1963 Cj5

Hey everyone, I snagged a 63 CJ5 not too far from me… mostly complete minus the engine and brake hardware (but a PO was in the middle of installing a 70’s era firewall mounted unit).

I got home a little late, but was able to verify the winch is working. I had to clean all the connections and get some dialectic grease on them. There’s no controller.

Next up is to remove the winch, front bumper and front clip, check the Dana 27(?) front out, see what needs to be done, or redone for a master cylinder and see about dropping in a 304/three speed/dana 20 from a 70’s era CJ5.

if at all possible, I’d prefer to keep the stock three speed still in it, along with the Dana 18, and overdrive.

Question: is the stock cj5 brake pedal hardware interchangeable from the Willy’s wagon/truck to the cj5, or is it different?

 

not sure that a dana 20 would work with the passenger offset?

 

fc in back ground

 

I'm confused by these 2 statements.
As mentioned above, the Dana 20 transfer case has a centered rear output and requires a centered rear diff.
The stock 3 speed for '66 was a T86 which was pretty marginal, strength wise.
You don't mention what engine you have, if it's the V6, it's a good little engine for a CJ5.
If it was mine I'd do whatever it takes to keep the OD in there as it's a great upgrade for an early Jeep.

 

Fixed it for ya

 

"The stock 3 speed for '66 was a T86"

That is true only if it is a Dauntless, and I don't see any indication it is. A standard CJ5 would have came stock with a T-90 behind an F-134 which, IMHO, is a better transmission to have than the T-86.

As already mentioned a D20 has a centered rear output which won't work with the original off-set Dana 44 rear that would have came in a 66.

I am not sure the Overdrive, which is installed onto the D18 would fit a D20 either.

That is a desirable winch

 

"Question: is the stock cj5 brake pedal hardware interchangeable from the Willy’s wagon/truck to the cj5, or is it different?"

I do not know for sure, but suspect it is different.

The brake and clutch pedal arms are easy to find used, new bushing are usually needed. The rest of the brake hardware is available from many vendors and usually needs to be replaced anyway. So many have converted to hanging pedals and firewall brake master cylinders there are probably folks on the forum with the original parts sitting on a shelf.

 

It will not.

Also, that VIN tag (held on by phillips screws) indicates a '62 model, which this Jeep doesn't appear to be.
So it's probably a Frankenjeep, like most of them out there.

 

I spotted this jeep on Facebook and would have snagged it myself if it were closer. The winch alone is worth almost what the asking price was. It's definitely a mix of parts from what I remember. It has v6 mounts and a buick bellhousing on the trans, plus there was an overdrive on the back of the 18. I think the asking price was $1400 so I'd say the OP made out pretty good for a project.

 

I think you're all spot on! Nice. I'm in the right place.

I do have an FC 170 in the back ground (401, th400, dana 20, dana 60's front and rear).

I posted the vin plate because I thought it should say Kaiser, not Willy's, so I thought something was not right there. There is the Buick bell-housing (it came with a bunch of misc. Buick parts, but the PO sold the engine awhile ago). There is also some type of 2" adapter to bring the bell-housing flush to the firewall. There's too much dirt and grime on the tranny to ID as of now, but it definitely has the D18 case and an overdrive. I did get it for less than the asking price. So, I think this basket-franken-jeep-head-case was worth it.

The spare engine I have is an AMC 304 (w/ three speed tranny and dana 20 t case) from a mid to late 70's CJ5. I expect the 304 and it's mated tranny to work just fine- it is the dana 20 t case that has me a bit worried, though. The flanged 44 rear on the CJ is offset.


In my perfect world, I pry the dana 18 off the CJ5 and find it to be the rare wide mouth version and it would mate up to the 304/3 speed, but I suspect that is a pipe dream. I think it is possible to swap internals vetween the d18 and d20 t case, but I don't think that would help me in the long run.

If I can mate the existing three speed to the 304 and get that all to work, that's what I would like to do. That would require moving the transmission forward, or modifying the firewall, both of which I can do, but moving the tranny forward would be "easier".

Here's the plan for the brake master cylinder (I used a similar set up on my FC170): https://www.wilwood.com/mastercylinders/MasterCylinderProd?itemno=260-14244-BK

 

304+T86=bad things

 

There is a Dauntless V6 in Yakima that would save you a bunch of time and fab work: https://yakima.craigslist.org/pts/d/yakima-jeep-dauntless-6-buick-225/7734518255.html

Needs rebuilt though.

 

This Buick 300 is a bolt-in too, but you have to move the radiator forward and do some front crossframe work for clearance: https://spokane.craigslist.org/pts/d/spokane-buick-300-v8-bbl/7720371399.html

 

"304+T86=bad things"

Maybe so, but we don't know whether it is a T86, more likely a T-90.

Since the Jeep is already set up for a Buick V6, the easiest, and more economical engine swap would be to find a Buick 231 even fire from a rear wheel drive Buick. These are plentiful and usually fairly cheap. The last one I bought came out of a mid 80s Regal, had very low mileage, and I bought it for $250.

You could probably sell the 304 for enough to pay for it, and you would avoid having to swap rear ends to match the D20, keep the D18 and be able to keep the OD.

 

V6 mounts indicate it's a t86

 

Man, I would love that for my Commando.

 

The recurring question: What are you planning for this rig? There are more knowledgeable people here but IMHO it will be more work to fit the 304 into the early CJ’s that it would be worth. Just my opinion, and I know what that’s worth……

It seems that the easiest way to get it driving would be to find a Buick/Jeep engine that you are set up for. FWIW check out Fireball’s 71 CJ5 with a Buick 350 http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?threads/145880/

What is the axle ratio? I believe that either a 62 or 66 has a decent chance of 5:38s. Years ago I had a 64 CJ5 that I stuffed a 231 into and a 231 with 5:38 gears may surprise you. Especially if you can get one with fuel injection.

 

"V6 mounts indicate it's a t86"

This would be true only if the Jeep were an early Dauntless and it most likely is not.

 

The most expensive upgrade is a free engine.

Get a motor that fits the early chassis. You can do a V6 or I4. Both will fit nicely and give a good increase in performance without having to do a bunch of "squeeze it in" modifications.

The stock 3 speed on the V8 is a T15. While rare, it is an excellent box and could be retained with a V6 Dana 18.

You're gonna need to check the gearing. An OD may be an indicator of 4.88's. If that i the case, you will need to retain the D18/OD unit to make it drivable or re-gear.

If you are set on the V8/T15/D20, you will need a centered axle out of a 72-75 CJ.

 

If you need headlight buckets I have more than I need.