get a simple working audio system install a backseat and a soft top.

I want to convert to probably a Holley Sniper EFI.

I'll rewire the whole thing with a painless kit.

I am debating on switching the 4 speed T4 tranny to a ax15 five speed.

The last thing I will do is the bodywork and paint. I am not sure if I will do that or farm it out. I have never done body work and there are definitely panels that need to be cut out and replacements welded in. I don't know how to weld either and the reading I have done says that welding 18 gauge sheet metal isn't easy.

I don't want to build an off road machine just something to cruise around town and to the beach in. Maybe drive on the beach with.