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Build Thread 1973 CJ5. From rot to trail/hunting rig

Build Thread 1973 CJ5. From rot to trail/hunting rig
T

ThePunisher

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Posts
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Location
Livermore, CA
Vehicle(s)
1973 CJ5, 304, 4.27 Dana 30 Front, 4.27 Dana 44 Rear, 2 1/2" Lift, 33x12.5x15 Pro Comp M/Ts
I want to document the small build that I'm doing on a 1973 CJ5 that I received for free. Of course, we always want to budget our builds and keep them cheap but we all know that rarely happens. My goal is to keep my build under $4k total. We'll see how that goes....
How I first received her, after sitting for 5+ years and not running
IMG954589.png
After a pressure wash, turns out she was white lol
2012-06-16130534.png
Next I got a windshield and roll bar for free more dollars. Just fitting the roll bar at this point
2012-06-21120313.png
Got the roll bar bolted in and a test color spray canned on
2012-06-28190330.png

Also, it turns out I got lucky and it already had 4" lift springs installed and also has the stock 4.27 option in the rear.
 
All of the above work was done in a 2 week time span. Then I began looking on CL for good deals for parts I needed. First was these set of 33" pro comp mud terrains I found with 40% tread left for $125 (Keep in mind this vehicle will never see asphalt)
2012-07-02170808.png
Then I traded an old laptop I had sitting around for these seats. Perfect colors for the setup I have in my mind
IMG959638.png
Test fitting the seats
2012-07-25160348.png
2012-07-25190224.png

Wheels painted flat black
2012-08-08184158.png
Valve covers and air cleaner cover painted flat black
2012-08-08184238.png
 
The seats aren't mounted yet because I need to fab a mounting bracket for the driver's side but they will be in the next few weeks.
The last 2-3 weeks I've been focusing on getting the old AMC 304 to run again. Started with draining everything and refilling all the fluids in the engine bay, replacing the cap, spark plug wires, rotor, cap and points. Got a brand new radiator. Also dropped the tank, replaced the fuel sending unit, cleared out all the fuel lines and replaced the carb with rebuilt 2 bbl MC2100. (I have no pics of any of this)
I got her to finally turn over but had some issues with spark last week. Then we fixed the wiring and got it to start and idle. Now I just need to replace the plugs and mess with the timing and she'll be done in the engine bay for now.
It's not much right now but it's a start and I've a little around $500 in it so far. I pulled the black wheels shown in the first few pics and repainted them but I have yet to mount the 33s on them yet. That will be happening next week

I've also already got everything to replace the entire braking system except for the brake lines.
 
I'll get some better pics next week when I work on it again. It's currently at my parents house because my stepdad is using it as a model to put his 75 CJ5 back together again from the frame up. I'll probably be bringing it to my house in the next 2 weeks. Once that happens I'll be able to put a lot more work into it every week. There's a lot of body work to do and I can't start any of it until it gets in my garage.
 
ThePunisher said:
The seats aren't mounted yet because I need to fab a mounting bracket for the driver's side but they will be in the next few weeks.
The last 2-3 weeks I've been focusing on getting the old AMC 304 to run again. Started with draining everything and refilling all the fluids in the engine bay, replacing the cap, spark plug wires, rotor, cap and points. Got a brand new radiator. Also dropped the tank, replaced the fuel sending unit, cleared out all the fuel lines and replaced the carb with rebuilt 2 bbl MC2100. (I have no pics of any of this)
I got her to finally turn over but had some issues with spark last week. Then we fixed the wiring and got it to start and idle. Now I just need to replace the plugs and mess with the timing and she'll be done in the engine bay for now.
It's not much right now but it's a start and I've a little around $500 in it so far. I pulled the black wheels shown in the first few pics and repainted them but I have yet to mount the 33s on them yet. That will be happening next week

I've also already got everything to replace the entire braking system except for the brake lines.
Click to expand...

:)Looks like your moving forward with your project..........looks good!
:D:D:D:D
 
Even Mykayla what's her face would be impressed so far. lookin' good, but we need more pix.
 
ThePunisher said:
Got my 33s mounted today and slapped them on

DSC_0932.png
Click to expand...

:)Looks Good............I don't see those rifle racks mounted in there yet..........Time is getting short.
:D:D:D:D
 
The 33s look good on there. :popcorn:
 
Thanks guys. Not bad progress considering I've only been able to work on it about 4 hours a week. Once I get it trailered to my house instead of sitting in my parents driveway, A LOT more will get done even quicker. I have quite a few parts laying around waiting for that moment to come lol.

Next week I'll be looking at fabbing up my seat mounts and also working on the timing a little more. I have an idle vid but it's not uploading via youtube. Found out it has a big exhaust leak at the manifold collector. Just more reason to get a set of longtubes :)
 
Threw in a stock distributor with vac advance along with a new cap, rotor, points and condenser. Made a WORLD of difference in the way it runs. Smooth as a top now. Also picked up a new battery yesterday.

Tested the alternator and it's bad so I ordered a replacement, should be here tomorrow.

Went to fix my exhaust leak at the manifold collector and it looks like it's damaged pretty well so I tightened it up the best I could for now and it will have to wait until I order a set of headers.

And I drove it! Plopped in a 5 gallon bucket on the floor and put it in gear and drove it a few backwards a few feet and forwards a few feet. It wasn't a complete driveline functionality test because it has no brakes right now. I've everything to replace the entire brake system waiting to go on but haven't gotten there yet. She should be mechanically buttoned up in the next month or so then it's on to cosmetics
 
Got a good amount of work done over the last few weeks.

Fixed my oil leak by replacing the oil pressure line. It was plastic and it had a hole in it so I switched it over to copper.

Picked up the other half of my roll cage that matches the one that I already have.

Got a new bumper, mounted it and painted it. Started drilling my winch plate to mount it.

Did some sanding in some areas on the body and the roll cage that had collected a touch of rust.

Fixed my exhaust leak

Replaced my rear differential gasket

And yesterday I started to tear down the rear brakes, I had to beat the drums off which took about 2 hours. Everything inside was rusted and pretty much broken. Drums couldn't be turned so I had to order new ones too. Missing a few small brake parts that are on order then as soon as I get them I'll be slapping them on

Getting close to all of the mechanical items being done. Then I'll be going through all of the wiring and gauges. Then it's on to bodywork and paint!
 
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