1978 Jeep CJ-5 frame-up build (lots of pictures)
Project current status picture (click picture to view):
While back I was towing my 2000 TJ using a tow-bar back from a run and blew out a tire on my tow vehicle, which caused my TJ to disconnect and barrel-roll into oncoming traffic (my mistake for not using safety chains). The accident ended up totaling both my TJ and my tow vehicle. Pictures of my TJ are here: www.wilsonzone.com/jeep/
I found a 1978 CJ-5 that was rolled and repaired and I bought it. The CJ-5 had all kinds of issues. It had a leak in the rear axle at the axle shaft. It had a SOA lift and the cross-member was being held up by dog chains, among a long list of other shortcuts. Drive-train is an AMC 360 V8, T-150 3-speed tranny and a Dana 20 transfer case. I knew the tub was bent but didn't realize the frame was bent until I started building a front bumper for it.
I found another 1978 CJ-5 with the same drive-train except it had a 304 from a 1970 AMC Javelin and the PO ran unleaded fuel in it burning up the valves. It also had a broken 2nd gear in the tranny. I bought it so I could build up one CJ-5 using both vehicles. I wanted to make it look real nice and also trail worthy.
Because I'm using body parts from both Jeeps (one is black and the other is yellow) I've been stripping the paint off the tub and body parts. I have the grill stripped down to the bare metal and I'm getting ready to paint or coat it.
I'm torn between POR-15 or bed-liner. Or do I use POR-15 as an undercoat and cover it with a bed-liner? I'm thinking POR-15 really can't be used as an undercoat, am I right?
Also if I'm to use a bed-liner, do I use a spray-on liner? Or would it be best to use a roller to apply the bed-liner? I want it to look about as good as a mall-crawler but still be able to take the abuse from the trails. I plan on keeping the 35 inch tires but I'm debating if I want to stick to a SOA or buy new springs.
Forgive any misspelled words here, I'm typing this out using my iPhone...
Project current status picture (click picture to view):
While back I was towing my 2000 TJ using a tow-bar back from a run and blew out a tire on my tow vehicle, which caused my TJ to disconnect and barrel-roll into oncoming traffic (my mistake for not using safety chains). The accident ended up totaling both my TJ and my tow vehicle. Pictures of my TJ are here: www.wilsonzone.com/jeep/
I found a 1978 CJ-5 that was rolled and repaired and I bought it. The CJ-5 had all kinds of issues. It had a leak in the rear axle at the axle shaft. It had a SOA lift and the cross-member was being held up by dog chains, among a long list of other shortcuts. Drive-train is an AMC 360 V8, T-150 3-speed tranny and a Dana 20 transfer case. I knew the tub was bent but didn't realize the frame was bent until I started building a front bumper for it.
I found another 1978 CJ-5 with the same drive-train except it had a 304 from a 1970 AMC Javelin and the PO ran unleaded fuel in it burning up the valves. It also had a broken 2nd gear in the tranny. I bought it so I could build up one CJ-5 using both vehicles. I wanted to make it look real nice and also trail worthy.
Because I'm using body parts from both Jeeps (one is black and the other is yellow) I've been stripping the paint off the tub and body parts. I have the grill stripped down to the bare metal and I'm getting ready to paint or coat it.
I'm torn between POR-15 or bed-liner. Or do I use POR-15 as an undercoat and cover it with a bed-liner? I'm thinking POR-15 really can't be used as an undercoat, am I right?
Also if I'm to use a bed-liner, do I use a spray-on liner? Or would it be best to use a roller to apply the bed-liner? I want it to look about as good as a mall-crawler but still be able to take the abuse from the trails. I plan on keeping the 35 inch tires but I'm debating if I want to stick to a SOA or buy new springs.
Forgive any misspelled words here, I'm typing this out using my iPhone...