79 CJ-5 Upgrades

I know you guys get these types of questions all the time. Hope you are willing to help out one more time

I was wondering.... lets say I get some tax refund funds from the wife, and maybe get a loan for the rest from the bank.... what would YOU put on my jeep? 2.5" lift? 4" lift? This is my transportation to and from work, but I live less than a mile away, so I was thinking that loud tires/noise isn't going to be an issue.

I need a new exhaust as it is rusting, and I am surprised one of the exhaust pipes hasn't fallen off. Do I want to go all the way to the engine (headers?)? It currently has a dual exhaust (custom corvair turbo mufflers done in 1979 or 1980).

Need new tires (those goodyear mt/r's look good, but does anyone have any personal experience with them? Snow/mud? Any suggestions on others?). Currently I have 7" rims, so those could stand to be replaced.

Need new springs and shocks. My jeep has a AMC V8. I have seen some lift kits talk about adding a spring to the front if you have a wench or a V8... is that good advice?

So, assuming I have around $3000 to play with, what would you do? I don't off road that much, yet... and I also want it to look goooooood

I would also need help installing this stuff... so keep that in mind for the cost.

Thanks,
Brian

 

Do the mechanicals before the bling. Make sure it is in good shape before you pretty it up. I mean what good is a pretty Jeep that just sits in the driveway all the time.

If the exhaust manifolds are in good shape leave them in place and have the exhaust rebuilt from them to the back. The V-8 makes plenty of power for the 5.

I really do like the GoodYear MTRs. They only problem is they load up quickly in gumbo type mud and you have to really spin them to get it out. Keep in mind you are gonna pay $1000 for 5 tires. Yes 5 because you need the spare as well.

Rims-I have had good luck with 15x8. I have not lost a bead yet. And I run around 7.5 PSI on the trails with 35x12.5 MTRs.

Remember if you put more then a couple inches lift on the jeep then you have to worry about drive shaft length and angles. So be prepared for that expense as well.

Like I have said before. Come up with a plan of what you want the Jeep to be. Then you are less likely to waste money on half meassures. When you do work on it you can say this is what I want.

EX: I started with a '72 CJ-5. I knew I wanted to run 35" tires. This dictated that I needed to regear my axles to around 4:10~4:56 to keep in the engines powerband. To fit those size tires I needed 4+ inches of lift. That much lift dictated that I would need to retube my drive shafts front and rear. Since I was having the shafts retubbed anyway, I decided to have them built much stronger then stock to get rid of a weakpoint in the drivetrain. Yes it cost more but is cheaper then doing it twice. Now that I had 35" tires the brakes where not up to stopping it so I upgraded to disks. Etc, etc, etc...

See how this keeps adding up and how one change leads to a list of other things that must be considered?

Eventually I decided what I wanted to do. Made a list of parts I needed and started accquiring them. I had the luxury of not having to use the Jeep as a daily driver. And it spent 2 years in my garage under construction before it was back on the street.

 

The AMC V8 exhaust manifolds flow pretty well - I'd keep 'em. Plus headers are a maintenance headache, esp. on a Jeep. Leaky, hot, noisy, fragile ... strictly race car stuff IMO.

The Edelbrock Performer manifold and an aftermarket carb like the Holley Truck Eliminator really wakes up the 360 ... I'd expect the same on the 304. Check your state's emissions laws though.

The AMC V8 is only about 50 lbs heavier than the AMC I6 IIRC ... and the weight may be further back. Not much of a reason to add stiffer springs IMO.

 

I would recommend getting all the mechanical issues fixed first. Especially the exhaust before it falls off. Just had mine done and it made a big difference in the running of the engine and in mileage because it wasn't running so rough.

Before you decide on tires and lifts, ask yourself a couple of questions.
1) What kind of driving/4wheeling will I be doing?
Mud, Sand, Rock???
2)Will this be a daily driver/playtoy?
3) Will this be a playtoy only?

Once you figure out what kind of terrain and wheeling you'll be doing will help you figure out what you need to do to it.

I would recommend doing some type of DIY liner to the inside of your tub to help protect it from the elements. A good rollcage would be something to consider as well. You could either buy a kit or DIY.

As far as shocks/springs, BDS has a lifetime warranty and their 2" or 2 1'2" lift spring are only about $600. I plan on putting those on in the Spring.

Consider beefing up your tie rod/drag link as well as your steering box. Also, a heavy duty steering shaft.

Also, putting in a secure center console is a good idea as well. Tuffy makes a good one for about $270 and Outland sells the exact same model (their version) for about $210 thru JC Whitney.

 

Ultimitely I want it to look good and be functional. I do almost no off-roading now, but that is going to change in the future. So, I don't want to do something small now, and regret it later.

This vehicle is my transportation to and from work, but I work less than a mile from work, so I am not too concerned about that.

As to the exhaust. I was quoted ~600 bucks for labor, 2xmuffler (has dual exhaust), pipe, and clamps. That sound high/low/about right?

Does anyone have any experience with the Rubicon Express Lift Kits? They seem to be pretty complete in their kits. Seem pricey, but if they have everything you need, then I won't be in the middle of putting it on, and say "oh crap, I need to buy this item now!" The 4.5 inch lift is about 30 bucks more than the 2.5 inch. The 4.5 inch comes with Transfer case drop kit and a pitman arm specific to this size lift. Will the transfer case drop kit be enough for the driveshaft angles?

I currently have 30x7x15 wheels, so I think I will stick with these until I have the lift and exhaust paid off, but I was thinking of going larger. I guess I need to figure out all gear ratio, etc. before proceeding past that point.

Solitudetree, What do you mean about a secure center console? Mine has a stock locking console, but are you thinking of something more secure?


Guys,

Thanks for all the responses,
Brian

 

Most definitely more secure.

Tuffy's Deluxe Stereo Console and Outland's Secuirty Stereo Floor Console are the exact same thing. Just one is cheaper than the other.

There is a seperate compartment for your radio with a 16 gauge metal flap that covers it. Then there is the main compartment lid that covers the radio compartment lid. That one extends over the sides so it makes it harder for someone to stick a prybar in there to force open your console.

This is a good link to read about it.

http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/interior/tuffy03/

I'm putting it in mine once I repair my floor, por15 it and then put the herculiner in.

 

Seems way high to me. I was quoted $190 and charged $250 (not happily) for a complete system on my pickup a couple years ago. Granted, mine's a single exhaust, but still I would expect $350 or so for a CJ. I guess this could go higher if I chose a more expensive muffler.

Certainly I'd ask for a breakdown by labor and specific materials.

 

Got a few more quotes for the exhaust, and yes, 600 bucks is too high. I was quoted 350 for 2 mufflers, pipe and labor.


Has any of you seen the quadratec build by stages - stage 3 jeep? Wow! I know I won't do that much, but I sure like the look of those tires. I was thinking more towards stage 2. I was kind of thinking of 35's for tires.

Patrick... I know we talked, but I just can't seem to get myself to commit to the 2.5" lift. I guess I am thinking that since the 4" is minimal cost increase, why not go that route? I know that means more work, t-case lowering, possible drive shaft purchase, but if I am going to spend that much cash on a lift, I don't want to wish I had done it in the future. Of course the reverse could be said, and I might wish I didn't go that high....

So, with all that said, I was leaning towards the RE 4.5" lift w/ RE shocks. I have done some research, and the info on these lifts is pretty minimal, unfortunately, but what I have read, everyone thinks they are great.

Trying to get everything set up in advance, so what else would you guys recommend me getting before starting this project? Again, I will have about 2-3 days worth of time before work the next Monday. My wife can give me a ride to and from work if required, but I am trying to shy away from that idea.
Assume I need a new driveshaft? Or will the t-case kit that comes with the RE be enough?

Okay, I need to stop writing... not sure how many of you will even read this far

 

It will definitely be a work in progress

The RE kit comes with the t-case lowering kit and a dropped pitman arm. The driveshaft... I will go for now without ordering new, unless someone tells me to do otherwise. I don't expect to head out in the wilderness right away, but again, I want to be on the right track for the future.

Patrick, I hope I can count on your advice... I am going to need it. I will be needing new gears, etc., but I will cross that road when I am ready to take the plung into the 35's. I am going to stick with my 30's until I get more cash flow. That sound good?

edit - Just curious, is there a reason why I wouldn't want wider tires to off-set the too top heavy?