73 cj5

I bought this sight unseen, so I have no one to blame but myself!
1973 CJ5, 304, 3spd, man steering/brakes, 29,500 original miles!
Too many years of sitting outside in our lovely Canadian winters with carpet on the floor=ridiculous amount of rust.
PO had threw a rod in orig 304. Picked up a good 304 from wrecker in Calgary AB, just short a flywheel.
Was red, then blue, then white, now rust!





New/used engine sitting off to the right front to be installed.









Found a new fuel tank under all that rust! Albeit not even reasonably installed by PO.





More to come!

 

Looks like you got yourself a Renegade model (no tailgate) I think the reproduction people have the stripe kit for it,that would be cool.


mike s.

 

cool
looks like you are well on your way.



p.s.
i bought my 63 sight unseen too.

will we ever learn?R)

 

Awesome, and ambitious cutting of the old metal - keep us posted on progress, would love to see how you go about it. I need to do the same on at least one tub.

 

Well after tearing into this thing further, I have come to the conclusion that the body is a lil too far gone for a decent rebuild. I've decided to do a patch job for now and find a good body later.
The running gear has 29,000 miles on it, 304 to be installed is at 60,000. Suspension, frame and steering are very tight.
Might look at a new fibreglass kit or a good used steel body at the wreckers.

For now though, and for your amusement! I'm going to "fix" what I've got.
The floor is going to get the "wood deck" treatment! The front fenders are going to get the once over with tin and checkerplate. A good shot of thick paint, rolled and brushed on should hide the small holes.

All-in-all it should be the poster-jeep of how not to overhaul!

Stay tuned for pics.

 

A friend stopped by this weekend, a veteren of 6 CJ rebuilds. He tells me he's rebuilt a lot worse bodies than what I've got.
So, between that and looking at some of the rebuilds on this site, I'm beginning to think all you Jeep-nuts are a diehard, no fear, bunch.

I guess I'll build a 4' brake and start in on this thing. I ordered new front fenders as these were 50% bondo and 60% rust!

2 things I'm needing advice on are:

1-When replcing larger cut-out panels (complete rockers, most of the over-the-rear wheel fender), is it better to do it all at once, or do smaller pieces at a time to prevent distortion of the body?

2-Is it better to do this with the body on the frame or off? I have no problem welding upside down and it might be easier to keep the tub lined up square and fitted to the frame, while still on the frame.

 

I am not the person to ask for book answers, but from what I know from experience. If the body is on the unit, you will weld the sags. If it is in good enough shape that the body has NO sags you will do fine. But if it is weak from age, your lines will be close but will not match up. I welded a sagging body and well tore it off and put a fiberglass tub on it. I feel that if you have the chance to take it off, take it. If you want to patch holes and don't care how it ends up, that is a different story.