Poor Man's CJ5 (Bringing it back from the grave) - Page 3

rkbell · 06-15-2009, 04:58 AM

The T150 is very easy to rebuild (all things being relative). I ordered new syncros and the small parts kit from Quadratec and used the rebuild instructions in my Chilton's manual plus the exploded diagram that was in an older Quadratec catalog (haven't seen the diagram of the T150 in their catalog since), plus lots of beer. It took maybe 5 hours in total to tear the trans out, gut it, clean & paint, install new clutch components (didn't need it but figured it was good insurance while the trans was out), rebuild and reinstall.

It's really no easier or harder to drop your trans during a resto or not. If it's shifting fine and is giving no indication of imminant failure - why fix it? Yes, its not a hard rebuild but its also not something I'd care to do for sh!ts and giggles.

I didn't coat the frame with anything as it was in pretty good shape, just some minor surface rust to be expected on a 32 year old Jeep. As far as the body panels, especially the rockers, I ground and cut all the rust out (at least all that I could get to without removing the tub), glassed, filled and primered; sanded, primered, sanded, etc, etc. That part takes a butt ton of patience. I just tackled it one day at a time trying to get an area at a time done. It didn't come out perfect but I'm still pretty proud of it to this point.

I wanted this CJ to be a utility vehicle in the true sense of the word so it will be very easy to repair any imerging rust and dings down the road. I have a case of the same paint (rattle can) just for that reason.

ArrizX · 06-15-2009, 12:58 PM

Awesome build, you have some real talent.

rkbell · 06-20-2009, 08:31 PM

Got home from my work trip yesterday evening and I finally started tackling my windshield. After much frustration, I finally got it in! Thanks much to Mmerlina who guided me through the process. I thought I'd try it my way and go figure - it didn't work. After getting some sleep and trying it again this morning the proper way like Mmerlina said in the first place, I finally got the glass in the frame.

Had to post some pics as I've been waiting awhile to slap my Jeepforum.com decal on the windshield and I finally got 'er done! Still lots of work to do but my 5 is driveable now and I took it for a 20 mile jaunt over the hill to Pine Mountain. It felt great as I've been resto'ing it since I bought it as a heap in January. Here are a few pics - bikini top should be here early next week along with my rear pinion seal, the old one developed a little leak.

**4XGore** · 06-20-2009, 08:59 PM

Nice build rkbell! I can't believe you did that in just a few months! It takes me that long to fix a minor problem on my heep. I really like that dash. I replaced mine about 4 years ago with a black diamond plate one and it caused more trouble than it was worth. I really want one like you have. What kind is it and are you happy with it?

rkbell · 06-20-2009, 09:08 PM

Thanks. IIRC, I got the dash from Morris 4x4. It's the cheapo black powder coated one without the radio cutout (believe it was less than $60 before shipping). I knew I was going with black interior and armor from the beginning, just wasn't sure on the body paint color until recently. I like the dash because it fit in with the black interior scheme and it looks good with the SS gauge bezels.

Mackee · 06-20-2009, 09:12 PM

Super nice Jeep! That thing look great!

rkbell · 06-21-2009, 06:43 PM

Thanks Mackee. Lots of work to do still. I plan to sandblast and powdercoat the wheels black. I want do do the same on the nerf bars but they are welded to the frame so I may just cut them off and buy a new set of black ones. Gotta figure out my carb issue also as the vacuum secondaries aren't squirting so it's got a little hitch in its get-a-long.

JoonHoss · 06-22-2009, 10:10 AM

very nice work-nice project in general.

as for PC the wheels- do you know someone who does it? you may get off cheaper just buying black rims?

keep up the GREAT work!

Hoss

Ziptie2k2 · 06-22-2009, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkbell

Still lots of work to do but my 5 is driveable now and I took it for a 20 mile jaunt over the hill to Pine Mountain.

She's purrrrrdy

If it's close by, I would drive it by the PO's house to show them. I bought my first CJ7 from a co-worker about 9 years ago in the same general condition, and he has to see me drive it in every day.

Keep it up, she's a beauty (especially the color)

rkbell · 06-22-2009, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ziptie2k2

She's purrrrrdy

If it's close by, I would drive it by the PO's house to show them. I bought my first CJ7 from a co-worker about 9 years ago in the same general condition, and he has to see me drive it in every day.

Keep it up, she's a beauty (especially the color)

Thanks, and that's my plan exactly. I trailered it the 30 or so miles from the PO's house last January but I plan on driving it there soon (told him I would). He was a good honest guy who had the old beater there for his daughters to romp around the mud holes on the property in. He told me up front that it was in rough shape and kind of scratched his head as I left with it.

rkbell · 06-22-2009, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoonHoss

very nice work-nice project in general.

as for PC the wheels- do you know someone who does it? you may get off cheaper just buying black rims?

keep up the GREAT work!

Hoss

Thanks Hoss. It's been fun with a dose of frustration. I think you're right as I can probably pick up new black rims for $50-$60 each and maybe even get a good deal on five plus tires. I really want to powdercoat the nerf bars black or replace them but I'll need to have someone with a cutting torch remove the old beat up chrome ones and weld up new ones.

The good thing is none of that keeps me from driving it now

Just things to keep me working on it for a good while not counting on the things I'm sure to break!

**4XGore** · 06-22-2009, 11:30 AM

rkbell, did you have to paint your dash black? I just ordered a dash for about the same price as yours but the guy wasn't sure if it came painted or not.

rkbell · 06-22-2009, 12:24 PM

4XGore, I lied to you when I said I got it from Morris 4x4. I dug out my receipt and it was actually from 4 Wheel Drive Hardware. I ordered it in February in black without radio or speaker cutouts for $59.99 prior to shipping. I just tried looking it up and can't find it on their website. They may not be selling it anymore. The part # when I bought it was HIC 768631B. You might try calling them to see what gives - (800) 333.5535. Hope you can find it.

**4XGore** · 06-22-2009, 12:27 PM

No problem, I tried looking at Morris and couldn't find it so I went to qudratec and they had it for about the same price. I forgot about 4WD hardware. I asked the salesman if it was painted and he didn't think it was, but that doesn't matter to me. I will paint it myself, I was just curious if it was painted or not.

tonsoffun_77 · 07-21-2009, 04:03 PM

rkbell,
wherre did you get the shift boots for tranny and transfer case? is that the hard plastic one on the transmission? did you have to cut the hole a little bigger for the shifter to move easier? !