What is special about the 75 CJ5?

I bought my 75 some 8 years ago. I have been putting back together ever since. I have noticed that alot of after market parts completely skip the 75. (i.e. 19xx to 1974, 1976 to 1985)..... Why is that?

Now that I have mine almost ready to start, I am really excited about it. No, it doesn't look like a factory restore, but I am looking forward to driving it.... the body will probably end up looking like Franksenstein.... but underneath all the parts are new....

Just curious,

Gasseous

 

Nearly all of the parts that are correct for 72, 73 and 74 will also be correct for 1975. If you have a question about a specific part - ask. 1975 has a new wiring harness, and some models got a catalytic convertor, and some other emissions stuff will be different. The floors are no longer removable, like the earlier models. I'm sure there are some other details that I'm missing.

The big change was in 1976, when there was a top-to-bottom revision of the CJs and most everythng changed.

 

Thanks Tim,

I began to do some research, after I purchased mine. I remember being told that the 75 was not very desireable because there was a major change in 76. This Jeep used a ragtag of parts from various years to burn down the stock. (Something along those lines, after all, it has been 8 years since I did the research)

Since I already had made the purchase, this is my 1st CJ, I trudged on. I either purchased panels, such as the floor, and cut them to fit.... or I fabricated panels, such as the rocker panels and the solid back tailgate... I also purchased an old tub off of eBay and used some of it... like the tool box.... like I said, it will probably look like Frankenstein, but it is all mine.... when I am finished, I can say that I have laid a wrench on every single nut and bolt on it....

I was just curious as to what the differences are... BTW, I did purchase a Painless wire harness.... it was not exactly "plug and play" but I was able to make it work.... at least I have the lights turned on.... I will attempt to start the Jeep at a later date... hopefully early in 2011....

Gasseous

 

The intermediates have great axles, and can be had with v-8 power. They still feel like a old Jeep however. Some would say the best of old and new.

 

I think the thing about the parts drawdown is wrong. The '76 was the first year of what was basicaly a new model. The '75 supposedly has a heavier frame than the prevous intermediates, and definitely has a much better electrical system than the earlier years - with a real fuse panel, split-loom throughout, and rear harness routing through the passenger compartment.

Compared to the '76, all '75s have a superior rear axle and ratos (Dana 44 with 3.73 std /4.27 opt v. M20 with 3.54 std /4.10 opt), the V8 models have a superior transmission (B-W T-15 v.the Tremac T-150), and they still have the toolbox.

So, no specific year gives you the best of everything, but '75 is arguably one of the better vintages.

Parts availability for the intermediates is not great, as a group. All the usual service parts are available, but not much beyond that. If one of the vendors does not include '75 as applicable toa part that's listed for a '74, it's likely becasue they have bad information. There are lots of mistakes and omissions in the listings for the aftermarket vendors... thus I suggest that you ask here.

 

Thanks for the responses. This is my 1st CJ project and I have enjoyed tearing into it. When it is finished, I will have touched every square inch. It is a Levi Renegade but the V8 is not correct. It should be 304 but the shop says it is a 360 out of a Wagoneer. My Father-in-Law keeps telling me that it is a 401 but I really don't know. I do know that it is plenty strong before the rebuild and should be more then enough after. I have no plans on doing any severe 4 wheeling but look forward to simply puttering around.... before the internal combustion engine and of road driving become illegal.... LOL!!

I was doing a search on the Painless wire diagram and stumbled upon this site. Have enjoyed reading it.

Thanks to everyone that has chimed in.

Gasseous

 

Look at the side of the engine block under the motor mount and the engine size is cast in the block. I don't remember which side it's on.

 

On the driver's side is where the cid is cast. That will tell for sure which block you have.

 

Yeah...you're not kidding!

 

wtlwR)The 75 was only made for one year. Thats special, right?

 

It is cast on both sides.

 

I've never seen that but it's certainly possible. All the ones I've seen were on the driver's side only, but I'm no AMC expert.

 

Eh? Not to hijack, but that's the first time I've heard that one. Mind elaborating, please?

 

Not much more to it. In '75 they spot welded the (previously) removable floor panels to the body. The only part that's removable is the transmission cover where the shift lever boot is.

The following year the floors were completely redesigned, with no provision for removing anything but the shift top cover.

 

So on my '73 the floor pans should be removable? Granted, I never looked that closely, but I always assumed they were welded in. If they are, how do I go about taking them out, just undo some bolts?

 

Nice! Learn something new every day.

Do you know of a diagram or thread that discusses this? I did a search, but couldn't find anything.

 

Ok, I looked again, and the only part of the floor that I see being removable is the transmission hump. Am I missing something?

 

Good picture from another thread -



Maybe your '73 has the panels welded in. My experience in the era was that Jeep kept the bolt-in floors until 1975. I recall my '73 bought new had the bolt-in floors, but maybe I'm mistaken.

If you're curious, you could start another thread, polling members with Jeeps from this era about this.