1974 CJ5 Spec Build - Need Advice

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

I'm building a 1974 CJ5 to sell. It has a stock AMC 232 i6 straight six. It is going to be mostly stock with the exception of powerhttp://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1038551# steering, possibly a small lift, and maybe disc brakes up front. It is going to be a stock Jeep otherwise. I have the body off and I had the whole chassis (frame, axles, motor, Transfer Case , Transmission , etc) sand blasted so I can do as clean a job as possible. I originally was going to build a really nice, totally stock CJ5 to sell, but after looking at what's selling right now, I think a couple upgrades might be in order. So since I am not a Jeep guy, per se, I have a few questions. Feel free to offer any advice or opinions.

First - what is the smallest amount of lift I can get? I don't want to do a body lift, I want a spring lift. Is there a set of springs out there that will net me a 1" to 1.5" lift? I plan on cutting the perches and rotating the axles if needed and I might even do a rear CV shaft if it required.

Second - what is the best way to achieve power steering. When I say best, I am looking for the cleanest possible approach.

Third - is the Weber carb swap really that much better? How about a Holley 2 barrel?

Fourth - I want to use the stock wheels. Can I find a disc conversion (for the front) that will fit the stock wheels?

 

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

Come on guys. This is a Jeep forum, is it not?

I'm basically building the Jeep I never got to before I went into the business. You guys have probably done this 100 times over.

Advice? No?

 

[mylittlecj5]

Ok my thoughts...

First - what is the smallest amount of lift I can get? I don't want to do a body lift, I want a spring lift. Is there a set of springs out there that will net me a 1" to 1.5" lift?
Any good quality spring maker will have these springs in stock. Good ones are rancho, Old Man Emu ($$$) Superlift, ect...
I plan on cutting the perches and rotating the axles if needed and I might even do a rear CV shaft if it required.
A lift this small will not require any of this work. This is for lifts greater than 4 or 6 inch.

Second - what is the best way to achieve power steering. When I say best, I am looking for the cleanest possible approach.
The cleanest approach is to use the stock components, since these years power steering was an option. I have a PSC Power Steering box on my '74 and love it!

Third - is the Weber carb swap really that much better? How about a Holley 2 barrel?
I cant venture an opinion here.

Fourth - I want to use the stock wheels. Can I find a disc conversion (for the front) that will fit the stock wheels?
Wheels from a comparable disc brake donor wil fit your conversion. Again, use factory components from the knuckles out to make it a bolt-in swap...

 

[JR74CJ5]

Come on guys. This is a Jeep forum, is it not?

I'm basically building the Jeep I never got to before I went into the business. You guys have probably done this 100 times over.

Advice? No?

I read the link to pirate that is in the word "fit" in your first post. At first, honestly, thought it was spam, but seen it went to your post on pirate, decided it wasn't "spam" then read through and noticed you had already received most of the info I would have given you from there, and also from mylittlecj.

I get you're wanting to gather a lot of info, and do it right, and I can appreciate that, if you want more helpful posts, I would not rely on this multiple question post here, this section is for people to come see what you are building, Which I assume you'll still be showing .:drool:

I've seen each of the 4 topics above discussed in detail within their own forum, there's a "google search box" up on the top right. Try searching for past posts if you are in a great hurry. You can find tons of info that way.

Now to your questions:

1) as stated there are pleanty of kits for small spring lifts. Some with shocks, some without, and some like OME (old man emu) here that come with more. The real question since you are planning to sell, is what margin you can work with and still turn a profit. You have to remember, there's normally tons of guys that throw tons of money into their rig, and never see but a fraction of it back when selling. You're in the business of selling, so I assume you know all this.

Also, try to steer clear of the drop pitman arm. Do the tie rod flip, in my opinion it's better. Heres a post on it: http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f19/tie-rod-flip-10552/

2)Stock power steering wan an option. You should be able to find everything you need from our sponsors (with discount) or perhaps some of your regular venders.

3)I don't know much about either of those carbs. The best carb really depends on what you want. Street hot rig? Trail only rig? in-between rig? For me, the MC2100 is easy to re-build, simple to tune, and provides good on & off road performance.

4)Yes. If you want a disc brake kit SSBC sells one. If you want junk yard swap, there's a lot of info floating around about it, I'm not the best to ask / answer on it. I know summit racing sells the ssbc, as does quadratec and morris I believe.

and :ww: to the site
~ JR

 

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

I read the link to pirate that is in the word "fit" in your first post. At first, honestly, thought it was spam, but seen it went to your post on pirate, decided it wasn't "spam" then read through and noticed you had already received most of the info I would have given you from there, and also from mylittlecj.

I get you're wanting to gather a lot of info, and do it right, and I can appreciate that, if you want more helpful posts, I would not rely on this multiple question post here, this section is for people to come see what you are building, Which I assume you'll still be showing .:drool:

I've seen each of the 4 topics above discussed in detail within their own forum, there's a "google search box" up on the top right. Try searching for past posts if you are in a great hurry. You can find tons of info that way.

Now to your questions:

1) as stated there are pleanty of kits for small spring lifts. Some with shocks, some without, and some like OME (old man emu) here that come with more. The real question since you are planning to sell, is what margin you can work with and still turn a profit. You have to remember, there's normally tons of guys that throw tons of money into their rig, and never see but a fraction of it back when selling. You're in the business of selling, so I assume you know all this.

Also, try to steer clear of the drop pitman arm. Do the tie rod flip, in my opinion it's better. Heres a post on it: http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f19/tie-rod-flip-10552/

2)Stock power steering wan an option. You should be able to find everything you need from our sponsors (with discount) or perhaps some of your regular venders.

3)I don't know much about either of those carbs. The best carb really depends on what you want. Street hot rig? Trail only rig? in-between rig? For me, the MC2100 is easy to re-build, simple to tune, and provides good on & off road performance.

4)Yes. If you want a disc brake kit SSBC sells one. If you want junk yard swap, there's a lot of info floating around about it, I'm not the best to ask / answer on it. I know summit racing sells the ssbc, as does quadratec and morris I believe.

and :ww: to the site
~ JR

After much deliberation on my end, I don't think I'm going to lift it at all.

Tie rod flip is a good option, even if I don't lift it. I was going to re-taper for "one ton" joints anyway.

I found a power steering pump and box on Rock Auto for little money. I suppose I can junk yard the brackets. I haven't been able to find factory hoses for that year though. I guess I was wondering what most guys do. Do they ditch the stock stuff and go Chevy box?

I found a junkyard disc brake axle for $300 complete with 4.56's.

The carb, I'm going to leave stock. But if I change my mind, I found a Weber kit on JC Whitney for $280.

Basically what I was looking for in this post was opinions. Since I am selling it, I am trying to keep in mind that whomever may buy it, may want to do some of these upgrades. Example - if I spend time and money installing a factory power steering setup and the potential customer is just going to swap it out for a Chevy setup I could have spent the same time and money and got more for the completed Jeep.

And thanks for helping out.

 

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

...Oh, and the reason I put it in the build section was that I'm going to document the build in the thread.

 

[CJ]

No problem, when it turns into a build thread I will move it. Right now it is a question thread. Welcome.