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Old Red Maintenance Thread

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by Fireball, Jul 4, 2020.

  1. Jul 4, 2020
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
    Messages:
    5,625
    This isn't much of a build thread since the Jeep is in pretty good shape and I'm keeping it pretty stock. It's really more of a maintenance thread.

    Backstory:

    I grew up with my Dad having a 225 powered GPW (see mini-build thread here: Dad's Flatfender). My first car was a dilapidated 1946 CJ-2a with a small block ford my dad helped me get running.

    I sold the CJ-2 to a friend who tore it apart and lost interest. I bought it back, found a Mail-Jeep frame for it and started to work on the body. That was 20 years ago. During that time I've only managed to replace the floorboards. In the meanwhile, I built a Mustang track car and moved twice. Here's the CJ-2 moving to the most recent place:
    [​IMG]

    The CJ-2 is the 3rd time I've had cars too far apart or that needed too much work. I just grind to a halt. I cut my losses and sold two of them in project form. I still have the CJ-2.

    The Mustang however, was a good success. Over 8 years, It eventually turned into a 475hp street-legal track monster that could keep up with the latest BMW M3s and the like. The key was it always ran and I did short individual projects that would have the car functioning again quickly. I never had to take the entire car apart to make progress. Now that we've move drural and have 5 miles of gravel road to the nearest pavement, it's pretty useless and in the process of getting sold. Here it is:
    [​IMG]

    3 years ago now, using the wisdom of having a vehicle that needed small projects and really wanting a Jeep that runs, I started looking for an old CJ-5.

    I found this one. Here it is in the ad:
    [​IMG]

    A pretty solid original Jeep with some patina to it. I hooked up the trailer and went to look at it. It was all over the road and it ran terrible, but I bought it. They had taken apart and primed the top so it came home in the back of the truck. A vintage tire rack was also included but partially removed.

    Here it is the first day at home:
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    It's been great for the last 3 years. I did a bunch of stuff initially to get it running and driving decent. The wife and dogs love going for Sunday drives and it's part of the family. Here's what it looked like after some polishing, reinstalling the rack, Rugged Ridge seats, and a bikini top:
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I haven't done a lot to it since because we've moved again. This time into an abandoned 120 year old farmhouse that needed EVERYTHING fixed. Thankfully after 2 years of hard work, that's starting to wind down.

    My goal right now is to get it ready for the 2020 Colorado Epic (2020 Ecj5 Colorado Epic- First Week Of August.) and I thought I should finally make a build thread. I'll add additional posts of stuff done previously and start updating with work to get it ready for the Colorado trip.
     
    locrwln, Ol Fogie, Danefraz and 7 others like this.
  2. Jul 4, 2020
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
    Messages:
    5,625
    The Jeep:

    Titled as a 1969, but based on the windshield, no-return fuel system, not side marker refelctors, it's proabably a '68.
    [​IMG]

    It still has factory paint with rust at the cowl braces and the seams by the tail lights. Floors are solid. Paint is burned through on the hood, and there are plenty of dents and dings to add character:
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    It looks like it was originally President Red with the thin pinstripe seats. I have the original seats and would like to recover them some day.

    Modifications include:
    • 1977 Buick odd-fire 231 with HEI and Delco alternator
    • BDS 2.5" springs
    • Wagon Wheels
    • 31x10.50-15 Maxxis Big Horn tires
    • Vintage tire rack
    • Vintage Smittybilt roll bar
    • Vintage Kelly hard top
    • Rugged Ridge seats
    • Champion aluminum radiator
    The frame is in good shape with no signs of cracking and it still has Ross steering.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Rich M., Muzikp, ITLKSEZ and 11 others like this.
  3. Jul 4, 2020
    bigbendhiker

    bigbendhiker Member

    U.S.
    Joined:
    May 26, 2019
    Messages:
    318
    Good looking Jeeps and scenery. Thanks for posting. What size tires are on your CJ2? They have that pizza cutter look. They look good.

    I also like the side windows on your CJ5's top. It's a much better look than this top.
    Probably has better visibility out the back as well.
     
  4. Jul 4, 2020
    neohic

    neohic Gentleman Jeepist

    Woodland Park, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2018
    Messages:
    500
    Such a great looking rig! I’ve been in the same boat when it comes to projects. They sure can turn into eating a whale! Looking forward to seeing more on this one.
     
  5. Jul 4, 2020
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    Sub’d to come back and read when I have time. :watch:
     
  6. Jul 4, 2020
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
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    5,625
    33x9.50x15 TSL Super Swampers on the CJ-2. Some time when I have the CJ-2 unburied again, I'm going to do some tire swaps and post up pictures. Between the 3 Jeeps, I have 31s, 32s, 33s. I thought it would be cool to cycle through them all on a single Jeep to see how they look.

    And I agree on the extra windows in the top. Visibility is great out the back.
     
  7. Jul 5, 2020
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
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    Things I've done to the Jeep so far. More or less in order.

    Bought a matching spare tire/wheel. Put the spare tire rack back on. Had to make a new pivot bolt. Added some thick rubber feet where it hits the body to help with rattling.
    [​IMG]

    Later I swapped out the loose metal straps for nylon to quiet things up.
    [​IMG]

    You may notice the weird scoop on the passenger side by the tire rack. I'm pretty sure it's a shovel mount: Vintage Shovel Mount

    Fixed the horn with a new rubber button. The rest of the original parts worked.

    Made mounts for the passenger Rugged Ridge seat to get it as low as possible while still using the factory hinge and rear clamp. The angele of the seats doesn't quite match but nobody notices. I left the original seat frame unmodified because I'd like to put the originals back in some day.
    [​IMG]

    It ran terrible when I got. Rebuilding the carb, setting the timing, replacing all the vacuum lines, and replacing all the vacuum diaphragms under the hood fixed that.

    Then it ran good but clattered like a diesel. The timing chain was so loose it was smacking against the guides. Replaced that and the engine sounds great now.
    [​IMG]

    To get the steering a little better, replaced the bell crank bearings and the bell crank itself. Also rebuilt the drag link. It's good enough to keep it on the road at normal speeds now, but rebuilding the steering box, a new Pitman arm and 4 degree camber shims are in the works.

    Changed the fuel tank sender so the gas gauge works.

    Parking brake cable broke and got replaced.

    Replaced the fresh air hose for the heater.
    [​IMG]

    Found a good original cardboard defroster plenum and replaced the defroster hose. I also disassembled the heater heater controls, lapped the surfaces on 600 grit wet sand paper and reassembled with a thin coating of grease. The diaphragms on the plenum were still good, so the heater us fully functional now.

    Since the previous owners had disassembled the top and primed the top and sides, I painted them with a Rustoleum almond color that's a OK match with the doors and rear hatch. Had to oil the bejeesus out of the window crank mechanisms to get the glass to move up and down again.

    Put in an AGM battery and did some wiring cleanup under the hood: What Did You Do To Your Jeep Today? Getting the good body ground fixed the non-functional temperature gauge.

    The first stage of Colorado trip prep was swapping out the leaking original radiator for a champion aluminum one with a shroud. That had it's issues:
    That gets the Jeep pretty much to where it is today. Mostly I've just been driving it for the last couple of years.
     
    Danefraz, ITLKSEZ, Muzikp and 5 others like this.
  8. Jul 5, 2020
    neohic

    neohic Gentleman Jeepist

    Woodland Park, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2018
    Messages:
    500
    Neat!... but what’s the cat’s name? :whistle:
     
    Fireball likes this.
  9. Jul 5, 2020
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
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    He's named Woodford after the fantastic Bourbon.
     
    Danefraz and Twin2 like this.
  10. Jul 5, 2020
    dane71

    dane71 Member

    USA
    Joined:
    May 11, 2017
    Messages:
    195
    I enjoyed looking at all of this, that picture in the snow is really something!
     
    Fireball likes this.
  11. Jul 6, 2020
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
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    Worked on brakes today. It pulls to one side if you jab the brakes quickly and you need to give the pedal one pump to firm it up. Doing all the wheels and the master cylinder.

    Pulling the right rear hub. Had to heat it about 20 minutes with the propane torch and really whale on it with the 3lb hammer, but it came off.
    [​IMG]

    Before:
    [​IMG]

    Mid. Propane torch and PB Blaster got the fitting loose without rounding it off:
    [​IMG]

    After. New cylinder, shoes and everything greased:
    [​IMG]

    The other rear hub cam off much easier and looked pretty much the same so I'll spare you the pictures. That wheel cylinder was really shot:
    [​IMG]

    The rear brake hose looks pretty recent, so I'm not going to touch it.

    Right front drum had rusted to the hub. More PB Blaster and some love with the dead blow got it off:
    [​IMG]
     
    Danefraz and Muzikp like this.
  12. Jul 6, 2020
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
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    5,625
    Continuing with the brakes.

    Discovered the left front wheel bearing felt and sounded like it was packed with gravel. Bearings and seals ordered.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    For the life of me, I couldn't get to the wheel cylinder bolts with the "S-tube" in the way, and I couldn't get a wrench on the "S-tube" flare nut to loosen it without stripping it. I ended up removing the spindle bolts and pulling the backing plates for access. With heat and more PB Blaster, I managed to get the front hoses off without damaging the hardlines on the frame. Yay!

    This is how both sides look right now:
    [​IMG]

    The front hoses I ordered 2 years ago are the wrong part. They have one male and one female end. I need a hose with two female ends. More parts ordered.

    Tomorrow, I'll clean all this stuff and get the races out of the hubs. If I have any energy after that, I'll start on swapping the master cylinder.
     
    Danefraz, ITLKSEZ, Muzikp and 2 others like this.
  13. Jul 6, 2020
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
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    5,625
    Hmm, looking at my pictures, I just realized the rear backing plates are on the wrong sides. The adjuster holes are to the front while the adjuster star-wheels need to be to the rear. No way to manually adjust them as is. I guess I'll be taking them back apart again.
     
    Hellion, Danefraz, Focker and 2 others like this.
  14. Jul 9, 2020
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
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    Have some parts and was back at it after work today.

    Cleaned the hub and pounded out the bad bearing races:
    [​IMG]

    New raced tapped in with a brass drift:
    [​IMG]

    New bearings packed and new seal installed:
    [​IMG]

    I'm going to leave the bearings as is on the other side since they look great.

    But this sucks. The Warn hub bearing is not happy either:
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Since parts don't seem to be available for repairing these, I ordered a new set of hubs. If they don't show up before the Colorado trip, I'll put these back on and leave them locked.

    Cleaned all the front brake parts so they are ready to go:
    [​IMG]

    Yanked the master cylinder. Not much space for my fat fingers with the clutch linkage, master cylinder, steering, and bellhousing all nearly touching.
    [​IMG]

    You'll note I'm just cleaning things and not repainting/restoring as I go. I 'm keeping the patina where I can. The Jeep wears it's age well and I'd like to keep it that way.
     
  15. Jul 10, 2020
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
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    5,625
    Didn't have as much time as I would have liked tonight, but I got the front brakes assembled and the master cylinder bled.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I've decided I'm not going to take the steering gear out before the trip. I'm running too tight on time and shipping is slow due to Covid (rightfully so). I don't want to get into a situation where the Jeep isn't ready in time. It steers OK now, there isn't much slop, just some tight spots in the box. I'll be putting caster shims in and that will be plenty good for this trip.
     
    Muzikp, ITLKSEZ and 73 cj5 like this.
  16. Jul 12, 2020
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
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    5,625
    I had posted this a while back:
    [​IMG]

    Lock washer fail. I hate those things. Today I swapped all 12 of the suspension nuts for thick washers and nylock nuts:
    [​IMG]
     
    FinoCJ, Muzikp, Danefraz and 2 others like this.
  17. Jul 12, 2020
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
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    Next task. The crossframe bolts were loose on the driver side with a 1/4" gap:

    [​IMG]

    I went to put a wrench on them to take them out and there were no heads to get a wrench on!
    [​IMG]

    I used the Sawzall in the gap to cut the bolts and they look like this. They had been hanging so long the heads had worn to a conical shape and wore the hole the frame similarly.
    [​IMG]

    New grade 8 bolts and washers and it's happy. We'll see how the nylocks hold up that close to the exhaust.
    [​IMG]
     
  18. Jul 12, 2020
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
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    The other big task for today was getting the caster shims in the front. McGruff is too busy to make sets right now so I bought the Warrior Products 2" wide 6 degree steel shims. Machined Steel Shims for 2" Wide Leaf Springs (6 Degrees) They seem like nice parts but needed some mods to fit an early CJ5.

    Moved the jack stands to the bumper to take the load off the springs. Pulled the bottom of the shock off, loosened the U-bolts, slid the axle back, and removed the center bolt. I C-clamped the springs before removing the center bolt so they didn't fall apart.
    [​IMG]

    Needed to drive the centerbolt hole in the shims from 5/16" to 3/8".
    [​IMG]

    Test fitting to get new center bolt length. Went to the store to get some allen heads screws and locknuts for the new center bolts.
    [​IMG]

    The shims are 2 inches wide vs the 1 3/4" early CJ5 springs, so I marked where they need to be ground to clear the U-bolts.
    [​IMG]

    Clamped them in the vise and used the sanding disk:
    [​IMG]

    Final shape before paint:
    [​IMG]

    Final test fit:
    [​IMG]

    Shims painted and everything reassembled and torqued. I know you're not supposed to re-use the U-bolts, but these have less than 2000 miles on them and are in good condition. I think they'll be safe and I'll recheck the torque often after driving.
    [​IMG]

    l need to readjust the toe-in once I get it back on the ground since it still has the 2-piece tie-rod.
     
    FinoCJ, blalp!, Muzikp and 2 others like this.
  19. Jul 12, 2020
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
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    5,625
    Just to make sure everything works right when I get the Jeep back together, I did a ritual blood sacrifice today.

    [​IMG]

    Crazy how much blood comes out of your scalp when you bump into a tiny kotter key tail.
     
    Alan28, blalp!, Muzikp and 5 others like this.
  20. Jul 12, 2020
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    Aug 18, 2014
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