Build Thread The slower than :dung: 1979 CJ5 build.

Build Thread The slower than :dung: 1979 CJ5 build.

daddyusmaximus

Senior Jeeper
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Location
Remington
Vehicle(s)
'80 CJ7, Just a rolling frame right now... will have Mopar 360, Torqueflite 727, D20, full size D44, Chrysler 9.25 with 4 wheel discs. SOA on Rubicon Express 1.5" YJ springs.
People like photos, so I'll start out with one.

ight%20side%20with%20windshield%20down_zpsyxr9untk.png

Got my new (to me) 1979 Jeep CJ5 today. This is my 3rd CJ5 , but the last one I had was when Regan was in office. I decided to start my build thread on the same day I took delivery, but please do not expect a complete build in a short time. You see I'm poor. Well, OK, maybe not poor poor, but I'm living off my VA disability, so there's not a lot of cash raining down on me.

My starting point is rough not only duew to the 38 year old vehicle, but the jurry rigged stuff done by others. Oh, I'll jurry rig stuff too, but there are some things I need to address. This thing was modified into a sand toy a couple of owners ago. She has a strong 360 under the hood with a 4 barrel, headers, a mild cam, and MSD ignition. Transmission is a Torqueflite 727. Transfer Case is supposed to be a Dana 20 . Axles are from a full size Dodge truck, 4.88 geared and mounted SOA on 33x12.50s. They are Dana 44 in front, with lockouts, and 9.25 rear with a Detroit locker. They have 4 wheel discs brakes, but not power brakes. No top, no doors, no heater or defrost, rusty spots to fix, and the aforementioned jurry rigged stuff.

She will not be a daily driver. I will use her as a weekend wheeling vehicle, but I do want to make enough changes to her to be able to take her on longer trips. I have visions of Black Bear Pass, MOAB, Drumman Island MI, Alaska... Most of the time she ventures off the beaten path will be right hear in good old Indiana at the Badlands Off Road Park an hr south of me. I'm going to do her up as a copy of an M38A1, but in desert colors like the vehicles I drove in Iraq. She'll probably get a soft top one of these days, and the plastic racing seats are going away by spring. My spine is too mangled up for anything other than good suspension seats. She is not intended to be anything other than a fun vehicle to go exploring in, and I'm not a good welder or fabricator, so don't expect to see top notch workmanship.
 
Check that Transfer Case . The later CJ7 's with a TF automatic Transmission and a Dana 300 . The 300 is way better than the 20. The '79 Autos were GM Turbo 400 's with the QuadraTrac . Some people like to change that to a DANA 15 or 20. The 20 needs the axle pumpkin moved to the middle instead of off-set for the QuadraTrac . So sounds like your whole drive train has been changed.

Looks like a really good starting point. Don't be afraid to ask questions as you go.

I've never really liked the wheels sticking out like yours do, but for mostly off-road use, that's a good thing I think. I would really like to see the axles cut down, but now your talking big money. Good luck with your build.
 
The engine has been tilted down a bit in the rear and a custom Transfer Case crossmember fabricated. It looks like they were trying to limit the driveline angle for the front axle, but now it hangs down too low for my taste. At least the rear was rotated upward to help with that angle. You can also see the torque arms fabricated to keep axle wrap down with the SOA. The crossmember for the arms is right on top of the Transfer Case , so it will have to be moved as well.

trans_zpsudntodho.png

driveshaft%20rear_zpsdyjilsvx.png

transfet%20case%201_zpsfwojke8j.png
 
I'm pretty sure the rear end is the 9.25. Pumpkin is centered and the shape of the pumpkin is like photos of the 9.25 I've seen online with the same 12 bolts in the same pattern.

axle%20rear_zps0bhmupag.png

Crazy thing is the builder welded new spring perches on the axle to match up with the width of the CJ5 frame, but didn't bother to cut off the old truck spring perches...

af%20spring%20mount%20right%20rear%201_zps01eube5q.png

You can also see the brake line go between the inside U-bolt and the axle tube...

af%20spring%20mount%20right%20rear%202_zpsoiksy0rg.png


Rear springs are 2.5" wide. YJ springs maybe?

springs%20rear_zpsnesu1cqr.png
 
Nice score - That oughta keep you busy for a bit!! Now, I just have two things to say:

1 - Nice start to a thread - A PIC.....YEAH. LOL

2 - Yer gonna hafta change the name of your thread - It doesn't fit. I have the longest build ever..... My scheduled end date is just to get it done before I reach room temperature.....

:chug:
 
Nice score - That oughta keep you busy for a bit!! Now, I just have two things to say:

1 - Nice start to a thread - A PIC.....YEAH. LOL

2 - Yer gonna hafta change the name of your thread - It doesn't fit. I have the longest build ever..... My scheduled end date is just to get it done before I reach room temperature.....

:chug:

"Slower than :dung:" fits... if you knew how long it takes my wife to take a dump.
 
HAHAHA - Didn't see that one coming.....


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Welcome,

You have a Dana 20 Transfer Case
Your geometry is off for the rear 2 joint driveshaft
If it were me, I'd get rid of the crossmember drop and tuck the Transmission and Transfer Case up higher where it should be and add a CV rear driveshaft.

Looking forward to your build.
 
Had to go for a cruise with 60 degree weather in January. Love the roar of a big American V-8. Had to tighten up the bolt on the steering arm where the heim joint goes on the knuckle. Didn't care for that 60 degrees I had to saw the wheel back and forth to go in a straight line. Anyway, listen to this beast.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cZtpnLOYIU
 
Forgot to mention... Damn thing wouldn't start, until I remembered it's old, and has a carb. You have to pump the gas pedal to make the accelerator pump squirt some fuel in. Did a tire rotation too. Cost me $13 at NAPA for a deep well impact socket to fit the 1" lug nuts. It has 4 point harness that I can't get adjusted out tall enough. Just use the lap belt part for now. I'll have to take the off to get the buckle working. Had to tighten up the bolt on the steering arm where the heim joint goes on the knuckle. Didn't care for that ~60 degrees I had to saw the wheel back and forth to go in a straight line
 
Very cool I am interested to see this one come together
 
Hope you have patience...
 
PLZ-keep us updated with pictures.
You appear to have a good 'base', to build from.
LG
 
OMG, Even thought you have the newer CJ body style you jeep looks so much like mine did it's crazy. I could not get rid of the aluminum diamond plate dash quick enough. What was found under it was a Swiss cheesed stock dash. I have a cam in my 360, but it doesn't sound like yours. Mine tends to burble, yours has an aggressive blatting sound. I like it. Be aware, these engines like to eat and eat a lot.

I think the rear drive shaft is on backwards. The way it is water can run down the shaft and right into the splines. Yes, I see the cover. Water and grit seem to be able to find a way in.
 
Got a lot of learning to do. I may have had 2 CJ5s before, but I never modifies either one, and this one doesn't have much Jeep left in it. Picking up the seat covers and bikini top from the PO on the way to my 4x4 club meeting tonight.

Those plastic racing seats (at least one) will be one of the first things to go. They may be fine for a skinny 26 year old in the sand, but not to good for a fat old cripple driving on rocky trails through the woods...
 
Looking for ideas for my first major project. I need to get the Transfer Case in my CJ5 back up where it belongs. The builder lowered the *** end of the engine, and now the Transfer Case too low. It may have worked for him on the sand dunes, but it won't work for me on trails through the woods. Looking for ideas to fix this mess. Transfer Case is a Dana 20 behind a Chrysler 360 and Torqueflite 727. I also have to figure out a new place for the forward mounts to the axle wrap bars to mount, if I keep them.

This is the mess I need to fix. The Transfer Case looks to be about 7 or 8 inches too low. Help please.

jeep%20right%20side_zpsqzx4nepc.png

trans_zpsudntodho.png

Transfer%20case%20crossmember%206_zpsarbvgzd4.png

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Transfer%20case%20crossmember%201_zpsn4pcwqjf.png
 
So I got the traction bars off. You can tell that the lack of a front shackle put them under stress by the fact that they are no longer straight...

Bent%20Traction%20Bars_zpso3xdvcpn.png


Went to test the flex, and now I think my front axle isn't powered, despite seeing the driveshaft rotate. Guess I'll have to check the hubs next.
 
Found a possible CJ5 carcass to pick through from a facebook group (midwest overlanders) contact, so some parts may be coming within the next month or so.
 
Was there a noticeably different ride? To bad about the front possibly not working.
 

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