Looking for Profesional Advice

I have a near stock 1969 Jeep CJ-5. Thinking about turning it into a dirt dinger. Curently the steering sucks, the brakes suck, and it leaks/burns some oil. Thinking about droping a V-8 in it, wide track axles, different gears, air lockers, suspension lift kit, ect..... Does anybody know what the "BEST" Modifications are for the ultimate dirt dinger? ie. chevy 350, dana 44's, disc brakes........... Please Help!

 

my advice is that you sell it to someone that wants a mostly stock early cj and by a cheap intermediate to hack up. You'll get more than enough for the '69 to buy an intermediate that is looking for an ambitious owner to modify.

JB

 

By dirt dinger do you mean mud racer, rock crawler or best all around?
My ideal is an early cj with all toyota drivetrain. In my opinion it would be the ultimate lightweight rig. But thats just my opinionR)

 

:iagree: If it's already modified, go for it. But if it's reasonably stock, sell it to somebody that wants a stocker, and buy something cheap and plentiful to build. It's just my opinion, but I think all old stock vehicles should be saved if possible. I don't like seeing '69 Chevelles hacked up and made into race cars either. I'd also take an old stock Harley over the coolest chopper anyday.

 

yea x2, and if you are going to do what your talking about, maby trade out the good steel body to somone who would appreciate it. get a fiberglass its lighter anyways

maby use a cj7, they have a longer wheelbase

yea whatever you do dont hack up perfectly good origional cj5 parts, some of us would kill for them.

 

Mods you'll want -
Disc brakes & Power steering for sure. Those are two things that would be really nice to have. The type of engine, axles, locker, etc. you have will jsu be minor differences compared to a Jeep without disc and p/s IMO.

 

The best modified offroad riggs use tube frames, modified axels, modified engines, ECT.
Leave the stock jeep stock.
When I bought mine it had a bent frame and was not stock.

 

What's your $$ budget for mods? Or, how much are you realistically willing to spend? Do you have the tools to make these mods? And how long do you expect to own the Jeep?
Also, how much time/space is avaliable to you to accomplish your goal(s)? Is there a spouse/family in the picture or no?

Lots of fun questions for you, I know; but real concerns that have to be asked. Eagerly awaiting your reply to each.
-Alan

 

I agree with most everyone about keeping what you have mostly stock. If you want anything serious for offroad, I would go with a newer model. Either a Wrangler or at least a CJ7. Either way, you will probably need a boxed frame. Cheapest way is probably going with a Chevy 350/350 turbo, but I like the automatic for serious offroad. As for axles, go with a 14 bolt Chevy rear and try to find a Dana 60 front or at least a 44. You will have to outboard the springs so I would stretch the wheelbase a little while you are already fabbin parts. Some of the rigs handle pretty good with hydraulic steering, but for what you are talking about doing, you may just want to go with power steering. There are all kinds of mods you can do but it all depends on your budget. But then again, I am more of a slow rock crawler than a dirt racer.

How much do you have to spend????

 

Yeah, I'd say a YJ Wrangler - they can be found relatively cheap, and are new enough that you won't have to fix everything to get them back to running condition. The longer wheelbase of the Wrangler or CJ-7 is more popular today becasue of the much larger diameter of modern off-road tires. Breakover angle is not as much of an issue, so the very short wheelbase CJ-5 is considered less desirable. Plus your choice of drivetrains is much wider with a longer wheelbase, because of the restrictions imposed by driveshaft length. Unless you love the CJ-5 for what it is, it doesn't make much sense to build up a CJ-5, IMHO.

 

stick with the newer for "dinging" and keep the 5 in good shape.
parts for the yj are everywhere, but if you want mod parts for the older 5, itll be rough to find/make. plus, as stated, the wider wheel base and longer from the 7 or the yj will help you alot. right now my dad is selling a cj7 with the 304/turbo 400. so they are out there if you are looking.
but keep the 5 in good condition bud.