Yet Another 1965 Cj5 Build

It’s looking like a Jeeeepppp!!!!! So awesome!!!!

 

Short post today. It’s been nice to focus on some finishing aspects of the project to get it road worthy. Here are some pictures of the front drive shaft installed. I also went and topped off the GL4 in the transmission and transfer case. Fingers crossed that I can have it ready for a show at the end of July!

 

Beautiful Jeep, vision to get it the way you want it, and workmanship. That color is fantastic, reminds me of Porsche Aetna Blue, from the 1950’s/356 model era.
Great job, John

 

John, thanks for the kind words. Like I said in previous posts, I tend to only see/focus on the places where I could have made it better. Over time, I will keep honing the results and refining the CJ. I re-wrote my list of “things to do” a few days ago and noticed that my old list had broader stroke requirements. My new list is much more focused and refined and applies more to finishing. It’s very close now and I can’t wait to have it on the road!

Also, the color is “Area 51.” It’s a new Ford Bronco color. I did a straw pole with the family with four blue options and this blue took the most votes. I am very happy with it.

Steve

 

Well, I finally took the Backyard CJ out for a spin. I have a few things I need to address, but gosh it was nice to be able to take it somewhere. Drove to the cruise-in yesterday in E-town and had a helper get it prepped once we got there. We had a great time and got some nice compliments on the backyard build.


Now I get to move on to fixing things while driving it and hopefully this build thread turns into more of a maintenance thread.

 

It’s been a really busy summer and fall with work. Finally getting to drive the jeep around and working through some kinks since I finished the dauntless/t14 swap.

First, I replaced the rear differential oil, cut my own gasket and sealed it up. Lo and behold, it still dripped after driving. I got to thinking, there probably needs to be a vent somewhere on the axle, but I couldn’t find anything. After some research, I found where it was supposed to be - a small hole facing the rear of the vehicle on the drivers side next to the spring perch. After some sanding and cleaning, I finally found it, unplugged it, and threw a quick coat of primer on the bare metal axle tube. Hopefully that will solve the drip at my rear diff cover now that it should be able to breath.

I also went ahead and figured out how to install my Bestop Supertop. It’s a hand-me-down from the previous owner when I purchased the jeep. Luckily, he had included all of the parts required and after letting it sit in the sun, I was able to stretch it to get the side windows on. I also installed the half doors as well.

 

Well, about two weeks ago I started replacing the gas tank, but between work trips, sick kiddos, and getting ready for Christmas, the project was delayed for a bit.

I decided it was time to replace the tank as soon as I went through my second fuel filter in as many months. I opted for the poly tank with the correct sending unit for the Dauntless. I had previously run the return line to a fabricated hole that I had tapped in the upper rear (passenger side) of the steel tank. Overall, not super impressed with the fit of the tank. It’s a tad taller than the old steel tank and the filler neck doesn’t sit right in the middle of the opening, but overall I am satisfied. While I had the tank out, I also laid some heat shield on the floor to act as both a heat deterrent but also for insulation so the tank isn’t sitting directly on the floor anymore.

I ended up having to bend and mold a galvanized steel strap into place since the new poly tank was an inch or so taller than the older steel tank.

And, not most important, but still significant - I have a functioning fuel gauge! Super exciting and now I don’t feel like I have to check the tank every time I go for a drive.

The drivers seat will go back in another night this week and then I will be off on nice days again throughout the winter.

 

We got a little over an inch of snow last night. First snow since the rebuild, so I had to complete the obligatory first drive in the snow to make sure the 4-wheel drive works. Happy to say that it shifted in and out of 4-wheel nice and easy. Nice to know everything works!