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63 CJ5 - my unemployment project

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by Rush4x4, Dec 8, 2009.

  1. Jan 7, 2010
    Rush4x4

    Rush4x4 New Member

    Texas
    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2008
    Messages:
    47
    Cool! Thanks for the input. I think right now I'm leaning towards the Sanderson shorty/blockhuggers. I think I can get them to work since I'm re-doing the crossmember; I should be able to mount the engine far enough forward that they'll work. At least I hope that's the case...

    I bought the metal for the crossmember fabrication and the boxing of the frame for the Saginaw steering conversion today. I wasn't going to do the steering yet, but there's just no way I'll be able to make the stock steering work with the engine I'll be using that I can see. I was going to convert the steering anyway, so it may as well be sooner than later. I also got a steering box and hope to do some trading this weekend to get an earlier model postal column.

    Now, if only I knew how to weld...
     
  2. Jan 8, 2010
    jayhawkclint

    jayhawkclint ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

    Oklahoma City, USA
    Joined:
    May 18, 2006
    Messages:
    2,622
    Have you looked into an AMC-era grille and radiator? The late-CJ radiators were pushed right up to the front of the grille (air box removed) to make room for the 232/258. Should give you plenty of room for accessories. There's also the electric "pusher" fan mod that can be done to the front of the radiator, if necessary - replacing the clutch fan gives you prolly 4" or more. AMC grille alone should do it, though.

    Keep up the great work!
     
  3. Jan 8, 2010
    Rush4x4

    Rush4x4 New Member

    Texas
    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2008
    Messages:
    47
    I already got a Flexalite "Black Magic" equivalent from Jegs for the fan. It fits my radiator perfectly but is designed for a fox body mustang. I've seen some modifications to front crossmembers on this site, but I didn't know about the AMC grille. I'll have to check that out. Will it work with my factory crossmember and is it otherwise the same hight/width to fit my shorty fenders and hood?
     
  4. Jan 8, 2010
    JohnyJeep

    JohnyJeep BLOWING A XING NEAR U@2AM

    Beautiful Cody WY
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    513
    Yes:) That's what I ended up using on mine. IIRC you also need to make sure you get the headlight buckets too. They may be different, but I'm not sure. I used an aftermarket aluminum radiator in mine, and I seem to recall modifying my headlight buckets, but if you using a stock dimension radiator you shouldn't have any clearance issues.
     
    Last edited: Jan 8, 2010
  5. Jan 8, 2010
    Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    cordele, Ga.
    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2007
    Messages:
    5,916
    After you get this built and your mom's first ride--YOU WILL NEVER GET IT BACK--
     
  6. Jan 11, 2010
    willys59cj5

    willys59cj5 Sponsor

    Gilroy, CA
    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2005
    Messages:
    660
    It will fit the hood and fenders, but the factory front crossmember will get in the way of the radiator that fits the AMC style grille. It will need to be modified.
     
  7. Jan 12, 2010
    Rush4x4

    Rush4x4 New Member

    Texas
    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2008
    Messages:
    47
    I know! That must be the reason it's taking so long to get done: I don't really want to give it up! My mom actually checks this forum just to see how the progress is coming.

    Hey Mom!

    Here's another update: I picked up the Spruce Tip Green paint the other day. Considering I've never painted a vehicle before, this should be interesting... Thankfully, there's a lot of information on the forum, and if so many people are doing it, it can't be too awful difficult. I've read so many magazines and build threads I feel like I can point and shoot. I know it won't be that easy, but I think I'm relatively prepared. We'll see.

    As for today, I just need to get the garage cleaned out. I've got way too much stuff in there to work. The weather has finally warmed back up, so I need to get out there and get some work done.
     
  8. Jan 12, 2010
    Rush4x4

    Rush4x4 New Member

    Texas
    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2008
    Messages:
    47
    Cool; thanks for the info. I think I'll probably end up modifying my grille (cutting off the shroud) and trying to make that work. Plus, good luck finding a CJ grille in a junkyard around here. Actually, good luck finding anything pre-1994 in a junkyard around here.

    I was out of town this last weekend and found one, but it was really rusty so I ended up passing on it. That was the only CJ they had in the yard, too.
     
  9. Jan 14, 2010
    Rush4x4

    Rush4x4 New Member

    Texas
    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2008
    Messages:
    47
    Well, I got a few things done. I was able to score some really cool parts: I got a set of Dualmatic hubs of a Dana 30 (they're the 27 spline hubs), and picked up a Dana 30 with disc brakes while I was at it; got some metal to fabricate my crossmember, York air compressor bracket, and my steering box mount. I had the steering box mount cut out on a water jet because the sales guy at the metal shop gave me a good deal. I also exchanged my postal column for a different postal column. The one I had was the type with the integral turn signal/hazard switches but I needed the later model one that's like a typical early CJ column. Here's some pics:

    Here's the bracket I got cut out on the water jet for the Cherokee steering box.
    [​IMG]
    Here's the bracket for the underhood air.
    [​IMG]
    Another shot of the underhood air bracket.
    [​IMG]
    27 Spline Dualmatics. Just need to clean them better and paint them with the right color blue. I'll get the decals then. I also need to find one more set of them just like these...
    [​IMG]
    Here's the Dana 30 I got. It has the five bolt hubs, so I need to change that.
    [​IMG]
    Here's the "new" postal column. In back of that, you can see the Cherokee steering box. It was the only box in the yard that wasn't covered in oil and crap. At least it was clean until I got hold of it.
    [​IMG]
    The Spruce Tip Green
    [​IMG]
     
  10. Jan 14, 2010
    double R

    double R Member

    Reseda, CA
    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2003
    Messages:
    332
    where did you buy the compressor pulley?
     
  11. Jan 14, 2010
    willys59cj5

    willys59cj5 Sponsor

    Gilroy, CA
    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2005
    Messages:
    660
    Cool moving right along.
     
  12. Jan 14, 2010
    Steve's 70-5

    Steve's 70-5 Active Member

    Louisville, Ky
    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2009
    Messages:
    1,381
    I see you got Nason paint, I have had good luck with it.

    Steve
     
  13. Jan 15, 2010
    Rush4x4

    Rush4x4 New Member

    Texas
    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2008
    Messages:
    47
    Last edited: Jan 15, 2010
  14. Feb 6, 2010
    Rush4x4

    Rush4x4 New Member

    Texas
    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2008
    Messages:
    47
    I guess my birthday came early this year:

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    It's a brand new set of 33 year old Dualmatics for a 27 spline Dana 30 that I scored on Ebay. These things are so nice, they should be in a museum.

    Oh, by the way, that newspaper rolled up in between the hubs is from August 1977 for the Longmont, CO newspaper. Half of the page is the classified section, and just for kicks, here's a couple ads:

    "1966 Ford Fairlane XL 500. V8, four speed, good condition, $750 or best offer."

    "1967 Chevelle. 396, just rebuilt. Radial tires. $950."

    "1970 Chevelle Malibu. 350. Four speed. PS. PB. Factory air. Stereo. $1200."

    Finally, here's an ad from a local dealer:

    "1977 Dodge W100 4x4. 115 Short box. V8, auto, two fuel tanks, PS, gauges, many more options. List price: $7378.60 Selling price: $6250"
     
    Last edited: Feb 6, 2010
  15. Feb 6, 2010
    protoko

    protoko New Member

    Livonia, MI 48154
    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2010
    Messages:
    10
    I'm impressed with the work that you are doing on your project and also with the detailed updates in your posts.
     
  16. Feb 7, 2010
    alex211

    alex211 Member

    Pennsylvania
    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2009
    Messages:
    441
    Those classified ads are really neat, I like the one that has radial tires. R)
     
  17. Feb 12, 2010
    Rush4x4

    Rush4x4 New Member

    Texas
    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2008
    Messages:
    47
    Well, I got some stuff done today. I finally started to weld up the holes in the tub. Oh, and today's my first day welding, ever.

    Here's the back of some metal that I cut out and replaced. I scraped and cleaned what was left on the Jeep, then covered everything in rust converter.
    [​IMG]
    Here's the hole after being converted...
    [​IMG]
    I don't know WHY there were so many holes in the door opening. Nevertheless, it was good practice for me to weld them up. I did it with a chunk of aluminum behind it.
    [​IMG]
    Same thing for the bed rail:
    [​IMG]
    Here's a shot of the side of the Jeep. You can see all the holes that I'm working on fixing. The body is just set down on the frame so I can keep it all inside the garage.
    [​IMG]
    Did I mention today's my first day welding? 'Cause I kinda suck at it... Oh well, I FEEL like I'm getting better at it. But this patch was pretty challenging for me, but it was also pretty fun, and that's why we do this, right?
    [​IMG]
    Holy mess in the garage! When I'm standing in the middle of it, it makes me want to just close the door, and call Merry Maids. Do they even do garages?
    [​IMG]
     
  18. Feb 12, 2010
    bkd

    bkd Moderator Supreme Staff Member 2022 Sponsor

    K-Town Tenn.
    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2007
    Messages:
    3,294
    looking good....those holes were probably for the snaps used to hold a soft top on
    Jim
     
  19. Feb 13, 2010
    Rush4x4

    Rush4x4 New Member

    Texas
    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2008
    Messages:
    47
    I'm sure they were. I just think the previous owner went a little "snap happy."
     
  20. Feb 13, 2010
    JohnyJeep

    JohnyJeep BLOWING A XING NEAR U@2AM

    Beautiful Cody WY
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    513
    Definitely looking good. Lots of work isn't it. ;)

    Organize your garage like mine. I am trying my best to keep it so the wife can park her car in it every night.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
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