Hello.. and should I replace drivetrain?

I had thought I posted on this forum a while back.. but nothing has come up with the search..

[shrugs]

oh well.. on to my question..

I pretty much an all-original Arizona '59 m38/cj5.. I have been just using it as a putter around town.. with an occasional off-road trail run.. I absolutely love it..

I was thinking of replacing the drivetrain (v6, new tranny, etc..).. but should I? I have been comfortable with the super-fast original F4 "Hurricane" engine.. R)

I guess the more I think about it.. the more I think I would rather keep it original..

any comments?

and thanks.. this forum has answered many questions I have had while lurking !

-Shane

 

If you're happy with the way it is why change it? Just make sure everything is solid, safe, and mechanically sound.

 

I guess I was thinking about the reliability of the F4.. and the ease in which I can get parts..

The major reason I ask is because I have decided to take it down to the frame and do a small-scale resto-mod.. nothing major.. and nothing drastic.. but I don't want to pull the engine a month or 2 after it's complete.. lol.. especially since I know little about rebuilding that type of engine..

some things I was thinking on changing (more for safety purposes) is the front axle (d30?) and the drive-train.. or I was thinking on just cleaning the dirt off and repainting OD and Flat black..

Thanks for the input! any and all is greatly appreciated..

-Shane

 

The only thing I would do is put in an overdrive if you want to run faster than 50 on the highway (or just to lower your RPM's generally)

You can, however mount a V6 to your existing running gear for about double the horse power.

Mine is pretty much bone stock - Fhead 134, T90 tranny, D18 twinstick transfercase, 5.38 gearing front and rear. I pretty much go where I want. I don't have any trouble with the braking on mine, but others will recommend putting in either 10 inch drums or disk brakes on the front.

They are not fast, but who cares? Slow down and smell the roses and watch the deer, you know?

The F-134 is well suited for any off roading except maybe extreme rock climbing stuff. I don't do that cause it tears up equipement.

I can run 31x10.5x15 tires without hitting body parts.

One thing to consider is a winch maybe. Any thing over 3 k pounds, cause that is probably what your JEEP weighs. And a HiLift jack of some sort.

:hurrican:

 

Oh, yeah -- Welcome from Central Arizona!

 

Thanks!

I pretty much have the same set-up.. I do have an OD, though..

I don't need to go fast.. and without a roll-cage.. I prefer to go slow..

Just getting some input prior to starting the resto.. I'm fairly certain there is MUCH to be learned from the folks on here..

-Shane

 

I don't think there's a significant reliability difference between the F134 and other pushrod engines of the same era. In fact, the F134 is considered a very resiliant and forgiving engine. The F134 seems to keep running long after other engines would need rebuilding.

If you must have a more modern engine, there are several inline 4s that are (comparatively) easy and popular replacements for the F134: Pinto 2000/2300, Chevy 153, Mercruiser 181 (3.0L), Pontiac/GM 151, Jeep 150. If you go with a modest power increase, you can keep the rest of the stock drivetrain and gain a little more poop for highway travel. The overdrive is a great addition too.

Re safety, I suggest you investigate upgrading the brakes and steering. Both are popular upgrades for these vehicles.

 

FOr what you sound like you do with it, I'd keep it stock. You are happy with it and it works for you.

 

I don't consider a steering change from a good Ross box and linkage assy a safety upgrade. I do consider it an possible driver-confidence upgrade though.
A brake upgrade may be in order ... I hear 10" or 11" brakes will allow you to lock them up ... I'm still evaluating if that is an upgrade or not.

 

Mine is stock but I rebuilt the brakes (all four wheels), new shocks and a 2" lift (includes 4 new springs) and installed a steeing stabilizer which eliminated feedback from the 31" tires. The 134 is bullet proof if you are not in a hurry. Off road the 134 will climb like a mountain goat in LOW range! Save your oney and buy another toy...perhaps a 4 wheeler, new shotgun or another jeep.

'He who dies with the most toys...wins'

 

thanks all!

steering: I really have alot of play (and it's not consistent).. I don't think I want to invest in power steering.. but I may like a "tighter" feel...

F-Head: Hearing that's it's bulletproof is kinda the answer I was looking for.. I'm leaning towards a "open, clean and replace gaskets to seal it up" rebuild..

I'm looking at doing the same with the Spicer tranny/xfer case..

I really have no one else out here to get ideas from.. the closest is my FIL.. but he's got a '40's CJ3A with a V8 shoe-horned in it...lol..

-Shane

 

The steering box can, and should, be adjusted per the manual. Also, rebuilding the drag link is pretty easy and cheap and can make a big difference, as long as the ball ends of the pitman arm and bell crank are not worn out.
Also agree with stabilizer. I put them on everything.

 

When in doubt; Leave the changes out!

 

As my dear old Dad used to tell me, "If it ain't broke, Don't fix it!"

If you have good compression, and keep the oil topped off in the tranny/transfercase and differentials, then run it as is. They are not fast, but I run all over the desert at 35 to 40 mph and enjoy it thoroughly.
:hurrican:

 

The way I look at it is: if you had a basket case with many of the original parts missing / unusable then a new drive train would be a good idea and a lot of fun, if a bit expensive to get the rest of the Jeep capable of handling it.
But that doesn’t sound like what you have. Sounds like you’ve got a nicely kept original Jeep. Why screw with that? And I even like “resto mods”, just that from the sounds of your case I’d go heavy on the “resto” and lighter on the “mod”.
That's my $.02.

 

Hi from Wyoming,

Keep it simple, and as original as possable. If it works keep it working. Drive it and have fun with it.

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'64 Cj5, 11" brakes, dual master cyl., Saganaw stearing, 134 F, T-90, Model 18, 4.27 gears., 30x9.50-15