Rookie '73 Cj5 Build

Hey guys,

I'm new to this forum thing, so bear with me. I just recently bought my second Jeep, and was hoping to get as much help and advice as I possibly can.

I started out with a 1995 YJ in high school, but had to sell it to pay for college. Now that I've paid off a good chunk of those student loans, I bought a 1973 CJ5 from a guy not too far from my house, and drove it home just last night. It's got a couple of problems with the steering and a couple of crappy additions from a PO, but it's a nice little project.

I'm considering taking the body off the frame and basically fixing everything I come across, but I'm not sure how long/expensive it's going to end up.

First things first, I need to figure out how to fit in the driver seat, since I'm 6'3" and it doesn't seem like CJ5's were made with semi-tall folks in mind. Let me know what you think and how you think I should go about this rebuild. I'm always open to corrective criticism and advice, so bring it on.

 

Pictures to come, once I figure out this whole media gallery thing. Like I said, bear with me

 

Awesome, can’t wait to see pics! I know everyone has their own way to post photos but I use my iPhone and downloaded the “TinyPic” app. I just copy the link and embed it with the above buttons in the toolbar.

 

Thanks for the advice! Finally got it.

 

I estimate 13 years.

Resist urge to chase perfection from the bottom up. Make it safe, reliable, arrest any further decay. Enjoy as-is until you have your financial legs under you. That might be a decade, and that's OK because you will be driving your Jeep.

Someday buy a small MIG with a bottle. Try your hand at cutting out cancer and installing a patch. Somewhere not highly visible. Pick away at it, keep it fun. Go too deep like "some guy I know" and you'll not have any fun with your Jeep. Most probable result is needing to sell a pile of parts.

 

Looks pretty good, actually. No wiper motor?

 

Yeah, doesn’t look like it. It’s probably going to be a “good weather” Jeep for a while, so I think I’ll be able to get away with it. I appreciate the advice, too. I’ll try to avoid anything crazy

 

it ran and drove home,stopped ok? steering is decent? fix the obvious safety issues and get some seats that fit a little better. and drive it.

 

The brakes are a little iffy. It pulls to the left when you hit them too hard, so I’m gonna have to figure that out. If y’all have any ideas of what’s up, let me know. I’ve seen in other posts that it may be the lines, so I’ll check that out first

 

Could be as simple as just being misadjusted. I did that with mine and it stops relatively straight now(as straight as a cj with drum brakes all around)

 

Notching the rear wheel well housings to be able to move the seat back a few more inches is a popular modification and almost mandatory if your taller than average. Im 6'7'' and had to notch the wheel housings, get a smaller steering wheel, and lower the seat mounts just to be able to get into the jeep comfortably.

 

The pulling is adjustment most likely. All too many people rip em right apart and never use them. Make it safe and use it. Mods and upgrades will come as you figure out what it needs.

 

It took me 6 years to do my '73. Finished it last week and I'll take it for it's maiden quick burn down the road today. I tore it down to the frame. Almost every nut, bolt and washer came off. Don't do that if you don't have to. I'd never do it again lol

 

Yeah, I’m considering doing that soon. Do you know of any good resources/forum posts for measurements?

 

Looks like a good solid start!

 

Like everyone else said, drive it for awhile at the very least before you do anything major that takes it off the road, because that ALWAYS equals a long journey with tons of project creap. I know from experience. And welcome to the forum! It looks like you have a really nice start!