Build Thread 78 CJ5 Farm Find

[jpeck71]

So it's been running pretty well. I think I finally got over those stalling issues. So well that I decided to move forward on some small projects.


I decided to wrap my steering wheel with paracord rather than purchasing a steering wheel wrap. Mine was terribly old and dirty and I was getting tired of dealing with it.

I decided to pull the trigger on a bikini top since there was still some 90 degree days left in the summer and I was getting tired of roasting. It works pretty well but I need to get the windshield channel attached better.

A friend of mine's son was getting out of my jeep and tried to step on the taillight. That of course didn't work so I got a set of replacement lights for cheap and with that came reverse lights. I wired them all up and put the reverse lights on an unused switch right now since I don't have the reverse switch wired up yet. That will come.

I realized that I had a tire repair kit but no spare and no jack. I got a HF farm jack and mounted it on my hood on the hinges. In addition I have a small compressor so now I can at least say I'm covered. Whether or not I can repair it on the side of the road I don't know.

I tried to make a timing chart and realized that I had no distributor advance. It was fixed at Initial all the way out to 2K rpms. I took mine apart and found that it was put together incorrectly. The only way it was drive-able at all was because of vacuum advance.

For reference, this is what it is supposed to look like.

I got it put together correctly, rotated the distributor so it was realigned correctly and now it works much better. I'll be making a timing chart soon to see where I'm at now. It should be much closer to where it should be based on the driving feel.

Some other upcoming projects will be to get my winch mounted up on the front frame rails, maybe tackle some under the hood wiring and get a working horn hooked up.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Really like'n that steering wheel.
I you ever have time-Sure would like to read(pictures help too)a detailed how-to on the wrap'n.
THX,
LG

 

[jpeck71]

Really like'n that steering wheel.
I you ever have time-Sure would like to read(pictures help too)a detailed how-to on the wrap'n.
THX,
LG

Sure! I'll get that together. I'll have to find the post I got the idea from. Not entirely sure where it was right now but I'll find it.

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[Lumpy Grits]

NO rush at all-

LG

 

[jpeck71]

It's not looking like I'm going to get any time to take more pictures, but I did find the reference I used. I've barely had time to drive it lately.

When I get some more time I'll take some closer pictures of what I ended up with and try to give some more tips. Until then you can use this.

paracord steering wheel wrap

Jeremy

 

[jpeck71]

I finally went out and took some more pictures of that steering wheel wrap, although I don't have much more help other than that link to where I got the idea since I didn't take any pics during the process.

I did stumble across a soft top that HackFabrication had for sale. We made a deal and I was able to get it installed. This has made a big difference in how I use my CJ. It was strictly a fair weather vehicle since I didn't have a top or heat. I still don't have heat but now I'm at least enclosed and out of the elements. I'll still take it off once spring and summer hit but now I have options.

Here's the install pics. First the frame went on, with not too many errors.

There was a rip in the top, which I patched as per manufacturer instructions with an iron on patch. I did however cover the rip on the outside with a small piece of gorilla tape just to ensure water didn't come through the iron on patch.

All cleaned up!

A little blurry, but in the process of going on.

And finished!

It's working out very well. I don't quite have it adjusted correctly but it's close enough that I can use it. I found like many others that the fit is VERY tight. I ended up popping some stitches on one side getting the windows zipped up. I plan to follow other's examples and modify it slightly making the bows slightly shorter so that the top is not as tight over the middle bow. Then I'll be able to actually use the windows once the weather gets better and actually have the windshield at the right angle. Then the doors will actually close right. When I modify this then I'll fix the stitches that popped.

I've since taken my heater box out and started down the path to restoring it and getting working heat. It's better now that I'm enclosed, but if there's any kind of frost or sleet I can't see since I don't have defrost.

I plan on doing the blazer heater upgrade since local parts stores don't seem to have the blower motor for a 78 anymore. I've got the motor, the heater core and the heater switch on order. Hopefully my heater resistor pack works since I can't find a source for that either.

The heater switch and cables were removed from mine. I have the cables purchased, they need to be installed and the light switches currently in their place need to be moved. I'll likely put them in place where the radio was using a plate.

I'm looking forward to getting the heat working and being able to use it more.

I'm also really glad I happened to see his post on here. Thanks, Hack!

Jeremy

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Can't see any of your latest pictures
LG

 

[jpeck71]

Oops. I'll have to see why no pics.

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[Lumpy Grits]

Wasn't sure if it was my 'puter or what.
LG

 

[jpeck71]

Probably not. They're on Google photos and I couldn't remember my preferred method of generating the right url. I think I know now. I'll get it fixed when I get home.

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[jpeck71]

Let's try this version. My previous post didn't have any working pics.

I finally went out and took some more pictures of that steering wheel wrap, although I don't have much more help other than that link to where I got the idea since I didn't take any pics during the process.








I did stumble across a soft top that HackFabrication had for sale. We made a deal and I was able to get it installed. This has made a big difference in how I use my CJ. It was strictly a fair weather vehicle since I didn't have a top or heat. I still don't have heat but now I'm at least enclosed and out of the elements. I'll still take it off once spring and summer hit but now I have options.



Here's the install pics. First the frame went on, with not too many errors.
















There was a rip in the top, which I patched as per manufacturer instructions with an iron on patch. I did however cover the rip on the outside with a small piece of gorilla tape just to ensure water didn't come through the iron on patch.



All cleaned up!



A little blurry, but in the process of going on.




And finished!





It's working out very well. I don't quite have it adjusted correctly but it's close enough that I can use it. I found like many others that the fit is VERY tight. I ended up popping some stitches on one side getting the windows zipped up. I plan to follow other's examples and modify it slightly making the bows slightly shorter so that the top is not as tight over the middle bow. Then I'll be able to actually use the windows once the weather gets better and actually have the windshield at the right angle. Then the doors will actually close right. When I modify this then I'll fix the stitches that popped.

I've since taken my heater box out and started down the path to restoring it and getting working heat. It's better now that I'm enclosed, but if there's any kind of frost or sleet I can't see since I don't have defrost.








I plan on doing the blazer heater upgrade since local parts stores don't seem to have the blower motor for a 78 anymore. I've got the motor, the heater core and the heater switch on order. Hopefully my heater resistor pack works since I can't find a source for that either.

The heater switch and cables were removed from mine. I have the cables purchased, they need to be installed and the light switches currently in their place need to be moved. I'll likely put them in place where the radio was using a plate.

I'm looking forward to getting the heat working and being able to use it more.

I'm also really glad I happened to see his post on here. Thanks, Hack!

Jeremy

 

[Petescj]

I see them both times. Good looking CJ5 . I drove my CJ7 one Winter with just a bikini top and hard doors.

 

[mtnwhlr]

I drove my CJ7 one Winter with just a bikini top and hard doors.

we all arn't tuff guys like you

 

[Woolyworm]

Sissy - I used to drive my M38A1 around with no top and no doors and no heat and no radio and no power steering or brakes on canvas seats filled with hay and a steel back during the winter here in Maine - of course I was 17 and still dumb as s box of rocks


Wooly

 

[Peanut Butter]

Nice looking Jeep. Born in Decatur, went to the OLD Eisenhower, left a few years after that, but the wife still has family in the area. Keep up the good work. Will check back often.

 

[Petescj]

Ha! I'll just say it wasn't the brightest thing I ever did but it was kinda fun. Now back to jpeck71. You'll enjoy the soft top and blower motor upgrade. I had the same in my '78 CJ5 . It kept me pretty warm once it warmed up. The one thing I don't like was strong crosswinds. The doors would give too much and the snow would come right in.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

That 550 cord wrap'd steering wheel looks sharp.
THX for the pics.
LG

 

[Woolyworm]

They make a little vent attachment that goes on the floor vent and better directs the air flow - I thought it help quite a bit in my 7


Wooly

 

[elwood blues]

They make a little vent attachment that goes on the floor vent and better directs the air flow - I thought it help quite a bit in my 7


Wooly

Crown Automotive 55035618 - Floor Heater Duct for 78-95 Jeep® CJ-7, CJ-8 & Wrangler YJ - Quadratec


Definitely worth the $7

 

[jpeck71]

Crown Automotive 55035618 - Floor Heater Duct for 78-95 Jeep® CJ-7, CJ-8 & Wrangler YJ - Quadratec


Definitely worth the $7

I'll look for it once I get things working. No rush right now since we just had a 70 degree day in central Illinois.

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