NC newbie questions

Hello all, Greetings from Mint Hill NC!

I acquired a 73 Jeep CJ5 last summer to use as a hunting vehicle. The Jeep was advertised as only having 13, 500 original miles and based on the condition and documentation I got with it , I believe it is true! The top is still the original Whitco top, the seats are original with no tears(split Bench seat), engine uses or leaks no oil (258 ). It has sometype of undercoating that looks like grease? Ziebart?

All is not perfect as one door frame is fubar and the the right rear corner was repaired at some point. Also the rear taillight areas were rusted out (I used flashing to repair for now and replaced the tailights.

My plans are to "restify" the CJ to my liking.

The history of the Jeep is that it was purchased in PA and used on a farm by an elderly couple. The son put new tires on it at some point ( 11-15LT Cooper AT's on wide steel wheels) much to the chagrin of Grandma. the Jeep was inherited by the Grandson who took it to Pittsburg and then to Charlotte NC, where I purchased it (he wanted a new z-car).

I have added a period correct rollbar, tune up, rebuilt the carb (not too well , gonna buy a factory rebuild), exhaust, replaced both shifter boots.

I do need help with some things:
1. I need the rubber hose assembly from the Air cleaner to the valve cover breather.
2. The plastic is brittle and cracking on the Heater contols and all the cables work, but have broken their mounts. I have seen units for 76 and up available, but none for 73...will the 76 up units work?
3. Can anyone convert the size of an 11-15Lt tire? It looks like a 31 -11.50 but measurea little shorter.
4. I am 6 feet tall and the seating is not comfortable, can anyone tell me if converting to buckets provide better comfort?

I guess that is enough for the day!

Thanks

 

welcome

 

Don't know if bucket seats will give you any more room, but a lot of people cut out a section of the drivers side rear wheel well so the seat can be moved further back. Welcome from the High Sierras, home of the Rubicon!

 

Welcome from Eastern Washington

 

Welcome from Colorado! I got some Steel Horse high back seats in mine and they tilt back a little more than the stock seats. With the different seating angle it feels like there is a little more room. I don't think the heater controls are interchangable but I'm sure one of the experts here will let you know for sure.
Do you have any pictures?

 

Welcome from central Va. Mike Boyink should chime in about his Boyink notch to cure the seating problem. Got pics of the JEEP... we love pics.

 

WELCOME and CONGRATS on JEEP.. If you get my way let me know, I will be glad to hook up and talk JEEPS>>

 

Welcome from VB, VA.

 

Welcome.
The heater controls are not interchangable. Vintage Jeep parts(if I remember correct) does have "replacements" to fit that just came out. They are similar, good for replacement but not exact for restoration. The biggest problem is that they are very expensive($25 each). I would just go to the local auto parts store and by generic cables for about $5 each. You can cut and bend the ends to proper length with a little work. For the rubber hose breather to the air cleaner you could google for NOS AMC parts. I had an address but have misplaced it. If I find it I will post it. If your Jeep has original tail lights I would take care of them as replacments are almost non existant. You should be pretty close on the tire size. I would use 31x 10.50, they should fit.

 

Welcome from Boston!

The '76 and later heater controls are mounted in the dash. The cables might work.

IIRC the heater controls on intermediates with the plastic panel under the dash are a big problem. There's no aftermarket source that I know of, and they are often broken. If the cables are ok, I'd consider making a bracket to mount the cables under the dash.

On the tires, I'd guess that the height of an 11-15LT tire pretty much depends on the manufacturer. Even tires with a modern spec like 31-11.5 will be different heights from different manufacturers, and the height will also depend on the wheel width. What are you trying to do - find inexpensive replacements or mix sizes? The Hi-tec retreads are good and cheap: http://www.high-tec-retreading.com/sizes.html

 

Regarding the molded hose, I don't know where you would get that. This is the clean air intake for the PCV. Later engines don't have it AFAIK, instead using a piece of regular hose, a grommet, and a plastic fitting. If you can find a grommet to fit in the valve cover, you can either use an aftermarket PCV inlet filter or kludge up a piece of straight fuel hose to the air cleaner. Look at the "Help" section and the PCV inlet filters on pegs at your local FLAPS for the grommet and some ideas. IIRC Autozone has a pretty good selection of inlet filters on pegs.

 

thanks for all of those who replied to my post! I have been traveling for work and hav enot had time to reply with my appreciation.

Thanks to the answers and directions I was able to locate and source the PVC to Aircleaner hose that I needed.

I do have a new question. My "73 has the original Whitco softtop and doors. The top material is in good shape and most of the windows are good but scratched. so my questions:
1. Is there such a thing as replacement vnyld windows to sew in to the top? (My wife has every sewing machine/tool/ stuff known to man)
2. My drivers side door frame is bent pretty bad and I have had no luck fining the correct replacement. Any ideas?
3. Can the door higes from a let CJ 5 be retrofitted to the 73 to make use of the more available soft doors and half doors?

Thanks again

 

Re the windows, I'd check with a local upholstery shop about replacement. IIRC you need a special heavy sewing machine to sew upholstery and tops. If your wife has such a thing, the upholstery sho may be able to give you a lead on the vinyl window material. Or else search the net for car restoration and upholstery supplies.

Straighten?

If you want to use the later top, you need to change the windshield. The 76-on windshield tilts back more, tapers toward the top, and is clamped to the dash differently. It can be done... The half-doors may fit anyway.

 

as far as windows are concerned, you might check with a marine supply house too. (boating)

 

welcome from winston salem.

don't know where mint hill is, but check out Galloways 4wd center in New london NC. He has a fairly extensive jeep junkyard. He has a website, but i reccomend driving by. It is well worth the drive, and he is open on saturdays.
mike