Clutch Linkage Issues (need To Fix Some Bubba Engineering)

Short version, bought a 71 with the v6. It runs ok, but has some issues I’ll be working on. One of the first I’d like to plan for is redoing the clutch in the correct way.

Can someone point me to a good schematic with part numbers to rebuild this correctly? Or a better way to do this? Currently the linkage causes the clutch pedal to stick to the floor more often than not.

Apologies the photo isn’t better, but I can’t seem to get anything better to show up.

 

Advanced Adapters chain linkage.

 

As I recall, a '71 uses a cable linkage. Pretty sure the cable is available aftermarket. However, if the PO hacked up the linkage and inserted what appears to be some solid linkage, it may be easier to convert to the chain linkage using the Advance Adapters kit.

I don't have a picture of the linkage, but I think it's pretty similar to the J-truck linkage for the same era. Look here Jeep® Parts Manuals online at the 62-73 J-Series parts manual, Group 5, L-2 (illustration 2). This is the whole book in one file, and it's large...

 

I agree with tim . that the 71 uses the cable clutch system . as to changing it to the AA chain clutch system , you would need to find a pedal cross shaft that used the linkage and cable set up . cable set up has one mount welded on frame rail and a cable bracket on transfer case

 

I don't think part numbers will help you. None of the linkage stuff except for the cable will be available aftermarket.

Note the J-truck has suspended pedals, and your Jeep has through-the-floor. Concept will be similar. There is a place on the clutch bellcrank that pulls on the cable, which goes through the bracket on the bell housing. This pulls on the release arm.

 

71 cable

pedal cable bracket
stock bracket for T14 modified for T18
cable loop clamp

stock bracket

FSM

 

Is that the factory bracket? Looks kinda home-made. Strong, but not factory.

 

I had a NOS cable system on my 2a. Came with brakets too. It worked flawlessly.

 

I have never seen this set up. I like it. And this is a factory design? Factory parts?

 

yes tim . its the one that was on jeep before I removed the T14 . just had to make it longer to work with longer transmission . cable end wouldn't be long enough for bracket to be bolted in same spot . not into to fit and finish . grinding and paint . functional is all I was after . it's only a bracket . no one will see

 

I have the cable clutch on my 70
It works good as long as you have a good quality cable like this one...
1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 Jeep CJ5 Clutch Cable Stainless Steel | eBay

Most of the aftermarket replacement ones are

 

The Jeep p/n for the complete clutch cable kit was 992824, anti-chatter kit.
A couple of these were on ebay a year or two ago and I bought one and pointed a member here to the others.
I have several of each of the brackets in reserve as well.
The frame mounted bracket would be fairly easy to fabricate.
The t/case mounted bracket, not so much.
I've used this set-up since about 1983 when the V6 went in.
I'm still using that original cable, although I have a spare or two just in case.

 

The picture of the system in the FSM is just like what my 71 had. Has worked great for me after all this time. I have taken off a couple of times in the last 45 years to clean it up and oil. One thing I might bring up is item 3, ball adjusting nut in the FSM picture. I did have a problem with that one time. My Jeep was about 5 years old when the ball on the end that goes in the clutch fork broke off. I thought no big deal and went to the dealer and got a new one. It only lasted about 6 months and broke again. I thought well maybe something was wrong in the cable, fork, etc. and so I took it all apart and cleaned everything up and oiled it. Everything looked and worked great, could see no problems. About 3 months later, broke again. This happen about five times all together. It was so bad that I carried a spare in my tool box. After the fifth one broke and I put another new one on I never had another problem and it has now lasted about 40 years. I never changed anything on the rest of the system I just think the last one was from a different factory batch.I am thinking that there must have been a bad factory production run on a batch of them. But I still carry a spare just in case.

Mike

 

I'm glad to hear you guys talk highly of the cable setup. Every time I heard it mentioned on here before, people were hating on it. I had that factory setup on my '70 and absolutely loved it.

I thought I was the crazy one!

 

The cable before 1972 was ok. It makes sense for a flexible frame vehicle like a Jeep. Simple and decouples the frame, body and drive train action from the clutch action. The cables have a finite lifetime though.

Somehow it all went wrong in 1972, possibly because of the new cable design. We were replacing seized cables daily under warranty, and Jeep issued a SB and kit to convert the '72s to mechanical linkage. The mechanical linkage has its own problems for the owner if not for Jeep Corp. From '73 through '79 the mechanical linkage was used across the line.

 

I've used that cable set-up and factory brackets since the early 70's when they first came out..............I like it better than the chain drive AA system.....as I ripped one of those out years ago while driving over brush...........the cable system when adjusted properly and "Lubricated" is pretty much flawless................But the biggest problem is keeping lubrication in them especially if you run your Jeep in the mud through streams or in snow..............there is rubber seals on the ends but they fail after a while.............Maybe the Stainless cable mentioned above might work better?.............I got in the habit years ago in taking that cable out and lubricating it...............but like Jim mentioned above I always had a spare in the tool box.

 

Very delayed thank you to all who helped. I think my easiest course of action is going to be to do the AA chain conversion.

Secondary question that may or may not be related... When my clutch is pushed in with its current "bubba" linkage, my brakes seem to fail. (If on my inclined driveway and in neutral without clutch in but brakes applied, I hold fine. Push in the clutch with the brakes applied and I roll.)

Down the road I'd like to do a disc conversion when time and funds allow, but its not in the budget just yet. (at least if I want to keep my wife)

 

I installed one on my Jeep it works great.