Couple of questions.

I have recently acquired a 1975 cj-5. has had a 350 small block put in. not very well i must say. they put 2''x2'' square tubing under the frame and then welded the spring hanger to it to give it a lift. the put 42x15x15 tires on it. lets just say there are now know teethe left on the front differential. here are my questions.

1. Are there some measurment i can get to make sure the frame is square.
(noticed some cracks in the frames by the motor mounts.)

2. Are the stock axles very well for on and off road.

3. What is the best axle upgrade. Will be a daily driver when finished.

4. What is the best lift upgrade. What springs will fit for this style. Where would be a good place to buy spring bushings.

5. What would be a great place to buy OEM parts. (Quadratec is the only place i know of.)

I will have more later but need to get a few out of the way. I will be taking the body off to start on the frame. clean it up and get it painted. they go suspension, drivetrain, then body and electrical. I have a good bit of work in front of me, so all the help i can get is well needed and appreciated.

I will post some pics of it tommorrow.

Chris

 

To check square on your frame find a repeatable point on both sides, say xmember and bumper or shock hanger (if it hasn't been moved). Then measure side to side and measure an X from xmember to shock hanger both ways. They should be equal. Get rid of the 44" tires and the axles will be fine. No bigger than 33" for stock axles. As far as upgrades you're limited for a daily driver you should already have a Dana 30NT up front, probably an AMC20 in back. You might find a flanged D44 for the back but they're rare. Anything else and you'll have to live with them sticking out too far or pay for them to be cut down. There's several different lifts, pick and choose, they're all the same (spring rate's the only difference). http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25203 for parts.:v6:

 

a 75 would have a d44 with one piece shafts. 72-75(intermediates) and 86 had one piece shaft d44s

 

Here the pic of it.



Pic of Dash

 

Motor



Transmission

 

Dana 44-1 Rear Axle



Rear of transfer case

 

VIN tag



Now the problem areas;

Motor mount

 

Old motor mount



Shock mount

 

Rear lift



Front lift has 2x2 square tubing on rear of leaf mount

 

Clutch linkage and crack in frame



Front differential in dana 30

 

wow! narrow tracks and 42s! at least you can sell the tires and make some money

 

What kind of a transfer case is that? It's a beast!
Also it looks like the gear ratio in the front axle was 47/11 - 4.27

 

No form of isolation in the motor mounts will destroy a frame.

After you get the cracks repaired, put in motor mounts with rubber isolators.

 

And now that i have looked at a cj manual it looks like it is actually a 1973 cj5. the transfer case IS massive. like i saidi plan on taking the body off and starting on the frame then the suspension. What are good leaf spring swaps from newer models. And doesn't someone make a wheelbase kit. that you put on new rear panels and it comes with brackets that bring the rear leaf hanger back a ways. i think rustys offroad had something.

 

I think old man emu has a kit that uses YJ springs.

 

Your jeep is a 1973 and original paint was fairway green poly! I had a 81 cj7 with 40s and stock axles great in the mud but not for daily driver. I would use the same springs you have only spring under. cut out the 2x2 tubing and look into doing a shackle reversal. Looks like a three inch body lift that i would return to stock and then you could lose the transfer case drop kit?

 

Sorry OT, but I like that sticker next to the steering wheel!

That is a beast!!!

 

found that the tranny is a GM Muncie SM465. Dont know what the transfer case is yet.

 

It's definitely not an NP 205 or 203. Looks kinda like a Rockwell but it's been years since I've dealt with one. Should be a tag on it somewhere.

 

Yep, Rockwell T221 used by GM up to 69' I believe.