1967 CJ-6: First Build

Finally got a decent parking brake to work. The DJ lever that I had planned on using wasn't going to work so I pulled an XJ lever. I guess the donors are endless...I just kept it in the family this time.



The DJ lever pulls and releases in the up and down direction. The equalizer sticks down from the bottom of the floor about 4". Now that it's going to being used on a 4wd, the problem is that the t-case is on the way. Also didn't like that it wasn't ratcheting. I thought I just have to get used to it, but now that I have one in there that is ratcheting...ratcheting is nicer. The DJ lever looked cool though.

It took some time to fine tune the cables. I couldn't get the brakes to grab properly. Removed the drums to inspect but it turns out that there was just too much slack on the cables.

 

Looks great. I bought one from a cj7 to fit my 5 and now that I see yours I should have done it that way. Mine is going to be a pain when I get the front cage built.

 

I was thinking of doing the cj-7 or yj style parking brakes also. That was before I ran the wiring. Now, I just have too many wires bundled in that area and didn't want to have to relocate them.

You have drum p-brakes?

 

Went on a first wheeling trip today with the ‘6. I tagged along with a local club who arranged this run. The run was at Rowher Flats in the Angeles Forest. There were about 15-20 vehicles; Mostly TJs. I was told it was pretty mild trail so I took the opportunity to take the jeep out...Mainly climbs and descents. I was the only one breaking down and was glad I went with a large group. One downside with a large group is that I felt like I was holding everybody up when the ‘6 was down. Eventually, the majority of the group was just plowing along while a couple of guys were staying behind to make sure I made it.

I met up with the group at a parking lot and we caravanned to the trailhead. Beautiful staging area, right beside the Bouquet Canyon Reservoir.


The entry was about two miles of steep climb to the summit. I dunno, about 100 yards into the climb, I realized I had made a mistake: I forgot to lock the hubs!...I was kicking up loose rocks and was sliding. I pressed the brakes and the pedal sank to the floor. That was horrifying. I pulled on the parking brakes but it wasn’t doing anything. Tires were just sliding. The long line of rigs behind me ended up backing up and one of the guys winched me down to a flat area. Turns out the push rod got disconnected from the pedal. I didn’t have a cotter pin in there!. At this point I was hesitant to continue on.

I went back in. About 2 minutes in to the climb, the motor started smoking. I headed back down to the trailhead and was expecting the worst: cracked block. Luckily, it was just oil spewing out of the dipstick tube. I already lost the group but found a solo jeeper going in so I followed the guy. It was a fun climb and I was taking peeks of the reservoir below but couldn't really get myself to enjoy the scenery since I was trying my hardest to tune in to the trail and the noises coming out of the jeep. I was so stressed I didn’t even get a chance to fully enjoy the spectacular view of the reservoir down below during the climb. The engine stalled as I was nearing the summit and wouldn't crank. Checked a few things with the test light. Eventually it just fired up...something must've cooled down. Gonna take a look at that tomorrow. Anyways, I was relieved to make it to the summit and see the group.




I don’t know if the climb was worse or the descent. The descent gave me some problems also. It went good for the most part of the beginning. I’m impressed with the granny gear. It might even be too low…too low and a lot of torque that, on one of the steep descent, I snapped the bolts on the front cv yoke. I tied it with wire and just ran 2wd.


It got squirrelly on some of the descents with all the loose gravel. It was a relief to see the paved road…
This is at the end next to the main highway.


I missed a lot of sightseeing but there’s next time… I'm definitely going back and be more relaxed...

Then my rear drums were overheating and was grabbing throughout my way home. The jeep limped all the way back home. Glad that I made it home…

 

I love your jeep. At least it made it there and back, the first runs always have a ton of problems.

 

Great stuff!
Fix it and get out there again!!!

That 6 is a beaut!

 

It looks great the maiden voyage is always an adventure just fix it and try it again and have fun.

 

Thanks for the encouragement...I wanna go again! Took a break today and did what todd1973 does: I stared at it...

Jim, have you tried this trail?

 

Replaced the u-joint and got the front driveshaft bolted up yesterday. I'm gonna see what's up with the rear wheels locking. On my drive home from the run, I kept thinking it was either a bearing or the ring and pinion were binding. I stopped to add gear oil. As I continued to drive, then it felt like the drum brakes. When it got worse, I stopped at a gas station and felt the drums and they were scorching hot. I sat for an hour to let it cool. Backed up the adjuster a bit. Then I drove the rest of the way bind-free but was driving really slow.

The instructions to adjust the drum brakes have been to keep turning the adjuster until the wheels begin to grab. I must've had it grabbing too much.

When the front driveshaft fell off of the front output yoke, I picked up the bolts from the ground. Yesterday, I was looking at the bolts and none of them were broken (I thought at least one broke). Now I'm pretty sure the bolts worked their way loose because I don't remember torquing them when I first put them on.

Where can I order u-joint parts? I just need one of the caps and some needle bearings for the old one I replaced.

 

Subscribed. Cool 6!

 

Thanks



I made the connector for a computer reader today. Got the schematic from the internet and downloaded the free software (winaldl).

Here's the connector (db9) that connects to a port (com1) in the back of the laptop.


Here it is connected to the ALDL. I'll make the proper pin connections later.



Here's a sample of the software interface. Not sure how to completely read and interpret them yet. The data kept stopping from flowing. I need to make better connections.

 

scored some free padding...

 

I got more than enough material. All floors and up the firewall. Not gonna do any of the hardtop.

I'm trying to think of a way to make the padding, and eventually the carpet, "mold" to the shape of the front floors and trans hump. Maybe brushing it with resin or glue while holding the shape...??

Thinking of using clips...

 

i used thin carpeting thats pretty pliable and spray glue it down. still had to cut and splice it in places but its lookin good

 

is it the same stuff used on speaker cabinets?

 

Since I have more time than $, I'm putting together a speed sensor. I was able to get the computer reader working properly and to no surprise, the error code for the VSS is on. During the run, the engine stalled as I was slowing down to approach the top of a crest. Not having a speed sensor might have something to do with the stalling. I've been test driving and my idle is a little low; 500-575 rpms.

Not sure if this is gonna work but we'll see. I've been looking around the internet for homemade tone rings and many have been successful in piecing speed sensors together.

I pulled a stock speed sensor and the DRAC.

As for the tone ring, it will attach to the back of the t-case's companion flange.


The tone ring is made out of 6 inch diameter plate, 1/8 inch thick. I cut the proper amount of notches on its edge and drilled holes for bolting on the flange. I still need to drill a center hole.




I need to make a bracket to mount the sensor