Misc. High Altitude CJ5

[Nekfor]

I have a 72 CJ5 . Have owned it about 6 months. AMC 232 i6 motor with about 105,000 miles. PO took pretty good care of it. I replaced rear leaf springs, shocks and fixed oil leaks (or tried to). It has a 4 barrel Holley carburetor, newer radiator, rest pretty stock. I live in Billings Mt, elevation about 3500. I wanted to drive through Red Lodge and up and over Beartooth pass and then onto Chief Joseph hiway and then back to Billings.

My major concern was how it would handle with the high altitude. So I took off this morning, after making sure pass was open. (Incidentally I heard later they closed the pass after I got thru because of major melting snow). Engine started running rough around 9500 ft, but I just kept taking it easy (speed is just around 25 mph anyway with the switchbacks). Cleared summit, which I think is just under 11,000 ft. Oh, I forgot to mention, I only have a bikini top on it. Wore some extra clothes, but could have used a warmer hat and some gloves. Kept the heater running the whole time even though it was an open cab. Beautiful scenery and a great time. Averaged 15mpg.
I’m guessing PO changed gears, as this CJ5 will cruise 70mph pretty easy. Runs down the road like a top

 

[Belizean]

Nice ! I’m down here in the heat. I would have enjoyed joining you for ride in mine. I keep a nice pair of gloves handy around here in the winter. I went for a ride and lunch today in mine and I was sweating away at stop lights. Moving down the road wasn’t too bad.

 

[WHATROAD]

Back in the day, they had a wire that was attached if you were driving above about 4000 feet. I think it was called, of all things, a "high altitude jumper ground." The Denver jeep dealers would all attach that wire on all 258s that came in. A little research on this might give you the info you need. Good luck. The AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l , I previously had, was already done when I got it.

 

[KRUPP]

Nice!
Been over quite a few high elevation passes myself. Back in the day with the '79 CJ5 , a couple times I remember removing the top of the air cleaner to allow the AMC 304 to suck in more O2 when above 11,000'.
The TBI injection on the '86 now is pretty nice for elevation changes.

 

[Turbogus]

This reminds me. Shortly after getting out of the service in '85, I went back home to Missoula on my motorcycle. I'd been gone 15 years since my folks moved to Oregon and after getting past Lolo, I started getting a might cold under my leather. I intended after Missould to enter Canada but in May '85 the road was snowed in~I'd forgotten. Suffice to say after that trip to Canada and back home to Corvallis (the one in Oregon) I bought an Electric Vest.