Starting In On My 71ish Jeep

Thanks boyink. The tires are 33x12.50 on 10” wide classic pro comp wheels.

As for the lift, it’s a 2.5” pro comp I had put in it about 15yrs ago, and then had never drove the thing. From what I’ve read, there are better options now for a smoother ride. I'm curious as to how its going to ride. It is a short wheelbase Jeep on leafs, so I don’t know how good it can possibly get

 

Had a chance to spend a day in the shop today, so got a lot done. I managed to get my hydraulic clutch squared away and working nicely. I got my measurements off a little on my clutch pedal, so I had to move my master cylinder up about 3/4 inches to get the pedal effort down to where I like it. Between that and extending the clutch fork to get me just under 2:1 ratio the pedal effort is really nice.

I found that the firewall had a little more flex than I liked, even with the additional reinforcement that the intermediate tub I am using already had on it, so I fabbed up a plate to go on the inside of the firewall out of 1/8”, and it stiffened it up quite well.


Unfortunately, I found after bleeding the brakes that my astrovan junkyard booster was junk. With the engine running it was sucking air in around the pushrod under the dash so bad you could hear it. I ordered one off rock auto, but will be a few days till I get it.

 

In the meantime I decided to get after a few of the other stuff yet to complete. I mounted my bestop rear seat and got the tailgate and hardware on, and got my front bumper and winch mounted up too.

I had this warn 8274 for prob 15 years or more now sitting in the shed. Was mounted up on my mud truck for about a year, and never really seen any use. With a little cleaning it should look like brand new. I decided to try a synthetic winch rope on it, saves some weight too. The 8274 just looks ‘right’ on a classic Jeep.

 

So I was thinking about my hydraulic clutch set up, and thought it would be good to post the details about how I have it set up, as it might help someone in the future.

I used a pull type slave cylinder and master cylinder from speedway motors. The master is 3/4 inch and slave is 7/8 inch.

As for pedals, I used the intermediate pedals, but had to modify the clutch pedal, just so it wasn’t so far to the left of the brake. In the intermediate jeeps the column is between the pedal, but I am using the early jeep column location and the column is to the right of both pedals I just cut and welded it so it was straight instead of having an S bend to the left.

I mounted the clutch master cylinder so I have a 5.5:1 ratio. In relation to the pedal it’s about 3/4” above the existing hole in the pedal for the mechanical linkage rod.

I also extended the fork for the throw out bearing to almost a 2:1 ratio, but found I didn’t need that much additional leverage, and I found the sweet spot to be about 1.4:1. That works out to be about 4.5” from the pivot on my fork.

The pedals ended up being approx 6” from the floor, and the clutch pedal has enough travel to disengage the clutch no problem.

 

Nice build. Can't wait to see it done and going down the road.

 

Thanks for the compliments, it’s definitely been a lot of work, but the end is near now.

The weather was pretty crappy out here today, so I figured I’d spend the day in the shop and try my hand at applying some decals I had ordered up. I bought these from Phoenix graphics, and they sure are nice quality. Pricey, especially once you try get them to Canada, but worth it I think.

Seeing how my Jeep is a bit of a mutt, I decided to go with the 1974 Renegade decals, just cause I liked them the best. They took a little doing fitting them onto the short nose, but it was just a matter of trimming them to fit. The only piece that was a bit tricky was the piece that goes around the cowl vent. I had to narrow it up by 1 1/2” or so, but it came out looking good.

I have to say, if you ever decide to do these decals, definitely get their application gel. Makes life soooooo much easier. Overall, it was a lot more work than I expected to do them, took myself and a helper almost 5hrs. You have to be very patient, and just keep working them.

I also splurged and bought a couple new v6 emblems from partsdude4x4. Once again, not cheap, but very nice, and I think it’s pretty cool someone is taking the time to reproduce stuff like this. I have an 1965 oldsmobile starfire convertible as well, and there is nothing reproduced for that car at all, so I appreciate it when I can get stuff like this.

I am really happy with how it looks with the decals, really stands out.

 

Your jeep looks fantastic! Great work!

 

Well, seeing how it’s the new year, I got a few more odds and ends done on the Jeep.

For the life of me I couldn’t find an air cleaner for it anywhere, and none of the aftermarket ones I got fit decently, they kept hitting the choke linkage. I found this one in the junkyard, no idea what it was originally off of, but it fit the 2gc nicely. After a sandblast and paint, turned out pretty nicely.


While I was at it, I changed out the mufflers. The headers I had came with a set of glasspacks that attached directly to the header, but I found them to be obnoxiously loud. Plus I didn’t like the glass pack sound. I ordered up a couple small thrush mufflers and slapped them on. Much nicer sound, and it should make it easy to get some tailpipes made up for it.


So to celebrate, I decided to go for a quick trip out in the snow. It’s a beautiful day here, unseasonably warm right now, about 26 deg. Definitely a nice way to bring in the new year. Everything seems to be working fine. The Jeep shifts nice, overdrive functions well, and the power steering and brakes are working flawlessly. Overall, I’d count it as a win. Cmon summer!

 

Man, that is a gorgeous Jeep.

 

Not a fan of blue paint, but your Jeep really looks good.

 

how many times can i X2 that!!!

 

The Jeep looks incredible!!! Love the blue, and the renegade stickers really add something to it too

 

Thanks for the compliments, I sure am happy with how it turned out. I can’t leave well enough alone though, was looking at it and I think I’m gonna build a swing away spare tire carrier for it. Just got to figure out how I’m gonna integrate the hinge into the bumper, and a secure latching system.

I’ve seen a few posts on where people used a trailer spindle set up for the hinge, but I haven’t really seen any latch assembly’s that I like yet. Will have to do a bit more research.

 

I was looking online and I see TMR has these heavy duty hinges. $150 Canadian, I think that’s about $12 US now with our dollar going to crap, and they’re in Canada so shipping isn’t bad. Pretty slick looking

MEGA Swing Out Tire Carrier Spindle

 

Jeeps are never done!

 

Waiting for next... hard-top, heating, spare tire and go for adventure in the great North!

 

Alan, it’s funny you mention the hardtop. I have a Meyers top and doors that came on one of the parts jeeps. Been thinking about painting it and putting it on the Jeep, but I’m not sure if I’d like it.

And thanks for the link boyink, I had a look at their latch, and really like it. Nice and simple. Might have to go that route

 

I have just reinstalled my hard-top, after 3 years, and I'll use the Jeep with the hard-top because cold outside.
I have installed a hoist in my barn to move it up and down easily.
The look is nice with the hard-top, and nice without..
To have a choice is always interesting... And you are an expert, you can do something very nice.