My Jeep story started when I was 15. My dad bought me a 1978 CJ5. The only problem with it was the engine was sitting beside it. I didn't know jack about working on anything and come to think of it I didn't know jack about anything. Anyhow we managed to get the engine in, and 400.00 later it was running. I drove that thing everywhere. I never fixed a damn thing on it. To this day when I run into people I knew in school the first thing they ask me is "whatever happened to your Jeep?" when they find out I still have it their minds are blown. I haven't driven itfor more than a mile in 12 years. Back then it had the standard 258 with a 3 speed, pretty much stock. It did have a Weber 2 barrel on it. My dad put on some white rims and Courser M/T 31x10.5 and to me it was an off road machine. It also had a fiberglass tub and fenders, but that was about it. I remember the day it came off the road like it was yesterday.....Anyways, now the engine and tranny have changed and it is "running" again. Now it has the following:
-304 engine bought out of the newspaper classifieds. Had two burnt exhaust valves and a points distributor. I was broke so I replaced the valves with two that I already had from a junkyard engine. Yes I was stupid and bought 2 304s. It now sports an Edelbrock performer intake and camshaft along with springs and lifters. A 600 Holley double pumper sits on top with Hedman fenderwell headers on either side.
-M.O.R.E bombproof motor mounts. Very nice.Very expensive. I am glad I bought them.
-I rebuilt the 3 speed. Jury is still out on this one.
-New radiator and fan. I bought a new replacement radiator for a CJ with a V-8 and a flex fan. I didn't want to spend a bunch of money on a radiator if I was going to swap in a Ford(more on that later).
-New clutch and completely rebuilt driveshafts.
-Replaced the tranny mount that wasn't there.
-new fuel pump and starter solenoid.
-New Mopar replacement distributor
-A new Supertop
-New complete tie rod assembly.
-New fuel sending unit. i cleaned and inspected the tank and replaced the rubber hoses.
I have driven it with the old Holley on it and besides the carb being screwed it was cool. Most of the parts I bought were cheap because I was broke. I took my college book money and bought a new top for my Jeep that didn't run. I bought the best parts I could afford at the time and I think I did pretty well. The whole reason for this story is to tell the story of the build I am getting ready to take on. As it sits it shouldn't take too much to get it on the road. But I want to go farther than that and i am going to take pictures and write about it while I do it. I hope people are interested because I am excited about getting it back on the road. My short term goal is to get it on the road by the last week of July. I think that is totally possible, there is only one problem. Yep you guessed it, a problem. The Jeep is at my Dad's house an hour and a half away. Here is what I think I have to do before my July 23, 2012 deadline:
- Front brakes. I have the pads, but I am waiting until the last thing to get the rotors turned.
-Figure out the shady vacuum reading. I know I have a lazy hole, but the reading should be better.
-Replace the steering shaft. Mine is shot
-Fix the gas guage. It hasn't worked in 18 years. I suffered through some really bad times because of that damn thing. It makes me mad even thinking about it.
-Spruce up the interior a bit. Nothing crazy I just need to clean it up mainly.
-figure out the high oil pressure readings I am getting.
-Modify the body mounts because the mufflers hit them. I forgot to mention I have Dynomax bullets on it. They hit the body mount. I think I know how to fix it, but I am open to suggestions.
-Replace the speedo cable
-New wheel bearings and races.
-Seriously tidy up the wiring under the hood. It is not pretty, not pretty at all.
-Get some tunes in that thing. Every Jeep should have a radio. EVERY one. And a six pack cooler.
-New water pump. Flowkooler maybe.
-Install the 600 DP and work out the temporary fuel system.
I think those things will get it on the road. I want to drive it to a music festival I work at and it is about a 20 mile round trip. I have big plans for it beyond July, but I will save that for another post. I will be updating this as time and money allows, but luckily I have some parts stockpiled to get me going. I am hoping to get to work on it this weekend so hopefully I can get some pictures and have something to talk about.
-304 engine bought out of the newspaper classifieds. Had two burnt exhaust valves and a points distributor. I was broke so I replaced the valves with two that I already had from a junkyard engine. Yes I was stupid and bought 2 304s. It now sports an Edelbrock performer intake and camshaft along with springs and lifters. A 600 Holley double pumper sits on top with Hedman fenderwell headers on either side.
-M.O.R.E bombproof motor mounts. Very nice.Very expensive. I am glad I bought them.
-I rebuilt the 3 speed. Jury is still out on this one.
-New radiator and fan. I bought a new replacement radiator for a CJ with a V-8 and a flex fan. I didn't want to spend a bunch of money on a radiator if I was going to swap in a Ford(more on that later).
-New clutch and completely rebuilt driveshafts.
-Replaced the tranny mount that wasn't there.
-new fuel pump and starter solenoid.
-New Mopar replacement distributor
-A new Supertop
-New complete tie rod assembly.
-New fuel sending unit. i cleaned and inspected the tank and replaced the rubber hoses.
I have driven it with the old Holley on it and besides the carb being screwed it was cool. Most of the parts I bought were cheap because I was broke. I took my college book money and bought a new top for my Jeep that didn't run. I bought the best parts I could afford at the time and I think I did pretty well. The whole reason for this story is to tell the story of the build I am getting ready to take on. As it sits it shouldn't take too much to get it on the road. But I want to go farther than that and i am going to take pictures and write about it while I do it. I hope people are interested because I am excited about getting it back on the road. My short term goal is to get it on the road by the last week of July. I think that is totally possible, there is only one problem. Yep you guessed it, a problem. The Jeep is at my Dad's house an hour and a half away. Here is what I think I have to do before my July 23, 2012 deadline:
- Front brakes. I have the pads, but I am waiting until the last thing to get the rotors turned.
-Figure out the shady vacuum reading. I know I have a lazy hole, but the reading should be better.
-Replace the steering shaft. Mine is shot
-Fix the gas guage. It hasn't worked in 18 years. I suffered through some really bad times because of that damn thing. It makes me mad even thinking about it.
-Spruce up the interior a bit. Nothing crazy I just need to clean it up mainly.
-figure out the high oil pressure readings I am getting.
-Modify the body mounts because the mufflers hit them. I forgot to mention I have Dynomax bullets on it. They hit the body mount. I think I know how to fix it, but I am open to suggestions.
-Replace the speedo cable
-New wheel bearings and races.
-Seriously tidy up the wiring under the hood. It is not pretty, not pretty at all.
-Get some tunes in that thing. Every Jeep should have a radio. EVERY one. And a six pack cooler.
-New water pump. Flowkooler maybe.
-Install the 600 DP and work out the temporary fuel system.
I think those things will get it on the road. I want to drive it to a music festival I work at and it is about a 20 mile round trip. I have big plans for it beyond July, but I will save that for another post. I will be updating this as time and money allows, but luckily I have some parts stockpiled to get me going. I am hoping to get to work on it this weekend so hopefully I can get some pictures and have something to talk about.