1977 CJ5 - Project Betsy - Page 2

Altimeter · 03-03-2012, 08:53 AM

You all do realize that I only cut the fenders to get rid of the rust, correct?

The jeep will be mostly stock when I am finished with it, which will include stock fenders. I am very undecided by nature, so the blue paint option I posted above has been ruled out. I am hoping to slap some paint on it at the end of next week. When that happens is when I will decide what color goes on ole Betsy.

**james04si** · 03-03-2012, 10:59 PM

I like the idea of blue. But I pretty well know what a blue one looks like and defenatly like the color.

Altimeter · 03-20-2012, 04:50 PM

First off, I want to put 35's on the CJ5. Is this doable with a 2.5" lift kit and no cutting of the fenders, or should I do the SOA? This is going to be a DD and MILD trail rig. I currently have 'flat fenders' on the Heep, but that was to combat rust and get me through to the painting stage. I'm going to do a 4.0 swap to make it more able to be a daily driver (EFI and all). This will also include the TC and tranny from the donor. Now, I know some of you have done the swap, and I want to know what would be my best donor? I know I want to keep the manual tranny, so should I buy an engine from a Cherokee and try to find a manual tranny, or should I try to find someone parting out a Wrangler and buy the complete drive line? I'm also tossing around the idea of getting the axles and replacing what I have. I know a lot of purist are going to scream Blasphemy for not keeping the CJ pure, but it is my Jeep after all. Any comments or criticism is wanted. Thanks in advance. Jason

Altimeter · 03-20-2012, 08:01 PM

No one has any input? Really?

soonermatt · 03-20-2012, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Altimeter

No one has any input? Really?

I'm just a YJ guy but I say to SOA it and don't limit yourself to 4.0 since you're not limited to an existing PCM. Maybe look into 5.3 46LE since they're so common.

Help if I could start over I would just buy an old 3/4 ton 4x4 Ford, go SOA on the D60/44 combo, use the Ford drivetrain and switch to16.5" 8 lug wheels with the Ford bolt pattern. Then you could use the surplus H1 tires at $85 each. That's cheapest and gets you the best axles and tires.

But I'm only commenting cause no one else had

Altimeter · 03-22-2012, 03:10 PM

Well, I got new 33's today. I went with the Good Year Wrangler Duratrac tires. I like the semi-aggressive tread pattern, and I didn't want to have a MT on my CJ since it is now my daily driver! I also ordered a Skyjacker 2.5" lift with nitro shocks, and a nitro stabilizer. I also found a set of steel front fenders off of CL that are brand new for $100. I still have to order new headlights, so I can change to the H4 bulbs. I am also going to order tail lights, kind of like the Lite Dot ones, but way less expensive. I will post pics as soon as I am finished ordering my goodies.

Altimeter · 03-22-2012, 03:54 PM

Here is how she sits right now. A little rubbing during turns when the body rolls in the rear. The lift has been ordered.

I'm thinking of doing the raptor liner. Anyone have anything bad to say about it?

Altimeter · 03-22-2012, 08:16 PM

And here are the aluminum fenders.....

**Bobs85Reny** · 03-22-2012, 08:36 PM

I think the 33s look good. Good choice in a tire for more of a DD

soonermatt · 03-22-2012, 08:37 PM

I like it. Your wheels and tires look great. That lift should be perfect.

Altimeter · 03-23-2012, 02:57 PM

Just ordered the Raptor liner kit. I am still waiting to place my Quadratec order. I am buying new to me seats out of the local pull a part with the shipping savings.

soonermatt · 03-23-2012, 06:42 PM

Give it a rough surface to adhere to. After 4 years, mine is only coming off where it was on bare metal or shiny paint. (I used herculiner and my only regrets are prep work and UV protection)

Altimeter · 03-23-2012, 06:59 PM

Yeah. I used Herc on the TJ I used to have. I will not use that stuff again.

Altimeter · 03-24-2012, 09:57 AM

Just pulled some seats from Pull A Part from a '98 Grand Cherokee. Running tally for my build so far:

$734 Lift and stabilizer from 4 Wheel Online (Couldn't find a better deal for what I wanted.)
$832 Tires (local Good year AC)
$68 Seats with mounting brackets (Pull a part)
$120 Raptor Liner (Ebay)
$100 CL fenders
$1854 Grand total to date on parts

I still need to order a bikini top, windshield channel, and a center console, which I will do this weekend. I am going with the Smittybilt console. All of the reviews I have seen on it are positive.

Altimeter · 03-24-2012, 06:04 PM

Ordered a bikini top, 1" Daystar body lift, Smittybilt center console, and fuel filler bezel since my CJ currently has a TJ one on it. Im tapped out for a while, plus I will be fairly busy when this stuff starts arriving installing it. i bought the stuff to do a tune up, oil change, and brakes. I also went by Lowes and got raped for some sheet metal and angle iron. The sheet metal is for patching the tub and floor pans, and the angle iron is to fab some brackets to mount my seats to my risers.