64 CJ5 Recession Build

Whoops! Getting slack here. Two weekends ago spent some time replacing the front parking lamps. While waiting for my soldering iron to heat up I figured I'd check out the air cleaner and carb situation (after typing that, probably not the best combination of jobs to do!). Long story short, pulled the air cleaner boot and it ran AWESOME. Turned out the air inlet of the oil bath was nearly plugged shut with oily junk. Cleaned it off best I could and put it back together 90% better now. Score!

I've still been fighting the dragging clutch issue, so I decided to take drastic measures and tackle it head on. The further I got, the worse it got. By mid week last week I was seeing a lot of daylight through the floor boards trying to get the transmission tunnel off. After I got it all removed it was a bit less intimidating, a few pieces of sheet metal is going to have this back in shape plenty good until the resto down the road. The clutch actually looks to be nearly new, which speaks for how badly worn the linkage is. I had the clevis tightened up about one turn less then all the way tight to get it to release. Ordering up a new Z tube, ball studs, seals, and link rod from Midwest Military. Should get me back in good shape. Here's the detailed run down if you want some fine literature:

http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?95388-Dragging-clutch

And since this is ECJ5, here's a picture of the current state:

 

I've logged many miles with the floor opened up like that. Probably not the safest thing to do, but hey, how else are you going to watch those linkages to see if they are working properly.

 

Quick little project:

Gas pedal pin was worn slap out. Why buy when you can make it yourself! Shame this thing is going to be hidden under an old beat up gas pedal...

 

Got the clutch linkage all together and drove the jeep for the first time in weeks! Just around the block, but it was still nice. I had to back the clevis off 1/4"! Clutch feels awesome now.

 

Building a fire pit with some old edger stones

 

Not much to update, went wheeling/camping last weekend and it worked beautifully. Carb definitely needs to get rebuilt. The terrain was very sandy, and I think all the clutch slipping really did some good for the jeep. The clutch almost never hangs up like it did before, and if it does, just holding the brakes lightly is enough to free it. It went everywhere I pointed it, save for a vertical sandy bank. A BRP commander (think Polaris Ranger Razr) was also denied, so I didn't feel too bad. Other than that, it was just a mountain goat, totally different experience from my past wranglers. The patina was a big hit with all the buddies, and it was really nice not worrying about scratching the paint, so that may get pushed off for now.

 

It's good to know this little jeep is still being used as intended! Work and play. Can't wait to get home and start enjoying my own project build. I'm jealous!

 

Sadly it's up on the chopping block. I love this Jeep, but if I can get a good price for it we could REALLY use the money to get caught back up. Our daily drivers are falling behind on maintenance and we just don't have the extra to cover it. Unfortunately I can't machine up some tires...