Build Thread 1983 CJ5-From POS 2 running/ready

[Kilo19]

So I'm gonna try to start/finish a timeline build thread on my 1983 CJ5 .

To start I was given this jeep form my cousins husband, and with it came:
-a set of gm blazer axles, Dana 44 front, gm 12 bolt rear. Both with 3.73 gearing.
-New heavy duty shackles, with poly bushings, new gauges.

It came as a rolling chasis with 4 tires and a spare rim. All flat of course. Has stock axles on it, AMC20 rear, and Dana 30 front. (both are coming off)

day of arrival, and full of .

The next few days I empytied everything out and started looking at what i had. Jacked up the jeep, took the tires off and left it on 4 jacks. Took the dash complety out and heater core. It came with a jump seat and driver seat (but unless you like s*** stained seats...there going). T ook those out, then next came the steering column. That finished the interior of the jeep and i started looking at what bolts i needed to take out to remove the body.

 

[JAG811]

Keep em coming !!

 

[thiswontbetooexpensive]

Looks like a great start! Keep the pics coming.

From what you posted on the frame pics the other day, I would suggest a big scrub brush and a tub of soap and water...makes it a lot easier to see where things go. Just my $.02.

I should get my complete bushing set tomorrow or Saturday and get to work there. I am just a few steps ahead of you and if I can help in any way, just let me know.

Did you get my PM yesterday on the Vin Info?

 

[Project86]

Oh hell yeah, that looks like fun! Bleedin' knuckles, empty beer cans all over the place, answering questions about your sanity. Keep those picts coming.

 

[Kilo19]

(twbte) yea i got your pm, i was able to figure out everything but the motor size, all it says is letter "m" 6th digit

project 86-the jeep had about 50lbs of scrap/ that i was able to turn in, (on the side, side, side, i recycle metal as well) for a little extra, so im hoping anything that is no good, can't sell or use, is going to scrap.

 

[alpha6]

Well at least you don't have to worry about rust.

 

[Kilo19]

So here's a little bit of an update:

Have been in the hospital last week in january, and off work first week in febuary. (not allowed to work, put weight on my ankle) so now that time has past i dropped the frame done to the ground, (well its on jacks and 2x4s about 6 inchs off the ground) so i can now start to drop the axles. starting on the back and moving forward. After that, I'm gonna try to sell the axles (any body want a set?...JK I'll post them when there ready) then get to bring in the bad boys, (Dana 44 front and GM 12bolt rear) . we'll see how it goes. It's slow going but a little at a time.

Quick question though...(and i'll start it under chassis) but whats the best process to remove the axles, springs, and not kill yourself?

 

[JAG811]

I always recon the safest way is to roll the axles out with springs and wheels still attached.
Jack the CJ under the frame - Unbolt all of the components front and rear (drive-shafts, diff breathers, steering linkages, ect)
Then with a jack under the diff centre you can undo the shackle bushes, and lower the axles to the ground. Last set is the the eyelet bushes on the ends of the springs at the centre of the jeep - Then you can just roll them out ...
My thoughts anyway ??
Might have to cut them out too if the bolts have rusted in like mine did ??

 

[Kilo19]

Well got half of my back axle down, now just have the front bolts to deal with. They do not want to move at all, heat and big hammer or not, still staying. Oh and who ever suggested using heat with wax was a flipping genius. That was the only i got the bolts loose. Great idea

Still have the front but its coming along.

 

[Kilo19]

so i don't know where this energy came from but the past two days i've more done then the past 3 months.

as you notice the front grill is off, and took the rest of the steering column out.

jacked the front off the ground and put it on 2x4's and jacks, so i can get the axle set off

then got the front shocks off.

took the old motor mounts off.

unbolted the front, back half of the springs

now to unbolt the front shackles, steering pump and the big one


GETTING THE D*** BOLTS OUT OF THE BUSHINGS!!!!!

after all that hopefully take it too a friends and have it cleaned, osphoed (SP) and primed and sealed, then to getting spring packs and setting up outboarding, putting it back together.

 

[72rtchallenger]

good looking project

 

[Kilo19]

So as I'm working on getting the axles off I think. I'm gonna have to outboard the front mounting points. So I'm gonna cut the spring perch mounts off and safe myself torching the bolts. But here's my delima how do you get these off View attachment 13454

 

[Old Dog]

I wouldn't cut thoes off if I were you. I'd go after them with a big breaker bar and either take the nut off or twist the bolt in two and than knock out what was left.

 

[Kilo19]

Even if the front needs to be outboarded? Can they "mounting point" stay where they are and be used. If so that would be great.

 

[Old Dog]

My bad, I forgot you were going to outboard.
old timers got me

 

[Kilo19]

That's ok I get it to, so a grinder would be ok and do the trick to remove it?

 

[Old Dog]

That's ok I get it to, so a grinder would be ok and do the trick to remove it?

yea that should work

 

[Kilo19]

Re: 1980 CJ5 -From POS 2 running/ready

So after a couple of years, (jeeez, time flys) and moving twice. I'm looking to get back into the game of rebuilding my CJ back up.

During this time off I heavily considered my drivetrain options and length issues, weight and axles, prices and whats available.

I think I may have ended up a little more knowledgable.

First I need to get my shop built, but during the shop building phase, I can shop and source some, most (hopefully) all my parts.

FIRST:

Here is my thought of the driveline. I know I'll get some flack for this but I do appreciate everyones thoughts and opinions, but after all the research I've seen, 1. it can be done and 2. it has been done. My best tools have been 4btswaps, and pirate (sorta of). Anyway on to the important part.

I'm looking to score an older 90's bread/frito van with the chevy Transmission (because the ford causes the motor to clock about 10*) chevys don't. Idea being that I can sell the tranny and other parts on the van, and scrap the rest. Strip down the motor, and rebuild it back. I'm on the look out for the p-30 pump rather then the v/e pump, makes a little more hp stock, (not looking to build a sled puller)

Next I'm gonna junk yard shop for a 93/94 4x4 dodge truck thats totaled (well not totally) and pick the whole truck for the following reasons.

Looking for theses

NV4500, pull everything from flywheel to t/c, (as they are the same for both the 4bt and 6bt) so just move from one motor to the other, also I want the cast iron pig as I think it'll stand up to the diesel well. Also the Dana 300 that usally came in the 4x4 trucks. Again no adapters all plug and play. I'm gonna try to get the whole truck so I have all the parts for source from.

Then using expeditionportal.com as a reference the rest of the jeep will have minor modifications to support an expo vehicle.

Also the name of the build is changing as the jeep is actually a 1980 rather then a 1983.

Later I'll get into the axles that were given to me when the jeep was given to me.
Dana 44 /GM12 (3.73) 6lug.

So, lets get this show on the road.

 

[tangoalpha]

I know this is an old thread but im curious about the progress of this project, anything to report?