What do you do with your CJ?

[Neuner]

About all I'm missing for big parts is a T-18 transmission and I more or less have one of those waiting for me to drop some money down on it.

You have one already to drop in? If not, there is one near me for sale for $600.

 

[Hedgehog]

The one I'm looking at is a complete CJ5 set-up: Bell housing, throw out bearing fork, Transmission , Transfer Case . It does need a rebuild and who knows about the transfer case. If I got it I'd need to get a twin stick for the T-18 , clutch set-up and figure out a cross member. Come to think of it, I have no idea if my exhaust will accommodate the transmission.

 

[WINDSHEAR II]

I have to be honest...I have no desire to climb rocks or trail ride with my CJ. Actually, the only time my Jeep sees ANY off-road action is when I drive down a dirt road. Although I love Jeeps, off-roading is just not in my DNA. I have owned (4) CJ-7's in my tenure, and still have two of them today, #2 and #4. I love the LOOK of the CJ, much more than that of the YJ or TJ. And a CJ on 33's is almost as pretty as my wife!
But what I am partial to is the CJ as a tow vehicle. Now, she won't tow very much (safely) without upgrading, but throw off the top and the doors...hitch up your Harley or your boat...you have the best looking girl at the dance! No other vehicle is more open and spacious as a topless CJ. I drive a CJ to work every work day, mostly Interstate. The other CJ I own is being "upgraded" to safely tow that boat! NEITHER one has a radio !
Just my opinion!

Stephen

 

[Woolyworm]

Windshear - I run mine off road but agree, it's hard to beat for a street cruiser as well!


Wooly

 

[Hedgehog]

I believe those of us who are honest with ourselves have to admit that our CJ's spend most of their time on the road, that is unless your CJ is an off road trainer queen. For most of us road manners are a must.

 

[Posi]

We had a winter that ran deep into March with cold weather in April (16* April 1st).
I would guess so far this year I have around 8.5 hours of road miles which equals about 300 miles.
I have around 35 hours wheeling which equals about 8 miles.

 

[Hedgehog]

Understood. Mine has seen miles and miles on the road and hours and hours on dirt two tracks.

 

[HackFabrication]

Had to make a decision, keep the shovel head or get a hunting vehicle. The Shovelhead went on down the road and the CJ replaced it.

I need another Harley as much as I need another CJ. But I'd probably risk the wrath of wifey for one of these:

On the upside, there is enough water in the lake (for the first time in 5 or 6 years) to use the boat ramp. I may even use mine this year.

Boating... I just helped my son re-hab this 12 footer:



Old transom was rotted, so we removed it:



Replaced it:





Hung a vintage 1955 Evinrude 15hp Sportwin on the back (pic before transom repair):



Grandson lending his expertise:



Off he goes:

 

[Woolyworm]

Decided it was time for my tired, belly dragger to go. The stock skid hangs way lower than it needs to and with my modest lift and tires it catches up on everything as can be seen in the photo below where it had been trying to self clearance for the past few years.

I also run a 1/4" plate about 12" wide from above my front axle to the front of the belly skid which protects my oil pan, bell housing and my T-18 - although one might argue the T18 with its massively thick case provides ample protection for it self.

I figure if I do nothing else but get rid of the low sides of the stock belly pan I'll get about 2-3" of additional clear space. On both sides of the running gear and about 1.5" under it with a small pocket for the Dana 20 to nest in. Here is the cardboard - going for steel in the morning.

Wooly

 

[hole]

I like the idea of using my CJ to travel on "overland style trips to explore and out to remote locations". One of the things I haven't done, but it appeals to me more and more all the time is to get a metal detector, a guide book and go exploring for old plane crashes and western battle fields. I don't really want to use the metal detector to find and take stuff away from historic sites, I would like to just find something related to the event, a bullet, shell casing, aircraft pieces, things like that. Find'em, look at 'em, maybe take a few pictures and leave then where they were. That would be fun, at least for a little while.

This is 98% of the annual miles my old girl gets is during our spring and fall 4 day treks into the desert. Exploration of old (circa late 1800's) mining districts are our general goals each trip with extra emphasis on the remote part. One trip in particular you might enjoy was one we took a few years back through McCoy mountains and in particular, Palen Pass. Palen Pass was one of the most used sections for mock battles by Gen Patton while training the troops in the early 40's. You might burn out a metal detector in that area, we had no problem finding all sorts of stuff. Razor wire is everywhere along with the screw in poles to hold it up, En Bloc's from Garands, 30.06 blanks all over the place (1942 was the head stamp on all that we saw) machine gunner nests built into all the surrounding hillsides, tank tracks etc. Unfortunately for us it was the last day of our trip that took us through that area, could've spent the entire 4 days poking around the place.

 

[Hedgehog]

A fellow workers father was with Patton during all that training and on to the African deserts and into Europe. The stories that man could tell. Patton developed tactics that beat the far superior German tanks right there in that desert. An amazing piece of history. Interesting enough, Patton was a little man with a high pitched voice far different from the voice used by George C. Scott. ...... "Remember men, it's not your duty to die for your country, it's your duty to make sure that other poor SOB dies for his!" ...... (a very rough version of the speech, but the meaning is still there)

Hack - Nice job on the old boat, Looks GREAT! All the time I was reading your post Alan Jacksons song "Drive" ..... "She was just an old plywood boat, 75 Johnson & electric choke, ...... Ran her for years, till the transom got rotten .... Can't beat the way an old wooden boat rides." Good memories, thanks.

 

[HackFabrication]

Hack - Nice job on the old boat, Looks GREAT!

Thanks!

 

[Woolyworm]

Got my steel today. Tossed around the idea of having them bend it but decided to have parts cut for assembly on the Jeep. The 1/4" steel is at the edge of my Lincoln 140's word but I double passed each joint so should be fine. The parts all went together remarkably well - nice when stuff works. I'm very happy with the increased clearance. Going to add s couple of braces perpendicular to the frame tomorrow and get some paint on it.

Wooly

 

[Hedgehog]

Wooly - I wish I'd used another title for this thread. I love what you've done with your skid plate, but this thread is about what you actually use your CJ for to show the different "Must Haves" for different parts of the country. What I need in the desert is far different from what I would need in the far north. I think your skid plate posts should be in the "What I did with my CJ today" thread. The two titles are far to similar.

 

[Woolyworm]

Hah! Sorry HH Wrong thread.



Wooly

 

[Hedgehog]

My fault for making a title that very closely mimics the other title. Your modification is interesting and ultimately far more useful to others than this thread.

 

[bpd303RH]

What I do with my 2 CJs is longingly stare at them thinking I need to get to work restoring them. Then remember something needs doing on my M38A1 so I can go get the mail on my washed out driveway, then think I really need to get the old Ford tractor going so I can grade the driveway. I really need to get organized.

 

[Neuner]

I like the idea of using my CJ to travel on "overland style trips to explore and out to remote locations".

You might enjoy a thread I've been following for the past year over at Expedition Portal. It's the posting of a guy slowly meandering around the West in his van. He ventures down a lot of forest roads and takes the dirt bike, which is mounted on the back, out to explore the area. He also discusses several occasions of trail repairs and maintenance like swapping out his rear locker, etc.

He finished the first loop earlier this year and even swung down into lower CA and AZ. He's now starting on his 2nd trek and has quite a following. Takes a little while for his story to get going but it sucks you in. I like his style and pace and would love it if I could do something similar with my wife if/when I retire:

My Solo Wanderings of the West - Expedition Portal

 

[Woolyworm]

If love to find a tow behind wheel driven mower of some sort to drag through my fields once a year to keep them grass.


Wooly

 

[CJAKE7]

I disagree Hedge. I believe it is very interesting to hear from others about what they use their CJs for. I'm a month late on finding this post but have greatly enjoyed reading it.

As for me, I am or want to be more in the overlanding category as well. I just reduced my tire size from 33" to 31" in order for it to handle better/nicer on a long journey. One of my highest priorities is reliability so I find myself putting my money into the weakest area. This weekend I'll be heading to the Mid Atlantic Overland Festival in central Pa. I'm developing/researching/dreaming up plans to do a trip that I'm not sure has ever been done - well maybe. Anyway, I want to start at the Delaware River and cross the state of PA to the Ohio line using as little pavement as possible. I may wear out the DeLorme and Google Earth in the process.