Grill / Radiator Support Rods

Can't find a thread to help me with this so here goes. My 71 CJ5 radiator/grill support rods are missing and I would like to fabricate some replacements. Looking at any available pictures I can find, it looks like the rods have a bend in them that looks like they come at different points along the rods depending on what side they're on, driver or passenger. Can anyone provide me some dimensions? For instance how long each rod is and at what point the bend occurs (and if you can give me an idea of how severe the bend is that would be great). I've got all the parts to fab something up pretty easily, just don't want to bend his nose out of shape.... Thanks in advance for any help or pix.

 

Unless you've already got the material on hand, here's some for $10 + the ride...

http://www.earlycj5.net/forums/showthread.php?98200-Parting-Out-66-CJ5-Wyoming-82414/page2

Might be cheaper than fabrication, and it's original equipment and sure to fit.

-WRM

 

here you go. 3/8" diam, fine thread.

passenger side
[/IMG]
[/IMG]
[/IMG]
[/IMG]


driver side
[/IMG]
[/IMG]
[/IMG]
[/IMG]

overall

[/IMG]

both sides measure about 27.25 to 27.50", end to end.

 

Thanks WRM, I saw those too, but they're different in a 66 than in a 71.

 

are those rods really needed? i bought my cjwith fiberglass tub from po. i've never had any on there?

 

Thanks Grant, that's what I needed.

 

You might want to check with Nickmil on whether they are different or not. Or one of the other certified mechanic types. I thought they were supposed to be straight like the ones in the picture: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v445/johnyjeep/66 CJ5/grillesupportrods.jpg And '66 was the first year of the V-6. The '71 is still a short-hood, right? I've only had the F134 models and don't know if that particular part is different or not.

 

The rods are original, been in the jeep since new. Kevin's is a 71 like mine, with the v6. May be one of things amc changed if it is different from earlier versions, but i know this jeep is original.

 

I didn't think AMC changed anything until the I-6 was installed instead of the v-6.

 

I don't know if the rods are different but the width of the radiator is different on the 71 than on my 67. I am not sure when the radiator mount on the back of the grille changed for the wide radiator.

Kevin, you are welcome to come by and look at mine. I will be underneath it all day tomorrow. ojgrsoi@swbell.net

 

Are they both V-6 models?

 

Yup, earlier ones were different. They were tube that had been swaged down then threaded. Kind of an odd design. Later were like was show. I'm guessing they changed with the later wider radiator but don't know that for certain. I know my '57 restoration and my '59 were both the earlier style. The Daughter's late '69 is the style shown and has the wider radiator.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Now ya got me curious. I always thought they were rods.

 

I've seen both styles. Never tried to decipher and time line or reasoning to the change. Easier and cheaper to make the later style, I'd imagine.

 

I made my support rods from 1936 Ford rods.

[/IMG]

 

Very nice shot, Scott.

I still want to see you put that Colorado 5 into an ECJ!
How does the length compare to an F134?

 

I'd send you a PM, but I can't seem to. Don't want to high jack this tread.

 

I built the grill / radiator supports based on pics provided by Grant. The supports for the 71's have several bends in them so not 100% positive I got the angles right...

Used some 1/2" all-thread and welded tabs on the firewall-ends. Didn't like the look of the all-thread so covered threads with some heat-shrink and painted the tab ends black with a rattle can.

Driver's side support looks good but passenger side looks a little funny...perhaps too close to the center-line and should have been angled over to fender further??? One trick that was useful is that the all-thread doesn't like to be bent and then re-bent. So I used a couple wire coat hangers and bent them into the shapes I thought they should be. Once I got them how I wanted, I used them as templates to make the bends on the all-thread. Helped a lot. This was a very inexpensive solution using stuff found in the shop and about an hours time.

Here I'm laying out the coat hanger wire.


Finished product from top-down view.

 

Kevin,

Check you PM box, not sure if the messages are getting to you.

Here are a couple more pics. I think your passenger side is off a little.

 

Just went out and looked (I have limited mobility now)

I have the early hollow type, which measure just under 28 inches end to end.