Build Thread Operation Money Pit
Build Thread Operation Money Pit
- Thread starter defibvt
- Start date
defibvt
Senior Jeeper
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- 767
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- AZ
- Vehicle(s)
- 1974 CJ5, 4.0L stroker from a 91 XJ,T-18 w/ granny gear, Dana 300 w/ Lomax 4:1 gears.
View attachment 19195
New body and refurbed driveline parts.
New body and refurbed driveline parts.
defibvt
Senior Jeeper
- Posts
- 767
- Thanks
- 7
- Location
- AZ
- Vehicle(s)
- 1974 CJ5, 4.0L stroker from a 91 XJ,T-18 w/ granny gear, Dana 300 w/ Lomax 4:1 gears.
My daughter came to visit from MN. Of course, I put her right to work. First we change the rear driver's side unit bearing on my wife's car. Next, we took off the rock sliders and then took off the roll cage of MP. She helped me lug them all to the back yard. I didn't get pics of us doing the work but she was right there bonding with dear old dad.
After lunch we decided to tackle taking off the stinger/front bumper. Amazingly it was very easy. 6 bolts and it was off. Since that isn't painted it is residing in the garage for the time being. I will post pics of the finished process in a bit. Time for relaxation.
After lunch we decided to tackle taking off the stinger/front bumper. Amazingly it was very easy. 6 bolts and it was off. Since that isn't painted it is residing in the garage for the time being. I will post pics of the finished process in a bit. Time for relaxation.
Last edited:
Colo Dean
Jeeper
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- 136
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- Location
- Greeley Co
- Vehicle(s)
- 74 CJ5 258 I-6, 4 spd T-18, Dana 20 T/C, Dana 30 Front, Dana 44 Rear 4.27:1, still learning everything about this one, 14 JK pretty much stock
Looking good, nice to have it a family affair! Remember the family that works together stays together 
Have you woke up at night hearing the new parts calling your name yet?
Looking forward to seeing the progress.
Have you woke up at night hearing the new parts calling your name yet?
Looking forward to seeing the progress.
defibvt
Senior Jeeper
- Posts
- 767
- Thanks
- 7
- Location
- AZ
- Vehicle(s)
- 1974 CJ5, 4.0L stroker from a 91 XJ,T-18 w/ granny gear, Dana 300 w/ Lomax 4:1 gears.
Looking good, nice to have it a family affair! Remember the family that works together stays together
Have you woke up at night hearing the new parts calling your name yet?
Looking forward to seeing the progress.
Since I have most of parts that hasn't happened but darn if I didn't dream about Metalcloak armor. So, I responded and ordered the front fenders and the rear quarter panels and fenders.
Fortunately, they are in the budget.
Colo Dean
Jeeper
- Posts
- 136
- Thanks
- 0
- Location
- Greeley Co
- Vehicle(s)
- 74 CJ5 258 I-6, 4 spd T-18, Dana 20 T/C, Dana 30 Front, Dana 44 Rear 4.27:1, still learning everything about this one, 14 JK pretty much stock
Pics aren't showing for some reason, but Mmmm Metalcloak.....
defibvt
Senior Jeeper
- Posts
- 767
- Thanks
- 7
- Location
- AZ
- Vehicle(s)
- 1974 CJ5, 4.0L stroker from a 91 XJ,T-18 w/ granny gear, Dana 300 w/ Lomax 4:1 gears.
I am going to repost pics. I moved them around in Photobucket and that must be the problem. Thanks for the heads up. Well, I can't go back and fix the pics so I guess you will have to go look at yours and imagine what mine looks like. LOL.
jpeck71
Active Jeeper
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- 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
defibvt
Senior Jeeper
- Posts
- 767
- Thanks
- 7
- Location
- AZ
- Vehicle(s)
- 1974 CJ5, 4.0L stroker from a 91 XJ,T-18 w/ granny gear, Dana 300 w/ Lomax 4:1 gears.
So, some background on the CJ5. I was previously owned by my sister in Flagstaff, AZ. She and her now ex-boyfriend rebuilt it from the ground up. The frame is mandrel bent rectangle tube front to rear. The engine is a rebuilt 232 with an oversized cam. I bought it from her and have had it approximately 8 years. The engine is strong and the Tranny, a T-14, worked well but is a lighter built transmission made for the early CJ's. The t-case was a Dana 20, while it is a good t-case in its own right, it is very expensive to upgrade to lower gears. I was able to locate a T-18 and Dana 300 for $100 bucks a piece so upgrading became a no brainer. After comparing upgrades and rebuilding costs for the Dana 300 vs the Dana 20 I chose to go with the Dana 300. The jeep currently sits with a 4 inch lift. It is picture here on 33's but in my new pics it is 35's.
Fast forward to Oct. 2014, I took it, via trailer, to Letzroll Offroad to have the T-18 rebuilt and the Dana 300 rebuilt and upgraded with Lomax 4:1 gears. The two driveline pieces were upgraded and rebuilt by Sun Transmissions. Julie and Jerry Sparks are great people and I would trust them with any tranny rebuild and they are on the West Side. After this I waited and waited and waited for everything to be done. Nothing happened and I had enough so I went to the shop and picked up my jeep and brought it home. Although disappointed, I knew I could do the work faster and better than what they would do.
That brings us to today, literally, I am putting a new tube on from Willy's Overland, per my wife's request, the other tub and hacked and chopped and was very twisted. The roll cage and rock sliders were holding it straight. I have currently pulled the rolled cage, rock sliders, seats and brackets, hood and fenders. The front stinger was also pulled and stored inside to painted when it cools off. The other stuff is creating a jungle gym in the backyard.
How it sat before I started to pull it apart.
Pics of it now in various stages of deconstruction.
Fenders and hood off.
Stinger off.
Seats and brackets out.
Fast forward to Oct. 2014, I took it, via trailer, to Letzroll Offroad to have the T-18 rebuilt and the Dana 300 rebuilt and upgraded with Lomax 4:1 gears. The two driveline pieces were upgraded and rebuilt by Sun Transmissions. Julie and Jerry Sparks are great people and I would trust them with any tranny rebuild and they are on the West Side. After this I waited and waited and waited for everything to be done. Nothing happened and I had enough so I went to the shop and picked up my jeep and brought it home. Although disappointed, I knew I could do the work faster and better than what they would do.
That brings us to today, literally, I am putting a new tube on from Willy's Overland, per my wife's request, the other tub and hacked and chopped and was very twisted. The roll cage and rock sliders were holding it straight. I have currently pulled the rolled cage, rock sliders, seats and brackets, hood and fenders. The front stinger was also pulled and stored inside to painted when it cools off. The other stuff is creating a jungle gym in the backyard.
How it sat before I started to pull it apart.
Pics of it now in various stages of deconstruction.
Fenders and hood off.
Stinger off.
Seats and brackets out.
defibvt
Senior Jeeper
- Posts
- 767
- Thanks
- 7
- Location
- AZ
- Vehicle(s)
- 1974 CJ5, 4.0L stroker from a 91 XJ,T-18 w/ granny gear, Dana 300 w/ Lomax 4:1 gears.
My daughter visiting from MN. I put her to work the day after she got her.
My wife bringing us food. We were hungry.
This is where I am at today. Steering dropped. Tomorrow I plan to pull the dash and unhook the wiring and get the steering wheel out.
Some potentials issues were brought up on a local board and after doing some research online I think I have found an economical solution. My plan is to install XJ springs and create a stretch that will come to about 9-10 inches. This will help alleviate some of my driveline angle issues.
My wife bringing us food. We were hungry.
This is where I am at today. Steering dropped. Tomorrow I plan to pull the dash and unhook the wiring and get the steering wheel out.
Some potentials issues were brought up on a local board and after doing some research online I think I have found an economical solution. My plan is to install XJ springs and create a stretch that will come to about 9-10 inches. This will help alleviate some of my driveline angle issues.
defibvt
Senior Jeeper
- Posts
- 767
- Thanks
- 7
- Location
- AZ
- Vehicle(s)
- 1974 CJ5, 4.0L stroker from a 91 XJ,T-18 w/ granny gear, Dana 300 w/ Lomax 4:1 gears.
Getting closer. Windshield and disconnect fuel filler tube and she will be ready to have a new tub. Of course, the body mount bolts need to be undone but it is getting close. Very excited.
mopar440cu
Jeeper
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- Sumterville,Florida
- Vehicle(s)
- !979 CJ5 Silver Anniversary model with AMC 360/340HP, T18a, Twin stick Dana 20, AMC 20, D30 (both rebuilt w/ 4:56 gears) Moser rear axles with trac loc and 36 TSL Swampers.
Looking good!
Funny you say getting hotter where you are. We here in Florida know what heat is also living next door to the gates of Hell with the high humidity and triple digits in the shade. lol
Funny you say getting hotter where you are. We here in Florida know what heat is also living next door to the gates of Hell with the high humidity and triple digits in the shade. lol