Build Thread Here goes nothing

[maverick]

Alright guys, my first Cj. Picked up a 1975 CJ5 off craigslist, its my mission right now to make it road worthy. Most everything it needs to run is there. My fuel system right now is a gallon can bungeed to the engine bay. It came with a 15 gallon tank, but it may not be the right one, and has rotted hoses. Nothing in the tub is bolted down. The tub itself is fiberglass, and the frame is pretty good.

Ok, back to getting it running. It turns over and runs for a little bit with a sprtiz of starter spray. It wont stay running, and the guy said he thinks it is something to do with the charging system. I plan on investigating that this weekend.
All the lights need to be installed, no idea if the wires are good. Tires are slowly dry rotting and leak air. Wont know much else untill I dive in head first.

 

[maverick]

 

[maverick]

Lots of errant wires in the engine bay. I hate electrical. Oh god do I hate it. But, with Haynes bible in hand, I'm gonna try to decipher the hieroglyphics that is my wiring diagram and figure out what's been molested.

 

[Petescj]

Some of these pieces are not where they belong .

I look forward to seeing you piece this back together. Seems like a solid foundation from what you describe.

 

[maverick]

 

[mtnwhlr]

Is it just me, in the first pic it looks like the valve cover gasket is on the outside of the cover

 

[dschwab]

They put the valve cover gasket on the outside to absorb the oil while it leaks. Don't want to leave a puddle.

 

[mtnwhlr]

They put the valve cover gasket on the outside to absorb the oil while it leaks. Don't want to leave a puddle.

Now thats a new one on me. Is that what you would call redneck engineering.

 

[rr41mag]

I see it has an HEI distributor at least. I personally don't mind wiring. I get a sheet of plywood and start out by screwing brass hooks to it. I string the wiring harness on it and write on the wood to identify what goes where. A lot of the wiring is behind the dash. I hung my dash up in my house and did all that wiring when it was too cold outside. I blew up copies of the wirng diagram since it was too small to glance at and read. Go to a printing company to get copies made an tell them to blow them up.

 

[RM77CJ5]

Looks to be a fun project. Where's the battery? There's your electrical problem!
:ww:

 

[maverick]

I see it has an HEI distributor at least. I personally don't mind wiring. I get a sheet of plywood and start out by screwing brass hooks to it. I string the wiring harness on it and write on the wood to identify what goes where. A lot of the wiring is behind the dash. I hung my dash up in my house and did all that wiring when it was too cold outside. I blew up copies of the wirng diagram since it was too small to glance at and read. Go to a printing company to get copies made an tell them to blow them up.

That's a good idea man. I think I'll try that. beats getting frostbite!

 

[maverick]

Ok, got the dash and front wire harness out. This week will be sorting loose wires and replacing what needs it. I looked at the painless harnesses but I just can't afford one.

 

[bzahler]

If you know your way around a wire diagram and don't want it plug and play try Larrys electric.com. I just used one on my CJ7

 

[maverick]

Im figuring this out as I go. I have next to no wiring experience. BUT, went through the wires and didnt find any nasty sliced/ molested surprises. Replaced a few bad connections, cleaned up the fuse box. Tried to scrub 39 years of grime off the connectors.. eleminated my side blinkers from the harness. I'm going to tag it as historic so no need to satisfy inspection requirements .
The back of the dash is a bit of a mess. I have no idea how to simplify any of it. I had half a mind to run toggle switches in place of the pull knobs since half of mine are rusted out. Ned to research that further. Will post pics if I figure it out.

 

[maverick]

Ok, been a little over a month since my last update. Now that Maryland is thawing out its a bit more pleasant to work outdoors.
Ive stripped the interior of the dash, steering, pedals, etc. I plan on lifting off the tub to touch up the frame with spray on under carriage coating. most of the parts seem like they can be refurbished, leaving little I need to buy. my parking brake line has been cut. at both ends. new shocks and leaf springs wouldn't hurt, but will make due for now. Goal being getting it road worthy, not trail worthy. that will come later . looking under the body underneath the doors are odd rectangles of metal bolted on, that seem to serve no purpose. theres one on each side. with a piece of ancient leather strap dangling near them. No idea what these were for

 

[Petescj]

Seat belt mounts?