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Before I Go Get It

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by BobH, Mar 13, 2016.

  1. Mar 13, 2016
    BobH

    BobH Member

    Oviedo, Fl
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    In my intro I told ya’ll I bought a 1960 CJ5 from my wife’s aunt that has been in the family since it was nearly new. I am near Orlando, Fl and the Jeep is outside of Buena Vista, Co and I have a bunch of questions. I plan to go get it around the 1st of May and to tow it back to Fl. Ok, now to the questions.

    I am going to use my 2008 Chevy Colorado 4x4, Crew Cab with an I5 motor. Does anybody know of a tuner that I can just hit a “Tow” button and it will set up my computer, shift points, etc quick and easy?

    U-Haul “Doesn’t recommend” their trailer for my use, so I plan to use their dolly. FYI, the truck has a 5500 lb towing capacity and, according the owner’s manual the curb weight on the Jeep is 2700 lbs. I will disconnect the rear drive shaft, don’t expect a problem, what do you think?

    I am looking for an FSM and have found 2 on Amazon.
    “1945-1964 Jeep CJ-2A, CJ-3A, CJ-3B, CJ-5, CJ-6 & DJ-3A Models Service Manual” with a red cover and the other is “1953-1971 Jeep CJ-35B, CJ-5, CJ-5A, CJ-6, CJ-6A, DJ-5 & DJ-6 Service Manual”. Which one do I want, and is there a better place to buy them. They are both $79.

    At this point the Jeep is at 9300 ft elevation and when it gets to Fl, it will be at 35 ft, yes I said 35, not 350, or 3500. What issues should I expect with the drastic change in altitude?

    My plan is to get it back here and make it safe and reliable, fix what I find wrong and change all the fluids. What else should I be looking for in my inspection?

    What else don’t I know that I need to?

    Thanks in advance for all the help.
     
  2. Mar 13, 2016
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

    exploring the...
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    be sure the rear end has oil in it before you hit the road.It may need some carb tuning to run at sea level.
     
  3. Mar 13, 2016
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    A MUST . check and be sure tires are up to task at hand . if it was me I would buy two new rear tires for trip with the tow dolly
     
  4. Mar 13, 2016
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Wouldn't hurt to do a couple of pumps with a grease gun on the rear wheel bearing zerks. Unless of course you are certain the bearings have good grease already.
     
  5. Mar 13, 2016
    Dave B

    Dave B Frankenjeep '67

    Northern Minnesota
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    Why does U-haul "not recommend" their trailer? Tail wagging the dog??? U-Haul: Auto Transport Rental The CJ5 curb weight should be closer to 2350 if a V6.
     
  6. Mar 13, 2016
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    I agree. Does it have a spare tire/wheel? At least if the tires are decent you will effectively have 2 spares up front anyway. Just need provision a for tire changing. Also extra tie down straps.
     
  7. Mar 13, 2016
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Yeah, I am kinda wondering also.
     
  8. Mar 13, 2016
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    u haul is skeptical about renting car trailers to any vehicle/truck that doesn't have V8
     
  9. Mar 13, 2016
    BobH

    BobH Member

    Oviedo, Fl
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    Glenn, Good call on the zerks, Didn't think of that. I'll throw a loaded grease gun in the tool box.
    Yes, I will check the rear diff to make sure it has plenty of 90w in it.
    It has a spare, don't know the condition of it. All the tires have plenty of tread, but have some weather cracking/checking. Don't know the correct term.
    I'm assuming either the U-Haul trailer weighs a TON, or they are being overly cautious.
     
  10. Mar 13, 2016
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    According to the link it does weight a ton, actually 2200 lbs. :)
     
  11. Mar 13, 2016
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    From what I understand, the U-Haul trailers are heavy. And, they are made to have a front bias so that the tongue always puts quite a lot of load on the towing vehicle, enforcing stability. I had understood that they won't rent to you if you have a half-ton truck, because the tongue weight with most loads will be too much for the truck.

    JMO I would favor a car trailer, even if the truck will be under-powered. Removes any worry about the Jeep's condition. Brakes are more important, and the U-Haul car trailers have surge brakes IIRC.

    Looks like Penske also rents car trailers. Since you are going to go and get the Jeep, you could also look into renting locally and taking the empty trailer with you.

    So at U-Haul, did they say they would not rent to you, or they just advised against it?
     
  12. Mar 13, 2016
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    I'm assuming your truck has a frame hitch?
     
  13. Mar 13, 2016
    BobH

    BobH Member

    Oviedo, Fl
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    All I know is that I went to the U-Haul website and put in what I wanted to do, they showed the dolly and the trailer and under the trailer they said not recommended. I would MUCH prefer to trailer it, but I'm assuming U-Haul knows best (or not)
     
  14. Mar 13, 2016
    scott milliner

    scott milliner Master Fabricator

    Seattle Wa.
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    I would use a tow bar and flat tow it. The brakes and engine on your Colorado will do the job just fine. Set cruise control at 70, kick back and relax.
    I towed mine from Seattle Wa to Portland Or. I got 19 mpg on that trip.
    [​IMG]

    U-Haul only rents trailers that are towed by 3/4 ton trucks.
     
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2016
  15. Mar 13, 2016
    termin8ed

    termin8ed I didn't do it Staff Member

    Mason, MI
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    Yes. I picked one up and should have gotten new tires on it. Cost me alot of money when one blew out on me
     
  16. Mar 13, 2016
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
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    Even my truck had some caveats when i wanted to rent one. The Uhaul trailers are under rated. They do weigh a lot.

    I flat towed my cj2a from arizona to Belligham washington with a steel hardtop and filled with junk with my 84 blazer. Warped my rotors. Other than that it was no big deal. Th realizer is nice but probably weighs more than the jeep you're hauling.

    If you have good tires on the jeep, you make sure you have oil in the differential, grease the zerk fitting and take out the rear driveshaft, you should be good.
     
  17. Mar 13, 2016
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

    Republic of Texas
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    I used the u haul twice and it made it much easier to bring home the CJ and the wagon. Cracked tires is usually referred to as dry rot. I would not go that far with cracking, no matter how small. I only went 500 miles but didn't want to have tire issues in the middle of west Texas hundreds of miles from things, or in the middle of ponchetrain bridge, let alone possible dry bearings. My son had a trailer catch fire twice by not having checked wheel bearings. I towed with an avalanche but it tows more.
     
  18. Mar 13, 2016
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    I do wonder how a Jeep would behave when strapped to a tow dolly. I do feel you would be better off with a trailer if you can rent one. How much does your registration say your truck weighs?
     
  19. Mar 13, 2016
    BobH

    BobH Member

    Oviedo, Fl
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    Thanks everyone. Lots of good info. When I get there I will take a close look at the tires, grease and oil everything up and hit the road, possibly with a stop at the tire store.
    Just went to the Penske site and couldn't figure out how to get past anything but truck rentals. I will dig deeper or give them a call.
     
  20. Mar 13, 2016
    Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Bonney Lake, WA
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    A trailer is obviously the best way to go. I would never even think of flat towing a unknown to you condition Jeep. I have seen box trucks with more then enough room to hold a Jeep also. Full size uhaul truck might actually be cheaper if it had unlimited mileage.
     
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