My '73 CJ-5 thread

First off don't expect much. I prefer to work and play rather than type. Second, I search forums for info and go from there...not much to say. But when I do have a question I don't want to seem like a "taker". So I'll do a little thread and contribute.

This Jeep is my son's. He is in the service and makes it home once a month or so. We will work on it together and time is not an issue. Slow and steady.

The thing runs. That's about it. I managed to chew up the starter already, so first new part installed. Next up is to get my son home and run this thing around the property and see what works and what leaks. Then make a list and work on it.

I removed the top, and rear seat. Both are for sale.

I'll post some nasty rust cancer pics later.

 

Can wait to see that.

Maybe a description of the jeep would be nice.

 

We got the old girl fired up and went around the property a bit and I can say that the 4wd works and it runs pretty good. I was impressed. We ripped off the a side step on a rock and I think cracked at least once more body panel but all in all it was a successful test run.
I would not hesitate to take that thing on the trails as is...okay it needs a tune up and the radiator leaks and I should really change the fluids and take a grease gun to it...but other than that for a 40 year old Jeep, she's ready.

It is 100% stock, with original everything everywhere. Other than glued in green in/out carpet it's original.
So whatever a '73 came with-232/20/30/44 and a 3 speed- right?

 

Looks like a Jeep.


Nice carpet huh? I'm not sure what that hose looking thing is.

 

Looks like original color was orange? Was that a factory color?




More rust holes.

 

Is this a stock tire carrier?



It looks a little DITY.
I'm planning on pulling it off. I'd like to see Jeep on the tailgate. Of course eventually it will look better.

 

That tire carrier is not stock, or a good idea imo.

Carrying a tire on the tailgate like that will probably damage the metal.

 

Was the stock carrier on the side? I happen to have a side mount tire carrier that will work....but that is a long way off. I may need a tub first.

Made some progress today. Fenders look to be salvageable. Rad needs fixed and grill is in good shape.
How many times have we seen this picture?

 

Still tearing things apart. Found a block of wood for a body mount.
I'm hoping to get tub off soon and see what the frame really looks like.



Filler tube


Driver side floor. Chain to lift tub.



Rear. Are these stock hitches sought after?
I'm gonna pull it.

 

So....long cold winter and still two months to go. Body is off the frame. I got side tracked by this:



The Wifey wanted a Jeep. It had more issues than I thought. I hope to get it out of the garage soon and start in on the '5's frame.

 

Still here....been working on the YJ. Damn thing has more rust than the '5.

Pulled gas tank from the '5 and cut off the bad corner. Looks like rear cross-member with the left rear frame corner need replaced. Along with a body mount and a broken upper shock mount. Not bad.

The plan is to keep working on the frame. Wire wheel it and double check for cracks. Then get it all welded up.
I'll replace shackles, lines and hoses, do the brakes and keep plugging away. Nothing spectacular, it's therapeutic.

 

Back to work. Chassis is good enough for now. We need to run new brake and fuel lines and actually "do" the brakes. And replace shackles, steering, etc. And replace wheel bearings; simple stuff. But this can be done in the winter. We plan to haul it to a friends house for welding later on....see below. We are trying to work on things that are better done outside, like grind away at a rusted tub.



Little crack in the weld.




I'm not sure on this...rust bubble? Remove and replace hanger?

 

Replying to myself again
Working on front hubs and brake lines.
Got the rear frame bad spots cut out and got some new boxed steel to replace it. Gonna weld up new rear hangers too.



Gonna do other side the same. The plan is to replace it with the 2x3 steel.



Floor pans...don't exist.



We still haven"t got a real plan for the body.
My son is thinking rat rod meets military style. Pop rivet sheet metal over the holes and spray bomb OD green.
We are both Military, so we can go for that. As long as it is structurally sound. I think he saw an epidode of that old Desert Rats show...or did one of the 4WD rags just do a bit on them?

 

Last fall, off to be welded.

Nice fit on that trailer. Love these small jeeps.




Major work was rear corner and cross member. All fixed now.

And fast forward...

 

The old girl runs, not driving yet. Carb leaks, so that's on the workbench for a rebuild. Need to adjust clutch, BL screwed it up. I will replace OEM clutch stuff later.
Still need to run front brake lines and...oh, the exhaust needs done. Then we will play around with her and back into the garage by winter to address other things.

My son (his jeep) went with the BDAR theme, function over form. Safety and then fun (and he's light in the wallet). Close ups will show riveted patch panels . We did spring for new floor supports and not much else. Used old steel bed frame rails for rocker guards, grabbed winch from Mamma's YJ, hockey puck BL with OEM bushings. Low buck or redneck? It was fun.