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What is that for?

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by Greenbean, Nov 6, 2004.

  1. Nov 6, 2004
    Greenbean

    Greenbean New Member

    Chino Valley, AZ
    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2004
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    OK. I'm a newbie here and this is probably a dumb question but I have to ask.

    On the side of my 75 CJ5 on the body above the rear tire is a recessed area with a large headed carriage bolt. The other side has the recess but no bolt. I'm thinking it is some kind of tie down. I know everybody knows the deal I'm talking about. They are on all the CJ's but I've yet to talk to anybody who can tell me what it is for.

    This is a great site and you guys sure are kind to all of us with the same old questions. I'll be back with a million more. Thanks.

    P.S.I love looking at the header pictures for this site. The green jeep with the guy sitting in the passenger door looks just like mine. Except my top is black. I bought it from the original owner who kept everything stock. 30K miles and everything works. I put some 1" lift springs, shocks, and new Wrangler MTR 30X9.50's on the stock white wheels and it is ready to roll. Still looks stock but with a tiny bit of attitude. :p
     
  2. Nov 6, 2004
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
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    The recess is a carry over from the soft top bows on M38A1s.

    The bolt is not stock.
     
  3. Nov 6, 2004
    Greenbean

    Greenbean New Member

    Chino Valley, AZ
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    Oct 12, 2004
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    Thanks!

    I figured it was something to do with the top but wondered why the bolt was only on one side. Funny thing is I've seen the bolts on lots of CJ's. What's up with that?
     
  4. Nov 6, 2004
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Aug 10, 2003
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    Oh no, the bolt is original! This is the mushroom-head bolt in the indent on the passenger side? It's a bumper for the side-mounted spare tire.

    Sparky's right that the indent is "historic" - a carry-over from the military soft top.
     
  5. Nov 7, 2004
    Greenbean

    Greenbean New Member

    Chino Valley, AZ
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    Aha! Thanks.
     
  6. Nov 7, 2004
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
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    DOH! You're right Tim. Brain fart. Didn't mean to misinform Greanbean.
     
  7. Nov 7, 2004
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    Didn't that bolt replace the wood block spacer/bumper on the older CJ's?

    BTW - I found what I believe to be the original wood block spacer in SSDutch's tool box...
     
  8. Nov 7, 2004
    rocnrol

    rocnrol Member

    calgary alberta,...
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    Oct 11, 2004
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    how about the two tubes welded to each corner at the back?
     
  9. Nov 7, 2004
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
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    rocnrol, same.
     
  10. Nov 7, 2004
    rocnrol

    rocnrol Member

    calgary alberta,...
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    :? ok, i have looked at a lot of pictures, but i have never seen those tubes being for any kind of top. its just one of those things i cant see, but i have allways wanted to know.
     
  11. Nov 7, 2004
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
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    I'm just goin by what I've always been told/read on WT etc.
     
  12. Nov 7, 2004
    HighSchoolCJ5

    HighSchoolCJ5 Revived Member

    DFW Airport...
    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2004
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    could someone post a pic of this...couldn't recall this really and took a quick run out to my jeep and took a looksie, and am kinda lost now.. :?
     
  13. Nov 7, 2004
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
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    Here's a pic of the soft top bow on the side:
    [​IMG]
     
  14. Nov 7, 2004
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
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    I looked at some old pics. The CJ-5's had them but the M38A1s did not.

    But the CJ-5's lack the bracket in the indentation on the side of the Jeep that the A1 has.

    Different style tops?
     
  15. Nov 7, 2004
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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  16. Nov 8, 2004
    Greenbean

    Greenbean New Member

    Chino Valley, AZ
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    Well, I thought it was a dumb question but it looks like it stirred up some interest.

    I'm still unsure about the bolt on the passenger side being a bumper for the spare. It really doesn't stick out past the body much. I guess it is the only thing that makes sense since there isn't a bolt on the other side.
     
  17. Nov 8, 2004
    rocnrol

    rocnrol Member

    calgary alberta,...
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    no,no sparky, dont get me wrong....i had the indents on the side of a five figured out, i just trully had no idea about the tubes. i felt they were for a top, i just had never seen a picture of a top useing them, well on a A1 any way.
    but as we all know, jeep did the weirdest stuff out there on a regular/iregular basis, breaking their "rules" all the time on what was used in what year. but like i say it is good to learn something new every day, and today i did :D
     
  18. Nov 8, 2004
    schardein

    schardein Low Range Therapy

    Success, MO
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    Aug 11, 2003
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    I have the mushroom head carriage bolt on my Jeep and it works to control vibration of the spare tire, trust me! It is supposed to have a jam nut to lock it in place, and is adjustable somewhat by threading it in and out.
     
  19. Nov 8, 2004
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
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    I know, I was just looking for pics of an A1 using the sockets and couldn't find 'em thus concluded it was a civilian thing. Boyink's 3B pics confirm it.
     
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