63 CJ5 ground up need advice/help

[hockeynick7]

I was given a 1963 CJ5 on a 43 MJ chassis for a high school grad present. Now that I am out of college I can start the rebuild, on a tight budget which sucks. I do have a descent amount of mechanics experience I went to school for it before college and have rebuilt a few vehicles including an 1980 CJ5 (stock except 2 inch body lift) for dad. As for mine the frame is shot and the drive train is just to small with its little F-head, the body though is good which is a nice thick fiber glass. I'm not looking to go crazy 3 or 4 inch suspension and 2-4 inch body lift. Here is where I'm at.

FRAME--- I am an engineering major so plan on building my own frame, does anyone know where I can find dimensions for this. Also ny advive on materials would be great I have done a little reading and am thinking either 2X3 .125 wall steel tubing.

Motor-- Next I have an old Chrysler 318 I plan to rebuild and drop in. I was thinking of stroking it to get a little more power, torque, but am looking for advice on this also.

Drive train-- I am pretty lost in this department. I have seen a lot of talk about the Dana 44 and ford 9" what do you guys think. Also tranny I would like a standard I just find them more fun and reliable on the trail when out with the old man.

Any advice you guys could give me would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[hockeynick7]

Little update. Just talked to my uncle and he has two 318's he is willing to give me. one was recently rebuilt with a holly 4 barrel and a cam in it. I think that will be a good starter.

He also has some Dana 44 's and 60's he is letting me grab so Im down to looking for a good standard trany that will bolt on, thinking the NP435. any thoughts?

Still no luck finding dimensions on the frame. Im laid up from a knee surgery right now and looked for a while today so any help would be fantastic.

 

[BedneckKustumz]

what frame are you wanting dimensions for the 63 CJ5 or the 43 MJ, which it came on..heck..you could stretch the body and throw it on a CJ7 or CJ8 frame if you wanted..which specific frame would you like dimensions for?

 

[hockeynick7]

I would like the dimensions for the CJ5 I think its an early frame. ( read there was a difference from early to late years) I like the short wheel base.

 

[BedneckKustumz]

I would like the dimensions for the CJ5 I think its an early frame. ( read there was a difference from early to late years) I like the short wheel base.

Will see what I can come up with for you. I believe the biggest change in the CJ5 's after 71....If I can remember correctly..."early CJ5 " is prior to '71.....2nd gen CJ5 is "post '71".

 

[BedneckKustumz]

Jeep CJ-5, CJ-7, and CJ-8 (Scrambler) Frame Dimensions


maybe i was wrong about the frames changing, but i know the bodies changed...here are frame dimensions for all 3

 

[hockeynick7]

Thanks that will def help with the frame.