Hello from a new CJ-5 owner

Hello all,

Yesterday evening I became the new owner of a 1980 CJ-5. I have always dreamed of owning a jeep and now I do . First off, I would like to say hello and apologize up front for any dumb questions I am bound to ask.

One of the things I noticed driving home is that it is a little different then driving my 3/4 dodge extended cap pickup . The steering drifts when you apply and let off the throttle. I also noticed that there is quite a bit of play in the steering (white knuckle at some points). I noticed quite a long thread about this six or so pages into the forum, so that was definately some informative reading. These will be the first things I check when I get home tonight. I will post specs of the jeep when I am out of work tonight. I also should mention I have manual steering. I also have 31.5 x 10.5 super swampers on it, so I am sure that is some of it.

Main question, before I get into replacing steering parts (if these are the culprit) is now the time to think about power steering conversions and are they worth it. i will be using this jeep primarily as a toy for trails/camping/hunting/some mudding/ and 2nd driver for work sometimes when the weather is nice.

Thanks for your time

 

Welcome from middle Tennessee. Since you need steering work anyway, now might be the best time for the upgrade, and yes it is worth it.

 

Welcome aboard! You'll hear pro's and cons to power steering. I think it's too much hassle, but that's just me. Have fun with the new purchase

 

I do agree there are pros and cons, but in my case on my 79 somebody gave me the steering box and pump and everything was pretty much bolt on and no hassle at all. I would think with an 80 it would be about as easy, older ones might not though, but I haven't done ps on any of my older ones.

 

Thanks for the nice welcomes!!

I have not really spent a lot of time underneath it, but it appears to have a small body lift (1" or so) and (don't quote me) a shackle lift. The springs are still running underneath the axle. They also used spacers to drop the transmission down I would say an inch.

 

Welcome from middle TN.
Check the tire pressure before you sell yourself on the steering. If a tire or two are lower than the others it'll wonder all over.

Oh yea, we like pics. Got any pics?

 

Yep, that is one of the things I am going to check tonight, although they looked pretty good last night.

I will post some pics hopefully tonight .

 

Hey, welcome and what they said.

If you want a Power steering swap write up, here's mine from JU from a few years ago:

http://jeepsunlimited.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=272218&highlight=waggy+power+steering

When you say Drifting on throttle and off throttle, is a drift or a pull? If a pull do you know if it has a locker in the rear? That's pretty typical symptom of that.

 

The previous owner said it had a locker in it, but haven't verified that. To try to help clarify, when I let off the throttle, the jeep wants to pull to the left. I am not sure pull is the right word.....but it definately heads that direction.

 

Welcome from GA, how bout a pic or 2... could be a stuck caliper also... start with the basics and then go up from thier.

 

Welcome from south MS!

 

Welcome from Memphis

 

welcome, check spring bushings?

 

Update.

I jacked up the front end this evening. I checked the ball joints, they are very solid. I checked for play in the steering and that was also very solid (left to right while trying to move the tires). I did notice a little play in my steering shaft that goes down to the gear box and it also had a little play going into the firewall. But I would say I have seen worst. One thing I did notice is that when I turn all the way to one side or the other or I turn the steering wheel quickly... I get movement in the shackles. With that I can also answer a previous question that it definately has a shackle lift on it. Has anybody ever had this same issue? I have only lifted pickups in the past and never used this type of lift.

If that is the case do I look at removing the shackle lift to get some stability back and go to a different type of lift (say spring over axle)?

Oh, It was raining this evening and kind of crappy, so I will post some pics tomorrow evening.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

Welcome from Utah!

 

Welcome from just a little south of you. I also am trying to get a 1980 CJ5 on the road, of course mine is bone stock. I'm planning on mine being my daily driver soon.
Throttle steer is often related to the rear end. Check things like the "U" bolts on the rear axles, and definatly the tire pressures.
hope to see pics, and enjoy the new "toy"

 

If it does have a rear locker, the pull is normal. You will get used to it.

 

Took "her" out back last night and "she" has at leat a very good limited slip. Went to take pictures last night and the $#%^# digital camera's battery was dead, so that is charging through the day and I will have pics up hopefully tonight.

I also lifted the front end again last night and the movement in the shackles isn't just the bushings, its the whole shackle. So I tightened them down and greased them (had grease fittings), greased all of the steering components and used some penetrating oil on the clutch.......and what a difference. I can actually get up to 55 mph!!! I was so excited I drove to work this morning. I think those items were a big improvement and the last couple of nights I have been driving it, so I guess practice does help.

The list of to do's for this winter (list is a work in progress):
- rebuild or new transmission (pops out of gear and a challenge to find 3rd and 4th. Stupid questions, but do the transmission has synchros or is it usual to hunt for gears)
- rebuild or new transfer case (If I am going to go through the work of the tranny, mine as well get this out of the way)
- New clutch
- Work on the linkage
- remove the shackle lift and replace (maybe a 2.5" lift or go all the way to a spring over axle....not sure)
- get the fuel gauge to work.
- get the interior lights to work.
- Floor of the tub is just painted metal, put some type of flooring in. Any suggestions (carpet/vinyl/???)
- Hunt the bone yards for power steering parts and maybe convert...might wait though on this.
- Oh ya, I need tunes......gots no tunes.

Thats the to do list for now. If I get through the tranny/transfer/clutch and linkage, I will be really happy .