First Jeep build

Here's my "new"... first real project. Since everything else has been literally new (and under warranty), I thought I'd get something my boys could help me work on and grow up with. You know... since old Jeeps just sort of become a family member!? Anyhow, here's mine.
I'd really like to completely rebuild it because I just like the way they look restored. Of course I'll certainly improve any vulnerabilities or inadequacies. I'll likely go with yellow because there is some nostalgia to it. Ol' Yeller was the family Jeep but it was not available when I got old enough to drive. I started taking it apart for rebuild when I was 12 and never followed through. Recently I went back to the farm to get it and most of it was gone; tub, chassis, trans, tcase, pto winch! I have the axles, hood, grill, windshield, front fenders, radiator and some other stuff but it's not enough to build from. So I went and bought my own. Nonetheless, I really like the looks of this one as a sort of model to aspire to. Does anyone know whose it is? Maybe someone on here?
Also, I don't know really why my pics came out different than others "thumbnails" and stuff so if anyone has any advice on pics or building my Jeep, let me have it.

 

Here are some more.

If you know these Jeeps or thier owners, let me know. I'd love to pick their brain.

 

I see Dutch... RIP
And I see Animal
Not sure whose the yellow Jeep is. Windyhill does it belong to your signature...? R)
Oh yeah, it looks like your hood is an M38A1 hood as it has the cut out for the snorkel. I may be wrong

 

I would guess that is an m38a1. Or at least parts are. Look at the windsheild frame and the holes in it at the top, the hood, and the thicker spring packs on the front.

At least that is what it looks like to me. But I'm new to all this jeep id stuff so what does everyone else think?

 

Grille doesn't seem to have the headlight recesses, and there's no shackle reversal, so it's more likely a CJ5 with M38A1 parts IMO

 

Early cj5's came with the hood cut out. It appears cj5 to me, has jeep written on the side of the tub

 

Didn't know the early 5's came with the hood cutouts.

 

Hey guys. Just updating on a few things on my build you may or may not be interested in.

BTW, my 58 in the pic has the correct VIN on the title, body and frame. Based on the time frame in which the 225 came out and the model of my CJ, it's pretty obvious that it was done later. Also, I assume that whoever put the motor in, did the same with axles. The rear is a D44, front a D30, both of which came stock, but interestingly they both have 11" drum brakes and thicker than usual spring packs. A few of you have referenced the military style hood must be from another donor. It's possible however, I grew up in a 61 CJ5 and although it did not serve military duty, it too had the snorkel hood and it was all original. Interesting to me, that's all.

Anyhow, my build has taken some turns for the better I'd like to think.
The 225 is staying. The body is in pretty good shape so although I'm doing some pretty extensive bodywork on it, it's staying. The chassis will need to be beefed up no doubt and boxed but since I'm stretching it in two spots, that'll go right along with everything else. That is pretty much what is STAYING.
The axles are getting pulled and replaced with the new JK D44s. The suspension is getting replaced with aftermarket goods; probably a combination of YJ and CJ leaf packs. The stock Tranny/Tcase combo is getting replaced by a TH350/Rocktrac 4:1 combo. All steering and driveline components are getting replaced as is the brake system. Also, I'm updating the wiring, gauges and lighting on the whole rig.

As you know, things can/will change but as many also know, this is a pretty solid culmination of my previous wafflings so hopefully this will closely resemble the finished product. Thus far, the Jeep is stripped and tomorrow (assuming the weather... nevermind) is going to the fabrication/body shop for some cool metal work.

I'll keep you posted with pics.

 

Just now noticing this thread. Like I mentioned in my pm after talking to you more the only thing I was wondering about is which motor you're gonna be going with. The 225 is a great motor. I even bought a Jeep years ago that had been sitting on a trailer with no hood, and nothing over the motor for a long time. After tinkering with it for a little while, the old thing fired up and runs great now. The only thing to think about is are you going to want to upgrade to a different motor later on. If you are I would try to look at doing that now as well as some of the other things we've talked about, to keep from spending $ on the adapter for the tranny, just to end up having to buy another one for a different motor later on.

Just throwin that in there for ya to think about, since we've looked at all the other aspects of your project.

 

Hey MCSCOTT, you'll get a laugh out of this! I've got my Jeep down to the frame, body is wrapped and sitting up in the back yard, and most of the miscellaneous bolt ons are in the local land fill. I decided on a few MORE changes and wanted some "wisdom" from all who will.
Ok, the plan has morphed again but this time a little milder. I really am missing driving this little sucker so I've decided the less radical I go, the less time it will take to get it back on the trail. I'm sort of building it "stock" but more like it would be built today. Sure I could find a wrecked TJ but what's the fun in that? So I'm gonna keep the Dauntless for now, just tune and clean it up and paint it. The big change though is, I'm gonna stretch the Jeep 14 inches in the middle. This will do a multitude of things for me but do you see any problems with that?
I'd like to box the chassis and change the suspension over to coils and control arms. Do you see any problems with that?
I also want to hang the brake pedal (no clutch as I'm installing an auto) from under the dash (as opposed to stock) and mount a later brake booster and master cyl. Problems?
Talk to me.

 

WAS??? Where'd it go? That was a beauty! Tell me about it. Send me some more pics if you got 'em. I like the way it's done. Very nice. If you sold it, how much did it go for?

 

Mike parted Dutch out, IIRC. Bad tub/frame right Mike?

 

I want to say that yellow Jeep is from Norway. 5-6 years ago when I was surfing for ideas for my CJ5 that one came up a lot. There were quite a few pics of it. I always liked it. He had it named, and Tweety comes to mind but I'm not sure.

 

Mike, all I can say is wow. I was looking at all the different pics of your history and now the build and I have to wonder why you didn't just keep the original Dutch for the sake of sentimentality. You have alot of history there. I had a similar story and had I not gotten the bug to tear it down in 8th grade, I'd have no doubt had many fun times with "Ol' Yeller", our family's 64 CJ5. Eventhough this was OY's fate, we still had many good times prior to my demolition of it.
Nonetheless, now that I'm a "big boy" with my own money, family, etc, I'm excited about building my own. I was gonna go Yellow for the nostalgia of it but the more I think about it, the more I want my own. HMMM... I think I sort of just answered my question about the "original Dutch".
Well, that leads me to my build and since I know you are "old hat" at it, I'll direct my questions toward you. I bought my Jeep in very good running order AND the body and frame are in excellent condition. It's got 3, mark it, 3 small (quarter sized) rust spots IN TOTAL; one in the passenger underseat tool box, one in the passenger side taillight hole where the body mounts to the frame and one in the driver side tail light hole. The body is very straight and very solid with only 2 spots where bondo was used to "straighten" it out back on each rear quarter behind the wheel. Inside the body in that spot, the body only has slight indentation where the PO must've just not wanted to pound it out... or he did the best he could.
I want mine to be arrow straight both on the body and frame and am in the process of welding up ALL (most of the ones that don't serve an obvious purpose) the holes on both so I can put holes only where I want/need them.
Since it's pretty obvious where to start with a "frame off restobuild", I'm lengthening the frame 14 inches. The body will follow when I get to the body work but for now, I'm working over the frame, driveline and suspension. Other than occupancy, what is your primary purpose in building your rig? Daily driver plus trail rig, trail rig only and if so, what type of trails? Average or extreme like rocks, etc?

 

The yellow one comes from The Netherlands, these licences plates are typical Dutch
oldtimer plates.

 

It's a little late to turn back now. My 5 is in pieces; the body is under cover in the back yard, the frame and drivetrain is in the garage with the frame slowly getting the paint/grease/dirt combo taken off of it for cutting and lenghtening so I can get this thing back on the road. As far as looking at a 6, although I do like the added space/length, I don't like that the little 5 hump is the same size as the 5. I know it worked for mass production and parts interchangeability, but it doesn't for me. Too, I want a 94" wheelbase specifically.
I definitely do NOT want it "original"! I've been around and in enough Jeeps to know that I don't want to be "tired" or "beat up" after a day of wheeling; I simply don't want to wrestle my rig all day long. I've got a nicely built little Liberty and after taking it places I have, I just sit back and smile. Whether it's cold or hot, rain or shine, dusty or calm, we just sit back in comfort. I just like the lines of the CJ-5 better than the others because even though it's very small, it looks proportioned; the hood has the right length, the tub is about right and that little "5 hump" in the door opening is almost right... BUT right at that hump where you bring your feet in, it's too small, especially when you put a full cage in. I have plans on a cage that should work regardless but my shoe is as long as the space you get in and it drives me nuts. I'm gonna add 8 inches there in the bottom sill section of that little opening keeping the curve, then another 6 inches in the rear passenger section of the tub. Based on my drawings, with the right sized tires, that thing is perfectly proportioned.
Furthermore, this little sucker is gonna have power steering with hydro assist, eventually fuel injection, auto tranny, and much much more making it a pleasure to be in for hours at a time.
Anyhow, I don't want the drive of the original but I do want the primary appearance. With the right proportions, other than the major "mods", it will still take a trained eye to really notice the add'l length. The main thing is, like you, I want to be able to put the whole family in it and drive down to Sonic for a Slushee.

 

Added some pics

Ok, earlier this week I got this sucker pretty much stripped.

Then later in the week I got it finished. I took the axles and steering out completely and got most of it sanded clean. Then I cut it! I cut it near the middle under the front seats. I'm gonna add 14" of length to the frame between the wheels. Here it is mocked up and clamped where I'm putting it back together.

Now here's my favorite part. I've been drafting what it will look like pretty much to scale, when it's done. My scanner was broke so I just took some pics of the drawing. The picture stretched it a little which makes it look longer still, but it turned out ok. Check it out.

Here's some of the details based on the way it's drawn (probably not going to run that spare up there):
1. It's built around 35" tires, cause if you have anything less, you might not be able/allowed to run certain trails. Besides, that's a good all around size for both trails and street use. Furthermore, I don't want a SUPER TALL lift. In this rendering it only has about 4" of suspension lift.
2. This tire size in particular allows me to add 8" in length in the door, and 6" more in the rear cargo area without it looking too "modified" yet it doesn't look LONG like a 6. (No offense you 6 owners. Just my preference) This is so I can carry the kids comfortably AND some added gear.
3. Overall the Jeep is gonna have a 94" to 100" wheelbase with little rear overhang and NO front overhang.
4. I'm building my own fenders and making the Jeep completely "flat on bottom" with "boatsides". I think that looks pretty cool. Too, being flat on bottom makes a small lift go a long way.
5. Since I plan on building my own suspension, it'll be coils/control arms.
There's a long way to go but I'm all over it now. I like the way the body looks with the rear fenderwells cut around the tires and sort of bobbed up in the rear. In building it "comfortable", I'll have amenities like a tilt/telescoping wheel, custom automatic console shifter, heated seats custom dash/switches and so on. I'd like to hear your thoughts good or bad. Any forethought will save me time and help get this baby on the trail sooner so let me have it.