New 74 CJ5 backwoods beater on a budget build (lotsa B's!)

I picked up another CJ5, this time a 74 (last one was a 79). This one is in much better shape than the last and it was cheaper! I didn't really have the funds to start a new build up, but as you will see, I was able to sell a few parts that came with it to almost pay for the original purchase......

This build will be done on a strict (well, almost) budget. It's main purpose will be to live out it's life parked next to my cabin in northern Michigan. My cabin is right off a firetrail that grants me access to hundreds of miles of trails. I've been eyeing up the Kawasaki Mules, Rhinos and such and decided I could build a CJ a heck of alot cheaper, it's more comfortable, pretty much the same width and more fun to build!!

Here are some details on the Jeep as purchased:

- I-232 with only 36,000 miles on it (the jeep has not been plated in over 30 years)
- driver's and passenger's floors are gone (of coarse) but easily repairable.
- Most of the body mounts are still in good shape
- the frame is clean!
- Full metal Meyer's hard top and doors (which I sold and almost paid for the whole purchase!)
-original seats and mounting brackets in good shape
- runs excellent (after full tune up. Had a Montgomery Ward's oil filter and hadn't been changed in 20 years!!)
- drivetrain in excellent / funcitonal shape
- well, it does need a new clutch (PO included it in the purchase)

So to date:

- I've pulled the rear axle (Dana 44 3.73) apart and welded the spiders
- replaced the rear wheel cylinders and adjusters (broke stuff pulling the axle shafts out). The shoes were like new so I didn't replace them (again, the budget thing).
- The shocks were shot, so on recommendation from someone on the site, I picked up a 2" add a leaf lift including shocks for $208 and installed that. I splurged and bought all new U-bolts cuz I HATE trying to remove old U-bolts. The cut off saw is so much more effective!
-I gave the old girl a full tune up including points, condenser, plugs, wires, cap, rotor, 2 oil changes (drove a mile and changed it again), fuel filter, chaged the fluids in TC, trans, and both axles. I still need to drain the cooling system.
- I picked up a set of 34"x9.5 Swampers in great shape and a set of 6" rims with brand new tires on them (which I sold for more than I paid for the rim/ tire combo!)
-I bought a full soft top and 2 piece doors for $50 (the top needs to be restiched but the fabric is in great shape!)
-pulled the psuedo roll bar. I like the clean look of no bar and I won't be doing and crazy wheeling plus this will never see 50mph again in it's life...

Next on the list of things to do is body work. I'm gonig to trim the fenders (rust cancer plus more room for tires up front) and I need to replace the floors. I'll keep the pics coming as I make progress....I'll also post a full price breakdown of the project (I have it done at work but forgot to send it to my home email address). I'm hoping when all is said and done, I will have less than $1000 into it.

As purchased


As it sits today:

 

I like the stance of this jeep. It looks cool with the Swampers.

 

That's an "interesting" sheetmetal repair on the front fenders. I guess you don't just unbolt them to remove anymore. Looks like a fun project.

 

Great find for a rust belt special there is nothing but fun...Wishing for a early Spring for you up there in the Michigan. Got family in Grand Rapids and it is what you call bone cold up there.

 

Not too much to report other than scoring an aluminum half cab that is for a 76 and up and not for mine. Not exactly sure what I'm going to do with it yet.

I did cut the old muffler and tailpipe out and replace it with an old fashioned Thrush cherry bomb ($32) and a side outlet pipe ($8.00). At least now it doesn't sound like a heap!

I did fill up the gas tank a couple weeks ago and discover a leaky tank. I only had to syphon 1 gallon to make it stop leaking, so I'm hoping it was just the seal on top. Of coarse I need to pull the tank for that repair and why not spend the $92 for a new tank at that point....

I also found out at that my Dana 20 TC has a front pinion seal leak. I ordered a new seal kit and will probably just pull the TC and replace all the seals at this piont.....

If it's one thing I've learned, don't touch anyting on these old jeeps if you don't want to repair it!!

I'm still under $500 for the build and pretty close to havingthe drivetrain / suspension updated and in 100% working order.

I plan on getting the mechanics 100%+ this year, wheeling the heck out of it, and replacing the tub over next winter.

 

Time for a brief update. I replaced the coil and cleaned up every electrical connection. Wow, what a difference that made in how it runs. Smooth as silk and starts instantly. No more hesitation on acceleration either.

I'm starting to do some body work. I'll use the term loosly as this is a trail beater only. I'm removing as much rust as possible and replacing it with good metal, but I'm not worried about smoothing out the edges with filler. Weld it up and grind the big gobs off, primer and spray it with the olive drab. Front clip is pretty much done. Time to work on the floor wells and then on to the rest of the tub. Floors seem to scare some people, but they are soooooo easy to replace. This one is actually in better shape than my last CJ5 was....