73 Wagoneer stock what can you tell me? - Page 7

**Dr. Marneaus** · 01-28-2012, 10:51 AM

maybe you can fit 31's? it might be a lil tight though

73pumpkin · 02-13-2012, 10:05 AM

I have an oppurtunity to buy a set of axles from an early 70s CJ-6 Wrangler with 3;73 gears. This ratio would be an improvement over my current 3;31s. Will the pumpkins interchange? What else will swap?

**robert_hollis** · 02-13-2012, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73pumpkin

I have an oppurtunity to buy a set of axles from an early 70s CJ-6 Wrangler with 3;73 gears. This ratio would be an improvement over my current 3;31s. Will the pumpkins interchange? What else will swap?

If it's an early 70s CJ, then you should have a Dana 30 front and Dana 44 rear. mid-late 70s CJs had an AMC 20 rear. Should be drum brakes front and back from the factory. The axles will be about 4" narrower than what you already have, and the spring perches will be in a different location.

If you're gonna go through the effort of swapping the ring and pinion gears, then I'd sooner just buy new gears of the desired ratio, and install them. I mean... Unless the CJ axles are practically free, and you know what you're doing with the gear swap...

Honestly, I'd look for some 75-79 Wagoneer/Cherokee Narrow Track Axles, if you want to swap full axles. That way you will get Dana 44 front and rear, and probably disc brakes up front. Look for something that had the tow package, if you want a lower gear. I think (but don't know) that the spring perches will be the same as on your 73.

73pumpkin · 02-13-2012, 08:29 PM

Thanks Rob. i figured it wasn't practical. The taller gearing would be nice, but not that important right now. I had changed just pumpkins on bigger trucks and thought maybe it would be a clean swap without changing axles. if anyone needs a set of axles like this, the guy wants $200 for the pair. that doesn't sound all that bad to me.

73pumpkin · 02-16-2012, 05:32 PM

It was a warm day today, so I pulled out my leaky gas tank. I'll get it cleaned up and epoxied. I'd like to fiberglass the entire bottom and sides unless someone has other suggestions. I suppose I'll have to put some steel in the floor boards while I've got the room.

73pumpkin · 02-25-2012, 07:37 AM

Two cans of oven cleaner, a wire brush in the 6" grinder, and a lot of elbow grease later, the tank is clean and the holes epoxed. I did the seams too. I used JB weld and some actual tank patch on the worst areas. I plan to fiberglass the bottom and sides completely. I seem to have managed to get a new full-time job yesterday for decent pay, so a little cash flow may move things along a bit in the future. I need to do floorboards before reinstalling the tank.

73wag · 03-04-2012, 10:35 PM

Quote:

What size tire can a guy put on a stock 73 without a lift and not have it rub?

Sorry it's kind of old news in this thread, but if it still helps, I'm running 30" MTRs on my 73. My factory rear springs are even sagging pretty noticably, but I've never had a problem with rubbing. With the white letters out, they give it a pretty aggressive stance too.

Judging by my experience, I'd say 31" tires would be pretty safe with the stock suspension. Much over that is probably a stretch.

Boxcar · 03-05-2012, 11:07 AM

Haven't been watching this thread for a while. Ill try and catch up.
My Wag was built to be a tow rig , not an off road machine.
I opted for the Bar field 30 (because I love Bar fields) That came stock in the wag...We upgraded the axles to chrome molly (Dutchman's) and a Detroit locker. The Dana 20 T case just makes since. Stock , its a near bullet proof T case. Mine has been rebuilt in stock format. The T 400 is AMC , rebuilt with a BW shift kit. Stock 44 in the rear. with locker. 373s at both ends...
Hell Creek suspension was my only option at the time I purchased my lift.
BJs Hadn't finalized his kit at that time.
The front end was converted (in my shop) to disk . 5 on 5.5.
She rides a bit stiff. As I sed earlier , she's a tow rig, I wanted it stiff.
The tires are ruffly (don't want to walk outside in the rain to look) 31x13.50x15 BFG - ATs on 15x10 Centerline 2 pc. wheels. 3" back spacing...
Leather inside and polyurethane outside.
We had to run the 76 grill lust because I haven't found a perfect 73 yet.....
Here are some current pics...Boxcar...

Sorry for the hijack.......

73pumpkin · 03-06-2012, 06:25 PM

Now THAT is a Fine looking Jeep! Don't let Marns see these pictures, he will start spending money again. His arm hasn't completely healed from his last mechanicing session. I may come back and pick your brains on some of your modifications. Frankly, some of your mods have gone over my head a little. I don't know what you mean by Bar Field or the BW shift kit. Can you explain to a novice? It sounds like you swapped out the rear axle for a newer Dana 44? The custom made front discs sound a bit beyond my mechanicing at this time. It sure is a pretty rig though. I like the paint scheme. I've been wondering how to paint mine orange overall so that the interior color would still look good, but with some black accents. I like the roof and post two tone change a lot. I just landed a ne job that pays pretty good. I may pick up a newer 3/4 ton truck for the heavy towing work and keep the stock configuration on my 73 Waggy a little more closely. I'll set it up for lighter towing of a flat bed trailor with our two 4 wheelers. We'll see if the job holds solid in this economy for a while first. Did you beef up your springs or shocks any to handle the tongue weight?

73pumpkin · 03-06-2012, 06:29 PM

Also, a big thanks to 73wag on his personal tires on his 73. Is your 73 pretty much stock, 73wag?

73pumpkin · 03-06-2012, 06:37 PM

Hey Boxcar, I've got a really good old friend of mine who lives in Astoria, named Riff Niziolick. He used to be my brother-in-law. He moved there from Wyoming with his family probably 8 or 10 years ago. He is a surveyer. He would go nuts over your Wagoneer. He used to own a flat black 68 or 70 Suburban with a 454. What beast that was! It was our raft hauler.

**Dr. Marneaus** · 03-06-2012, 07:37 PM

That IS a gorgeous wag....

P.S. Pumpkin, sorry I havent popped in in a while to chime in on anything. Too busy spending money and healing!

73wag · 03-06-2012, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Also, a big thanks to 73wag on his personal tires on his 73. Is your 73 pretty much stock, 73wag?

Not a problem! I'm happy to help where I can

That is correct; my 73 is mostly stock, albiet very worn. Down the road, however, I've got big plans for a full frame-off restoration (it sure needs it), engine rebuild, 6-inch lift, 33-inch tires, the whole deal. For now, though, it's a fun and reliable weekend dirt road cruiser that makes this college student one happy guy. It sure gets a lot of looks on the road, and maybe 30% of those looks are for the right reasons

73pumpkin · 03-07-2012, 08:22 PM

Marns, nice to hear from you here. The next time I bleed a lot on one of my projects, I'll take pictures so you can get even.
Probably higher than %30 &#wag. Almost everybody likes old jeeps. Unless they are some kind of tree hugging communist.

**robert_hollis** · 03-08-2012, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 73pumpkin

Marns, nice to hear from you here. I caught some of your activity in the *NOTHING TO SEE HERE. MOVE ALONG CITIZEN*. The conversations and images are really shocking there. I feel right at home. The next time I bleed a lot on one of my projects, I'll take pictures so you can get even.
Probably higher than %30 &#wag. Almost everybody likes old jeeps. Unless they are some kind of tree hugging communist.

Shhhhhhhhh! You're supposed to keep some things on the down low!!!!