Build Thread 78 CJ5 Farm Find
Build Thread 78 CJ5 Farm Find
- Thread starter jpeck71
- Start date
jpeck71
Active Jeeper
- Posts
- 470
- Thanks
- 0
- Location
- Chatham, IL
- Vehicle(s)
- 1978 CJ5 258 6cyl - 3sp T-150 - Dana20 TC - 2.5 inch spring lift - PO body lift - stock axles - 2bbl Intake and Holley 2300 carb - glasspack muffler - 31x10.5x15
I haven't updated in a while because not much significant has been done to the Jeep. I've been loving having the top on it. It made it possible to drive through the winter and it was such a mild winter that heat was not really necessary.
I did want to post about something that I did fix and was rather significant to usage, even though a very small fix. A while back I was having an intermittent problem with the engine cutting out. It acted like it was electrical but I had replaced nearly everything except for wiring. My last post about it I replaced the solenoid and dropped 2 bottles of fuel treatment in the tank. The problem went away and stayed away for several months. I assumed that fixed it.
A few weeks ago it came back directly after I fueled up.
I immediately thought perhaps it was fuel, but fuel treatment did not help. I pulled my aftermarket ignition switch off the dash and started unwrapping the tape and a wire fell out.
As best I can figure out, a previous owner long ago swapped out the ignition column and put a switch on the dash. The ignition plug that connected to the factory switch was still used but the wires were just jammed into the plug that was designed for blade connectors. The whole thing was wrapped with electrical tape. As I have been driving it was losing the connection with the mass of wires jammed into the plug and then reconnecting after I turn the ignition off and back on.
I wired up some blade connectors and plugged them in, then re-wrapped it and my problems seem to be solved for now. It's back to being reliable again, enough that I've been driving it every day to work for a week since my other vehicle is being used by my church on a mission trip.
I have lots of plans for this and lots of parts purchased waiting for me to have some wrench time. I've got a heater box to rebuild, electrical switches to move, heater cables to reinstall. I want to make a custom bumper with a hitch receiver on it. I want to replace the suspension bushings and eventually replace the steering coupling.
Anyway, a nagging problem has been solved. Love my CJ!!!
I did want to post about something that I did fix and was rather significant to usage, even though a very small fix. A while back I was having an intermittent problem with the engine cutting out. It acted like it was electrical but I had replaced nearly everything except for wiring. My last post about it I replaced the solenoid and dropped 2 bottles of fuel treatment in the tank. The problem went away and stayed away for several months. I assumed that fixed it.
A few weeks ago it came back directly after I fueled up.
I immediately thought perhaps it was fuel, but fuel treatment did not help. I pulled my aftermarket ignition switch off the dash and started unwrapping the tape and a wire fell out. As best I can figure out, a previous owner long ago swapped out the ignition column and put a switch on the dash. The ignition plug that connected to the factory switch was still used but the wires were just jammed into the plug that was designed for blade connectors.
The whole thing was wrapped with electrical tape. As I have been driving it was losing the connection with the mass of wires jammed into the plug and then reconnecting after I turn the ignition off and back on.I wired up some blade connectors and plugged them in, then re-wrapped it and my problems seem to be solved for now.
It's back to being reliable again, enough that I've been driving it every day to work for a week since my other vehicle is being used by my church on a mission trip.I have lots of plans for this and lots of parts purchased waiting for me to have some wrench time. I've got a heater box to rebuild, electrical switches to move, heater cables to reinstall. I want to make a custom bumper with a hitch receiver on it. I want to replace the suspension bushings and eventually replace the steering coupling.
Anyway, a nagging problem has been solved. Love my CJ!!!
95yjman
Senior Jeeper
- Posts
- 541
- Thanks
- 0
- Location
- Fort Wayne IN
- Vehicle(s)
- 1981 Jeep Cj-5, 258, t176, D300, D30 front, AMC 20 rear, 2.73 gears
Sub'ed! Cool looking 5. Looks to be the same color as mine.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
sweet looking ride 
jpeck71
Active Jeeper
- Posts
- 470
- Thanks
- 0
- Location
- Chatham, IL
- Vehicle(s)
- 1978 CJ5 258 6cyl - 3sp T-150 - Dana20 TC - 2.5 inch spring lift - PO body lift - stock axles - 2bbl Intake and Holley 2300 carb - glasspack muffler - 31x10.5x15
Here's my next project. All of my bushings are worn and it looks like nonstandard bolts were used. I'm hoping this helps to take some of the slop out of my ride.
I'm hoping to get started on this in the next week.
I'm also going to have to get my soft top repaired. The seems came apart from excessive wind when I was trailering it to the trail and was going too fast. I had to take the top off at the side of the road. No permanent damage, just needs sewed.
Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
I'm hoping to get started on this in the next week.
I'm also going to have to get my soft top repaired. The seems came apart from excessive wind when I was trailering it to the trail and was going too fast. I had to take the top off at the side of the road. No permanent damage, just needs sewed.
Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
Last edited:
Peanut Butter
Full Time Jeeper
- Posts
- 2,591
- Thanks
- 13
- Location
- Boerne, Texas
- Vehicle(s)
- 1979 Jeep CJ7 TH400 Automatic 258 I6 Quadratrac Amc 20 rear & Dana 30 front, 32 x 11.5 x 15 tires. Currently a Complete Custom Rebuild in progress.
Also I own a 2001 Jeep Cherokee, White, all stock with 4.0L. automatic, and police package. Best part of that is it came with leather seats! This package also has the NP242 Transfer Case, 8.25 rear end, and trailer towing package.
Make sure you take pictures as you replace all of those bushings. You'll want to post that here. Years from now you'll love coming back and look at all the things you did to your CJ. Think of it as a visual record of YOUR CJ.
- Posts
- 14,772
- Thanks
- 44
- Location
- Springfield, Missouri-U.S.A. Earth
- Vehicle(s)
- '85 CJ-7, 258/4.2L 6cyl. Bought new in 1985. Full cage, Warn 8274 winch, Ford 9" rear, front/rear Detroit Lockers w/4:88 R&P. T-5 tranny and 4:1 t'case. 33X12.50-15 BFG/AT, MSD ign, on board air---
jpeck71
Active Jeeper
- Posts
- 470
- Thanks
- 0
- Location
- Chatham, IL
- Vehicle(s)
- 1978 CJ5 258 6cyl - 3sp T-150 - Dana20 TC - 2.5 inch spring lift - PO body lift - stock axles - 2bbl Intake and Holley 2300 carb - glasspack muffler - 31x10.5x15
I Got the soft top fixed at a local upholstery shop, cost me $30, but not put back on yet. I'm in the process of replacing the bushings and shackles. These were the bushings that came out. It was definitely time to replace them. I used a screwdriver to pry one side out and then a hammer on an impact wrench to get the other half out.
And here's the replacement shackle. One side anyway.
I haven't driven it yet to see if there is any noticeable difference. I'm still working on getting the rear main spring eye bushings out. Once I get that done I'll drive it and maybe put the soft top back on.
And here's the replacement shackle. One side anyway.
I haven't driven it yet to see if there is any noticeable difference. I'm still working on getting the rear main spring eye bushings out. Once I get that done I'll drive it and maybe put the soft top back on.
daddyusmaximus
Senior Jeeper
- Posts
- 609
- Thanks
- 26
- Location
- Remington
- Vehicle(s)
- '80 CJ7, Just a rolling frame right now... will have Mopar 360, Torqueflite 727, D20, full size D44, Chrysler 9.25 with 4 wheel discs. SOA on Rubicon Express 1.5" YJ springs.