'57 CJ5: Updating The Old School

I wholeheartedly agree with Tarry's statement.

 

I've always like this style of cage... From the side it has the fastback look, but good protection for rear passengers...

 

Winner winner chicken dinner! I saw a CJ7 with a similar cage and I like it. Best part is I can build the fastback first and finish it when I get back from my trip!
Thanks Tymbom!

 

Looking it up its a poison spyder cage.

 

So I've been slowly chipping away at the front axle. I'm at the point where I just need to setup the differential. Yikes! Any good guides out there?

One small hiccup was that I had two different spindles! One had a smaller inner wheel bearing ID, got those in today.

Fuel tank is mounted.


For now the bulkhead separating it from the rest of the cab will have to wait until after my trip to EJS.

 

It's been a busy few days. The UPS man and the USPS lady have been stopping by the house daily. My credit card company is happy!

First thing I did was add these spring loaded pins for the tailgate. (idea from a build on Pirate, thanks Buck!)



Next I took these high clearance spring plates and welded them. These are from Ruff Stuff, really quality parts. I'll have to make my own for the front since these are for 2.5" springs only.

 

It's on all fours! :queue maniacal laugh:

 

I really like your idea with the tailgate latches. Keep up the good work!

 

Thanks! I got the idea from a build on Pirate4x4. Really sweet flat fender build with a kubota diesel!

 

I can't deal with the knuckle daggers on pirate, but I have to admit there are some great ideas on that site.

 

The Willys subforum is great, not the typical Pirate members there, you should check it out.

Always, never worried about suggestions or criticism. But don't worry, I just cut those yesterday. That was always the plan but just something I kept putting off until I was done with the floor work.

 

Does anyone have any suggestions for shocks? I'm thinking of just some cheap hydraulic shocks from any of the suppliers would be all right, but wasn't sure if there were some better suited for the lighter vehicles.

 

For leaf spring suspension you won't have big diffence in shock.

I did run some cheap no name shock, some skyjacker M8000 and now i run fox 2.0 shock with my coil spring suspension, ride is way better with the fox.

 

Been working on it everyday doing one thing at a time.

I added some leafs to the front to level it out more. Much better now. The rear only sits an inch and half higher than the front.



I also finished the winch mount. Just need to add the gussets in the front.



Also working on the steering. I bought the Ruff Stuff y-link kit with "1 ton" tierods. Worked like a charm. There isn't a better kit on the market.


I ordered a power steering box but I need a shorter pitman arm. Does anyone know of a short (no more than 5.5") flat pitman arm? There seem to be some car options out there. The only blank arms I found were from WFO. I'm going to order from them if I don't find something.


Oh and I'm going to need a different exhaust system. Actually I'm just going to get creative on that side, the driver side fit all right.



The engine is too high and far back for the Hedman Headers.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

Thanks!

Returned this weekend from a high school robotics competition. We had a great buy but we didn't win, bummer.

Got home super late Saturday and exhausted but I was able to get a few things done in the garage.

Installed a JB Customs Fab twin stick for the Dana 20. This is the short style and it fit perfectly. Really happy about that. Easiest custom parts I've installed on this Jeep. His print out of the instructions could be nicer, as the photos were small and grainy but it's not a hard process and his wording was very good. Even more appreciated was how everything was neatly packaged and thought out. Had the correct bolts and metal lock nuts. I even spoke with him shortly to confirm the kit. Overall a great experience.





I am going to bend the sticks back some so I don't smash my fist into the dash as at full forward the knobs run into the dash.

Only 3 weekends until EJS, who's going?

 

nice kit you have there, that is still on my wish list.

Biggest part is to dissemble and assemble the t case to get the interlock out of it.

 

I would do it only to help the next guy, it's really not that complicated though.

Update time!!

Been trying to get all the little things done.

Finished the frame gussets for the front. Not my best looking welds.



Also you can see the hole i drilled for the steering shaft to come through.
I'm going to use a telescoping DD shaft to get me closer to the original steering shaft.



Also just a shot of the brake lines and clutch lines. I thought they came out sharp.




I also started installing the rear Spartan locker. It's a pain in the rear with the Isuzu Dana 44 because you have to pull the whole carrier but whatever. The only issue I've run into is that the roll pin was not fitting. I'm using the Spartan cross shaft, that may be the issue.