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1975 Brutally Simple Daily Driver

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by neohic, Apr 28, 2018.

  1. Jul 18, 2018
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2014
    Messages:
    3,549
    Looks great! We just put 33x10.5's on Steves 71.
    So how is the road noise with the x3's now that you have a few miles on them? Louder or quieter than the MTR's?
     
  2. Jul 22, 2018
    neohic

    neohic Gentleman Jeepist

    Woodland Park, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2018
    Messages:
    500
    Sorry for the delay... been trying to hold back on saying anything about the tires until I had the opportunity to drive it more. Overall I love them! Way quieter than my old MTRs. Full review in the TIRE THREAD I started before purchasing them.
     
  3. Jul 22, 2018
    neohic

    neohic Gentleman Jeepist

    Woodland Park, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2018
    Messages:
    500
    The brake issue ended up being an adjuster that fell out of place. The line running to the rear was completely dry as well. This all meant that I was rolling on only one good brake. [​IMG] My plan was to hit the reset button pretty hard in the front and just freshen up the rears (which ended up being just fine once having fluid brought back to them).

    So here’s what I did then... a few months ago a coworker was parking/scrapping a 1976 Ford F-150 that had four wheel drive, disk brakes in the front, and drums in the rear. I grabbed the 11” booster, pedal linkage, master cylinder (that ended up being bad), and proportioning valve. Fitting the giant booster assembly actually went way smoother than I anticipated! I had to reroute the fuel lines, “percussively massage” part of my throttle linkage, flip the linkage bracket upside down, shorten the pedal side push rod, and slot a couple holes. Easy, right?!... maybe for the next guy.

    [​IMG]

    Here everything is in all its glory! Things are tight... real tight! A huge concern for me was what to do with the booster sharing space with the air cleaner. More on that later.

    [​IMG]

    Mounting the booster assembly worked out pretty simple. Like I said, the linkage behind the booster was flipped upside down. Everything was intended to lift the booster up and over the wheel well. I needed it low to give myself a chance at having an air cleaner and to be able to shut the hood. This was easy... unbolt, flip, rebolt. The two holes to get opened up are the two on the linkage bracket that almost line up with the bottom two bolts for the pedal bracket on the outside of the firewall. A keen eye will notice that only used the top two holes in the new bracket. I couldn’t take myself to drill the rivets and move the VIN plate. Legal? Not wanting to drill more holes? I just think the factory did a stellar job of putting it there is all. Then some simple stuff under the dash...

    [​IMG]

    The factory brake light switch was retained. The factory Ford push rod was shortened about an inch and a new hole was drilled to line up with the post on the pedal. It practically mounted itself!

    [​IMG]

    Lastly, I made up a couple of jumpers from the new master cylinder to the original front and rear brake lines. What you don’t see here is where the factory lines go. Originally there was a proportioning valve set up for drum/drum. My next upgrades had me thinking about retaining a prop valve or to just go without. Again, more on that later. Another thing you can see is my quick/easy fix for my air cleaner problem. With lowering the booster all I needed to do was raise up the air cleaner 1.5”. These are parts store plastic spacers and I hate them. However, they are quick/easy after all. Then this stuff happened...

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
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    ... these are admittedly cheap parts. The shop I work at sells a bolt on kit that uses GM style brackets and calipers. It’s designed to be easy to install and they are! As long as the back side of the hubs are machined flat and not just machined around the lug studs, this is a true bolt on deal. Remove the drum, hub, and backing plate. Then bolt the caliper bracket on in place of the backing plate, press out the studs in the hub, press in new longer studs to sandwich the rotor with the hub, and throw on the caliper.

    With all the new parts in place I started thinking about the proportioning valve. The original wasn’t an option and I felt the Ford unit wouldn’t be right either. With the better clamping force of the disk brakes up front I rattled the dice that the short wheelbase and the added weight of my hard top would even things out. The first rip down the road and a hard stomp of the pedal showed the fronts locking up before the rear. Press it harder and the rears followed. I think the balance is perfect!

    Next on my list is dealing with the caster (or lack of) in the front end. I’ve got almost 2* where 5-6* would be nice. A shim would be an easy solution but I haven’t looked all that close at the pinion angle to see where that’ll end up too. That’ll be for another day.

    [​IMG]
     
    ITLKSEZ, Muzikp and Bowbender like this.
  4. Jul 22, 2018
    neohic

    neohic Gentleman Jeepist

    Woodland Park, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2018
    Messages:
    500
    Wha’?! Two posts in one day?! :rofl:

    Something that I haven’t really done yet is to show some highlights of the interior of Pinky. I’ve got a bunch of stuff in here!

    [​IMG]

    It had a rear seat when I first got it but it didn’t match the fronts and it was pretty much useless and difficult to get to. I wanted some storage space. Keeping that storage means that everything else has its place.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    The spare is held in place with a simple bracket. Inside and behind the spare are jumper cables, coolant (not that it leaks or uses any), a gas can, blanket, and bikini top (come the day the awesome tin top ever comes off).

    The jack had a couple inches cut off the top so I could fit it where I wanted. The bottom is a spare ratchet strap because I like utilizing things instead of just storing when I can. The top is a clamp I made out of tube. The amo can has the few tools one needs to work on one of these things.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Towards the front I ran out of room between the cage and windshield frame for a stock rear view mirror. Honestly I think they look funny when the windshield is folded down. Should I take the top off I wanted to still have the mirror. Same kind of clamp. No idea where the mirror came from.

    [​IMG]

    Then there’s the seats. These came out of a project at work and they’re cheap-o aftermarket replacements for first generation Ford Mustangs. They sit on a simple tube that spans the width of the body and have sliders under them... because seat sliders are needed in a CJ5. [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    ...and that’s about it. I wish I would’ve documented it, but the steering column has been moved up to make more leg room. I wish the original toolbox was still under the passenger seat but that’s just another piece for the future body work that may or may not ever happen.

    Anyhow, here’s an obligatory front end picture to wrap up a post. [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Dwins1, Valentino84, ITLKSEZ and 6 others like this.
  5. Jul 22, 2018
    Hellion

    Hellion Regurgitated

    Eastern TN
    Joined:
    Dec 25, 2016
    Messages:
    534
    I like the simple, no nonsense stowage of all your gear (especially the Hi-Lift) plus the contents of the gear; for emergencies and breakdowns. Is it a surplus wool blanket? :cool:
     
    Dwins1 likes this.
  6. Jul 22, 2018
    neohic

    neohic Gentleman Jeepist

    Woodland Park, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2018
    Messages:
    500
    Thanks! I absolutely hate going down the road and seeing Jeeps with a high lift laying across the hood or gear mounted outside the vehicle. Everything gets rusted and spoiled by the time you actually need it! I like keeping my gear inside when I can.

    And no, the blanket is not surplus. I used to work at a hospital in high school and that was a hand out for some promotion. It has since lived in every vehicle I’ve owned at some point! I’m originally from Minnesota. Doesn’t matter the time of year... never leave home without the ice scrapper and a blanket!
     
    Last edited: Jul 23, 2018
  7. Jul 23, 2018
    Muzikp

    Muzikp Active Member

    Sacramento Ca.
    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2016
    Messages:
    1,450
    Funny, somehow I read that as "I have since lived in every vehicle I've owned at some point". Had to read it twice.

    Awesome on the power brakes, I gave mine their first really solid test yesterday, going about 30 I nailed the brakes to see what would happen. Dang it stops fast, faster than any of the modern cars we own.
     
  8. Sep 9, 2018
    neohic

    neohic Gentleman Jeepist

    Woodland Park, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2018
    Messages:
    500
    Not much of an update but I also haven’t really done anything new. I lifted the hood the other day and noticed that the new master cylinder looks like it’s leaking out from the casting and the seal under the cap. All the fittings are tight but there’s enough that the paint is slightly lifted under the master. The casting does look pretty gnarly... might hit it with a file to try and straight edge it, but I can already see pulling it for a replacement. I also have been trying to figure where an oil leak was coming from under the dash. Yup!... from under the dash. Can’t believe I never thought of it until yesterday, but the oil pressure gauge had a drip at the compression fitting.

    As for today, the wife and I took it for a little drive. The leaves are starting to turn up in the mountains. Perfect day in Colorado.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Valentino84, Hellion, melvinm and 4 others like this.
  9. Sep 9, 2018
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,593
    Looks ready for red cone to me!
     
  10. Sep 9, 2018
    neohic

    neohic Gentleman Jeepist

    Woodland Park, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2018
    Messages:
    500
    I think so? Sure does sit nice for a decent picture... not sure I 100% trust Pinky mechanically. Time is still an issue for Red Cone.
     
  11. Sep 9, 2018
    melvinm

    melvinm Member

    Arvada Co. 80003
    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2012
    Messages:
    196
    Could You supply Me with the info on Your Disc Brake Kit .

    Thanks Mel.
     
  12. Sep 9, 2018
    neohic

    neohic Gentleman Jeepist

    Woodland Park, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2018
    Messages:
    500
    Cheap parts put together in a kit from MBM.
     
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2020
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  13. Oct 7, 2018
    neohic

    neohic Gentleman Jeepist

    Woodland Park, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2018
    Messages:
    500
    Has anyone else noticed that the weather is changing? Its been a breezy and chilly weekend at the house and it really got me thinking about what to do with the ol’ Pinkster. Sadly, he’s been neglected over the past month or so. I was trying to think of the last time I drove it and I really had to think. Had a few errands to run today so I used it as an excuse to turn the key. Pretty good lifter clack! Reminds me that I need to change the oil as its been about 800 miles since I rolled in the new bearings.

    As for today, a cold breeze and the all too familiar clunks and rattles from every direction needed to stop. Went to the hardware store and grabbed some weather stripping along with scouring the junk drawer for the only roll of tape in the house.

    Before:

    [​IMG]

    After:

    [​IMG]

    Before:

    [​IMG]

    After:

    [​IMG]

    Slightly hoakey?... you bet! I’m not going to put any addition effort into this tub until I have a plan and a shop of my own to take care of things properly. On that note, I crammed the bikini top into the gap between the tailgate and the hatch.

    [​IMG]

    To finish up the winter prep, I made sure to have my “defrost rag” waiting on standby...

    [​IMG]

    ... and I crawled under it to check on my fuel filter status.

    [​IMG]

    See, I started running two filters after I had some issues with it stalling while driving. Over the past few months after the fuel injection swap it would occasionally die, I’d throw in a new filter, and it’d be fine for a while. Unfortunately, Pinky sat for about five years before even the previous owner let him sit. I added the super cheap plastic filter so I could keep a better eye on things. Call it a pre filter? Anyhow, it looks like I’m due for another soon. I really need to just drop the tank and clean it out.

    As for the engine itself, I’m still not 100% confident with it. Oil pressure has slightly dropped since the bearings. Maybe the cooler weather will help with keeping better oil pressure?... a guy can dream, right?

    [​IMG]
     
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  14. Oct 7, 2018
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,593
    Its not snowing up there yet?
     
  15. Oct 7, 2018
    neohic

    neohic Gentleman Jeepist

    Woodland Park, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2018
    Messages:
    500
    Maybe tonight? Definitely sometime this week. There has been plenty of snow on the mountain for a while. ‘It’s the season, I suppose.
     
    Tom_Hartz likes this.
  16. Oct 7, 2018
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,593
    Yup...thinking its time to put the softtop back on for winter.
     
  17. Nov 25, 2018
    neohic

    neohic Gentleman Jeepist

    Woodland Park, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2018
    Messages:
    500
    Pinky moved a shed today! When I first moved to Colorado I put up a 6x12 shed at my relative’s place to put my shop tools and welders in. Almost two and a half years later and it’s finally in its permanent home!

    [​IMG]
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    [​IMG]

    That little shed has quite a few miles on it now! Pinky did great today. I’m trying not to think about it but the cooler weather has been good for keeping better oil pressure. He was more than happy to get the property one step closer to having a real workshop on it. Hopefully this spring I’ll be building somewhere to permanently keep my shop tools!
     
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  18. Nov 26, 2018
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    I chuckled at your defroster rag.
    A $1 shower squeegee has had permenant residence in every jeep I've owned. They work great!
     
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  19. Nov 26, 2018
    johneyboy03

    johneyboy03 The green beast

    Quebec, Canada
    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2011
    Messages:
    2,115
    I would just put a bigger fuel filter.

    Since TBI use to have a bigger pressure and higher GPM rate than the oem carburator it would clock smaller filter realy fast. Also i would not put two filter, since a filter create restriction in flow and pressure within the system.

    Also i would suggest to move the filter/pump inside the frame rail under the driver seat. This way filter and pump will sit lower than the lower part of the tank giving you a better feed by gravity for the pump. Normaly pump work really better as a pusher...for sucking fuel they are not pretty good..


    As for oil pressure, what type oil do you running?
     
  20. Nov 26, 2018
    neohic

    neohic Gentleman Jeepist

    Woodland Park, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2018
    Messages:
    500
    Rearranging the pump is on my list to do. As for oil, I run 15/40 with Lucas.
     
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