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Supertrooper's CJ5 build

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by supertrooper, Oct 15, 2010.

  1. May 23, 2017
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2003
    Messages:
    8,564
    Looking good.
    I saw your jeep a couple years ago in the garage.
    It's come a long way.
    Finishing a project is the hardest part.
     
    supertrooper likes this.
  2. May 23, 2017
    supertrooper

    supertrooper Member

    moreno valley, ca
    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2007
    Messages:
    830
    There isnt a latch since i don't want the carrier to swing down. I have a bolt going through the tailgate chain bracket with the bushings on each side to allow a little movement between the carrier and body.
     
  3. May 24, 2017
    erhuff

    erhuff Western MA

    Western MA
    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2011
    Messages:
    190
    Got it. I am leaning towards adding a tire carrier so i can put my rear seat back in and I liked your idea. I will be interested to see how the tailgate latches hold up to the stress/weight of the tire.
     
  4. Jun 2, 2017
    supertrooper

    supertrooper Member

    moreno valley, ca
    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2007
    Messages:
    830
    I insured and registered the cj today. I drove it around town and put about 20 miles on it. I need to get used to not having self canceling turn signals and the shift pattern having reverse where im used to having first. Last night i readjusted the toe and it tracks better but steerings a little twitchy. I think its the caster angle but i need to get to an alignment shop to know for sure.
     
    47v6, jpflat2a, Walt Couch and 2 others like this.
  5. Jun 3, 2017
    masscj2a

    masscj2a Member 2023 Sponsor

    Ware, Mass
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2013
    Messages:
    743
    Very nice. I will have to check out those compcams items.
     
    supertrooper likes this.
  6. Jun 3, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2014
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    7,541
    Awesome!
     
    supertrooper likes this.
  7. Jun 14, 2017
    supertrooper

    supertrooper Member

    moreno valley, ca
    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2007
    Messages:
    830
    So far i have put around 110-115 miles on the cj. I have driven it around town and to work a couple times and haven't had any problems and its running good. Im glad i pulled leafs from the spring packs, its no Cadillac but the ride isnt too stiff or uncomfortable either.

    There are a couple small things that need sorting out. First is the gas gauge is reading 3/4 full when i topped off the tank. The autometer gauge is the correct ohm range for the sender. Maybe bending the float arm a little will make it read correctly. Second, there sounds like an exhaust leak on the driver side collector. When i looked under the jeep i found that the muffler balloned and was leaking around the rolled seams on both ends top and bottom. I guess it was damage from those exhaust backfires i was having last month. I already cut of the tail pipe and flange, just need to pick up a new muffler tomorrow.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jul 1, 2017
  8. Jun 14, 2017
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2003
    Messages:
    8,564
    That's a wall hanger.
     
  9. Aug 20, 2017
    supertrooper

    supertrooper Member

    moreno valley, ca
    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2007
    Messages:
    830
    I have around 400 miles on the cj and its running good and i havent had any issues. I was a ittle nervous the first time i took it on the freeway but it cruises at 70mph just fine. Im happy with it so farw but i have added a few little things for convenience sake.

    I was tired of using a stick or bungee cord to hold the passenger seat up when going into the tool box so i picked up a gas strut and made a bracket then used a couple heim joints and came up with this.
    [​IMG]

    I added a dome light and a external CB speaker to the front cage hoop.
    [​IMG]

    The only convenient place for a cup holder was between the seats on the cross bar. I found this one on amazon for 6 bucks shipped. Its stainless and made for boats so i dont think rust will be a problem leaving unpainted.
    [​IMG]

    I found a universal rammount phone cradle on sale so i bought it so i can use my phone as a gps.
    [​IMG]

    Lastly, the square rugged ridge later model cj mirrors would shake while driving so bad thay were almost usless. I found these ones for 11 bucks each at a shop that sell parts for desert race trucks and buggies. The field of view is a little smaller but i cant actually see whats behind me now.
    [​IMG]
     
  10. Aug 21, 2017
    GraySkies

    GraySkies Always late, never finished...

    Western Washington
    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2012
    Messages:
    63
    I like your gas strut adaptation for the seat. Pretty cool idea.

    You said it was a little twitchy in an earlier post. Did you get the alignment/caster angle sorted out? What was the solution?
     
    cadwelder likes this.
  11. Aug 21, 2017
    supertrooper

    supertrooper Member

    moreno valley, ca
    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2007
    Messages:
    830
    I think its was a combination of having a little to much toe in and not be used to driving a vehicle with such a short wheelbase. I readjusted the toe and after some time behind the wheel the steering doesn't feel twitchy anymore.
     
    CJ Ollie and 47v6 like this.
  12. Aug 21, 2017
    browncoat

    browncoat Member

    Maitland Australia
    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2016
    Messages:
    410
    Had similar steering issues myself Supertrooper, when I first got on the road it was heavy to steer and inclined to dart off track and follow ruts, the toe in measurement seemed OK.
    But, over a short time I got used to it to some extent.
    When it was later checked the castor angle on mine was only 1.2 degrees so I put first some 2 degree wedges and tried that, then some 3 degree wedges in and found a huge difference in handling overall.

    Oh and great minds and all that, I did a similar gas strut on the seat in my one as well.(y)
     
  13. Sep 26, 2017
    Bajatransit

    Bajatransit Member

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2016
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    51
  14. Sep 27, 2017
    supertrooper

    supertrooper Member

    moreno valley, ca
    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2007
    Messages:
    830
    Im really happy with the radiator so far. Last month i was driving on the freeway at 70mph and it was 110* out side and it was starting to run a little hot. I got off the freeway and when cruising at 45-50mph it cooled back down. Other than that it stays cool even in city traffic
     
    Bajatransit likes this.
  15. Feb 10, 2018
    supertrooper

    supertrooper Member

    moreno valley, ca
    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2007
    Messages:
    830
    I finally got around to getting a winch. Its a smittbilt xrc 9500. i would have preferred an old warn but for $300 out the door it was hard to pass up. I already had a free universal winch mounting plate i was given several years ago so i started mocking up the winch. I wanted the mounting plate flush with the top of the bumper but looks like i need to space it up a little to clear the steering box.
    [​IMG]

    Last weekend my neighbors son in law gave me an old oxy acetylene torch kit and tanks. I cleaned them up and checked the seals and regulator diaphragms and it looks like nothing needs to be replaced. Everything in the torch kit has made in usa markings which in nice since i have read that the newer firepower branded kits are made in china now.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  16. Feb 10, 2018
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Veradale, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,759
    Nice score!!!!
     
  17. Feb 11, 2018
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2003
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    Always nice to have fire around when you need it.
     
    supertrooper likes this.
  18. Feb 16, 2018
    supertrooper

    supertrooper Member

    moreno valley, ca
    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2007
    Messages:
    830
    I finished intalling and wiring the winch today, just need to pull out the cable and spool it up with tension. I also bought a Spartan locker for the front axle. Im going to put it in this weekend but im not looking forward to tearing down the axle to install it.

    [​IMG]
     
    ITLKSEZ likes this.
  19. Mar 25, 2018
    supertrooper

    supertrooper Member

    moreno valley, ca
    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2007
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    830
    So, yesterday i was driving the jeep and it started to get a little difficult to shift into second and third. A couple minutes later it wouldnt go into second at all and third wanted to grind. Luckily i was only 4 miles from home so i immediately turned around and limped back home in first.

    Today i pulled the shift tower to get a look inside the transmission. The fluid was about an inch below the fill plug. I put a telescoping magnet into the fluid and thus is what i found.
    [​IMG]
    The paper towel on the left is what came off the drain plug and the one on the right is from sticking a magnet in the fluid. I drained the trans and transfercase this was is the drain pan.
    [​IMG]

    Looks like all the teeth on the transmission gears are intact and i didnt find any larger pieces of metal (yet) so im hoping the gears and shafts are going to be reusable. I still dont know how much metal made it into the transfercase but i will probably have to replace all the bearings in it as well at least.
     
  20. Mar 26, 2018
    givemethewillys

    givemethewillys Been here since sparky ran it. 2022 Sponsor

    New Kent, VA
    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2005
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    2,080
    Yikes! Hope it ends up being an easy fix
     
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