"Therapy" Progress Report With Pics

I know, right? As it turns out, '70 ECJ5 turn signals do not fit in '72+ grilles. Meh.

Drove it to work the other day when it was 23 deg F here and winds gusting to 40 mph. No doors or windows. I think I got frost bite, but didn't care I am so happy just to be driving it again.

 

V8 is the best of both world...you got lot of power and engine can have a very slow rpm before it stop

My 2 cents

 

68-75 turn signals are the same, the 3-screw design. You have a 76-86 grille based on the shape of the turn signal holes with 2 screw holes. Good news is that aftermarket replacements for the 76+ style are cheaper than the earlier style.

"We're all gonna die!" is my new favorite Jeepin slogan. Kids say the darnedest things.

 

Awesome job Clint, very nice craftsmanship :drool:

 

VERY well done... jeep toss

how is the saginaw steering different than the box that came in my 76?

i havent even BEGUN to think about that yet... or if its needed

i have 360, t150 (i think) 3 spd, TC is dana... 30 maybe? and has power steering (factory)

 

You already have a Saginaw steering box. The 55-71 version of the CJ5 and CJ6 used a Ross steering box that was a lot sloppier and had a lot more moving parts. Upgrading Ross to Saginaw solves a lot of steering issues on an ECJ5.

 

WHEW dodged THAT bullet!

thanks pathkiller!

guess i can use the money i havent made for the steering upgrade for something else now

 

I've been driving Pete this week too. No way I'd do it without doors and heater. Brrrrrr.

 

Got a little lunch time wheeling in today. Doesn't look like much, but the JEEP was >45deg angle, carb didn't even stutter.

 

Engine compartment looks good with that buick 300 in there. Good clean work. I like it. Keep it up.

 

Not sure which is funnier: That I had to get a jump from a JK, or that I was running the JEEP just fine without an alternator for probably a week.

The five year old alternator failed. $45 later I was up and running again.

 

A running, driving, trail riding ECJ5. Who'd have thunk it? It's been pretty much just put gas in it and go lately. Took it to the Kiamichi Trail in SE Oklahoma and it performed very well. Bounced it around on the trail for several hours, then ran it hard for 27 miles on the highway back to camp. It did great! Maybe her temperamental attitude is improving...

 

Nice to see it is running well. You have really worked hard to get it to this point. Congrats.

 

Sweet Jeep! Great build thread! I'm picking up a 70 CJ5 next week. Lots of issues to address of course. Saginaw steering will be a must - BTW, Did you ever do the write up on the astro van steering conversion?
Thanks,
JB

 

Thanks for the compliments. I did do a write up. I could post a couple more pics of the finished product. Do a search for Chevy Astro steering. It is a really clean, really easy install that reduces frame stress at the frame horns by moving the box aft of the crossmember to the factory box section. Very pleased with the performance.

 

Thank you Sir.:tea:

 

I haven't washed the JEEP yet from when those pics were taken. The mud is just the right color and blends with the orange paint so that it resembles a nice patina. I like it - a lot. I do need to at least clean the frame soon, but its like putting on a pair of well worn blue jeans right now.