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Cj5 Advice, My Blank Slate With Only Potential From Here.

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Squirrelly CJ 5, Apr 23, 2020.

  1. Apr 23, 2020
    Squirrelly CJ 5

    Squirrelly CJ 5 New Member

    NW Connecticut
    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2020
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    28
    Hello,
    I'll get right to it. I know nothing other than basic mechanics and fab. Most of my jeeping experience is from making my first cj5 rust bucket creep through my dads property as a teenager.

    I don't know much lingo or other specifics.

    I have my father's 65 cj5 that I plan on making road legal one way or another. Trouble is I don't know what route to take it. I will be fabricating/rebuilding the body, doing some frame repair and beyond that I'm not sure yet.

    I'm leaning towards mostly stock drive train. I have an incredibly limited budget. I want to be able to utilize it for pulling a trailer (not high amount of weight). I want to be able to do trail riding, I don't care (yet) about intense trails. It won't likely be pretty.

    That's all I know I want thus far.

    What are the minimum items that should be replaced with something more modern?
     
  2. Apr 23, 2020
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2003
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    8,513
    Is it running and drive right now ?
     
  3. Apr 23, 2020
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2006
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    2,754
    whats the engine/trans combo?

    the avatar you have looks to be a 134.

    once you get the engine running nice in the garage, replace all of the brakes, or do a disk brake conversion. google brennan metcalf, and his kit will come up. worth every penny (about 250 bucks.)

    after that, just fix what needs fixing, when it needs fixing.

    welcome to the site!
     
    Jrobz23 likes this.
  4. Apr 23, 2020
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
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    6,656
    Welcome to the forum.

    The list of things to check in order of importance are:
    #1. Brakes
    #2. Brakes
    #3. Brakes
    #4. Steering

    :D

    Upgrading your brakes to bigger drums or discs isn’t absolutely necessary, but if you’re going to put the time and money towards it, it might be worth it and end with something that works well.

    Steering is another hole to fall in. The stock setup works fine if it’s in good working order. If it’s all worn out from wheel to wheels, you might want to look into a power conversion, or at least a manual Saginaw conversion.
     
    Twin2 and RATTYFLATTY like this.
  5. Apr 23, 2020
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2009
    Messages:
    3,083
    Yes, like others have stated, ditch the 9" drum brakes and single reservoir master cylinder for at least 11" drums or disc/drums and a dual master cylinder.

    Then tighten up that steering. The part that causes the most slop in the factory steering is the needle bearings in the bell crank. There is no way to tighten them up unless you replace them, but they will only last so long.

    Upgrading the bearings to taper roller bearings allows them to be adjusted. See my steering upgrade to see what I did. The bearing upgrade was not very expensive.
     
    Last edited: Apr 23, 2020
    Cowboyjeeper likes this.
  6. Apr 23, 2020
    Squirrelly CJ 5

    Squirrelly CJ 5 New Member

    NW Connecticut
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    Apr 23, 2020
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    I had it running a few years ago to plow and do other miscellaneous workhorse activities. After a year of OK operation it began dumping oil in the cylinders. I was getting 40 minds before needing to clean the plugs.

    It sat a few years and after a couple attempts to get it running(fixing a few things I #*ucked up) it has not run more than a couple coughs.

    My father says he did the rings and this thing likely hasn't had more than 50 miles put on it in the last decade
     
  7. Apr 23, 2020
    Squirrelly CJ 5

    Squirrelly CJ 5 New Member

    NW Connecticut
    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2020
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    It is the 134. I do not know what transmission is in it other than its gotta be stock. As far as I know everything is stock.

    This may be a Dumb question but if I got axles from a junkyard vehicle with disc brakes couldn't I bypass buying a conversion kit? And at the same time upgrade to something a little beefier?

    Am I likely to ever break the stock axles just doing lighter trail riding?
     
  8. Apr 23, 2020
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2003
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    Get it to run properly and drive safely.
    I wouldn't worry about any of the other stuff.
    Not at this time anyways.
    Get some seat time behind the wheel.
    Plenty of time to do other mods if you desire.
     
    ojgrsoi likes this.
  9. Apr 23, 2020
    Squirrelly CJ 5

    Squirrelly CJ 5 New Member

    NW Connecticut
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    Apr 23, 2020
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    I have the mindset of doing anything big while it's down to the frame and really planning out what I want. Maybe that is a bit ambitious for my lack of experience.
     
  10. Apr 23, 2020
    Squirrelly CJ 5

    Squirrelly CJ 5 New Member

    NW Connecticut
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  11. Apr 23, 2020
    Squirrelly CJ 5

    Squirrelly CJ 5 New Member

    NW Connecticut
    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2020
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    38F8CE4D-EC97-4A10-9272-31FF66D447FA.jpeg Bare minimum to get in working order
    • Get engine in working order.
      • Determine if engine needs to be bored out or if rings will fix oil getting into cylinders. Or if from leaky valves? I lapped valves years ago but didn't replace o rings.
    • Do something with brakes.
      • Replace drums with larger size or get a disc conversion.
      • Can I kill two birds with one stone and find axles from an appropriate junkyard vehicle that has intact disc brakes? Getting axles that could handle the power of a v6 (that's the largest I think I would ever put in here).
    • Update steering
      • Replace or rebuild old style
      • Update to powered steering. I'm leaning towards this.
    • Patch frame
      • I also want to beef up near the rear end due to thinning
      • I've been intending on boxing the frame in. I believe this reduces flex? Is it worth it? Can I just do the rear section where the frame is thinned?
     
    Last edited: Apr 23, 2020
  12. Apr 23, 2020
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
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    Disclaimer: Understand the commitment you’re about to step into if you choose to do very many new upgrades at once. It’s a common sight to see guys tear these apart with big plans and they show up in pieces on Craigslist a year later.

    I’d really recommend getting the brakes working, making sure the steering is good, get it running, drive it, and update what you think it needs as it needs it.

    Now that that’s out of the way, if you want junkyard axles while keeping your current stance, the strongest route would be a late ‘70 or ‘71 rear axle from a CJ5 or CJ6 for the 1-pc axle shafts, and the front axle from a ‘72-‘82 CJ5 or 6, or ‘76-‘82 CJ7 or 8. ‘77-‘78 and newer will have disc brakes. ’72-‘77 will have 11” drums, but are easy to switch to discs.
     
  13. Apr 23, 2020
    masscj2a

    masscj2a Member 2023 Sponsor

    Ware, Mass
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2013
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    Welcome to the site. Lots of great people and ideas.

    My first question to ask you is, when would you like to start drive your Jeep?

    Secondly and more importantly, how much do you want to spend.

    With those two questions answered, we would have a better way to help with advise.

    If you feel very confidence with your mechanical skills and can rebuild the engine, tranny, transfer case and axles, then I say get after it. Body work doesn't have to be pretty to be a driver, so if your not so good at that, you really won't get hurt.
    But mechanical on these old Jeep's is important. Brakes and steering is life saving stuff. Power steering is sweet, but I just went completely through the stock components on my 70 and it steers like butter. Disc brake conversion up front with 11 inch rear drums also works fantastic, but I highly recommend the dual master cylinder if doing this. Then new brake lines, wheel cylinders.

    If you wish to re gear, there is only a limited axle sets you could use for narrow track Jeep axles if you want to keep it Jeep. But upgraded narrow track Jeep axles are out there. But like some of us have found, picking up used Jeep axles can cost a lot to bring to where you might want them.

    If you have unlimited funds and lots of time (years) nothing is impossible. You might be better off looking for one already done that someone is hurting for money and selling. I know you have a connection with this one, so choice is up to you. Good luck and start a build thread for us to follow.
     
    Squirrelly CJ 5 likes this.
  14. Apr 23, 2020
    jeep2003

    jeep2003 Well-Known Member

    Upstate NY
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    I wouldnt upgrade the axles just the brakes. With stock size tires and engine you really dont need any upgrades but sometimes it makes more sense $ wise. I boxed in the rear portion of my frame and at the spring hangers I havnt had any problems in 12 years. But the more you do the stiffer it will be which is good mine is still pretty flexy
     

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  15. Apr 23, 2020
    fhoehle

    fhoehle Sponsor

    Harford Township, PA
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    While I have very few original parts left from my CJ6, learn from my empty wallet and such...I would do a compression and a leak down test. See what's going on with fouling the plugs first. Change all the fluids. Note any glittery fluids and address as needed. If the brakes work, and you aren't going crazy big on tires, I would run what you have, just replace worn out pieces as needed. If the drums are thin and backing plates rotted, by all means get one of the complete kits available for the biggest drum brakes that bolt on. Resist the urge to rip it down to the frame right away. Get everything working as it should and get some seat time, put some miles under the frame rails to see what you like or don't like. That old 4 cylinder and 3 speed might be everything you need. Too many old vehicles end up junked because of getting too deep and losing interest. An old Jeep is pretty capable and cool in its own right. I have had all ends of the Jeep (and Scout) modification spectrum, and 9 outta 10 times, the factory had their ducks in a pretty good row.
     
  16. Apr 23, 2020
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    One downside to 'upgrading' to JY axles is that you may have to re-gear if you are keeping the F134....a lot of the later axles are 3.73 and not sure if that would be enough gearing for it....Your current axles are probably 5.38 with the 4cyl. I would say that axles would be way down on the list of 'upgrades'....I have my stock axles with v6, 33s and locker in the rear and wheel it pretty hard (Rubicon tested) - brakes and steering come first (and in my case, I've never upgraded the steering yet)....I am guessing yours will work pretty darn well if it doesn't have a lot of miles. Keep the tire size reasonable - helps with steering, braking and for 4cyl performance - something around 29-30 usually works well for a 4cyl from what I gather.
     
    Fireball and Squirrelly CJ 5 like this.
  17. Apr 23, 2020
    Squirrelly CJ 5

    Squirrelly CJ 5 New Member

    NW Connecticut
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    F9B9FAAD-856D-4D9F-A8F8-A96413F1CB5F.jpeg
    I like that set up. I was looking at the flimsy angled pieces and wanted to do something there, even running to bumper like you did.
    As you can see from earlier phot and perhaps in this my rear end has thinned and even broken through.
     
    Last edited: Apr 23, 2020
  18. Apr 23, 2020
    Squirrelly CJ 5

    Squirrelly CJ 5 New Member

    NW Connecticut
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    Apr 23, 2020
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    1
    I wanted to do a bunch to it before driving it but the wisdom of the masses seem to be leaning towards getting it up and running almost stock. This can be good for motivation.

    2
    I have a sad sad lowly budget for this project. Me and my wife are tight with spending and give each of ourselves an "allowance" of around 100 bucks a month. I also have a dirt bike in need of some minor work.
     
    FinoCJ likes this.
  19. Apr 23, 2020
    Squirrelly CJ 5

    Squirrelly CJ 5 New Member

    NW Connecticut
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    4D7C2828-06C3-4BE8-B448-8574204D2E60.jpeg
    A little late, already down to the frame. With the condition it is in this is necessary anyways.
     
    Last edited: Apr 23, 2020
  20. Apr 23, 2020
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    I wanted to add that but ran out of time and had to cut my response short. (y)
     
    FinoCJ likes this.
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