New to this Jeep thing

I just acquired my first ever jeep (1974 CJ5 with 6 cyl/3 speed) and it needs some refurbishment work. It looks pretty stock mechanically but I need some advice on obtaining parts and upgrading, in particular retrofitting locking differentials, a lower ratio crawling gear, and seats/seatbelts. Someone replaced the original seats with aftermarket but the supports are welded in place so there is no tipping or access to the P/S toolbox and I can hardly fit in the drivers seat. I don't know if the steering wheel is too big or the seat too far forward or I need to go on a diet....Where can I find some original seats/support frames? What is a good resource for 74 era parts (new or used) as it seems a lot of the suppliers concentrate on 76 onward.

 

Hey, welcome. This is the right place for asking lots of questions.

At the top of the Intermediate forum there is a vendor list thread...here.

While some parts are interchangeable with the 76+ CJ's, there are others such as the seat brackets that are not. You could post a wanted ad in the classifieds here, find a parts Jeep, or just fabricate some new.

I would suggest reviewing the TSM and Parts catalog found at http://oljeep.com/edge_parts_man.html it will give you an idea of what it's supposed to look like.

It's also helpful to make a signature that has some of your CJ's specs as well as where you're located. Local guys often have spare parts that could be sold to fund another part of their Jeep.

 

I would state this a little more strongly than Norm ...

Almost everything changes for the 1976 model year.

I can list the major components that were mostly unchanged for 1976: External body shell, front clip, engines, front axle, transfer case.

The "intermediate" Jeeps in general have poor parts support. Driveline and maintenance parts are mostly available (ie brakes, engine parts, u-joints, wheel bearings, etc.) but just about everything else has no source other than another Jeep (wreck, rust-out, etc.) or some miraculous find of NOS stuff.

Here are some pictures of my 1975 CJ-6 from when I bought it. This will give you an idea of what the seat brackets and seatling should look like. The seats have been recovered, but everything else is original. https://www.nmr.mgh.harvard.edu/~reese/ResizedJeepIPics/ - A '75 is basically the same as a '74, except that Jeep welded in the floors in '75 and not in '74, and the wiring is different.

There's a '74 TSM at oljeep.com also.

Put up some pics of what you have and we can comment.

Welcome from Boston!

 

Thanks Norm, I will do what you suggest

 

Tim,

looking at your pictures maybe mine is not so stock after all.... looks like the back of the driver's seat is supposed to be above/behind the shelf where the floor raises up to the rear bed area. I'm also missing all those heater controls....I will take a bunch of pictures and post them

 

Even when things are in their original place, driver's seat room is not generous. I'm of average height (5'9") and I'm comfortable with the seat all the way back. Any taller (or a big gut) and it starts getting tight. The CJ-6 has an extra 20" behind the seats, so the seat back should be tight up against the rear wheel house in a CJ-5.

Driver's seat placement changes in 1972, so if you want stock seating, you need parts from a '72-75 CJ.

Look for "wheel house notch" (or tilt column) if you need more room. https://www.google.com/search?q=site:earlycj5.net wheel house notch

Intact '73-75 heater controls are made of unobtainium. The plastic panel is always broken.

There have been many earlier threads about fixing or replacing heater controls. https://www.google.com/search?q=site:earlycj5.net intermediate heater controls

 

Post some pics

if you need info i'll glad to help, i did upgrade almost anything i could on my cj5 1975 and you're 74's is the same generation as me.

For the crawling ratio, try to find a t18 with the wide 1rs ratio (6.32:1), it weight more than the one you have and it help to lower the center of gravity.

 

I have a 74 as well, and have to admit that I'm a little wet behind the ears when it comes to the technical stuff.
Trust the advise on this site! I have been dug out of more than one hole by some very generous people here.
let me know if you need anything for the 258, and anything else for that matter.

 

Thanks everyone for the encouragement and advice. So THAT's what its supposed to look like............

 

Since you are in Texas, there is a Jeep salvage yard in Pasadena called Pasadena 4X4 it is on Beverly off of Spencer Hwy, he has a lot of jeep parts, new and used, I have purchased several parts over the years for my 72 from him but I am going to warn you he can be a little hard to deal with sometimes and he is very proud of his parts. Good luck