1974 cj5 tub

I am looking to build a 74 cj5, but a buddy built a 75 with an older fiber tub, and the rear wheel well is in the way of the front bucket seats from golng back far enough for my 6' 3" body to be able to drive...I see plenty of 72--75 cj5s on the internet that looks plenty roomy, but I want to make sure I order and buy the right tub...which tub might that be?

 

Dimensionally '72-'75 CJ-5 steel tubs are all the same. Are you sure you're not looking at CJ-7 or CJ-6 tubs that have more room?
You might do a search for "wheelhouse" notch as it can allow the seat to be moved back a few more inches.

 

It has an old rusty original body that I can comfortably drive, but I want to go with new fiberglass

 

I had teh same problem after installing new Corbeau seats. I notched my wheel wells so I could move the seats back.. Others have done the same

 

I lengthed the frame and the body a foot...
not the easy way out

 

Nick is right ... in that dimension, the body does not change, from the M38A1 (1952) through 1975. They are all the same.

The CJ-7 was introduced in 1976 with a 10" longer wheelbase that mostly was done to allow an automatic transmission. It also makes the seat-to-pedal distance longer. But before 1976, nothing changes.

 

I dunno, I had a 67 CJ5 before my 75. The seat to pedal location was noticably shorter. Not comfortable to drive and the gas pedal was too close..

 

The '72-75 seating position moves to the left by several inches, compared to the earlier Jeeps. But the tub is exactly the same in that respect - the wheelhouse is in the way of moving the seat back further.

 

The notch is going to be the same on any five. The length of the tub and wheel wells are all the same. some differences in the footwell but I doubt fiberglass tubs would vary much. the three I have 74,78,and 60something all have flat floors and match in size. They're all from different manufacturers.

 

Thanks.

 

interestingly enough, i bought my '75 from a kid that was 6'3" back in the early 90s. he couldn't get in and out of it very easily because of the seat position and big steering wheel. so, he sold it. having driven this thing for more than 20 years, i don't see how someone much taller than 6' can drive one very often without the modification of notching the wheel house and moving the seat back. with every brake/clutch application, your knees are in the steering wheel.

wally

 

Dad was 6'4" and my uncle is a little taller. It was serious comedy to watch them get in and out of his GPW. When he drove his knees were on either side of the steering wheel. It can be done, but not easily or comfortably.

 

I'm 6'3" and getting in and out of my '70 isn't all that fun, but I lowered my drivers seat a *whole* bunch, because the top of my head was above the roll bar (now it's a couple of inches under), and notched the wheel house. It's better, but I think I'm going to notch it a bit more....

 

I'm stubby and my wheel houses are getting notched in the '59-5 when it gets torn down. I want room for more comfortable seats and the "spread" that seems to be coming with age...

 

Thanks! I am going to make it work somehow, but I just purchased a 77 cj5 this week,as the 74 did not have much to work with. The fellow I purchased it from was 5' 5" and has a set of those hard plastic racing seats, mounted way to high for me....I believe if I get something lower, and padded it will work. If we have to notch we can do that during the build. Now I need to talk about power steering on the 77...What do I need to install it...I see 4 wheel hardware has a kit with everything for 1300.00, to rich for me...what exactly do I need? Thanks!

 

On a 77? You just need a power steering pump and brackets, a power steering box, hoses, and swap out the U-joint on the end of the steering shaft..... Everything should bolt right up

 

Is it a V8 or a 6?

 

Original six but puting a 74 304 in it.

 

V8 is easier. You can pick the engine-side parts from any Grand Wagoneer in the junkyard. Very nearly every (Grand) Wagoneer is a 360 with power steering. You can use the power steering gear from the GW too, if you want. Pretty sure you will need the bell coupling for the steering shaft for a V8. Later GWs use the o-ring connections for the pump and gear, and I don't think Jeep ever made a V8 CJ-5 with the o-ring style, so you may have to go custom for the hoses if your donor uses o-rings.

 

'79 and earlier uses flare fittings and '80 later uses O-Ring. That is both CJs and FSJ as far as I know (I know it on CJs). However what I've found is that you can swap the fitting on the back of the power steering pumps to make a post '80 pump work with a '79 and older hose and box. (I actually did it vice versa)