Any CJ5 Owners Nearby?

[Spduffee]

Hi All,

I have been working on my '78 CJ5 for a while now, everything from new fuel system to suspension, body....It's up and running and is a blast to drive, even without the windshield, at 30°.
Problem is, I don't know how it's supposed to drive, handle, accelerate, etc, since I never drove one before. I owned an '86 CJ7 once, but it was only 6yr old then and was a straight 6, all factory standard.
Does anyone live near Bellevue, Wa with a road worthy CJ5 , V8 and relatively stock that would be willing to show-n-tell?
Thanks,
Shawn

 

[jzak]

Eight years too late, buddy! I used to live in East Lake Union, now east coast.

If its a blast to drive, then chances are everything is fine. Occasional creaking and knocking is normal. CJs are supposed to drive like tractors. As long as its tracking straight, and you don't hear any recurring sounds vibrating up from the steering, I think you'll be ok. Just check to make sure everything is as tight as a drum.

 

[Spduffee]

Thanks Jzak. I haven't had it past 35 or 40 but did notice some uncomfortable traits that I looked up and am trying to correct. But you're right, if it's fun it must be good.

 

[TnCJ]

Thanks Jzak. I haven't had it past 35 or 40 but did notice some uncomfortable traits that I looked up and am trying to correct. But you're right, if it's fun it must be good.

I regularly drive mine 60-65 on the highway with no problems. It doesn't drive like my Tacoma and you will notice every little bump in the road.
This is my third CJ, I had a 70's something CJ5 many years ago and it was my daily driver with a 40 mile commute. I worked a rotating shift job at the time and it wasn't much fun jumping in it after working a midnight shift with the temps in the single digits.
It was a good Jeep though and I was a lot younger at the time. It took me places I shouldn't have been but never failed to bring me safely home.

 

[Kane]

I drove my lifted 1980 CJ5 from Utah to Ct at 70mph the whole way and it drove fine. The key is to have the steering geometry setup correctly at the height to have the Jeep. Make sure all the bushing, bearings and tie rods are good and you will have no problems.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

 

[Spduffee]

I finally got the CJ5 insured and roadworthy-ish. It is steering better, performs better now with a Holley ( had a Carter AFB), got my windshield in and lights....I have never gone above 34, 40mph. Last night I actually went onto the I-90 for about 2mi. It handled really well, but man, it could really use a 4th gear. I am guessing I was going around 55. The tach read 2500, I think. But man, was it screaming, especially with the headers and Patriot glass packs. Is that normal? I can't imagine it doing 70mph across several states...
I wish I could upload the photo, but I can't manage that...

 

[Patrick]

Lol...yes. It’s normal. You need 5th gear, not 4th. That’s why many of us upgrade to Overdrive transmissions or regear axles especially with a V8. I can’t hear my engine past 45 mph, but the wind drag past 70 will scare the out of me. In the end, it comes down to what you want to do with your rig...off road king or urban cruiser, or a balance of both. The latter can be done with careful parts selection. Good luck!

 

[hole]

The T-150 3rd gear is the same as any 4sd, 1 to 1. Do you know what gears are in the diffs? What size tires?

 

[Spduffee]

Thanks guys. A couple weeks ago I looked at the differential but there were no tags. I remember the PO mentioned it was not stock, but from a '71. I haven't had time to do the spin-count test, but will do that soon to find out what ratio the gears are. I have an NP435 sitting in the garage, but that install will take some effort and I'm not sure how much things would change, other than having a slow first gear. I'll probably sell that and stick to back roads to the trails, which is much nicer anyhoo.

 

[Spduffee]

I took a look this morning and found I have a locking differential with a count of 3.5. A link to a picture of the differential is below. If anyone can visually identify it, please speak up. Again, this is a 1971 rear end, according to the PO.
Later I'll go to Petsmart and have a bone-shaped tag made and bolt it on so whoever survives the pandemic can enjoy my CJ and know what they're driving.
Please let me know if you have problems with the link.
Thanks,
Shawn

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TWNhUpPCtIx0GKsdOJ_ITHAicLwA17dm/view?usp=drivesdk

 

[Spduffee]

Here are some more pics....

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TdwSZBabNd8oXJFzDgSW4STT1hhubRTI/view?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TZ4HbDUsq_RPQ0fgq7hboVxP-ccvPAoX/view?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Tf1mMkHJQEPbpH7-vGqzcQAPbuK-QLpH/view?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TkH_uVoGuUkIivpVIA752G3UwGymVCex/view?usp=drivesdk

 

[Belizean]

Link works

 

[TnCJ]

I took a look this morning and found I have a locking differential with a count of 3.5. A link to a picture of the differential is below. If anyone can visually identify it, please speak up. Again, this is a 1971 rear end, according to the PO.
Later I'll go to Petsmart and have a bone-shaped tag made and bolt it on so whoever survives the pandemic can enjoy my CJ and know what they're driving.
Please let me know if you have problems with the link.
Thanks,
Shawn

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TWNhUpPCtIx0GKsdOJ_ITHAicLwA17dm/view?usp=drivesdk

Links work for me as well. Your rearend looks like a Dana 44 to me.

 

[Spduffee]

Thanks. I was thinking it's a 44, too, but the plug is higher than most. I guess that doesn't really matter. It's 10-bolt, kind of Millenium Falcon shaped...I have yet to find any markings anywhere, but I think I'll go with that - Dana 44 , 3.55.

 

[TnCJ]

Thanks. I was thinking it's a 44, too, but the plug is higher than most. I guess that doesn't really matter. It's 10-bolt, kind of Millenium Falcon shaped...I have yet to find any markings anywhere, but I think I'll go with that - Dana 44 , 3.55.

Yes I also noticed the fill plug was higher than the Dana 44 's i've seen, but I still think it's a 44.

 

[caveman]

That's a Dana 44 but I believe that the cover must have come from a different application.

 

[Spduffee]

Thanks guys. I was reading afterwards about the versions. As mine is a centered pumpkin it must be a '72 or newer...trivia.

 

[Grumpa]

Thanks. I was thinking it's a 44, too, but the plug is higher than most. I guess that doesn't really matter. It's 10-bolt, kind of Millenium Falcon shaped...I have yet to find any markings anywhere, but I think I'll go with that - Dana 44 , 3.55.

According to this, it's a 3:54 to one. Could still be stock gear ratio with a different cover on it. I'm no pro though so take it for what it's worth.
https://www.automobile-catalog.com/auta_details1.php