my late model cj5 build thread..

well it all started in october of 2004, i found a cj5 for sale that needed a lot of work. the P.O had bought a 360 amc from arizona engine exhange and got stumped during the swap. he already bought the M.O.R.E bomb proof mounts and an edelbrock aluminum intake, and edelbrock carb.
after a quick glance i picked up the whold package and got it home.


the jeep had been sitting outside for about a year with no top so the interior was full of compost.



i began my teardown and decided to do a complete frame up resto with tasteful mods.

 

after i had the frame stripped i rebuilt the body mounts then had the frame sandblasted.. luckly i only had to patch 1 area 1" x 3" long.. very good condition!


after the frame was repaired i primed and painted it with eastwood chassis black. below is a pic begining the install of the Custom alcan springs. 3.5" rear and 4" front (for the 360 and 8274)

i installed all new stainelss steel brake lines and coated the axles in POR 15

meanwhile i tore down the 360 and inspected everything since it had been sitting for a year not fired.

.040 overbore

 

then i went to work on the short output dana 300

i mated it up to my freshened up t-176 and slapped the drivetrain in.

once i got the chassis to a rolling state i stared on the body and repairing rust damage.



i ended up buying a 1 piece replacement floor pan (front) and tore the old out.

 

lots of rust repair.. you have to remove it or it will come back.. the P.O must have done a Bondo rebuild at one time or another.






i had to get the body back on the frame to make sure all my mounts still lined up.. now it is starting to look like something!

 

so i pulled the body back off the frame and started prepping for metal sealer/ primer. at this time i found out that our townhouse sold and that i would be moving soon.. yeah i had 3 weeks to pack everything and get out..

so i shot sealer and started some temporary re-assembly.



i had to check out the front clip installed.

since i would be without a home/ garage for a while i sent the body off to a buddy to do the body and paint.. he also used a Rhino line type spray on liner on the interior and the underbody.. No more rust for me!


now for some paint color teasers...

 

i had the front clip and grill for about 4 months before i got the tub back..




bodywork and paint looks good enough for a "beater cj5"
getting the body on the frame once again made this look like a whole new project.


then i started wiring, had to run the factory harness and the new harness from Howell.. on yeah TBI on the 360.



rebuilt the heater box




mounting the computer for the TBI

 

i scored some yj seat risers and sliders at the junk yard so i modified them to fit my cj5..



got the front clip installed and made some progress on assembly.

pile "o" wires


ready to fire

lights are installed and the elec system is up and running!

 

new windshield and frame.. also got the new bucket seats installed..


well here it is today, i stripped the roll bar and installed some sleves to run 3 point shoulder belts.. i have a couple hundred shake down miles on it..




next project (after odds and ends) the restoration of my acme cj5 fiberglass hardtop to go on top.. i think that is just what this project needs.

 

i almost forgot to add my list of goodies..


80 cj5
360 with howell TBI .040 overbore. edelbrock intake.
t-176 4 speed
dana 300 short output.
cv rear driveshaft no vibes.
4" front 3.5" rear alcan springs
confer tow shackles.
22gal 4wd steel tank and skid.
stainless steel brake/ fuel lines.
skyjacker braided softlines.
jks quick disco's for the sway bar.
wide track axles off an 86 cj7.. and yes it has the dana 44 rear from the same.
yj power brake booster
tuffy locking glove box
33-10.5" bfg at's
5 way adjustable rancho shocks.
bulltear nickel plated timing cover, HSC pump gears, nickel plated oil filter adapter, stainelss midplate.
HEI
2.25" y into 2.5" single exhaust with high flow cat.

 

That's one fine looking Jeep!

 

really nice!

 

DAMN nice!!!! I'd like to see it in person.

 

Meant to ask, where did you buy your body panels? What did you think of their quality?

 

Well done!

 

Really nice CJ....:drool:

 

Beautifullll.

 

What color paint is that? It looks real close to "dark copper." Really really nice!

 

Just the work involved in your jeep build is amazing. Hats off!

 

Awesome! I'm curious...what did you use to cut the holes for the patch panels? Getting the lines cut that straight is a pain in the butt.