New to me CJ5

[NWRunner]

Im a Toyota guy, my baby is a lifted/armored/locked 99 4Runner. Ive had one Jeep, a TJ, that I picked up for a sweet deal and sold a couple months later.

But! Ive just picked up this 1973 CJ5 for a pretty sweet deal, and upon initial inspection I might be in over my head. I bought it today and am pretty unamiliar with the model #'s, gear ratios, Transmission , etc. All I know is it has a AMC 304 that runs pretty well. The frame is clean, except for a couple body mounts. One of the mounts where the body connects to the frame infront of the rear wheel well is unsalvagable, and a mount below the windshield is cracked and crunched.

The paint has been redone, about a 7 out of 10. It has a 2inch rough country lift, new heater, hedman headers. Headlights work and thats about it as far as electrical. Its a project for sure, and im not really sure what ahead of me. Im a Jeep newbie, so any info you have feel free to throw it out there.

Heres a picture. Its not as clean as it looks I promise.

 

[BC CJ]

What part of Washington are you in? I'm just over the border in the Canadian end of the Okanogan Valley.

It sounds to me like a good project base you have there... but a project for sure. Most CJ's are unless you pay more for something someone else has already built.
If everything else is working it sounds like the electrical is your biggest hurdle. I wouldn't worry about 1 body mount for now... I have a couple that are currently just for looks. My electrical is mostly working but it is a huge rats nest of wires. I would like to tear it all out and re-wire with a painless wireing kit. Something like that might be the best place for you to start with your Jeep.

Welcome to the CJ world! I hope you stick with the Jeep, intermediate (72-75) CJ5s are easilly one of the toughest/coolest 4wds ever built

 

[NWRunner]

I live by Seattle, but I bought it out visiting my parents in the Wenatchee area, and its staying there in my dads garage until I feel confident it will make it the AMC 150 miles home over a mountain pass. Ive gone hunting up around Okanogan before, beautiful country.

Ive been looking at the painless wiring kit, but haven't really got a good look at the wiring yet. Next weekend I will diagnose the electrical issues and figure out if that's the best course of action.

What would you suggest I do about the crack in the frame near the steering box? Are there any weld/bolt on reinforcement kits?

 

[diddy2003]

Great looking jeep!! Congrats on the buy. Its looks awesome.

 

[BC CJ]

There is a steering reinforcment rod the clamps on to the steering box above the pitman arm then runs to the other side of the frame. It is to reinforce the steering box and should prevent frame cracking. I dont know but think you could get it through 4wheelparts or similar outfit.

Since you already have a crack, I'd get a good welder to weld it together, clean it up nice with a grinder, then custom make a plate that would bolt on to either side of the crack. That should be plenty strong for normal use and if you got the brace/rod thingy then for sure you could forget about it.

 

[NWRunner]

Can anybody tell me the name of a company that makes steering braces for a 73? Anyone Ive called only makes them for 76 and newer...

 

[CJ]

Warrior makes one - Warrior Products - Jeep - Steering Box Brace and Skid Plate | Warrior Products

Steering Box Brace - Warrior WAR895

72 - 75 CJ's do not have the sucky sheet metal bracket that 76 and up have. Do you really need it?

 

[NWRunner]

Warrior makes one - Warrior Products - Jeep - Steering Box Brace and Skid Plate | Warrior Products

Steering Box Brace - Warrior WAR895

72 - 75 CJ's do not have the sucky sheet metal bracket that 76 and up have. Do you really need it?

Awesome, Just what im looking for.

I think I need it? Ill be running 33/10.50's with no PS and there's already a crack in the frame caused by the steering box. I suppose I could just weld it up but whats to keep it from cracking again? If welding the crack and leaving it alone is the advised course of action then hey, that's $100 spent on something more necessary.