1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

71 Wheeling Rig

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by Fireball, Jan 18, 2021.

  1. May 11, 2021
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
    Messages:
    5,627
    I had actually thought about that halfway trough cutting it with scissors. I'd do that next time.
     
  2. May 12, 2021
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
    Messages:
    5,627
    All masked up. I'm using the grimy old Ford back cover to mask the back:
    [​IMG]

    I'm leaving the bellhousing mounting area unpainted:
    [​IMG]

    One side painted. I'll roll it around and paint the other sides during the day tomorrow:
    [​IMG]
     
    47v6, Puddle Jumper, Twin2 and 2 others like this.
  3. May 13, 2021
    Madeline3b

    Madeline3b Optimized for analog

    PNW
    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2021
    Messages:
    92
    Looking good there bud.
     
    Fireball likes this.
  4. May 13, 2021
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
    Messages:
    5,627
    Thanks for the compliments everyone! It really helps with motivation to do something every night (except Fridays, that's my night off).
     
    dozerjim likes this.
  5. May 13, 2021
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
    Messages:
    5,627
    Purdy:
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I sprayed the gasket, greased the seal and bolted the adapter to the back of the transmission. I just realized as I'm typing this I forgot to put sealer on the bolts. :banghead: I put a reminder on my phone to do that tomorrow.

    I figured I should bolt the mount on while I have easy access to the bottom of the adapter. Little surprise the bolt spacing isn't quite right and the mount interferes with the transmission:
    [​IMG]

    A little grinding took care of the clearance issue:
    [​IMG]

    And slotting the holes with the die grinder took care of the bolt spacing issue:
    [​IMG]

    Adapter and mount installed (I'll pull the bolts out one at a time to seal them tomorrow):
    [​IMG]

    I decided to test fit the transfer case to see how that would go. Of course, it didn't. I need to grind a good 1/4" to 3/8" off the twin stick tower on the transfer case:
    [​IMG]

    It's not unexpected. I remember reading about having to do that. I may also grind a little of the transmission case in that spot to split the difference:
    [​IMG]
     
    Danefraz, Rubicloak, locrwln and 6 others like this.
  6. May 13, 2021
    73 cj5

    73 cj5 Not ready for the junkyard yet

    Clinton, Mississippi
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2014
    Messages:
    2,137
    A 4 speed is the best upgrade I've ever done to a Jeep besides power steering and disc brakes. It'll transform the '71. Can't wait to see it on the trails. (y)
     
    ITLKSEZ and Fireball like this.
  7. May 13, 2021
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
    Messages:
    5,627
    One thing is for sure. I won't get this transmission in for the Tillamook trip like I was hoping. I still have to:
    • Figure out how to get my bed lined floor plates up
    • Pull the old transmission/transfer case
    • Bolt the new setup to the engine
    • Modify/Fab a crossframe
    • Extend speedometer cable, clutch linkage, parking brake cable
    • Get new driveshafts made to the correct length
    • Modify/make new floor plates
    • Figure out shift boots
    • Spend a few weeks driving it to identify any problems.
    That's not even counting dealing with the overdrive.

    I have to decide if I want to take this Jeep as is. If so, I need to stop working on the transmission and do a couple things like cleaning up the worst of the wiring, checking the fluids , and seeing if I can get the parking brake to work.

    My other option is to take the 69. But it needs a few things itself:
    • One of the spindle bolts felt like it wanted to strip out when I put it back together last year, so I should pull the spindles and reverse all the bolts.
    • It developed a tire shimmy during the 2020 Colorado Epic. it doesn't go into full on death wobble, but the steering wheel shimmies a bit at 45mph. I've ignored it because we mostly drive it around the property and 35mph gravel roads. It feels like the right side king pin bearings have a little slop. Could also be a tire balance issue.
    • I'd want to pull the hardtop so I don't bang it into any trees, but I only have a bikini top otherwise so I'm likely to get rained on in Tillamook.
    • I really need to get around to rebuilding the Ross box.......
     
    Rubicloak, Snoops, Ol Fogie and 3 others like this.
  8. May 13, 2021
    Madeline3b

    Madeline3b Optimized for analog

    PNW
    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2021
    Messages:
    92
    I hurt my right arm pretty bad about a month ago, I am just getting back in the shop now. I have been watching you guys though, building some motivation! Thank you. Plus having parts on terminal backorder....
     
    Fireball likes this.
  9. May 13, 2021
    Puddle Jumper

    Puddle Jumper Rattle Can Master Painter

    Camas, WA
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2020
    Messages:
    137
    What ever you bring to Tillamook will be sorted out better than most. :clap: That includes mine... :(
     
    Snoops and Fireball like this.
  10. May 14, 2021
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
    Messages:
    5,627
    Remembered to seal the adapter bolts:
    [​IMG]

    It's good I needed to do that. Somehow, even knowing I needed to be careful, I had the one short bolt in the wrong hole. It's supposed to be in the lower driver's side so it doesn't hit the reverse idler gear. It's correct now.

    The entire rest of the night was grinding to get the shift tower and transmission to clear.

    This is early on when I thought it would go pretty quick. How young and foolish I was. You can see lots of grinding dust already:
    [​IMG]

    Notice I have the opening taped to keep grinding dust out of the case.

    Quarter inch bump completely removed from the transmission:
    [​IMG]

    A test fit. .....and you have a long way to go:
    [​IMG]

    Getting closer. I switched the shifter pin retaining bolt for a set screw. The bolt would have interfered with the transmission:
    [​IMG]

    One hour 45 minutes and 3 test fits later, There is a gap with the transfer case bolted tght to the adapter! :bananatool:

    There was over 3/8" of cast iron turned to dust in the process:
    [​IMG]

    Both parts painted:
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I'll bolt them together tomorrow and set all this aside to get ready for Tillamook. I'll start by making a punch list.
     
    Danefraz, Rubicloak, Snoops and 9 others like this.
  11. May 15, 2021
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
    Messages:
    5,627
    Was feeling pretty under the weather after yesterday's second Covid shot. I thought I could at least bolt the transmission and transfer case together to feel some sense of accomplishment.

    Nope. While I ground enough off the transmission to get the backwards bolt in, it was impossible to turn it with any wrench I own. Whoopie. more grinding.

    Pre-grinding with everything taped up to keep grit out of the transmission:
    [​IMG]

    Did the bulk removal with the die grinder. My compressor getting hot and smelling funny, so I gave it a break for a while and came back to it. This all would have been a lot easier if I did it before bolting the adapter on:
    [​IMG]

    I did the finish work with the Project Binky inspired fingertip belt sander/grinder. I really like that thing:
    [​IMG]

    Here's some idea of how much material was turned to dust:
    [​IMG]

    Done. Now you can fit a box-end or even a u-joint socket on the bolt:
    [​IMG]

    And painted (again). I'll try bolting them together one more time tomorrow:
    [​IMG]
     
    Rubicloak, Ol Fogie, locrwln and 6 others like this.
  12. May 16, 2021
    bigjohn

    bigjohn Active Member

    Kelso Wa
    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2010
    Messages:
    1,054
    If it makes you feel better I’m not going to get my t18 swapped in either before Tillamook. I’ve run most of the trails with the 3 speed though, the 4.27 gears helped a lot. And I may give you my bikini top. It just flaps on my head and I already had one made for the 75.

    Your build looks awesome by the way!!
     
    Fireball likes this.
  13. May 16, 2021
    Rich M.

    Rich M. Shoe salesman 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Maryland
    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2008
    Messages:
    2,169
    Looking good. Does the Novak adapter clock the tcase up a little more? I have a Jeep T18 with the factory iron adapter, no mods to the shifter for clearance. Hmm maybe they accomodated for it in the transmission casting.
    Just musing, carry on!
     
    Ol Fogie likes this.
  14. May 16, 2021
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
    Messages:
    5,627
    I do think the Novak adapter clocks the transfer case a little higher. They state in the instructions it's why they have you drill and new lower passenger side hole in back of the transmission, I've got a factory T98 adapter. I'll have to look at it so see if it's clocked differently.
     
  15. May 16, 2021
    73 cj5

    73 cj5 Not ready for the junkyard yet

    Clinton, Mississippi
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2014
    Messages:
    2,137
    Ol Fogie, blalp! and Fireball like this.
  16. May 17, 2021
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
    Messages:
    5,627
    Finally bolted the transfer case to the transmission today:
    [​IMG]

    Here's a good before and after for how much you need to grind off the twin stick shifter tower and transmission:
    [​IMG] [​IMG]

    There is great access to the backwards bolt now:
    [​IMG]

    Then I bolted on the bellhousing:
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    And that's it for that until after Tillamook. Then I'll start working on the Overdrive.

    I still need to make my punch list, but I did fix the parking brake tonight. It was out of adjustment at the cable, but it looks like no one had ever adjusted the shoes. After adjusting the shoes, readjusting the cable, and hosing it down with brake clean it's holding quite well now. One thing down.
     
    Danefraz, Rubicloak, Ol Fogie and 4 others like this.
  17. May 17, 2021
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
    Messages:
    5,627
    After looking at my T98, the Novak T18 adapter is clocked about the same. I'm pretty sure the Jeep T18s have a different bolt pattern on the back that doesn't interfere with the D18 mounting bolts like the Ford T18 does. Hence needing to move the lower passenger bolt on the Novak Ford T18 adapter.

    I have to say none of this stuff was hard, but there is definitely a fair amount of grinding, drilling, and tapping. If you go into these adapters expecting to just bolt things togethter you will be disappointed.
     
  18. May 17, 2021
    Renegade ll

    Renegade ll Member

    Thayne Wyoming
    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2013
    Messages:
    772
    WOW that is purdy. You dunn did good work brother. Have a great time in Tillamook.
     
    Fireball likes this.
  19. May 18, 2021
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2018
    Messages:
    5,627
    Mostly spent money today for Tillamook trip prep.

    Don't have a spare for this Jeep. Both the tires and wheels are out of production. I had to settle for a next gen 'Cooper Discoverer STT Pro' instead of the 1st gen 'Cooper Discoverer STT' tires on the Jeep. Then I needed to figure out what the wheel specs were.

    Measured the backspacing at 3.5":
    [​IMG]

    Then I used a couple of squares to measure the rim width. 11.25" between the squares and 2.125 inches to the bead area on each side. That means it's a 7" rim:
    [​IMG]

    I couldn't find any 15x7 - 5 on 5.5 - 3.5" back spacing rims. The closest I could find was a 3.75" back spacing. A quarter inch will have to be close enough. Ordered one of these from Summit racing:
    [​IMG]

    If I like it, I'll eventually get 4 more to replace the black painted chrome wheels that are on it.

    And yes they are black. It's by far the best looking color on a modified red Jeep with steel wheels. Different color wheels for different color CJ5s with the exception of shiny aluminum slots. They look good on any color CJ5 but I'm to cheap to buy a set.

    The long term plan is to make a rear tire/fuel tack, but that's not happening before the trip.

    I also ordered USB and 12v sockets, cargo tie down hooks for the back area, stuff to clamp a dog harness to the rollbar, and some of those tire air-down doohickeys.

    Still flushing out the punch list, but did two items tonight:
    1. Re-torqued all the suspension bolts. It's gone several hundred miles since I did the BDS springs and several of the bolts snugged up a bit. Glad I did that.
    2. Checked my seeping lower radiator hose. I tightened the clamp as much as I dared after finding the leak last week and it seems to have stopped.
    Here's the list so far. This doesn't include the tools/spares list or the general travel list. This is just stuff to do to the Jeep. Things with question marks aren't high priority:
    • Order spare tire/wheel - 15x7 3.5" backspacing - Cooper Dicoverer STT 32x11.50R15LT - DONE
    • Order Fuel Can (14x22x7.5 area under driver's seat for possible location)
    • Lengthen coolant overflow hose
    • Check radiator hose leak - DONE
    • Check all fluids
      • Radiator
      • Change engine oil
      • Transmission
      • Transfer case
      • Front axle
      • Rear axle
      • Brake fluid
    • Grease all fittings
    • Clean up wiring- at the very least replace all the household wire nuts!
    • Fix parking brake - DONE
    • Install USB/12V plugins - parts ordered
    • Figure out how to mount/strap down spare
    • Mount High lift somehow?
    • Install Tow hooks?
    • Figure out a way to carry door tops and side windows?
    • Fix Speedometer
    • Install dog harness clamp - 2" roll bar - parts ordered
    • Install tie down hooks in the back - parts ordered
    • Fix windshield washer
    • Make steering brace?
    • Torque suspension bolts - DONE
    • Fix turn signal switch (doesn't cancel on left turns)?
    • Adjust steering column and and seat for more room?
    • Fix horn?
    • Make floor mats
    • Trim ubolts
    • Install hand throttle?
    • Brake pedal draft seal
     
  20. May 18, 2021
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    Ol Fogie, Puddle Jumper and Fireball like this.
New Posts