In need of some help distinguishing rebuild issues.

[slicxric]

Hello to all,
Just recently registered as a member due to the overwhelming about of info that Google has directed me to through this forum.
I'm currently reassembling a supposed 79 CJ5 , but a lot of stuff is not adding/lining up. Having issues with manual shifter not centering in tub opening and not lining up with skid plate mounting holes. There has also been a four wheel power disc brake system installed and now the air filter housing won't go on due to the new brake booster. As well as front upper shock mounts sitting too far back for the fender inner fender notches. This isn't it's first rodeo, most all the nutserts/welded nuts where the body mount bolts, dash panel bolts, and fender/grille bolts fasten are gone or drilled out oversized. Later this evening I'll post picks of actual concerns. Thanks in advance.

 

[cglax6]

Welcome from VA!

Sounds like you've got some good PO problems!

If you take a look at the VIN, it'll tell you what it used to have in it and what year it was...always a good place to start. A quick google search will help you decode...i think there's a page on this site somewhere that has the decoder info.

The VIN will tell you what year, Transmission and drive, series (CJ5 , CJ7 , etc), engine, and serial number. The plate will also have a color code with the original paint color.

That's where you need to start because your Transmission line-up woes will need to be answered from there. Mounts for the I6 and V8 are different.

Skid plate is easy to solve...If the holes don't line up with the tranny you want to use, just drill new ones and install the mount and tranny.

Did the PO put in one of those dual diaphragm boosters? If they did, then those are pretty big. If it originally came with manual brakes, chances are he put in one of those big dual diaphragm boosters because that's what pops up when you do a quick search for booster upgrade. The OE booster is much thinner and sits farther back, leaving plenty of room for the air cleaner. You may need a smaller diameter air cleaner or get an OE booster.

It's not uncommon to have a mish mash of stuff slapped on all over the place. There's enough people out there that are confident enough to do their own work, but as a result, you get a strange mix of slapping stuff together and 'gotta do it this way because there's no other way'...especially for the nutserts. If you break those things out, that could spell disaster for a novice rebuilder.

Some people forget that upgrades and conversions require a lot of thought and planning to make sure everything fits right.

Can't help you with the shock mounts without pics...

Again, welcome to the family! Send pics and we'll be able to help!

 

[slicxric]

Thanks for the quick reply. i searched all over inside the tub and could not find a vin plate. from what i can tell, it had manual brakes before the upgrade. As far as the drive train goes, it is a 6 cylinder (not sure displacement), with i believe is the T-150 Transmission . Not sure if its the Dana 18 or 20 Transfer Case . I'm interested to see what you guys come up with and how big of a pile of poo i have stepped in. I personally own a 98 TJ and am pretty familiar with them, but this CJ has thrown me for a loop. I'll hopefully have some pictures uploaded are 7 PM EST.

 

[cglax6]

Thanks for the quick reply. i searched all over inside the tub and could not find a vin plate.

Only mentioning this because I'm just making sure...

The VIN plate should be inside the engine compartment on the driver's side of the firewall at about the 5 o'clock position from where your brake booster is installed.

If it's not there, then the title should have the VIN on it.

If no trace of the VIN anywhere, then you'll need to look for telltales...cast numbers on the engine and Transmission , etc. That will give you info on each component. Post what you find out and folks here can ID pretty quickly.

Are the tub/fenders original? Steel or fiberglass? I know some aftermarket body pieces are known to have fitment issues.

Pics will certainly be helpful and folks here are real good at identifying what folks have. Too many stupid questions to ask without pics...

Definitely a gamble to pick up where someone left off. I keep a detailed log book of everything that I've done to mine (maintenance, part numbers, part stores, phone numbers, etc) because I can't remember a dang thing and I don't want to screw myself later on when something needs to be fixed or replaced.

 

[slicxric]

The only sheet metal replaced was the hood, tub and fenders are steel and came in on the Jeep. Got VIN from owner. It decodes to 79 with AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l 2 barrel with 3spd. Now let's see if I can upload pics.

 

[slicxric]

Apparently uploading photos isn't liking me. "Security token missing." So I'm adding a link to a folder in my Google drive.
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=13ETIP-vA0fn_BeJNF087fUfUjUH1KS6q

 

[Posi]

Got VIN from owner. It decodes to 79 with AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l 2 barrel with 3spd. Now let's see if I can upload pics.

A T-18 4 speed Transmission was swapped in to replace the T-150 3 speed.
Dana 20 tranfercase
yj windshield frame
80s Laredo rims
79 CJ5 frame
72-75 CJ5 tub
Edit: The reason the tub doesn't line up with the frame mounting hole is because the 76-86 frame is a different design from the 72-75 frames

 

[slicxric]

A T-18 4 speed Transmission was swapped in to replace the T-150 3 speed.
Dana 20 tranfercase
yj windshield frame
80s Laredo rims
79 CJ5 frame
72-75 CJ5 tub
Edit: The reason the tub doesn't line up with the frame mounting hole is because the 76-86 frame is a different design from the 72-75 frames

Thank you sir! I had a feeling the body and frame where two different year models. That confirmation helps a lot. A YJ windshield frame? Wow.

 

[jp360cj]

Hello to all,
Just recently registered as a member due to the overwhelming about of info that Google has directed me to through this forum.
I'm currently reassembling a supposed 79 CJ5 , but a lot of stuff is not adding/lining up. Having issues with manual shifter not centering in tub opening and not lining up with skid plate mounting holes. There has also been a four wheel power disc brake system installed and now the air filter housing won't go on due to the new brake booster. As well as front upper shock mounts sitting too far back for the fender inner fender notches. This isn't it's first rodeo, most all the nutserts/welded nuts where the body mount bolts, dash panel bolts, and fender/grille bolts fasten are gone or drilled out oversized. Later this evening I'll post picks of actual concerns. Thanks in advance.

Transmission shifter - As long as it shifts into all gears and a boot will cover the hole, it doesn't really matter if it's centered or not.

Skid plate mounting holes - The rubber mount may need to be turned around...The holes aren't centered and it only fits 1 way.

Brake booster/air cleaner - Not sure how hard they are to track down, but you can get an offset air cleaner that will move the filter towards the center of the Jeep and out of the way of the brake booster.

Front shock mounts/fenders - Those fenders are for a widetrack Jeep (82+ CJ7 /8). They used a different (taller) upper shock mount that bolted to the frame and a lower mount on the axle tube instead of the spring perch.

 

[caveman]

Transmission shifter - As long as it shifts into all gears and a boot will cover the hole, it doesn't really matter if it's centered or not.

Skid plate mounting holes - The rubber mount may need to be turned around...The holes aren't centered and it only fits 1 way.

Brake booster/air cleaner - Not sure how hard they are to track down, but you can get an offset air cleaner that will move the filter towards the center of the Jeep and out of the way of the brake booster.

Front shock mounts/fenders - Those fenders are for a widetrack Jeep (82+ CJ7 /8). They used a different (taller) upper shock mount that bolted to the frame and a lower mount on the axle tube instead of the spring perch.

The engine and Transmission aren't centered anyway. They are offset about an inch.

Sent from my LG-LS777 using Tapatalk

 

[slicxric]

Just want to say thank you. You guys have been a huge help!