74 CJ5 Steering and Tailgate

Hey guys/gals, I am really glad I found ya! I just got a 74 CJ5 and have begun a restoration. I have a lot of questions but need to start with a couple. First, PO completed SOA conversion. Not sure if this is the problem or not, but at speed over 40MPG the steering is completely irradic and unsafe. It does have Power Steering. Any ideas as to what may be the problem?:? Also, I have rust at the rear tub mount. It does not have a tailgate. It is solid (except for the swiss cheese holes everywhere from the PO), does anyone know where I could get a steel body panel to replace it? Or can it be converted to a tailgate as I have found those? Thanks in advance.

 

Welcome from KS!

Could be lots of things such as bushings, bearings, steering box, etc., but it could be possible when the PO welded on the spring perches he/she rotated the axle slightly to relieve pinion angle. When the front axle is rotated forward, castor is reduced. With a bad castor angle, you can get all kinds of steering related issues. Do you have the ability to post some pics? Would really help out your cause. Does it cause the front end to shake violently, or does it just wander around the road?

 

Welcome from Washington, Stew.
I can't answer your tub question, I always fabbed new panels and welded them and did the bodywork... But as for the steering, there is an excellent thread here; http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38248
It answers a lot of the steering geometry, caster/camber angles, etc. and is answered by people much more knowegable than me.

 

A good source for body repair panels is WWW.ClassicEnt.com. I've seen others as well, just have to hunt them out.

 

just about every serious jeep place sells them www.quadratec.com .... evn jcwhitney has some....

 

For a pleasure/trail vehicle, I'd prefer the solid back panel. It was a 'sporty' option when it was first introduced, since it moves the stock spare tire mount from the side of the vehicle to the rear. Saves you from needing one of the (typically anchor heavy) swing-away tire carriers. I'd keep it.

Repair panels for the solid back are the same as the parts for the military M38A1 except for the taillight mounting. You can get the rear panel from Classic without the taillight punchouts. That said, it's pretty easy to fix these bodies with flat stock, a comparatively inexpensive 110V MIG welder, and some very basic metal working skills.

JMO - I'd put it back to SUA, in stockish form. Likely you'd have a much better outcome if you want a streetable trail vehicle. This is controversial. My opinion - you lose more than gain with SOA on such a short WB vehicle. Typically SOAs are way up in the air, which on these vehicles increases the likelyhood of rollover a lot. Plus I believe the geometry promotes body lean for the same bump stiffness (this could prompt another long discussion), which also contributes to rollover. But just take this as advice - it's your Jeep and we'll still like you no matter what you decide.

<edit> Welcome from Boston! Post up some pics in the Meet&Greet section if you can. It will be very helpful to put your location and a description of your Jeep in your sig or profile.

 

Thanks for the input. Clint, it doesn't shake, but wanders uncontrollably. I appreciate the links others attached and the info on the tailgate. I am really leaning toward going back to SUA. I will attach some pics in my profile etc. soon, as well as inspect the areas suggested.