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

[ThePunisher]

Wrapping up the engine bay!

Oil pan stripped, cleaned and painted




Installed with new gaskets



Didn't end up replacing the entire steering box, instead I got lucky and found that one of the lines were broken so I replaced it







Everything re-installed, gaskets all replaced and all fluids filled. Ready to run again, just needs the new wiring harness installed

 

[tarry99]

Lookin good............keep it up hunting season is a few months away.

 

[ThePunisher]

Thanks Terry! Getting closer, a little bit at a time!

 

[ThePunisher]

Getting more work done, one portion at a time.

New grille, stripped, painted and installed



Lighting and radiator installed





Interior bed-lined and dash mocked up prior to paint



I need to get the dash ready this week and then it's time to start wiring it up. Anyone that has done the ezwiring kit send me a pm on where to start! LOL I feel lost when it comes to wiring. Should I keep all the old connectors from the stock harness so everything plugs right in?

 

[tarry99]

Kyle,

Keep up the good work............your getting closer...........Did you keep your old Harness?
That's a good way to start by replicating what you already have circuit by circuit.

 

[ThePunisher]

Kyle,

Keep up the good work............your getting closer...........Did you keep your old Harness?
That's a good way to start by replicating what you already have circuit by circuit.

Yes I have the old one

 

[tarry99]

Yes I have the old one

Lay it out on the ground alongside the Jeep so that you can get a feel for where everything goes...........12 volts is pretty simple one positive + and one ground -
some circuits will assume a ground through the frame or chassis but if I was you I would run dedicated grounds on each circuit especially lights. Once at the end of the circuit like your tail lights you can daisy chain the ground from side to side.
Also the ground wire should be of equal size to the hot lead..............On headlights some guys like to trigger a solenoid near the lights so that full power is not traveling down your 16 or 14 gu wire from your switch............plenty of good articles on the internet. Don't be afraid to split off a separate circuit for later upgrades.......once you get the feel for understanding you'll catch on. Call me if you have any questions.

 

[TroyaCantrell]

Take your time on the routing of the wiring too. Make sure you know where everything is going before you start cutting wire. I made sure it was also secure in place before I cut it to length so nothing was too tight.

 

[ThePunisher]

Had some time to get a few more small things done

Got the inside and underside of my fenders cleaned, painted and re-installed



Looks an engine bay again



Didn't get any pics during the process but they turned out great. Body paint will be coming soon

Painted my dash and reinstalled it



Started to lay out my harness and figure out how and where I'm going to mount it



Things are starting to come along nicely!

I might just prime the entire thing again and drive it like that for a bit while I figure out the final color and plus it leaves me time to finish my tube fenders before final paint

 

[kwhiteheadgc]

I hate I could no see photos lot a rat jeep

 

[ThePunisher]

Got quite a bit of work done over the last 2 weeks. All of the engine wiring is complete. She runs again! Had an oil pressure issue for a few day so I bought a repair kit for the oil pump and packed it with petroleum jelly and solved that issue. Running pretty smoothly now.

Running again!


My wiring mess I need to clean up




Dash mounted and gauges mocked up


Seats mocked up



Seats mounted and front half of roll cage bolted in



Almost ready to drive!


Everything is coming along really fast now. I need to finish up the rest of the wiring and clean it up and then it will all be cosmetic stuff until I can afford to go through all of the suspension and running gear

 

[tarry99]

Troy,

Lookin good..............keep it up the finish line is in sight!

 

[CJ]

A much better look! Thumbs up!

 

[thiswontbetooexpensive]

Looks great!

 

[ThePunisher]

Finished wiring up the headlights and took it out for a little spin down the street. Engine is running super smooth right now

 

[ThePunisher]

Got the whole thing primed one color, put the hood on and I just ordered some parts that I need to finish the dash

 

[tarry99]

Got the whole thing primed one color, put the hood on and I just ordered some parts that I need to finish the dash

Troy..............your getting closer.

:

 

[ThePunisher]

Troy..............your getting closer.

:

Who is Troy? lol

 

[tarry99]

Who is Troy? lol

Kyle.............sorry about that..........to many builds going on and my fingers don't always type what I'm thinking.......(LOL)

 

[ThePunisher]

Painted and mounted the windshield, just need new glass unless I want to roll around with a permanent instagram filter



Decided against a tailgate for now so I fabbed up a new back panel