Direction for New Project-Opinions

Before beginning work on the new project I was wondering if I could get some feedback for those with some experience on some of the future mods I had in mine-specifically as to wether they were actually worth the effort or or are there better ways to go. The current project is a complete and solid 1949 CJ3A frame with a 1953 F-Head, t90 3 speed, 5.38 gears in the rears and Warn hubs and 11" Lockheed drums off of a sw or truck. I would like to use it to as a dd and the trip to work is about 10 miles each way on the highway. So my thoughts are:
1. Header and carb for the engine for some power
2. Overdrive for the highway
3. Power brakes
4. Dual swinging pedals
5. Front disc
6. Dual master cylinder
7. Hydraulic clutch
8. Late model manual steering-Saginaw
8. Rear gas tank
9. Upgrade to 12 volts
Any thoughts, suggestions or comments from anyone who has gone though any of these mods would be appreciated.

 

1-tune the current carb and get the timing set correctly and you'll be good to go
2-yes
3-I was always happy with my manual brakes, just make sure they are adjusted correctly
4-not necessary unless you wont to do the pwr brakes
5-read #3
6-Yes for safety
7-not completely necessary unless your going to be offroading it where the frame will flex, that will cause some problems
8-Yes
the second 8-no
9-yes

just my $.02

 

I'll be the party pooper.
Get it running and drive it as is before you pour lots of dollars into the Jeep.
You may find it doesn't need as much as you want to do to it, for your usage.
You may find it may not be suitable for your intended usage as a daily driver.
you might save some $$$....

 

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I am going to go your suggested route and get it up and running. I just don't want to spend time and money on items that will need to be re-done later. Just trying to get input to see what you guys have experienced so that I don't repeat the same "mistakes". Steve I took a look at your webshots and love the way your Jeep turned out. Could you tell me whose springs you used and are you happy with them?
Thanks

 

I agree with the rest except I think the overdrive is a great investment for both on and off road.

 

I also agree with jim. As is, the cj is a great vehical. Drive it and upgrade if you want to along the way but take your time. What may seem like a really good idea now may not be what you begin to desire later. For example I lifted my 3B, 3 inches with a superlift kit and shackles, but now as i begin to re-assemble the painted body and parts I am thinking of going back to the original springs in the not so distant future.

 

I would basically follow Jim's advice (get it running etc.) except for a couple of things I would do anyway. Sp. I'd go ahead with the overdrive (it's such an easy installation that it's almost entirely an issue of money), and the dual master cylinder. I'd only keep the single piston MC if I were doing nothing to the brakes, and it were ready to go.

 

gwillys, I got some good springs on my CJ, only 8,000 miles on them, but they sat for 02 years. still great though, just softened up a bit, but NOT sagging. Care for a trade/partial trade for the superlift kit?

not meaning to hijack

You can get more horsepower by doing internal engine work than bolt-ons. doing both helps even more. Some prices my local machine shop:

Bore out 4 holes to any size - $84

Deck head to any amount (MAX OF .100) - $60

stroke a crank (offset grind) - $100

custom grind cam (sent to company in North Carolina) - $280

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now, those 11 inch drums will send you through the windshield as they are, just make sure they are tuneed correctly and bleed the system multiple times.

re build the steering box, cost of about $70 and adjust it right and should have no worries.

adjust the clutch right and no worries

in general, make sure everything looks and feels safe and drive on

+++++++

I say all this, because, you are only driving it 10 miles back and forth to work. thats nothin, my commute is 35 miles on way. 20 times 5. 100 a week. Just don't race it and enjoy the commute

 

I also agree with Jim, Get it running as it sits. Then drive it for a while. Then you will know what you do and do not want to change and what you want to keep.

I think that you will find that you will want an overdrive, or perhaps change the axle ratios.
Twelve volts is handy for add on accesories.
If those brakes are maintained properly they will be quite adiqite.

Keep us informed as to what you decide to do, Thanx, Matt W.

 

Get ride of the points and replace with a Pertronix. Other than that enjoy it and make your decisions as you get familiar with it.

 

12 volt is a must imho. I would love to have an overdrive. But other than that do mods as needed or as wanted. I cannot tell you how many times I have redone something or changed something that I thought I would really like then did not. Once you get it running really good then tinkering and modifying is what makes it being a jeep owner!

 

Thank you all for the advice-I will complete my garage build and then move it in and begin the rebuilding process this winter. I will keep you posted with some pics here and there and I definitely will be asking a bunch more questions!
Tony

 

8. Rear gas tank

neptco19:
the second 8-no

Aside from the obvious issues of running fuel lines and figuring out how to hang it back there... uh, how come you said no so clearly? I'm mostly asking because I'm nearing the point of doing this to my 53 3A. I've been known to smoke cigars when I'm out there and I don't want to sit on the fuel tank so why not in the back?