75 Cj5 Rebuild Questions

Been working a 75 cj5 for about a month now. Got it stripped and sandblasted, frame painted and tub primed. Almost got the rolling chassis ready once my motor comes back. Just trying to stay ahead on parts. Previous owner installed a body lift that won't go back on. He added length to the steering shaft. The lower coupler on the steering is worn out. I can't find a basic replacement shaft. 76 and up are around a hundred bucks with both joints. With the 76 work? It has power steering. Also what's a good clutch? Engine is a 304 with slight increase in hp. 1 more thing, I replaced the transmission bushing on the 3 speed. The round bushings have slop in them. Old ones were so worn out I couldn't make much of them. I feel like I'm making good headway but gonna spend more money than I intended and probably take longer than anticipated to finish completely. This is one of the best forums I've run across for old jeeps!

 

Here's a couple of pics showing the flop in the transmission bushing. Probably 1/4 inch up and down and sided to side movement. Is this normal?

 

That looks pretty good to me. From what I understand that bushing/Mount is more of a torque arrestor rather than a full on mount. Mine is a brand new bushing (yours look pretty new too) and that’s exactly how mine look.

 

Good deal! Thanks. What you going to do for a steering shaft on your build? Flaming river makes some but there about 300 bucks. The factory looking shafts for the 76 and up are alot cheaper in the 100 to 150 range. Not sure if they will work though.

 

The steering column shaft or the one that goes from the column to the box? I have both my originals. I just got new joints and couplers for them.

How did the PO add length? Can you shorten the shaft and just get a new coupler?

I’m not sure spline count on the PS box or shaft ends. But if you could figure them out (and length too) you would be able to know if a 76 and up shaft would work. For the shaft that mounts to the box at least. Shaft in the steering column 76 and up is totally different.

There is a few shops around my area that make stuff in house like that. You may be able to find one around your area too.

 

The shaft that goes from the column to the box. The p.o. Just cut and added a peice. I'm pretty decent welder but just not crazy about welding on the steering parts. I may try counting the splines like you suggest and see if a new one matches up.

 

What I would do if I was you was find a thick walled steel pipe with the exact I.D. to slip over the steering shaft, cut the shaft back down to length, maybe blow a couple tack welds on the shaft sections and grind them smooth, then slip a foot long section of that pipe over the splice and roll a bead all the way around on each end of the pipe. That would be more than good enough in my mind.

Only issues I can foresee is

one, warping the shaft when welding, but if your a decent welder you shouldn't have a problem. Just keep it as cool as possible. Take some time in between beads and do a bead on one end and jump to the other and back and forth.

And two, I know sometimes there's some clearance issues on the headers with the steering shafts. Or clearance with something else. I know a bfh usually makes a big enough dent in a header tube to clear the shaft. Or if it's something else maybe it can be re routed or moved. But then again the outer pipe wouldn't come the far off the original shaft.

 

I would just purchase a new shaft and joints.......They are not that expensive and will look a lot better. JMHO.

 

I have a 75 CJ. The mount on the tranny is a torque affair. It works but breaks a lot. I was constantly changing it. A friend had a 73 and his was an issue as well. I got tired of fighting mine and replaced it with something bulletproof. Here is what I used.

Universal Transmission Crossmember Kit

 

I may have to try that. I just don't see how the factory mounts will hold up behind a hopped up 304.

 

They don't..