The get my CJ5 back on the road thread.

[Hedgehog]

Nice!

Mine has a lot of power as well, but raw power isn't everything when on the road. Mine will go far faster than I'm comfortable driving it. It handles well enough at 65 or so, but above 70, really at 72 there is an uncomfortable vibration or throb in the body that can't be ignored. I hope your's is Limited by the speed limit and not the jeep letting you know that you'd better slow down some.

 

[Kane]

Actually it is quite stable up to 100. Yeah. I've been there before.

 

[Hedgehog]

That's extraordinary! I've had mine up to ~90 with engine left for more. The shudder goes away at ~78. That doesn't mean we are likely to do it again any time soon.

 

[Kane]

100 is scary in a lifted jeep but I was racing a Durango RT and I wasn't going to let up. Stupid yes but I have a racing itch and used to street race in my younger days. This guy was showing off so I had to give him a run for his money. The more scary part was the fact that the motor had no signs of letting up. It wanted to keep revving. I built it myself and really made it a solid mill.

 

[Hedgehog]

Funny, mine was a small sports car like an old Alfa Romeo or Audi, don't know it was dark. While he was rowing through the gears the ol' 3 speed made short work of him. The part that made me nervous the road turned into a wide right hand sweeper. He did get a darned good look at what an old CJ with a V8 can do. I'm sure that your SBC has more zip than my old 360, but it was still fun to play.

 

[Kane]

I spent some time this weekend installing the rear seat and seat belts. The project took about three hours and went in pretty well. You never know what will happen when putting things on a glass body. I got pretty lucky. I am excited to have my kid to be able to cruise around town with me. I have never had a back seat in my CJ5 at all. It actually feels kind of strange. the only real annoying part is the kid seat gets in the way of the soft top bows when I am removing the top. I have to loosen up the seat belts and push the kid seat forward to move the bows.

 

[Kane]

Got it plated today and it felt great to go for a drive with my daughter for her first real drive with me. She is 6 a she said she loves how unique the jeep is.

 

[raser13]

and i bet you couldn't wipe the smile off of your face for the rest of the day! good work, it's a sharp looking jeep, you should be proud.

 

[Posi]

 

[Petescj]

Now back to work on the Scrambler!

 

[Kane]

Now back to work on the Scrambler!

Yeah I was thinking the same thing man. i actually wrote a list of what needs to be done to the Scrambler that will not cost me money. Basically cleaning up and finishing existing items. I was surprised at how much I need to do that wont break the bank. Now I am going to just start running through the list and let me bank account go up a little bit before that next big purchase needs to happen.

 

[Kane]

I Finally tackled the loud exhaust I had on the Jeep. My 350 had a set of long tube headers and Flowmaster super 40's inside the frame rails. This thing was LOUD to say the least. I have tinnitus and also with my young kids in the Jeep the noise had to be reduced. I did some research and settled on some Dynomax turbo mufflers that were only 1 inch longer than the Flowmasters. This way i can be sure they fit with minimal modifications. My current exhaust is fully welded so I had to so some slicing and dicing with a sawzall. I ended up buying the more expensive strap clamps to hold the new mufflers in place. At $11 each they are not cheap but they are very worth it. There is no crimping of the pipes and it holds them very tight together. Yesterday I took the Jeep out for a drive and it really mellowed out. It still sounds throaty when I want it to and is mellow at idle and cruising speeds. This is exactly what I wanted. I am blown away by how much different the character of my Jeep changed from the work i have done. from lowering it back to stock and going with 31in all terrains to the quiet pipes and also removing the 1 piece front end and also installing an actual back seat. I feel like I bought another Jeep. I kind of wish I went down this road years ago.

At this point i am calling the Jeep finished and ready for a summer of cruising. Now it is time to get back on the Scrambler and make some progress toward my goal of driving her next summer.

 

[armyeng1]

Hello; I live in Cancun Mexico and have bought a jeep that was built in 1979 with a Chrysler 4.0 Engine and appears to by a Chrysler Differential etc. I don't know a lot of the technical specs etc; but I do know how they work and I have decided I wanted to do some of it myself; not to save money; but to enjoy the build and then enjoy the ride when she back to normal 1979 specs.

My biggest problem right now seams to be finding the front exhaust piece that connects to the manifold; please if anyone can recommend someone to custom fab that for me; that would be great.

My second problem is that it has disk brakes on the front and I don't think they where original? If anyone can elaborate on that it would also be helpful so I can restore the drum brakes back.

Third problem is I haven't been able to resolve the first and second problem; haha. Looking forward to working with you all and I will post pics as I go along.

Oh; one other question; I cant seam to find a fuel tank vent valve; its got to line that go to it ; then to some kind of rollover protection etc. Can anyone tell me where I can get those items; someone thought they weren't important and I can fill up my gas tank or the fuel spill out!

 

[Torxhead]

Doing a computer search for Jeep CJ replacement parts should find you an outlet to purchase parts from. Custom exhaust work will have to be done by a local muffler shop. Front disk brakes came standard with the '79 CJ. I would have to advise getting a Jeep CJ repair manual to show you how the gas tank vent system is set up as it is somewhat of a critical system.