Build Thread Took the leap cj5

[battleship]

Well I wen,t ahead and bought a CJ5 . 76 or 77 have to check the vin to be sure but I really only bought it for the frame, which ended up being in even better shape than I thought! It has no motor or tranny but with the other sale-able parts I think I can make the cost of what I paid = 0. Got a windsheild frame that needs new glass and a hood as a side deal( other than the glass both are in what I would call new condition) and A Dana 44 and matching Dana 30 with it as the first things I bought with him. All in all So far I think I'm on the right track as to how to go about this. planning to begin the teardown tomorrow night or sunday morn. will be picking up a camera to document the build. When you see the before pics You are probably gonna say what were you thinking. But at first glance looks can be deceiving.

 

[kickitandholdit]

looking forward to the pics :drool:

 

[battleship]

Well finally got er started, found out my folks are going to my sisters for xmas so I went to see them today. I had planned to start in the A.M but didn't get home till 6:30 by the time I gathered up what I thought I would need and headed over (My rented garage is about a mile and a half from my house) I got set up ya know hook up the laptop the one that has the jams on it, unload the truck ETC it's about 7 or so. So I get down to it start with the Quick stuff first snap a few pics and away I go. Got the hood the mirrors the dash all off, tear out the seats get the windshield ready to come off and find I forgot my allen wrenches (want to save the stainless hinges). So I move on to the pedals get them out with out much fuss. Move on to the parking brake didn't get it out but while messin w/it I find out it stiill works so going to try to save it may come in handy. Took some time to clean out the tub all full of pine needles and stuff the guy I got it from kept it near a big old pine tree and judging from the amount of in it had sat for a while. The body was surprisingly sound smacked it a lot of the places that rust w/ a real big ball peen hammer, To bad it didn't have a title for some body good at sheet metal it seems totally repairable with a little work. would make for a nice mud buggy or rock crawler if I can sell it If not scrap's up now. next I start on the cage looks like a well done homemade six point to the body with a bit of work can be attached to the frame. I get to the last bolt on the front part an walk over to take a drink and see my angle grinder sittin there So I make quick work of that one and look at the clock about 9:30 and decide to call it a night. Plan on being down to a bare frame by tomorrow night. Here is a pic of the before.

 

[kickitandholdit]

Nice keep up the work and pictures. and watch out for the grinder.. if your anything like me it can get bad. I get my hands on a grinder and get carried away and just want to grind stuff all day haha they are too fun!

 

[battleship]

Well I had hoped to be down to the frame today but was feeling lazy. Plus I'm gonna need a set of torches to get the body lift off, tried to use a sawzall on the actual lift parts but damn that stuff is hard and the bolt are not in the best of shape for wrenching even using six points. Sorry no pics didn't think lack of progress waranted it. Did manage to get the bumpers,wind shield and cage off (don't buy a comealong from autozone i've used comealongs many times but this pos doesn't have a release for the pawl had to use a screwdriver to release the cage).

 

[battleship]

watch out for the grinder.. if your anything like me it can get bad. I get my hands on a grinder and get carried away

My weapon of choice is the Sawzall. Well finally got to get some work in this evening got off work at 4 and managed to get the body disconnected, dropped the heater stuff an took a few odds and ends off that might come in handy. The tub is worse than I thought the back floor is actually 3/8ths steel plate so I'm just gonna cut it up and it's off to the scrap yard. Had some friends over to help out. Here's a pic.

 

[battleship]

Sorry here they are.

 

[JEEPROOKIE]

CONGRATS: My leap is today. 01-01-11, Got a 1973 CJ, basket case in need of all. I guess i should tear it apart like yours and start from scratch, does that sound about right? Am i right in saying the jeep you got had no motor or tranny?

 

[battleship]

Am i right in saying the jeep you got had no motor or tranny?

That would be correct .

 

[JEEPROOKIE]

Looks like we both got lots to do. Best of luck,
jeep out...

 

[battleship]

Sudden change of plans! My truck pretty much gave up the ghost so now I am without a vehicle of my own. Luckily my boss is letting me use one of his for a while. Now I have to make a choice on going out and buying a jeep or finding something to get me through. Right now all that's around my area are 74s and 75s with AMC 304 /360s with 3 speeds My frame for my project is a 77 So some of the parts I've gathered so far won't match up hate to part w/the frame but may have to. So as of now I'm kind of stuck was really hoping to do this from ground up but as of now That's pretty much out of the question.

 

[battleship]

These are 2 possible candidates
1975 Jeep CJ-5
1974 cj5 jeep
please give an opinion. theseare not the only 2 however they seem most inline with my ultimate goal.

 

[BigAl77cj5]

I like the 74 more than the 75. seems like its more original. don't really care for all the 75's diamond plate (whats it hiding). plus not sure whether the 75 has a top but the 74 does. Either jeep looks like it would be a mean rig but you are the one that will fork out the cash to buy it so its your choice. I would probably go with the one that has the least rust and least amount of rigged up stuff.

 

[battleship]

75. seems like its more original. don't really care for all the 75's diamond plate (whats it hiding). plus not sure whether the 75 has a top .

Thanks Al I noticed in your profile that your 77 has the AMC 304 3 spd combo how does that work for you? Good for the highway? As far as the 75s diamond plate it is listed as mostly glass. Will have to check on the top.

 

[BigAl77cj5]

Thanks Al I noticed in your profile that your 77 has the 304 3 spd combo how does that work for you? Good for the highway? As far as the 75s diamond plate it is listed as mostly glass. Will have to check on the top.

the AMC 304 and 3sp do suprisingly well on the highway. the jeep will flat git for what it is, and if you put it to the floor while just cruising down the road it will lay you back in your seat a bit. I out ran a 12 valve cummins that a buddy of mine has. don't know what the top speed is but my buddy was doing around 90-95 mph. I wouldn't recomend going that fast in a lifted one, it would be a little scarry. I was just tired of him doging my jeep. love the power of the v8 in the small jeep. I'm not sure of the mpg that it gets on the highway because my odo doesn't work.

Also on the 75 that gm rear axle might scare me. I'd make sure its got the same bolt pattern and same gearing too. or else you will be in for a lot of head ake. both of the cj's should have come from the factory with a Dana 44 rear end and that would handle most anything you would throw at it.

 

[battleship]

Thanks Al I already have a Dana 44 and a Dana 30 w/4.10s so I can change over w/out much touble. BTW which is more stout of an axle the 44 or the 12 bolt? Neve seen them side by side.

 

[BigAl77cj5]

BTW which is more stout of an axle the 44 or the 12 bolt? Neve seen them side by side.

I really couldn't tell you on that. I know that the 12 bolts are ran in a lot of street cars. But I'm not real sure about in 4x4's. Sounds like it would be a good axle though from what has been put into it.

 

[Mattduran]

Sounds like you will have a good set up. I luv the older cj's. 74 or 75 still have that 90% windshield (unless updated). Show us pictures of the rebuild progress when it happens.