"chief" A 74 Cj5 In Idaho

More random old photos. I have a bunch, but they are older. I went with a power-master 150 amp alternator.


This was the angle at ride height before the 10 leaf packs and longer shackles. I will add a more recent photo later, but the M.O.R.E. shackles are really top notch for still being 1.75" wide springs. The rear shaft will start to hum at 35MPH, and I hate that. Yes, i could lower the t-case even more and get it to stop. I hate that also. I just ponied up for the CV shaft with yoke and proper steel shims and new u-bolts on the way. They won't be here til tomorrow say UPS. Tom Woods is a great company, they machined down a set of their 2.5" wide steel shims for me. And yes, spooky but I need an 8 degree shim. I have run this steep before, and it does not starve the pinion for oil. The training video from Gale Banks shows how a slight raised pinion angle will not starve the bearings. He installs a clear diff cover and shows you what happens to the oil when you travel down the road. It literally sprays oil up at the pinion as soon as you begin to move. I will overfill the diff if necessary. Even the guy at tom woods let me know guys run the 8 degree shim all the time.

 

Awesome build and sorry about your dad. I lost mine in 2016 and inherited his M38 at that time. Only one thing makes me question your jeep sanity. You cut up a bench seat!?

 

I did cut it up.

 

Lol. Half the membership here probably would have gladly traded their buckets without thinking twice about it. Those are rare in the early ones, and even more rare in the intermediates. Still a super cool jeep and story.

 

Oh man, I literally had no idea they were desirable. I wasn't really into forums when i was Doing the work back then. I also would have gladly traded it to a member here and not made all the brackets myself. My dad and I are/were taller guys, he was 6'5" and I'm 6'2". So a notched fender and buckets made sense. The bench was really hammered down padding wise but could have been brought back.

But hey I'm here now to learn those things and ask questions before hacking items up right?!

 

UPS dropped off the Shaft. From Tom Woods. Pretty fancy for the old CJ5. Should be able to hit the 60mph mark vib free.

 

Unfortunately I'm not working on the CJ right now. I'm working on customers cars, gotta have money for more parts. And even if I get it bolted in and set up, no fuel injection. The fuel injection will be even better when I get it back though. And, my Roll-cage shipped yesterday. took 4 weeks for them to build it but no worries. Supposedly its worth waiting for. After the cage it will be small upgrades here and there. I can always just post up the pics and get out and wheel though.



It is the bolt together kind. Rock hard 4x4 states its strong and they are excellent to deal with on the phone. I have their rock sliders on my TJ and they fit great and look great. This type of cage invokes fights on other Jeep forums. So if it's not your cup of tea sorry, I'm pretty sure I will like it. And yes I under stand it may not survive 72 rolls down Imogene pass, but I wanted it

I do know how to weld and have built cages and could have gone with a cheaper kit but didn't.

 

Is that pic from a catalog? If so, I think it might be a pic of one of our member’s jeeps? My memory is hazy on this...

 

That pic is right off the Rock Hard site yep. Naturally I will post up pics here of my install. Hopefully it is smooth. Just know I'm not building an extreme rock crawler/bouncer and I know my safety points will not be the greatest. I just don't care and I drive slow anyway. I was cool with just a roll bar. But the front hoop is not that intrusive on this kit.

 

I understand it but, it hurts us rust belt folks so much to see such a nice body tub get cut for any reason. Referring to the seat notch cut into the rear wheel housings. But, I do understand. Not beating you up for it.

That's a really nice JeeP and a nice build. Good work.

 

I ordered a Bestop Supertop for this thing. I will be approaching the install very cautiously. I have installed one supertop before, on my YJ. But if anybody here has any pointers let me know. No intentions of driving the Jeep in the in-town ice. But would like to be able cruise around in the Cold fall and spring. And maybe hit the hills during hunting season in this thing. I do have a car hauler to tow it to the trail heads if needed.

I am not excited about drilling holes in it, that is my problem. I will get more touch up paint and every hole will be very cautiously drilled/painted and double checked before drilling. I have been on the fence about installing a top. But the supertop looks so good and the heater works in this thing.

 

Are those Dakota Digital gauges? If so how do you like them? They look good!

 

They are. And they are pretty fancy for an old CJ, but I like them a lot. They are in the original locations.

That is also my magnetic "golf cart" radio on the dash.

 

Tape the body at the drill points.

 

I will make sure to do that. And hope the sun will be out, if not I have a 220v heater in the Barn/shop ready to go. I guess the supertop is a PITA if the fabric is nbot warmed up.

 

Installed my roll bar kit. And my Tom Woods CV. And my 16$ Amazon rifle holder.