Build Thread Randalls 1980 Cj5 build.
brownrxmd
Jeeper
- Posts
- 100
- Media
- 2
- Thanks
- 0
- Location
- Wittmann, Az
- Vehicle(s)
- 1980 Jeep Cj5.
5.3 Vortec
SM465 transmission
D300 Transfer
3.07 gears
Last year after helping my father in law restore his 76 CJ he gave me his '80 CJ5 . It was in very rough condition; terrible paint, non-functioning brakes, no top, non-functioning gauges, etc etc. It was towed year after year to hunt elk here in Az. I am definitely OCD and non functioning was not going to work for me. So in the past year, I've replaced the old cut up dash to a new one, replaced all the lights and gauges, resolved electrical shorts, replaced front and rear brakes and bought to bikini tops and a full softtop. The jeep has a 3.3 liter v6 from a 1979 Monte Carlo with a Dualjet 2bbl carburetor, puts out a whopping 90 horsepower, maybe. The tires that came with the jeep were 20 years old with plenty of tread but actually fell apart on me in huge chunks within a month of ownership. Anyway, a year later and this past weekend I drove it to Vegas and back and except for the noise of the top flapping around, it must be stretched the trip a good one. 8 gallons of gas up and 7.3 gallons back. Not too bad.
Last month I got the urge to pull the ole v6 out and drop in a 5.3 Gen III motor. So far I am just under 1,100 dollars into it. I sourced 2 SM465 transmissions this past month, one for free the other for 120 bucks or so, it came with a NP208 Transfer Case , a set of blockhugger headers, a 6.0 intake with fuel injectors/rails, coils, a driveshaft, and a perfect bellhousing. That was a great score. Today I ordered a 3 core radiator, a VSS adapter from Novak, carpet kit from ebay, engine mounts and the fuel pump setup from Novak. A couple of weeks ago I got a GM truck fuse block, and a complete wiring harness. I have to go to Tn in a couple of weeks, but when I get back then I'll make the engine purchase, and find a flywheel and clutch kit. Unless anything unforeseen happens I should still come out at around 2 grand for the entire project. I will take tons of pics if anyone is interested, and to those that have already done this I'm very open to helpful suggestions and advice. This such a cool website. thanks!
Last month I got the urge to pull the ole v6 out and drop in a 5.3 Gen III motor. So far I am just under 1,100 dollars into it. I sourced 2 SM465 transmissions this past month, one for free the other for 120 bucks or so, it came with a NP208 Transfer Case , a set of blockhugger headers, a 6.0 intake with fuel injectors/rails, coils, a driveshaft, and a perfect bellhousing. That was a great score. Today I ordered a 3 core radiator, a VSS adapter from Novak, carpet kit from ebay, engine mounts and the fuel pump setup from Novak. A couple of weeks ago I got a GM truck fuse block, and a complete wiring harness. I have to go to Tn in a couple of weeks, but when I get back then I'll make the engine purchase, and find a flywheel and clutch kit. Unless anything unforeseen happens I should still come out at around 2 grand for the entire project. I will take tons of pics if anyone is interested, and to those that have already done this I'm very open to helpful suggestions and advice. This such a cool website. thanks!