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'66 Cj5 Tux Resto-mod

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by truckee4x4, Jul 9, 2018.

  1. Apr 24, 2022
    truckee4x4

    truckee4x4 Grant Kaye 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Well we busted out the whiskey that we were going to drink to celebrate the milestone, and had a closer look and it seems as if what happened was the clutch fork came off the ball, and the pressure plate fingers became pushed in completely. We may be able to drop the starter and pry them free…not sure yet if the clutch got welded.
     
  2. Apr 25, 2022
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
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    X2
     
  3. Apr 25, 2022
    truckee4x4

    truckee4x4 Grant Kaye 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Here’s the only two pics I have from back in May when we put the transmission on the engine. Did we put the clutch in backwards?

    D4FDD414-8ED4-4D4E-849D-BA839D6718F7.jpeg 5B46BA17-E4E2-4E90-BAD5-309163B63B15.jpeg
     
  4. Apr 25, 2022
    truckee4x4

    truckee4x4 Grant Kaye 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Last edited: Apr 25, 2022
  5. Apr 25, 2022
    truckee4x4

    truckee4x4 Grant Kaye 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I
    I just rolled under her and used the flashlight and a mirror to look in through the dust boot/clutch fork hole and the fork was not snapped all the way onto the ball, it was loose and too far outwards. Thus all the pedal pressure was probably being put onto the input shaft off-axis and twisting the whole engine/trans-transfer assembly.

    Also, I think we were putting a lot of pressure on the bearing and it pushed the fingers on the pressure plate in and kept the clutch fully engaged on the fly wheel.

    Edit: I wiggled around and finally managed to get a mirror and a flashlight in a spot wehre I could see into the fork hole and see in to the pressure plate fingers and they actually look like they are in the normal and correct position.

    I snapped the fork back on the ball, and now I think we might try and diagnose whether the clutch is actually welded on the flywheel by trying to crank it with the fuel pump relay and distributor wire disconnected to see if the vehicle moves while it’s in 1st or reverse gear. Open to other ideas if anyone has any!
     
    Last edited: Apr 25, 2022
  6. Apr 25, 2022
    givemethewillys

    givemethewillys Been here since sparky ran it. 2022 Sponsor

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    Unfortunately I don't have any ideas, but I'll be following along to see how this story ends!
     
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  7. Apr 25, 2022
    truckee4x4

    truckee4x4 Grant Kaye 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Well - all my worrying was for nothing! I buttoned it all back up after trying Fireballs “pull the distributor power and crank” trick and sure enough - the clutch is fine!
    We took her on her (re)maiden voyage and did two laps around the block! The odometer says 1.8!!!!! I can’t be happier! Will share a video after family dinner time
     
    Last edited: Apr 25, 2022
  8. Apr 25, 2022
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Congrats!
     
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  9. Apr 25, 2022
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    That's great. I wish all problems would solve themself while I was at work. Congratulations, there is nothing like driving something for the first time.
     
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  10. Apr 26, 2022
    truckee4x4

    truckee4x4 Grant Kaye 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Yesterday was the first time this little Jeep moved on her own power since December 2018 when I drove her into my garage and began to tear her apart. A lot of things have changed in life over those years, but one thing has always remained from my "life wishlist," which was to learn a little bit about how vehicles work and gain some aptitude at repairing a classic vehicle so I can drive and enjoy. I bought this Jeep in 2008 and used it as my daily driver for many years, but eventually it got neglected, and really started to fall apart. So four years ago, I began to restore and modify her.

    As of yesterday evening, I can just about check that goal off my bucket list. It's been a journey for sure, and while I am not fully across the goal line yesterday was a big milestone. The best part is knowing that I have learned a ton and I have a beautiful example of American engineering and ingenuity that I saved from the rust and can give to my son.

    I am deeply grateful for all of the help and advice and answers I have received from so many people on this forum - thank you all, truly.

    I got to drive the first lap, and then my mechanic buddy Chief who has been my mentor for the build did the second. He's 6'2 220 lbs with size 13 feet and sausage fingers, so with my temporary plywood seat, he was eating his knees and thus he chose to operate the accelerator in a non-conventional manner.

    IMG_3619 (1).jpeg

    Here's some video:

    https://share.icloud.com/photos/096SyjWNZPx5ClGPiulqgxQ9w
    https://share.icloud.com/photos/024UuJzZ0dVQ4-4UWgt-VibqA

    Lots of little things to button up, and of course waiting on seats and the bumpers to come back from ABC Plating, but I am looking forward to a nice summer of exploring the roads in the Tahoe National Forest with the little guy sitting next to me.
     
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2022
  11. Apr 26, 2022
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    The Jeep looks fantastic. You've done such a nice job.

    It's funny to imagine my old beat up President Red '69 being that shiny at one time.
     
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  12. Apr 26, 2022
    truckee4x4

    truckee4x4 Grant Kaye 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Cheers! Well I’m sure it wasn’t that shiny because it was painted in single stage, but it once was that color!
     
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  13. Apr 26, 2022
    blalp!

    blalp! Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Your Jeep looks great! Nice work!
     
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  14. Apr 28, 2022
    truckee4x4

    truckee4x4 Grant Kaye 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    OK guys now that I’ve got the first test drive out of the way - this morning when I was dragging the garbage out it sure looks like the right rear corner of the jeep is diving down a lot more than it should.

    Well there is certainly a slight crown in the concrete floor, it is not as pronounced as it appears that the jeep is leaning.

    When I put a 4 foot level across the tuxedo Park chrome bumper brackets, and then across the front frame rail forward of the grill, the results are telling.

    After I sandblasted the frame and before I painted it I remember looking at the diagram in the FSM with all of the diagonal measurements and going through it pretty carefully with a tape and determining that the frame was not twisted… assuming that to still be true, what is a troubleshooting checklist that I can go through to figure out what is causing this? 2F1AA93D-AAC9-4B79-92C5-093CB8098EAF.jpeg 81BAE87B-50AE-452D-89DE-E9594F9F3493.jpeg E878D001-0835-4412-AECD-3E4C3BC898D6.jpeg
     
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  15. Apr 28, 2022
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

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    Morning Grant.
    When you did the suspension, we’re the shackles loose first when you lowered back down? Then tightened the shackles. Some times you can get a shackle that is binding.
    Is the “Lean” equal on both front and back on the passenger side? Body itself may be the cause, but you have all new mounting points. You could check the distance off the frame on all contact points.
    Highly doubt the springs are to blame since they are also new. But you could try swapping the right springs with the left.
    Last would be the frame does have a slight twist, but you checked that carefully.
    This has been a issue for all of us! The darn “Jeep Lean”
     
    Last edited: Apr 28, 2022
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  16. Apr 28, 2022
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

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    (Mine lean was on the left, a combination of mounts and a frozen/worn shackle) After the new BDS kit and all new hardware, and the side spare tire the lean is gone)
     
    Last edited: Apr 28, 2022
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  17. May 1, 2022
    timsresort

    timsresort Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I think this is normal for a jeep that hasn't been broken in. My tux (with all new suspension) leans right now, especially after twisting it pretty good on a ramp. Drive it, wheel it, and the springs and shackles will loosen up.
     
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  18. May 2, 2022
    truckee4x4

    truckee4x4 Grant Kaye 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Bumpers came back from ABC Plating, they look brand new!!!

    Tomorrow, I’m off to the DMV to get my original California plates registered and put this one back on the garage wall.
    D87A1C8E-9F00-43D3-98E7-294814917E8C.jpeg D244892A-B1D3-4762-AE40-987308955A5C.jpeg
     
    Last edited: May 2, 2022
  19. May 2, 2022
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

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    Beautiful! :beer:
     
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  20. May 3, 2022
    truckee4x4

    truckee4x4 Grant Kaye 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    @Fireball and @timsresort - have you guys ever seen a return spring on the clutch fork on a dauntless? Mine did not have one when I took it apart, and I can’t tell from the FSM if it should have one or not.
     
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