'69 CJ5 Re-build

After a little over a year of driving the jeep around and replacing stuff that was falling off it, I started in earnest to tear it apart. The tub is in sad shape. I'm still not sure if I'm going to replace panels, or find a better tub(the endless search). I figured I'd remove the skinned on panels to see excatly what was left to work with. Talked with JeePanels Plus today. He suggested that I repair it on the frame. Anybody have any opinions as to trying it that way?

Anyway, heres what's been done so far:
Front and rear brakes complete.
Re-build carb and HEI.
Top is off.
Passenger side skin removed.

I created a photobucket account to post up the pics:

http://s336.photobucket.com/albums/n342/njranger/Jeep/

Any opinions on courses of action and direction would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

 

So after a three+year hiatus, I'm back to working on the JEEP, and possibly the trailer. I got wrapped up in a wooden boat project for my other hobby, and since that pretty much involves maintenance now, it's back to the JEEP. I bought the '66 tub and frame that jeeperdd had for sale in the classifieds, did a marathon run down to VA and drug it home. The tub is in great shape and only needs the hat channels, sections of the front floors, and a few other small spots repaired. The frame, axles and brakes appear to have been re-done, and its got a manual Saginaw box and lift shackles installed.

So here's the original '69 I bought back in '07:



This is what she looked like when I started iinto her:





And here is the '66 in the strip down mode:



The plan is to repair the tub and transplant the drivetrain into the '66 frame.

I'm going to pick up steel for a rotisserie next week and start in on the tub.

 

Can't wait to follow the build!
So you're going to put the '69 tub on the '66 frame?
Is the '69 frame bad, or is the '66 frame better off?

 

The '69 frame is pretty rusty, and the '66 frame was wire wheeled and painted, so I'm using that one. The only problem I see is the the PO (not jeeperdd) cut out the V bracket in the back for a tank, and then welded a piece of channel across the frame instead of using the rear crossmember. I have a new crossmember, so I'll probably just cut the channel out and bolt it on. I will probably re-do the V bracket as well cause I want a hitch for the trailer.

The '69 tub is destined for the scrap yard. the '66 is the repairable one. So it will in effect end up as a '66 tub and frame with a '69 drivetrain and VIN plate. Still not sure what to do with the dash: leave the 4 hole '66 or mimic the '69. . .

 

Tubs that bad huh? Shame.
Oh, well, I still can't wait to follow this build!
I keep dreaming of the day I'll get to do mine.
:tea:

 

Looking for some input here: The '66 has spring plates with two studs for dual shocks(and skid plates) and lift shackles installed.
I'm leaning on bring it back to a more stock-ish condition.
Should I nix the spring plates and shackles? I can use the plates off the '69, and then just new stock (or grease-able) shackles from Walck's, and just go with a stock shock.

Thoughts?

 

Old windshield stripped. Those hinges were fun. . .

 

So my time to work on the jeep has been pretty scarce but I was able to get the rotisserie built and the tub off the frame and one hat channel removed:

 

And the work continues:

Over the past couple of weeks I stripped off the tub, etc. from the '69. Yesterday afternoon I pulled the V6 and got it on the engine stand in the shop.



When I pulled off the bellhousing, the clutch fork and throwout bearing fell out. . .




The clutch is pretty rusty, but still had the tag on it.



And I could still read the stamp on the pressure plate.



So the plan is to clean and freshen the engine, followed by a coat of paint.

Anybody have any opinions on that clutch? I definitely need a new fork as the clip was broken, and will probably replace the throwout bearing, but was hoping not to have to replace the whole clutch.