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1973 CJ 5 Trail Rig

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by CJ5Kyle, Jan 28, 2013.

  1. Jan 28, 2013
    CJ5Kyle

    CJ5Kyle Member

    Livermore, CA
    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2013
    Messages:
    231
    Hey Guys, new to the site but I've been working on my jeep for about 6 months now and it's coming along slowly but surely. Here is what I've got going on thus far.

    I want to document the small build that I'm doing on a 1973 Cj5 that I received for free. Of course, we always want to budget our builds and keep them cheap but we all know that rarely happens. My goal is to keep my build under $4k total. We'll see how that goes....

    How I first received her, after sitting for 5+ years and not running
    [​IMG]

    After a pressure wash, turns out she was white lol
    [​IMG]

    Next I got a windshield and roll bar for free dollars. Just fitting the roll bar at this point
    [​IMG]

    Got the roll bar bolted in and a test color spray canned on
    [​IMG]

    Also, it turns out I got lucky and it already had 4" lift springs installed and also has the stock 4.27 option in the rear.
     
  2. Jan 28, 2013
    CJ5Kyle

    CJ5Kyle Member

    Livermore, CA
    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2013
    Messages:
    231
    All of the above work was done in a 2 week time span. Then I began looking on CL for good deals for parts I needed. First was these set of 33" pro comp mud terrains I found with 40% tread left for $125 (Keep in mind this vehicle will never see asphalt)
    [​IMG]


    Then I traded an old laptop I had sitting around for these seats. Perfect colors for the setup I have in my mind
    [​IMG]


    Test fitting the seats
    [​IMG]
     
  3. Jan 28, 2013
    CJ5Kyle

    CJ5Kyle Member

    Livermore, CA
    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2013
    Messages:
    231
    Wheels painted flat black
    [​IMG]


    Valve covers and air cleaner cover painted flat black
    [​IMG]
     
  4. Jan 28, 2013
    CJ5Kyle

    CJ5Kyle Member

    Livermore, CA
    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2013
    Messages:
    231
    Got my 33s mounted so I slapped them on and I took a few more pics of the entire Jeep. Gives you a much better idea of how much work needs to be done to clean it up


    [​IMG]
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    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  5. Jan 28, 2013
    CJ5Kyle

    CJ5Kyle Member

    Livermore, CA
    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2013
    Messages:
    231
    After all of that I started on some small issues


    Fixed my oil leak by replacing the oil pressure line. It was plastic and it had a hole in it so I switched it over to copper.


    Picked up the other half of my roll cage that matches the one that I already have.


    Got a new bumper, mounted it and painted it. Started drilling my winch plate to mount it.


    Did some sanding in some areas on the body and the roll cage that had collected a touch of rust.


    Fixed my exhaust leak


    Replaced my rear differential gasket
     
  6. Jan 28, 2013
    CJ5Kyle

    CJ5Kyle Member

    Livermore, CA
    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2013
    Messages:
    231
    Okay. Time for a lot of updating. This thing has been sitting virtually untouched for a few months since it's been at my parents house this entire time. Luckily I was able to get some big things done before I transferred it to my house.


    Got the seats mounted, front half of the cage welded in and I got it fully functional. It runs, turns, drives and has working brakes.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  7. Jan 28, 2013
    CJ5Kyle

    CJ5Kyle Member

    Livermore, CA
    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2013
    Messages:
    231
    The best part is I finally got it transferred to my house and now it's indoors at all times.


    The morning it showed up. Of course I had to park it next to my sons Jeep
    [​IMG]


    Some updated pictures
    [​IMG]
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    [​IMG]
     
  8. Jan 28, 2013
    CJ5Kyle

    CJ5Kyle Member

    Livermore, CA
    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2013
    Messages:
    231
    Got the fenders cut and ready for tube fenders
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]


    Stocked up on some tools today. Got an impact wrench finally for my air compressor, impact sockets, air sander and a paint gun. So I started getting some parts ready for paint. Starting with the roll cage
    [​IMG]
    Getting primer laid down
    [​IMG]
     
  9. Jan 28, 2013
    piffey263

    piffey263 Active Member

    Medford, OR
    Joined:
    Oct 16, 2008
    Messages:
    1,214
    how long did it take to do all that? looks like progress is quick, and I imagine you should be able to stay within that budget.

    I have so far, on my jeep.
     
  10. Jan 28, 2013
    CJ5Kyle

    CJ5Kyle Member

    Livermore, CA
    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2013
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    I think I got it in May? My stepdad started working on his jeep in February or March I think and he got this one for free so he gave it to me. I could have gotten a lot more done but it was at his house up until a few weeks ago. Now that it's at my house I can work on it every week.
     
  11. Jan 28, 2013
    CJ5Kyle

    CJ5Kyle Member

    Livermore, CA
    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2013
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    Most people will probably hate me for this but this past weekend I welded up my passenger under the seat compartment. I don't have a flip up seat and no need for the compartment so I sealed it shut so it can't get any rust inside
     
  12. Jan 29, 2013
    '74Renegade

    '74Renegade Active Member

    Fair Oaks, CA
    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2005
    Messages:
    1,275
    Welcome. Looks like you are off to a good start. I really like the dash mounting plates for the cage. How did you bolt them to the dash? I have found that most of the water that gets into the tool box comes in from the drain holes in the bottom.

    Sent from my LS670 using Tapatalk 2
     
  13. Jan 29, 2013
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2003
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    9,754
    "I sealed it shut so it can't get any rust inside" ... I would think it needs to be ventilated.

    I'm impressed with your low-bucks project overall.
     
  14. Jan 29, 2013
    68BuickV6

    68BuickV6 Well-Known Member

    Hesperia, CA.
    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2012
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    2,160
    As unpleasant as wasting a perfectly good under seat tool box, my bigger concern is now you may not know if any rust develops from the inside? Wouldn't removing it have been more effective?

    Just a thought from the outside looking in.
     
  15. Jan 29, 2013
    pathkiller

    pathkiller Member

    Lorton, VA
    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2005
    Messages:
    878
    A 73 with a 304 and a solid rear panel? Might have been a Renegade originally. Could that be Renegade Orange paint on the firewall peeking through? The paint code on the VIN plate could verify.
     
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2013
  16. Jan 29, 2013
    CJ5Kyle

    CJ5Kyle Member

    Livermore, CA
    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2013
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    There is a guy on jeepforum that sells them. $50 I think for the weld up kit. I paid him an extra $10 for him to weld them for me. They turned out really nice. They match up to the factory dash mounts
     
  17. Jan 29, 2013
    CJ5Kyle

    CJ5Kyle Member

    Livermore, CA
    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2013
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    It's just tacked and sealed with silicone sealant then it will be bondoed over the top to make it smooth. It will be easy to open it up again with a grinder. Or I can cut the entire thing out of I ever need to.
     
  18. Jan 29, 2013
    CJ5Kyle

    CJ5Kyle Member

    Livermore, CA
    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2013
    Messages:
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    The original color was a butterscotch orange looking color. I only know this from the areas that I've sanded down to bare metal. Can't verify on the vin because it doesn't have one right now. Part of the reason it was free. Going to be a hassle to get one re-assigned. I'm still debating on keeping the solid panel or switching over to a tailgate. The current panel is dented in multiple areas.
     
  19. Jan 29, 2013
    CJ5Kyle

    CJ5Kyle Member

    Livermore, CA
    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2013
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    Technically it's still open via a few small holes in the bottom. I just have no use for it because I had to fab my own seat mounts and right now it's inaccessible. Figured I should seal it instead of leaving it open for junk to get in or listen to the top bounce around and rattle everywhere
     
  20. Jan 29, 2013
    scott milliner

    scott milliner Master Fabricator

    Seattle Wa.
    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2002
    Messages:
    2,361
    My full cage is mounted to the dash this way. When I did this I found the front floor support, at the mounts where cracking. I install 1" rubber mounts under the frame bracket so the body would flex. Just an FYI.
     
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