Alright folks.. heres a head scratcher.. what is this CJ!?

[Only in a Jeep CJ]

If by "there's one in every crowd" you mean someone who is NOT going to sugarcoat something, shoot it to you straight, and has been there, done that over the last 20 plus years of working on CJs, then YES, I'm that guy.

From your original post I quote:

"I am really just trying to figure out WHAT I have."
" I honostly never noticed the slice right down the middle"

"the tub is solid,, i never would of guessed it was hacked"
"theres a ton of old bondo and patches I am replacing."

​

These comments alone are not only red flags to me, but leave me thinking that this "project" is going to be more than you should handle.
I'm not saying you can't do it or shouldn't do it. I don't know your welding/fabrication skills. In the end, its your time, money, and Jeep. Go for it. I will say that I believe this is not worth it. Why? Because for ME (AND ME ALONE), the hodge-podged nature of it will constantly make fitting or replacing parts a constant challenge, the lack of top and doors will allow the weather to wreak havoc on the inside of the tub. and in general the time and work involved isn't worth the end result.

as you said about the doors "just cant figure out why someone would go through all the work of this?"
That's how I feel about the whole thing for you.

I have people bring me Jeeps to inspect and evaluate for purchase or restoration. I reached under one rusty CJ5 and grabbed the rear frame and it crumbled in my hand. I then emptied the rusted dust and flakes into the cupped hands of the owner as I said " The whole Jeep is like this, sell this POS now and lets find you a CJ that is better than this" He did, and got a nice CJ7 . It was then that he realized how bad that 5 was. He would have spent TONS of cash and time replacing the frame and all the other problems instead of doing what he's doing now which is enjoying his Jeep at all the rides and out of town trips we (our club) goes on. His time and money went into the mods he wanted to build his dream Jeep. He DIDN'T get upset or defensive when I called it a POS and told him to sell it. I was looking out for him.

To me, it would be an injustice to know what I know and lie to you and say " Yeah man, it looks great, all Jeeps are like that, that's an easy fix".....or whatever.

I'm not a purist either and have built crawlers/modded out Jeeps as well as full stock ones. I can go either way depending on the circumstances. I know your not seeking approval and understand that you have your opinion and want others to respect that. So can I have mine too?
To answer your questions, yes, at the doors threshold, the 5 has a 90 degree bend and the 7 has a 45 degree up to the dash where it turns into 90 there. Where your splice is will require a sharp and rough transition if you leave each with the original or as you mentioned, change it up to one or the other.
The 72 to 81 fenders will be the longer ones with the proper inner fender for the low style upper shock mount.
My guess on why the PO used that tub section is simple.......its a convenience of finding a CJ7 tub over an older CJ5 tub AND he got rid of the CJ5 /6 style of rear door hump that (for some folks) is a real pain in the azz to got in and out of. If his original tub was all rusted out/wrecked/destroyed, he didn't care about cutting it up and graphing in anything he could find. For him, it was easier and cheaper and like you, he didn't mind the "work" involved. BUT the end result is now you, the next owner, is left "scratching your head". Good luck with it.

​

​

 

[JaredTowne]

If by "there's one in every crowd" you mean someone who is NOT going to sugarcoat something, shoot it to you straight, and has been there, done that over the last 20 plus years of working on CJs, then YES, I'm that guy.

From your original post I quote:

"I am really just trying to figure out WHAT I have."
" I honostly never noticed the slice right down the middle"

"the tub is solid,, i never would of guessed it was hacked"
"theres a ton of old bondo and patches I am replacing."

​

These comments alone are not only red flags to me, but leave me thinking that this "project" is going to be more than you should handle.
I'm not saying you can't do it or shouldn't do it. I don't know your welding/fabrication skills. In the end, its your time, money, and Jeep. Go for it. I will say that I believe this is not worth it. Why? Because for ME (AND ME ALONE), the hodge-podged nature of it will constantly make fitting or replacing parts a constant challenge, the lack of top and doors will allow the weather to wreak havoc on the inside of the tub. and in general the time and work involved isn't worth the end result.

as you said about the doors "just cant figure out why someone would go through all the work of this?"
That's how I feel about the whole thing for you.

I have people bring me Jeeps to inspect and evaluate for purchase or restoration. I reached under one rusty CJ5 and grabbed the rear frame and it crumbled in my hand. I then emptied the rusted dust and flakes into the cupped hands of the owner as I said " The whole Jeep is like this, sell this POS now and lets find you a CJ that is better than this" He did, and got a nice CJ7 . It was then that he realized how bad that 5 was. He would have spent TONS of cash and time replacing the frame and all the other problems instead of doing what he's doing now which is enjoying his Jeep at all the rides and out of town trips we (our club) goes on. His time and money went into the mods he wanted to build his dream Jeep. He DIDN'T get upset or defensive when I called it a POS and told him to sell it. I was looking out for him.

To me, it would be an injustice to know what I know and lie to you and say " Yeah man, it looks great, all Jeeps are like that, that's an easy fix".....or whatever.

I'm not a purist either and have built crawlers/modded out Jeeps as well as full stock ones. I can go either way depending on the circumstances. I know your not seeking approval and understand that you have your opinion and want others to respect that. So can I have mine too?
To answer your questions, yes, at the doors threshold, the 5 has a 90 degree bend and the 7 has a 45 degree up to the dash where it turns into 90 there. Where your splice is will require a sharp and rough transition if you leave each with the original or as you mentioned, change it up to one or the other.
The 72 to 81 fenders will be the longer ones with the proper inner fender for the low style upper shock mount.
My guess on why the PO used that tub section is simple.......its a convenience of finding a CJ7 tub over an older CJ5 tub AND he got rid of the CJ5 /6 style of rear door hump that (for some folks) is a real pain in the azz to got in and out of. If his original tub was all rusted out/wrecked/destroyed, he didn't care about cutting it up and graphing in anything he could find. For him, it was easier and cheaper and like you, he didn't mind the "work" involved. BUT the end result is now you, the next owner, is left "scratching your head". Good luck with it.

​

​

Again I seriously appreciate the information you have given me. I respect you because you obviously know your stuff.

I don't feel I need to post my resume on here, but the work is not out of my skill set. I actually took 3 years of welding courses, 2 to get certified, then one more to learn TIG on aluminum. Which I have done nothing career wise with, lost interest traveling downstate, But I do keep up my skills in the shop. Been wrenching since i was gifted my first ratchet set when i was a teen. Since that day been nothing but tearing apart and figuring out ways. I do not pay anyone to do anything besides work on auto transmissions.

What you just mentioned in reference was a crumbling frame.. which as i've already said.. the foundation is solid. If I need to get creative with the body. so be it.. till I stumple upon something.. This is not a DD.. just a "toy" .

Yes I did not realize the tub was formed from two. I have never even seen a CJ5 of this age in person. Nor have I ever been looking at buying one. It just fell in my lap. so I just expected it was cobbed patches and bondo. not one out of two. It was not untill I researched the subject that I realized. I am ignorant on jeeps of this vintage. and learning the hard way.

I appreciate all input. bad or not, but that just seems like a rough way to approach it and it rubbed me wrong. Sorry for letting my man-gina show.

But again. I seriously appreciate your input. its obvious your full of information and I hope you will be willing to share it with me while I build this freak.

Give me a month or two and i'll post some update pictures, till then I just ask for a hand along the way...

 

[Only in a Jeep CJ]

It's all good, really. You just can't take stuff on forums like this so literally or get bent outa shape if some ones view or opinion is different. I clearly stated that I didn't know your welding / fab skills. You can be a master fabricator , but that doesn't change the fact that I always said "I" wouldn't do it...... Or "I" would sell it..... Etc. So no resume needed at all. As mentioned, this isn't Pirate 4x4! Don't go on there they will destroy something like this thread and you really will get rubbed the wrong way!

I think your missing the point of the crumbling frame story. I was in no way saying YOUR frame was rusted. It was to show that I've told others to get rid of and they didn't get offened at all and it was in their best interest. Simple as that.
If things have to be over explained or we have to say everything that something ISN'T in addition to what something IS, these threads are going to be longer than they already are!
There is a ton of knowledge on these forums and we will help you any way we can with advice, measurements, pictures and such. Speaking of pictures, we love them....so definatly post up progress. Even the Confederate flag for the southern guys...Ha

 

[hatersaurusrex]

Since those fenders will never fit right- time for some custom tubies



Sent from my Latitude 10 - ST2 using Tapatalk

 

[JaredTowne]

Since those fenders will never fit right- time for some custom tubies



Sent from my Latitude 10 - ST2 using Tapatalk

Mind reader.


Things are actually moving along decently. just came in from wetsanding primer.

did some side work for a auto garage.. as payment I cleared out his hoard of CJ7 parts.. hard top / hard doors / soft top / soft doors.. etc..

So I figured before I got too far into it,, i'd see just how unimaginable the top and doors would be..

First the hard top... stuck it on there.. fit.. well. surprisingly better then I thought.. Only problems are obviously the cab area is too long.. what I didnt realize was the windshield upper dimensions..

So this led me a couple hours away to meet up with a fellow off a local offroad forum and pick his CJ stash.. I left with a later year 7 windshield assembly, hinges, etc.. as well as lots of other odds and ends.

hoping for the best I stuck the windshield in place.. dang.. it fits! . got lucky he had the year with the center defrost inlet. This not only makes the windshield match the top channel.. but it also solved my problem with the windshield angle matching the doors.

Did have to re-drill one hole for the later hinges.

So hard top,, seems simple. chop. taper. glass. sand. paint.

Doors.. not so bad either. front lines up perfect..as well as the back. just have to be... Skinnier.. soft doors are easy. and will probably be all I go after for time being. cut and sleeve, weld.. the tube frames. Have somebody (TBD) alter the fabric.

Soft top should be the same situation .. lop off the windshield header piece to the correct length.. have that same (TBD) person sew in the piece in the correct dimensions..



Anyways.. Am also in the process of running all new brake lines,, this thing is a conglomerate of lines, tees, and compression fittings.. YES.. compression fittings. Now I had a question about this.. The M/C has two outputs.. Can I just run the front off one, and the rear off the other? Sorry if thats a stupid question, but I am questioning everything after trying to understand what PO did.

Also,, this 225 v6 has fenderwell headers with glasspacks.. it is STUPID loud.. any suggestions on compact mufflers to put in place of the glasspacks?

thats all for now.. pics soon folks.

 

[spencer151]

Hi, in just wondering if you or anyone out there reading this could tell me where i can find a list or diagram of the relays and what they go to for my 84 cj. Trying to replace some and have no idea what to ask for. Still learning. Have a couple more questions if anyone is open to answer. Thanks a million

 

[spencer151]

I don't know if my thread went out that i just sent. I am new to this site. I am trying to find anyone that can tell me what the square relays on me 84 cj are for. I am trying to replace some that i dont believe are functioning and cant figure our what they are for to replace them. Stumped. Not in haynes manual. Thanks

 

[mtnwhlr]

Hi, in just wondering if you or anyone out there reading this could tell me where i can find a list or diagram of the relays and what they go to for my 84 cj. Trying to replace some and have no idea what to ask for. Still learning. Have a couple more questions if anyone is open to answer. Thanks a million

I don't know if my thread went out that i just sent. I am new to this site. I am trying to find anyone that can tell me what the square relays on me 84 cj are for. I am trying to replace some that i dont believe are functioning and cant figure our what they are for to replace them. Stumped. Not in haynes manual. Thanks

First you need to start a new thread with your ? and not highjack somebody elses thread. I also have a '84 and I'm not sure what relays you are talking about. Where do you see them at?

 

[JaredTowne]

Hey all... Aint really been keeping this up to date, but here is a photo of where I am at with it.

Should be putting it on the road next week. Have one more door to finish. and tie up some loose ends in the wiring. Been driving it around the yard and woods in the meantime .

certainly isnt perfect, but she'll make a good beater yet.

And I made it even more complicated with even a broader range of body parts

 

[Petescj]

For all the doubters out there ( myself included ) a nice comparison shot:

My crow tastes like . How about the rest of you? Nice work.

 

[JaredTowne]

Haha.. that made me laugh.. I knew I could do something with it. I think my biggest expense was wire and gas for the welder and the wiring kit. perhaps the paint... Lots of homebrewed items on this jeep. But I knew it was nowhere near going to be an "OEM" build, so I just had fun with it.

The motor gave me some issues after I put it back together, but some routine tune up ignition parts fixed all that.

the soft top is off a CJ7 or wrangler, I really dont know, it was a freebie and came with matching soft doors. me and the wife managed to pin it to size and hem, sew, whatever you want to call it. used spiderwire braided fishing line outta my tackle box, sewed all on the inside, folded over and sewed again, all the seams are in the channels,, so you'd never know.

same with the doors, one is done, still finishing the top portion of the second door.

they turned out much better then even I could of expected.

After lots of careful thought and measuring, I realized if I used a newer windshield assembly then virtually any CJ7 top would fit dang near perfect minus it'd be about 11 inches too long in the door area. .. so I sourced a later model CJ7 windshield.

I have a hardtop as well, but that needs much finish work before it would come into play.

I put all new brake shoes, cylinders, and lines. it already had an upgraded M/C. it has 11" drums, and I have no problem bringing it to a stop now.

i put a 15 gal plastic CJ7 tank underneath it naturally.

the wiring harness I picked out was total overkill, but I bought on price vs features, ended up with way more wire and circuits then I will ever need. live and learn.

lights gave me alot of headaches, signals blinking weird,, after messing with grounds forever I just said heck with it and ran dedicated ground wires for each items. brighter and does what I tell them to now!

there is still alot of stuff I want to do with this jeep, I guess it probably will never be over. but my main goal was to get it driveable before winter hit. next summer i want to revamp the suspension.

 

[Arkiemurph]

I think you did a heck of a job with it!

Murph

 

[gert]

man im glad Im going home in a few days, maybe i can finally do something to mine, You did a great job dont be afraid to show us some more pics