Started My ECJ5 Build

Yup. That's the hard part. Hang in there and don't rush it


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OK, so did some work today. I got the YJ dash panel fitted, along with the YJ defrost duct and dash pad. I ran into an issue with the YJ interior master cylinder bracket not being where it needed to so the steering column does not line up with the stock mounting. The column is about 4 inches to the right in the original ECJ5 location, I can get the left side of the column mount on the right side of the master cylinder bracket / pedal reinforcement thing. So I will need to fab up a steering column mount and tie that into the dash and cowel for good support. The speedo and tach gauge cluster fits in the Y dash along with the lights switches. I will still use the Summit heater instead of the YJ unit and its cumbersome controls.

I will use the YJ intermediate steering shaft as that connects to the YJ column and YJ steering box. The Borgensen shaft does not connect to the column. I need to trim some material off the left side motor mount for the shaft clearance, and move the triangulation support to the rear of the motor mount. The YJ column is shorter than the postal column that was in there previously.

I am thinking about using YJ high back seats, but I'm gonna have to customize the YJ seat brackets and remove the passenger side tool box.

If I was to do this again, I'd cut up a YJ tub, use the cowel portion/front of the Yj tub and graft the back half of a ECJ5 tub to the YJ tub, would have been a TON easier.

I AM FINISHING THIS BY THE SPRING, AND I WILL BE ON THE TRAILS. I hope to do a long distance trip towing this behind my Commander this year. Rubicon, TDS ( I'd like to meet up with Trasberg, and the Pumpkin Bros again), Moab, or somewhere in Colorado is calling my name. Then again, I'd love to take the wife down to New Mexico for relocation viewing......... Santa Fe, Las Cruces..... anyone?????


And I've clearly decided to get me some TSL or LTB Swampers for the trails, and keep my BFG AT's for street use. Its not me, without Swampers.

 

Oh crap, just looked at my original post date, this is nearing four years.......

 

OK, so finally some updated pics:

Dana 300 with the NP231 speedo input installed, perfect fit. the retainer nut broke off, so I had to drill it out and tap the hole.


If blending old and new offends you, then look away, far far away:


Here's the position of the seats with my current set up, just enough belly room. I reach the pedals just fine, and I looks functional.


This shows the position of the AX5 shifter in the stock floor pan, pretty close to original. You can also see the fanagled brake and clutch pedal positions, plenty of pedal movement.
I need to fab up the right side steering column mount. I can use the bottom of the dash, and I need to patch in the piece I cut out.


Here' a lieft side shot with the ECM mounted to the right side up next to the radiator, and the power distribution block all mounted up in front of the YJ battery holder.


Obligatory right side shot: the fuse box is going to have to be mounted to the left side of the master cylinder from this angle, or if inside the Jeep looking at the dash to the right o the steering column.




enjoy

 

and yes, if you are really keen eyed, the steering column is mounted upside down, so I'm going to have to switch the wires for the left and right blinkers.

 

Looking good my friend. Wish I could motivate myself to get out to the garage and work on my junk.

 

Had to cut up the Wrangler gauge pod and separate the speedo from the tach. But saved the printed wiring and got the gauges in the dash. I really need to order the 21 spline input for the Dana 300 from Novak so I can button this up, and order me a battery.

 

Finished the dash / steering wheel mounts tied that into the dash, and using the Yj steering wheel mount that goes on the cowel/floor. Need to get a radio mounting kit so I can mount the radio in the dash. I'll need to make a cover plate for the dash to cover the holes by the steering column, I figure a sheet of aluminum will work nicely, and be easy to mount some switches in, like for the heater, auxillary lights, cigarette lighter for a GPS unit, and a few other trinkets.

Looking at some aftermarket heated seat kits also, anyone got any recommendations on those?

 

OMG GAWD A YJ DASH! BARF! Just Kidding..Amc did a good enough job with the yj dash that it lasted how many years? I always liked it..

Cool build!

 

Well finally back at it. Re-did the steering wheel mount to the YJ dash, mounted the YJ fuse box and started snapping the wire connections back together. Got the steering shaft in place, BUT I need to re-do the driver's side motor mount now. Got the roof re-attached to the windshield. And will work on the tail light wiring tomorrow. I broke the reservoir for the power steering pump..... Gauges installed, speedo, tach, temp, oil, etc. Need to find a generic radio mounting kit for the YJ dash. Will post pics Sunday.

 

I must have one of them "master" ignition cylinders, as the key for my daughter's XJ also works in the YJ column, lucky me......

 

Is that the one that lets take the key out while you're wheeling?

My Jeep has that, its great!

 

No, the key can't be pulled out, that could be handy, and maybe not so handy.

Hate to have Johnny Law roll up on me, and have no key in the ignition, that may get him to scratching his head....

 

OK, finished up the wiring, got the Novak adapter dry fitted with the t-case in place. Turned the key and she starts and runs!!!!!

All the wiring works, but got no headlights. Checked the 30 amp fuse in the power distribution box, and switched the head light switch and still nothing, (this is a '94 YJ wiring harness). All the gauges work, and reverse lights and blinkers.

 

Isn't there usually a relay also for the headlights? Also, if you have an ignition switch that also locks the steering wheel, you might want to modify that. I removed (cut off?) the pin that locks the steering wheel in case I managed to loose the key out in the woods I could still hotwire it to get it running. If the steering wheel is locked all that gets you is a big circle.

 

I'll have to look at the wiring diagrams. I plugged in the whole YJ harness, gauges, steering wheel, engine, transmission, fuel pump, radiator, power steering pump. If the relay is in the harness, then its in there, or should be, i'll have to look for it.

Things to do:

Get the gas pedal mounted, need to cut a square hole in the floor pan for the pedal cable.
Need to mount the seats
Need to mount the front fenders, and set up the removable hinges for those
Mount the spare tire carrier
Mount the rear bumperettes
Bend the D300 shifter to clear the AX5 shifter, mount the shifter boots
Get the XJ driveshafts cut to length and rebuilt, and change the yokes on the D300

 

Oh,

I need to mount the under dash heater vents
Mount the radio and TJ speaker pods , and then wire the in cab lights to a switch
Mount the ARB switch mount plate and cigar lighter
Install glove box
Tidy up the fuel lines and solid mount the fuel filter
Make and exhaust
Make the tranny/t-case mount and skid plate, the CJ5 one won't work
Pick up a CB radio and antenna
Mount the second fire extinguisher

 

Ok so its been a while with no pics, but I have made a bit of progress:

I picked up an old CJ tire carrier, flipped it so it pivots on the drover side. I cut off the wheel mount and need to weld on a plate, so the tire is higher and too the left of center. that fat black thingee to the left is the fuel filler inlet.... With the receiver mount, I'll be able to tow my little 12 foot bass boat to and fro little lakes. My son and I rocked on Saturday, hooked 24 fish, kept six, 5 Crappie, and 1 Bass. The large Crappie was about 13", coated them in crumbs and spices, cut them into two bite nuggets and deep fried them.. MMM, MMMM good.

The trail / jamboree rack is gonna be high up there, but I can only fit stuff where it can fit.



Dash pic, with the glove box in, and the Summit under dash heater vents. Sure its not an Early steel dash, and I'll miss my two glove box set up, and I've lost a bit of that old charm, but all the gauges work.... (my gas gauge read full, and it's onlty about 1/4 full, so I gotta look into that.



Floor pan where the AX5 and D300 shifters come through



Engine pics, showing left and right side, and re-done driver side engine mount to clear the steering shaft, yellow top in, ARB compressor in and connected.





Opener and winch line hook holder.....
Oh, and replacement SS mirror heads for bother sides....




Stopped by the military paraphenalia store.....



The brown lunch bag holds moth balls to keep the nibbling critters at bay.

 

Done:
Headlights are now working.
Finished fabbing / welding the spare tire carrier up, plus its initial coat of paint.
Panel for the cigar lighter, ARB switches and heater control ready to mount.


Next:
Rear bumperettes to go on tomorrow, and work on the gas pedal install.
Front parking lights need to be put together, mating YJ socket to CJ buckets (lots of glue).

 

Done:
Exhaust system in place.
Spare tire carrier mounted. Now need to replace the YJ tail lights with recessed units, already have some 4" round ones.