Skip's 66 CJ5A Rebuild

I've had this 66 CJ5a for a number of years. I tore it down to the frame and am finally getting ready to rebuild it. I have fought over stock restoration or modify while maintaining a relative stock theme. It was basically 99% complete when I pulled it out of a carport where it sat for 25 years. The only thing missing was and still is the hinged rear license plate holder and rear fender pads. I still have all parts. Stock chrome front bumper. The hideous 2ft rear step bumper is long gone.
Items I've recently sold came from 68 CJ5 to help fund this project and clear room for me to work.
I've decided to go with a rest mod approach. I've had restored 100% stock show cars and hot rods. I'm at that point where if I can't use it I don't want it. So let the flaming from the purest begin.
My plans are open knuckle D30 w/disc brakes, flanged axle 44 either 11" or discs, M22 4spd with adapter to D18 with Warn OD, 225 or 231 odd fire. I have all these parts. I'm looking for deal on Saginaw P/S. I have steering column and frame (don't know what I'll do with this) out of DJ5. Everything needs to be gone through and will be rebuilt as required. I have hanging pedals with both master cylinders out of an XJ
So my questions are:
1. 225 or 231 why and what parts are interchangeable? ie: heads, intake, crank, pistons? I know pistons are different diameter. It will have a mild torque cam, 4 bbl or TBI and HEI. haven't decided on headers yet
2. At 5'10" and shrinking should I notch the rear fenders to move the seats back
3. Gas tank relocation. I have original twin under seat tanks (no tool box) that were cleaned and lined. I also have a plastic tank that could go in back between the frame rails.
4. Should I do the hanging pedals
5. DJ5 frame, use it or not? It had the Iron duke 4 cyl with automatic
This will be a mild to hard wheeler and fun driver. It won't be afraid of tight woods, rocks, and mud. Aggressive and extreme for street legal rigs is what my TJ is for
Looking for ideas and suggestions.
Sorry for the long post. It'll be a few months before I post progress. Need to get some more space and then I'll start

 

It's your Jeep, but I'd keep it a Tux. The V6 would have plenty of power and the restoration would be so much easier. Frankly, it's very desireable in stock form. And it would perform well at that. Just my $.02

 

I hate to see it go to the trail but, it is yours so, do what makes YOU happy. No flaming here. That being said, as far as your modification for mild-hard wheeling, here's my .02........

1) 225 or 231? ------Neither. Save yourself the trouble while pulling decades ahead.....put a 4.3 Chevy in there. Fuel injected, fairly easy to adapt, parts are everywhere. Hit the Easy button and don't look back.

2) At 5'10, the fender notch shouldn't be necessary. I'm 6' even (ok, maybe 5'11" now ) and have no issues.

3) Gas tanks----no opinion here. I'd be happy with either set up.

4) Hanging pedals----I did. I would again. I hated my through the floor pedals for many reasons, some of them were other issues with the JEEP that showed themselves at the pedals. Still, I vote swinging pedals and a hydraulic slave cylinder for the clutch.

5) No opinion----I know nothing about the DJ frame vs the stock CJ frame.

 

My responses:
1. Definitely would go with 4.3 Chevy over another dauntless. Don't get me wrong I love my 225 but it can be a PITA to keep tuned and always runs poorly when off roading on hills. A fuel injected modern engine would be a huge improvement.

2. 5' 11" here, been driving mine for 39 years, always was a good fit, no notch needed.

3. Rear tanks stink less but under seat has higher "cool"factor.
4. Lots of advantages to the hanging pedalsd since you are rest-o-modding anyway.
5. No opinion.

 

Thanks for the feed back. I appreciate them. Being retired I have to limit some of my expenses (not all). I can't (in my own mind) justify more than 2 Jeeps. I did offer in the past to trade the Tux for a comparable value ECJ5. No responses. It will be as I said a light 4 wheeler. Not like my TJ. I'm picking up a free carbureted 4.3 tomorrow. He's retired and needs to get rid of stuff. It was slated for a 49 Ford coupe on a S10 chassis. Supposedly rebuilt but had blow by issues. He had access to another. It may end up being the engine of choice.
Really appreciate the notched fender well feedback. Saves me some work. I will probably stick with the under seat tanks. Caps will get new seals and the rubber seal around the filler neck to body will be new.
DJ5 frame is basically a boxed CJ5 frame with the rear springs outboard instead of under the frame
Please keep the comments coming. This is my first total CJ rebuild. Previous CJ's and my GPW where fixed/repaired and driven.

 

1) If you have either the 225 or 231 and you like them use it.............they have proven themselves for many decades...........If you're concerned about off camber wheeling and elevation changes the 4.3 FI motors are a good choice....although many here have fuel injected the odd fires..........also with the off road kit the holley 390 cfm 4-barrel still does a good job.........
2) If your going with anything other than stock type seats / low backs you might be OK............aftermarket seats and the platform height they offer with the fuel tank below will get your knees into the steering wheel unless you can move the seat back.......
3)If you like the under seat tanks and you can get them sealed up and vented properly where they don't smell inside.........use them.
4)Yes on the swing pedals ..........much easier to set-up power brakes and hydraulic clutch...
5)The frame is up to you...

And on the direction of the build..........I'm with you! , plenty of stock , perfect CJ's in parades every weekend.............I think the World can do without another one.

 

picked up the 4.3 yesterday. One mans opinion of properly stored vs another can sure be different. When he stored "about a year ago" meant the last time he looked at it in his open sided blue tarp shed. He sold the truck it came out of 7 or 8 years ago. Not to worry it has a nice 390 cfm Holley and air filter on it to keep rain out. Oops his son pulled the carb and air filter last fall and didn't cover the manifold. So I now have a nice boat anchor. It's seized, a 2 foot breaker bar won't budge it. I drained a gallon of water out of the crank case. I'll pull the heads and see if anything can be sold.
First shot will be rebuilding the original 225. I'm pretty good with carburetors, but if I get a deal on TBI I'll do that.
I appreciate the stock position, but like Tarry99 and Focker have said there's plenty of parade vehicles. Been there done that a couple of times with a 36 Ford pickup, 53 Chev Biscayne, and a Corvair Syder. No need to do that anymore. And, no-one has offered up a trade. So let the build begin

 

Stay with the 225. I like having the toolbox and a bigger gas tank, so I would recommend a rear tank.
No need to use the DJ frame. I would just box the critical areas on the current frame. I also did a resto mod with many of the same options you are talking about. Check out my build 66 CJ5 Rebuild