Build Thread Jr's 74 CJ5 "fix" and build as I go...

[JR74CJ5]

Then got into the Rocky Road Outfitters OME YJ conversion kit...

So here again, while happy now, was extremely discouraged during install. The shock towers were thrown in the kit, but near as I can figure they were for their spring over kit as they were WAY too long for the shocks they sent me.

Also the instructions were non existent and I had to "guess" more than once where things should go. Actually cut off the front spring hanger one one side before noticing the new brackets would just go over the old ones and mount through them.

All in all, I am very pleased with the kit's material and workmanship, and after figuring it out, it wasn't too difficult, however I still need to work out a couple kinks in it, and am not pleased with the promised 3 to 3-1/2" of lift it was supposed to net...

Here's a few pics, have to upload the rest later, not where I thought they were...

Tear down:





Somehow missed the putting together, but heres some after test flexing photos...





No real off road tests yet... working on few kinks still as I said...


~ Jr

 

[JR74CJ5]

Also needed to adapt the shifters and mounting design for them for the Dana 20 TC.

After a bit of planning :wasted: :wasted: we decided on a plan and went for it.

Made a mount off the side of the Transmission .





Welded parts of the old mounting configuration on there:



Found my Heim joint ends in the garage:



Had to cut and re-weld the Stainless steel shifters:



Last testing before finish paint etc:




~ Jr

 

[JR74CJ5]

Installed some shocks and shock towers (had to cut 4" out of the ones they sent - and reweld them together again):



Also began working on the floor board changes with new Transmission :

 

[JR74CJ5]

First time starting it after 6 Months :drool::drool::drool:

Had some dust bunnies to work out...

IMG_0657_zps97975521.mp4 Video by JR74CJ5 | Photobucket

and trying out my first (granny low) 7:1 gear for the first time on the road.

IMG_0669_zpsf375966d.mp4 Video by JR74CJ5 | Photobucket


~ Jr

 

[Posi]

Nice progress, looks good!

 

[JR74CJ5]

Now to current time...

Just ordered a sway bar kit for the front, and will adapt some disconnects soon when I have the bar in hand.

Also need to bring the jeep down to the local driveline shop to check some angles for me. Think it's a bit off, around 40 MPH in 4th hear i have a bit of vibration. Tranny also looks like I may have gotten it slightly offset, so may need to readjust that. (Changed motor mounts without tranny attached so may have moved slightly)

And some skid plate builds, and little wiring issues, and I'm on the road. and OFF the road soon after! Can't wait to wheel my Jeep... Even if at the local OHV park only at first to test it all out.



~ Jr

 

[Petescj]

Nice. Its good to know I'll be able to pick your brain a little when I do mine, whenever that may be.

 

[Old Dog]

Nice
It's about time you got to work.

 

[JR74CJ5]

Can't wait to see how the sway bar helps the lean in corners... wont let my wife drive it right now... scares me a little here and there too, so I'm not driving it much either. I know jeep leans, and know to keep them slow through corners, they're not race cars... but this is REAL flexy...

Can't wait to see it flex off road!



~ Jr

 

[mtnwhlr]

Your doing a great job funny how now days everything needs modifying to get it to work right.

 

[JR74CJ5]

Resurrection!!!

I'm tired of chasing wiring issues through rat nest(s) of wiring and adding on accessories with multiple batter connected power leads etc...

So I'm rewiring the whole jeep

1st time trying project like this, feel confident in wiring skills, but still not a pro electrical genius... Will be replacing the dash with complete custom build stainless steel dash, new gauges, new EZ wire harness with fuse box, and adding rock lights, and a few upgraded circuits for head-lights etc using 30A relays.

As always, while I have the roll bar off to get the dash off, I may do some upgrading / fixing on my column, under dash mechanics, and roll bar mounts (tie into the frame etc)

So here we go... Work will start this weekend.

 

[JR74CJ5]

Now, also as always, you guys know I like to use thing I have laying around to help with materials. Remember my rear bumper built from a fork-lift extension tube

This is the material I will be making the new dash from.

This is a old "public restroom partition" that I will be starting from. For any (probably most) that don't know, this is what I do for a living. We sell and install public bathroom partition stalls, accessories etc.

Will keep up to date with progress this weekend.

Most parts are not arriving until Tuesday, so I'll be mainly Demo and prepping materials / areas this weekend.

 

[mstar]

Jr, sounds like you have a really good plan mapped out.What gauges are you going with? mech. or electric? I have been looking at the GPS based Speedo's.Kinda cool. Keep us updated with photos. mike

 

[JR74CJ5]

I have GPS based one on my IPhone - lol

I went mechanical Gauges - See here Dolphin Gauges

 

[TroyaCantrell]

JR, based on other stuff I have seen you do he wiring should not be a problem for you.

Only thing I wish I did was run extra grounds into the cab when in installed my harness. I ended up adding them later. So maybe add one to the under dash and one to run to the rear for things like tail/brake lights and CB antenna.

Tell if you need a hand.

 

[JR74CJ5]

Ok all - Got some good work done, and a few pics here

Here is a before shot



Here's the True Topless Jeep



Roll Bar Off - Tested rolling



SO to the meat and potatoes...

Here is the rats nest I'm tired of trying to deal with

 

[JR74CJ5]

So with Dash Removed, I start Testing Layouts on the new skin

Here is the rough "unfinished" skin - Stainless Steel



This is the one I like the most:







Currently, the dash will have 2 large gauges (Speedo and Tach) and 4 small gauges (Temp / Volts / Oil Pressure / Fuel Level), the head-light and wiper control switches, stereo, heater control panel, switch panel (8 electrical control switches for various accessories)

Getting my wiring harness and gauges today

 

[JR74CJ5]

While the column was out, we decided making the full use of it would be preferred. To eliminate the 2nd "ignition" key in the dash, fix the blinkers, and make use of the GM column capability to control the hazards and the horn.



Don't have many photos of the work so far, but we've found the upper 2 bearings were shot in the column, switches and wiring was bad, etc.

We've completely gutted it and are replacing with all new and working parts. Also fitting it with the correct parts to use the lock cylinder in the column to control ignition.

More to come on this, and that's where we sit coming into this weekend...

Oh and my Brother milled out a piece of aluminum 1-3/4" square tubing for a new defroster chamber... Will finally have a defroster too

 

[IOPort51]

your defrost duct rocks!! I like it.

 

[GARGOYLEJEEPER]

JR74CJ5,
As IO said that defrost rocks, did your brother weld up plates & tubes on the end for the tubes or machined other side? Nice & keep pictures coming, here is what I did for clean power in for accessories. SS tube with soldered ground to Bat-, 4g cable in to circuit breaker then to distribution block, then to CB, Stereo & amps, Cig lighter, USB power & right wheel video camera.
Thanks.