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My First Frame Off Restoration

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by Big_Rob2020, Sep 11, 2020.

  1. Sep 11, 2020
    Big_Rob2020

    Big_Rob2020 Member

    New Braunfels, TX
    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2020
    Messages:
    80
    1 Jeep 1.jpg 2 Jeep interior.jpg 3 Bringing the Jeep home.JPG 4 engine bay before tear down.jpg I started this originally in the introduction page and I would like to document my progress. I'm always open to tip, tricks, and pointers. I am by no means a restoration expert and I probably have made a few amateur mistakes. But...I love jeeps, I love working on them and I have a passion for it. I spent a long time in the Army multiple tours to Iraq and this is probably the one thing that helps me feel normal. So here we go... My 1971 CJ5 that was in rough shape and I am determined to give it a new life.
    (Some of this you guys have already seen, just trying to be complete with document start to finish..)
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2022
    Stakebed, melvinm, Rich M. and 4 others like this.
  2. Sep 11, 2020
    Big_Rob2020

    Big_Rob2020 Member

    New Braunfels, TX
    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2020
    Messages:
    80
    6 Jeep ready to remove engine.JPG 7 1971 225 Dauntless V6.jpg 8 Jeep Engine removed.jpg 16 Jeep Stripped body.jpg 17 Jeep inner firewall.jpg 20 Jeep Frame 3.jpg 21 Jeep Frame.jpg The tear down...
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2022
    melvinm, Rich M., 73 cj5 and 3 others like this.
  3. Sep 11, 2020
    Big_Rob2020

    Big_Rob2020 Member

    New Braunfels, TX
    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2020
    Messages:
    80
    10 head overhaul set up.jpg 11 Cylinder head rebuild.jpg 12 cylinder head rebuild.jpg 13 Dauntless 225 overhauled repainted.jpg 14 Dauntless 225 overhauled rear.jpg 23 225 Dauntless V6.jpg 25 225 Dauntless.jpg Dana 30 & 44 Rebuilt.jpg 26 Dana 44 Posi uprade.jpg Tranny 16.jpg rebuilding components....
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2022
    melvinm, Bandit, 73 cj5 and 4 others like this.
  4. Sep 11, 2020
    Big_Rob2020

    Big_Rob2020 Member

    New Braunfels, TX
    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2020
    Messages:
    80
    tranny 17.jpg tranny 18.jpg Tranny 22.jpg Tranny 24.jpg Tranny 25.jpg Tranny 28.jpg 27 Painted frame.jpg 29 Painted frame & components.jpg 28 Painted Frame.jpg rebuilding components 2....

    That's it for now, I am ready to start going vertical with it. I will have more pics of the Dana 18 (large hole) build next week.
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2022
    melvinm, Bandit, 73 cj5 and 6 others like this.
  5. Sep 24, 2020
    Big_Rob2020

    Big_Rob2020 Member

    New Braunfels, TX
    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2020
    Messages:
    80
    35 Front suspension.jpg 34 Front Suspension.jpg 33 Front Suspension.jpg 32 front suspension.jpg 31 Front suspension.jpg So I haven't gotten as much done lately as I would have liked. BUT, I did get the front suspension assembled last weekend. I would have had an entire rolling chassis done but I was missing two dang grease bolts to hang the rear suspension. I will have more pics by the end of the weekend for you all too see. I'm hoping to be done with my Dana 18 overhaul and have the complete rolling chassis on the ground.

    Of course, I am on call manager for the plant this weekend so we will see how my weekend goes.
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2022
    melvinm, Bandit, bigbendhiker and 5 others like this.
  6. Sep 27, 2020
    Big_Rob2020

    Big_Rob2020 Member

    New Braunfels, TX
    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2020
    Messages:
    80
    49 Rear suspension.jpg 48 Rear Suspension.jpg 47 Rear Suspension.jpg 36 Dana 18.jpg 37 Dana 18.jpg 39 TC Main shaft bushing.jpg 41 TC main shaft bushing.jpg 42 Pushing the bushing.jpg 43 Dana 18.jpg End of weekend update. So I was able to get the rear springs in and the axle set in place on the springs. As I went to install my U-bolts I realized they were too small. So it stopped me from getting my rolling chassis complete. Waiting on that now, but I went ahead and started on the Dana 18 overhaul.

    I got close to finishing it when I realized I made an amateur mistake. I had put my gaskets in place, set my back lash, and correct shim thickness when I realized i had forgot to install the interlock pill between the shift rods. I tried to pull apart the front shift housing and of course it tore up my gasket. The only one i had...

    So here are some pics of what I did get done.
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2022
  7. Sep 27, 2020
    Big_Rob2020

    Big_Rob2020 Member

    New Braunfels, TX
    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2020
    Messages:
    80
    45 home made yoke tool.jpg 46 home made yoke tool.jpg 44 home made yoke tool.jpg Just a shout out to those of you that posted your home made tools. I made my own Dana 18 yoke nut tightening tool, thanks to all of you that posted yours. This was the final thing I did when I got stopped by missing an important step as I mentioned in the last post.
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2022
  8. Oct 5, 2020
    Angus MacVicar

    Angus MacVicar New Member

    MA
    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2018
    Messages:
    23
    Any idea why I get this message when I try and look at your pictures?

    ECJ5 - Error
    You do not have permission to view this page or perform this action.

    Thanks,
    Angus
     
  9. Oct 5, 2020
    Big_Rob2020

    Big_Rob2020 Member

    New Braunfels, TX
    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2020
    Messages:
    80
    You may want to contact one of the moderators. It sometimes has to do with your number of posts to the forum.
     
  10. Oct 5, 2020
    Lilbuff63

    Lilbuff63 Member 2022 Sponsor

    Sonoma County Ca
    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2014
    Messages:
    285
    Looks like you’re off to a fast start! Looks great! Keep at it and you’ll be cruising in no time!
     
  11. Oct 5, 2020
    Big_Rob2020

    Big_Rob2020 Member

    New Braunfels, TX
    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2020
    Messages:
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    Thank you! Yeah I'm trying to keep the pace up, but I am the quintessential weekend warrior, so it has been tough. With these type of projects I have found that I also must manage my wifes expectations and the honey do list. :waiting:

    I'm finishing the T-case tonight and the rolling chassis will be complete, so more pictures to come hopefully this evening.
     
    Snoops likes this.
  12. Oct 5, 2020
    masscj2a

    masscj2a Member 2023 Sponsor

    Ware, Mass
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2013
    Messages:
    743
    That's a lot of work done in a short time. Keep it up, you'll be driving it soon.
     
  13. Oct 5, 2020
    Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    cordele, Ga.
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    Mar 29, 2007
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    5,916
    Very good meticulous work. Keep it up.
     
  14. Oct 5, 2020
    Lilbuff63

    Lilbuff63 Member 2022 Sponsor

    Sonoma County Ca
    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2014
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    285
    I hear ya, took me 7 years to get my Jeep back on the road!
     
  15. Oct 18, 2020
    Big_Rob2020

    Big_Rob2020 Member

    New Braunfels, TX
    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2020
    Messages:
    80
    53 Rolling Chassis.jpg 50 Rolling Chassis.jpg 51 Rolling Chassis.jpg 52 Rolling Chassis.jpg 54 Rolling Chassis.jpg 55 Rolling Chassis.jpg 53 Rolling Chassis.jpg 50 Rolling Chassis.jpg 51 Rolling Chassis.jpg 52 Rolling Chassis.jpg 54 Rolling Chassis.jpg 55 Rolling Chassis.jpg Rolling Chassis DONE.

    53 Rolling Chassis.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2022
    melvinm, Twin2, Fireball and 2 others like this.
  16. Oct 18, 2020
    homersdog

    homersdog Tulsa, Ok 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Tulsa, OK
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    Jan 8, 2012
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    2,356
    You are doing excellent work! :clap:

    What brand of leaf springs are you using or are those stock?
     
  17. Oct 18, 2020
    Big_Rob2020

    Big_Rob2020 Member

    New Braunfels, TX
    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2020
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    80
    They are 4" lift rugged ridge by Omix ADA.
     
  18. Oct 18, 2020
    Big_Rob2020

    Big_Rob2020 Member

    New Braunfels, TX
    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2020
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    59 Tcase.jpg 57 Tcase.jpg 56 Tcase.jpg 58 Tcase.jpg 60 Tcase.jpg 61 Tcase.jpg 59 Tcase.jpg 57 Tcase.jpg 56 Tcase.jpg 58 Tcase.jpg 60 Tcase.jpg 61 Tcase.jpg Transfer case is done minus the parking brake and companion flange. I will finish that when I install everything on the rolling chassis in the coming weeks.

    57 Tcase.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2022
    melvinm and Fireball like this.
  19. Nov 22, 2020
    Big_Rob2020

    Big_Rob2020 Member

    New Braunfels, TX
    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2020
    Messages:
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    Update from this weekend- I finished up the emergency brake and installed the companion flange on the T-case. That finishes up the T-case and the Transmission, both are now married together as well. I have said that I was going mount the engine, trans and transfer case BUT I keep finding things that I want to do while I have the space on the frame.

    I installed all new stainless brake lines in the frame rails as well as Herm The Overdrive guys steering gear set up. I have been told by some that it is not worth the trouble, others that I have reached out to on this site have said that yes there are mods and problems you must solve but it is worth it. As an engineer, the saginaw set up raises concerns in my mind, I realize that this is tried and true and this is what AMC went to in later years but it doesn't mean they fully thought through the structural integrity issues that the gm style steering gear puts on the frame. So I am fully prepared to problem solve the issues as I go.

    I modified my shock absorbers over the weekend, I moved them from the front of the axle as they came from the factory in '71. To behind the axle, I ordered the Dana 30NT stock spring plates and the upper shock mounts for a '78 CJ5. This will allow for more room for the new inverted Y link Tie Rod and Draglink to articulate.
    62 E-brake.jpg 63 e-brake.jpg 64 T-Case & trans complete.jpg 65 Herms Steering gear.jpg 66 Herms Steering gear.jpg 67 front shock mount Mod.jpg 68 frond shock mount mod.jpg 69 front shock mount mod.jpg
     
  20. Nov 28, 2020
    Big_Rob2020

    Big_Rob2020 Member

    New Braunfels, TX
    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2020
    Messages:
    80
    Thanksgiving update... So I got a lot done over the last few days I finished removing my old shock mounts and repainted all of the areas where the surgery was performed. The engine is now mounted with the transmission and transfer case. I need to get my drive shafts made now. With a 4 inch lift how do I know if I don't have enough angle on my differentials? I have a digital protractor is there a certain number of degrees that are acceptable? Anyway how about some pictures...

    71 removed old mounts.jpg 72 removed old mounts.jpg 73 new mounts painted.jpg 74 new mounts painted.jpg 75 preping engine for mounting.jpg 76 mounting engine & trans.jpg 78 mounting engine & trans.jpg 82 engine mounted.jpg 83 engine mounted.jpg 80 engine mounted.jpg
     
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