18 years, 292,000 miles, one tranny and some gas
cemoulton
Jeeper
- Posts
- 2
- Thanks
- 0
- Location
- Las Cruces NM
- Vehicle(s)
- 1981 CJ5, 1968 Bronco, 1965 Falcon, 1969 Triumph triple, 1976 XS650, 2001 MXC520,
hello guys and gals I'm Calvin and i'm addicted to anything mechanical.
I have had my 1981 CJ5 for 18 years, she had 15,000 on the odometer the day i bought her in 1997. considering her age i would assume she really had at least 115,000 miles on her little 4 cylinder heart.
Since that day she has been upside down once, on her side a couple times, washed nearly one hundred yards down the Rio Grand and on fire for longer than i care to admit (long story, i'll tell you later). she has lived in 3 different states, seen my wife and both my children come into my life and taken us on many adventures. Never asking much in return.
I've seen the odo roll over once and it now reads 92,000. so after 292,000 miles all she has needed from me is general maintenance (hoses, belts, tires, seals, oil .....), one t5 transmission, a little gas and a whole lot of love.
Other than a rear family cage to protect the little ones, her only real mods are a severely sagging 2.5 inch lift, American racing outlaw IIs from the 90's, 30x9.5r15 hancooks, lock boxes, jerry can/tire carrier, and a lot of hard earned dents, scratches and rust.
i'm gonna do a rolling mechanical refurb. patch up some rust but mainly replace all rubber, joints, bearings, and electrical. i'll finish off with a motor rebuild at 300,000 miles.
oh did i mention she is currently my daily drive? my other 4 wheeled vehicles are in various stages of major modification.
my question here is what weak points should i upgrade/address/look for.
like one piece axles (which is definitely on the list).
i'm already building a 1968 fire breathing barely road legal bronco so i'm not looking to swap out for a bigger motor (although any performance tips for the 151 chevy are appretiated).
Anyway i'm just looking to make her a little more robust and efficient, while stripping out any pesky querks or bugs.
She has been good to us. help me make sure she can stay in the family.
thank you
Calvin
I have had my 1981 CJ5 for 18 years, she had 15,000 on the odometer the day i bought her in 1997. considering her age i would assume she really had at least 115,000 miles on her little 4 cylinder heart.
Since that day she has been upside down once, on her side a couple times, washed nearly one hundred yards down the Rio Grand and on fire for longer than i care to admit (long story, i'll tell you later). she has lived in 3 different states, seen my wife and both my children come into my life and taken us on many adventures. Never asking much in return.
I've seen the odo roll over once and it now reads 92,000. so after 292,000 miles all she has needed from me is general maintenance (hoses, belts, tires, seals, oil .....), one t5 transmission, a little gas and a whole lot of love.
Other than a rear family cage to protect the little ones, her only real mods are a severely sagging 2.5 inch lift, American racing outlaw IIs from the 90's, 30x9.5r15 hancooks, lock boxes, jerry can/tire carrier, and a lot of hard earned dents, scratches and rust.
i'm gonna do a rolling mechanical refurb. patch up some rust but mainly replace all rubber, joints, bearings, and electrical. i'll finish off with a motor rebuild at 300,000 miles.
oh did i mention she is currently my daily drive? my other 4 wheeled vehicles are in various stages of major modification.
my question here is what weak points should i upgrade/address/look for.
like one piece axles (which is definitely on the list).
i'm already building a 1968 fire breathing barely road legal bronco so i'm not looking to swap out for a bigger motor (although any performance tips for the 151 chevy are appretiated).
Anyway i'm just looking to make her a little more robust and efficient, while stripping out any pesky querks or bugs.
She has been good to us. help me make sure she can stay in the family.
thank you
Calvin
