1966 CJ6A - First steps

I am ready to start ordering and scrounging parts for my '6. I thought I would post some pics and discuss my current plans here in the build section.
Some of you may have seen the first pic before, it is from right after I brought the jeep home. It drove onto the trailer, but brakes were iffy and it was running pretty rough. That was Nov. I did initially check fluids, change the oil and gas, replace a gas line, and remove the top. On the first real test drive the lining separated from the left front brake shoes, I lost all brakes. No crash, but decided to upgrade to dual M/C and disc brakes and not fix current system. At that time the jeep went on hold. Now I am ready to start again.

I have decided the first thing to do is springs. As you can see from the 2nd pic the springs are sagged badly. The front driveshaft has contacted the bellhousing or starter. Originally I planned on stock springs, but why worry about the driveshaft rub again if I can UPgrade even cheaper. So in looking for a 1" lift, I decided on Superlift over Rancho. However, I found that National Tire and Wheel has a 2" suspension special (that is actually superlift) including shocks for less than I can buy the springs elsewhere. So that is the current plan. I also figure this is the heaviest of all early CJ models (w/o hardtop) so I may get less lift than std. The final pic is of the jeep lifted by the bumpers to demonstrate about a 2.5" lift. (Sorry about the darkness) I was trying to determine if it looked ridiculous with the current 7.00*15 tires and the lift.

After lift is installed I will pull out my '74 scout disc brake donor and go from there.
Comments, Questions (i hope the pix work)

 

My "overall target" is to get the jeep on the road, with some minimum safety issues resolved (brakes and rebuild bellcrank). The springs and shocks will also go a long way for sway and ride, therefore increasing safety. The jeep will primarily be used as a backroad cruiser and light trail/farm field hunting rig. Beyond these initial items, I am sure the next mod will make itself evident. (likely a better roll bar). My stance will be if it ain't broke, don't fix it. When it breaks, improve it.

In 5 or 10 years, when my shed is finished and the boy is old enough to learn and give more help, I figure frame off, and build to suit whatever purpose we decide we are most into.

 

Great - just starting my 62 CJ6 as well. It is down to the frame, sandblasted and ready for reassembly. I ordered the 1" lift springs and plan on running the larger Cooper Cross Country NDT's on some old KH's I've been scrounging up one at a time.

 

I ordered the 2" superlift from NTW online (it is their suspension special) $475 delivered with superlift shocks. Also ordered Omix-Ada HD shackles from Tellico. (NTW only had .5" lift shackles).

Here are some daylight pics of the lift mimicked with jacks (and my son's jeep)

 

Good luck with your rebuild. I have been working on mine for about 2 years, and I am just seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. You are right, the $$$$ is the limiting factor.

I am looking foward to seeing your progress, looks like you have a decent platform to start with.

 

I was amazed how low the 6 looks compared to the 5 with stock springs. I guess the extra length makes it look that way. I am quite happy with the stance and ride after the 2.5" springs on mine and the 33x9.50 AT's steer quite easy even with no power steering.
Looks like you have a good project there!

 

This is 2.5" lift with stock length HD shackles. Tires are 33x9.5x15 BFG AT's and clear very well.

http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44066

 

Thanks for the input everybody. Coby, I have spent plenty of time looking at your pics prior to ordering the 2.5, and I agree, the '6 needs a little more lift to look right compared to the '5.
For referece on the mockup: I looked at as many 2.5 inch lifts as I could find pics of. It appeared most ended up with a straight line across the bottom of the tub (rocker panel) going just above the rear wheel (15" wheels) and about .5 to 1" below the top of the front wheel. This was an approximation using pics on the computer. Coby's is on the high side of that, but he also has a lift shackle. (I ordered the Omix-Ada from Tellico that should be a no-lift HD shackle.) My mock-up may be just a little short, because the droop on the current suspension was limited, and I had tires coming off the ground. Overall this gave me 4-5 inches increase over current height. Bottom of bumpers was at about 22inches from ground, with the 29" tall tire curent height is 17 to 18 depending on the side you measure.

 

Brown Santa brought my springs yesterday!

So far the count is 2 broken U bolts, and more importantly, one broken shock mount, off the spring plate. I think I will take the rear apart before buying so I know what I need. The bolt size of front u-bolts is to big, but the bend is right, I think I will drill out the spring plates.

 

Yep I had the to drill out the front spring plates.

The reason I went with my set up is I wanted the option of running the 33x9.5 BFG's or later get a set of 34x9.50 SS TSL's for the trail. I like the height and ride of mine but the wife wants me to put on some of the stock steps to help getting in and out.

 

As far as finishing the lift:
I have the pass. side front on! Drivers side is waiting on the spring plate from walck's (spring is hanging on with axle resting in place.)

I did loosen the rest of the nuts on the spring plates and shock mounts before ordering, and they were fine.

As far as height: My wife already wants some factory style steps.

While I was at a stopping point on the lift, I tore into my parts Scout for the disc brake conversion. It appears I misunderstood someone. The caliper bracket is not the same style as the Chevy bracket recommended, and therefore neither are the calipers. Must decide whether to use these, or find the Chevy bracket/calipers. Also, as suspected, my wheels are not going to clear the disc calipers. On the plus side, I believe the scout hub and rotor will work with changing the inner bearing.

 

These are a long time in coming, but I have the lift installed and torqued. The Discs are on, with junkyard calipers still as a mockup. Also replaced the steering bellcrank. I have the tranny hump out of the interior and am ready to FINALLY start on the m/c end of the brakes. The custom m/c should be on its way from Herm to run the front discs with the right residual valve, and mount on the 1968 bracket that I am installing. If you looked at the old pis, obviously tires and wheels are different, I had to upgrade to fit over the discs, and these were bought used on the cheap on craigslist. Backed it out to sweep and start, so here are pics!!!

 

yep
I like it...
looks good