Best Order Of Repair?

Hi! I'm the ?brand new? owner of a 1974 Jeep DJ-5C. Yeah, it's not a CJ, but maybe I can find some love here.

Well, the jeep is in pretty much good shape, despite the age and the fact that it's spent the last 20 years out standing in a farmer's field. Not much rust that I can see - most of the undercarriage has spots but nothing is rotted through. Even though the tires are non-existent, there was enough rubber that hadn't crumbled away to keep it from sinking knee-deep into the cow pucky.

I'm now drawing up plans to bring this monster back to life in more or less stock configuration. And there's so much to do that it's easy to get lost in what order things should be done. I realize that "get the I-232 running, idiot!" is the first big step. But after that, what's next? Brakes (which are one solid chunk of trash)? Front steering (where every joint has lost not just grease but the rubber grease cups)? Electrical/Dash? Fuel tank cleaning? Rebuild carb? Install 25000 watt stereo system with 36 inch subwoofers?

I know for a fact that I have to do just enough body work initially to get it to pass inspection, so it'll be street legal as I do the rest of it. That means mirrors, lights, seat belts, etc. It doesn't mean fixing dents or getting it painted.

So, this is where I'm at. What's probably the best way to allocate time/resources in order to get this one back on the road more sooner than later?

Thanks in advance!

j

 

Yeah .. Definitely drop and clean the fuel tank, blow out the lines, fresh filter, spark plugs, ignition parts. Clean air filter.. Rebuild carb. Fresh fuel. Try to start. Then I'd empty the brake fluid and replace it. Bleed all around. Front steering is probly gonna need new tie rod ends etc. I bought a complete tie rod including ends for less than $100.

 

Try to do one thing at a time. Baby steps.

And welcome.

 

Welcome from Oklahoma! There are a lot of forum members in the DFW area, at least one of them is also a DJ fan, so you are not alone.

 

I'm a fan of stop, steer and start, in that order.. haha

 

brakes are overrated....seriously start stop and steer as long as it will do all three you are good.

 

Greetings.

 

Welcome from Ga.

 

OK, here's a pic for you!

 

Cool. I miss seeing the mail Jeeps coming around. Now they're all those little vans.