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Old Tellico Cj5 Build

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by DanStew, Sep 17, 2020.

  1. Sep 17, 2020
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    4,585
    I picked up a 1979 CJ5 Renegade from a buddy this week.

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    He got it from his buddy who built it around 1999/2000 for riding around Tellico.
    It was used for a while, then as life happens it sat. Then my buddy got it.
    He was going to clean it up and sell it, but he never did anything with it and I made a deal for it.
     
    73 cj5 and Fireball like this.
  2. Sep 17, 2020
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    4,585
    I got to cleaning it out. My original plans for it was to cut and stretch it into a CJ6, but right now I am going to put that on hold. I found a lot of rust (which i knew it had) but the rear floor has a floor over top of the orginal floor and that concerns me. So I am going to work on getting it running and driving first, then revisit the stretching. I would want to get another tub that is not as bad shape.

    It did clean up real nice
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    I did find proof that it was in Tellico :)
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    The specs as I know right now
    304 V8
    T18
    Dana 20
    Dana 30
    Mod 20
    Power steering

    I ordered a HEI for it, some brake lines and a new MC to start.
    This weekend I will give it a bath and start pulling tires off and look at the brakes and then empty the diffs to see what gears i have
     
    tymbom, Rich M., ITLKSEZ and 2 others like this.
  3. Sep 17, 2020
    73 cj5

    73 cj5 Not ready for the junkyard yet

    Clinton, Mississippi
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2014
    Messages:
    2,137
    Make sure you swap the distributor gears or you’ll be pulling the front cover off and you’ll also have a chance to do the timing set while you’re in there.
     
  4. Sep 17, 2020
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    4,585
    Already in the plans
     
  5. Sep 23, 2020
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    4,585
    Working on this 79 CJ5 and i am going through the electrical since I am waiting for parts to finish up the knuckles. I pulled the engine harness and disconnected it from the firewall. UGH the connections inside that junction was so nasty. I am guessing it was old dielectric grease or the compound that was supposed to weather proof the connector leaked inside and made a nasty cosmoline like mess.

    So after like 500 Q-tips, some acetone lots of elbow grease, the connector is finally cleaned out. I pulled out the wires i am not using. Everything is sorted for the HEI install and getting the motor ready to start
    Working on the wiring behind the dash is not that bad, nothing is really that butchered, just removing the old radio wiring and a few other things but most of the original wiring is in good shape. Waiting for the new ignition switch to get in and key switch so i can get this puppy started.
     
  6. Sep 23, 2020
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2007
    Messages:
    3,559
    I just searched for that "Gift from God" bumper sticker. Didn't find one :cry:.
     
    KeithR and DanStew like this.
  7. Sep 23, 2020
    txtoller

    txtoller Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Weatherford, TX
    Joined:
    May 28, 2014
    Messages:
    971
    Go to a place that does wraps and show them a picture, easily made. May have to purchase 10 to get the better deal, but I am sure you can sell them and get some of them money back or maybe give as gifts. :beer:
     
    Last edited: Sep 23, 2020
    Buildflycrash likes this.
  8. Sep 27, 2020
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    4,585
    This week I got most of the wiring cleaning up and identified. Oil changed and I got new rear tail lights installed and wired up.


    Today i got it out of the garage and gave it a good going over with the pressure washer. Cleaned out the engine bay of any residual creepy crawlies.

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    This week i will get the HEI installed, the ignition switch and key switch should be in and i can button up the dash and wiring. Work on cleaning the fuel system and then crank her up and go for a drive.
     
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