First Jeep build! Here we go...

I used a chain hoist attached to the front hoop on my rollbar to heave mine up when I still had the body on. They're pretty cheap at HF. I used a tree saver around the tranny and a red strap hooked to the rear of the t-case to adjust the angle of the dangle.

 

Good idea and I think my buddy has a hoist. Thanks.

 

Did you remove your...ummm....whatever that cover plate is with the shifter holes in it? I was thinking of doing that to make things go a little smoother for me.

 

Well FINALLY she is sitting on her new axles, suspention, wheels and tires. Well the tires aint new but you know. Anyways, she is raked a little more then I would like in the front so once I get the fuel tank and tank skid bolted back up i will see where she sits and adjust from there.


This is how far I ended up pulling the front axle forward.

 

Wow, looking great man! The tires look good too. Definitely take out the floor pans. It'll make your life a lot easier. Also, get yourself s couple (or 3) bolts the same size as your tranny mounting bolts (if your bellhousing is already on the back of the engine) but about 4" long. Cut the heads off so you now have studs. Screw them into the bellhousing and use them to align the tranny as you slide it in. They also help keep you from kncking the throwout bearing out of the fork. If your bell is attached to the tranny you can do the same thing with some bolts cut for the bellhousing. Once you try this you'll never do one any other way.

 

Thanks for the advise. I cant use my t15 bellhousing due to its depth but my 435 already has a bell on it now. I figure I will do that trick to the lower bolt on either side of the block when I do it. I do have a question though, I got a custom pilot bushing from novak for that tranny. I know this may sound dumb but......how do I go about putting that in? Do i need to take the clutch off to do it? And thanks for the compliment. Im hoping once i get my tranny in it will add a little weight to the rear and level her out a little bit more. The 33's are a bit small looking now haha so a set of 36's will be next on the list. Im just sort of at a loss now with how to mount my shocks.

 

I've only delt with automatics up untill now so what do you mean by grease or wet paper towel method? And for trannys, I currently have a t15 which I am replacing with a ford np435

 

You pack the center of the old pilot bushing with grease, get a dowel or a bolt close in size to the hole in the pilot bushing and pound it in. As you drive the bolt/dowel in it will push out the old bushing. I've only used grease to do this (the heavier the better) but you can also use wet paper towels. Simple, but it works great.

 

Sounds good to me. I'll have to give it a whirl once I get that tranny dropped. Thanks.

 

Didn't get anything done on her today since it POURED for the first time in months and since I failed to wash the underside before I started working on it, I had clay/gravel mud from La Grange OHV everywhere. (Anyone in california who has wheeled at La Grange knows what I mean) So when it rained, i developed my very own mud pit around the jeep. I had a feeling it was going to rain even though weather said no. I did, however get my tube fenders ordered. My fenders are messed up anyways and now the passenger one is REALLY tore up from my little fit of rage the other day. Hopefully they come in soon. More to come so stay tuned.

 

Well, I got my new bushings in yesterday for my leaf springs and started installing those. Old was had almost no outer edge left on them. As I have stated before, my front end is sitting a good 1.5 inches or so lower in the front then in the rear ( I will measure and find out for sure later today) and was wondering wha the best way of leveling her out or getting it close, would be? I dont want to go longer shackles becasue mine are already bout to the limit of my likeing. I was thinking putting a small block in the front once I get my tranny and fuel tank and skid mounted to see where it is at but have heard that putting even an inch block in the front is not a good idea. Any thoughts? Also, does anyone know what size the steering wheel nut is on a '72 cj5?

 

You do not want to put a block in the front. My suggestion is to add another leaf into the front spring pack. I am not sure if you have any left over leafs from some other spring packs but I am sure 1 more mid length spring added to the pack should work to lift it that bit with little ill effects to ride. The front of your Jeep is heavier than the back and you have the same springs on all four corners. That is why you are 1.5" lower in the front. Good luck with the project.
Greg

 

Yuo can always have the front Re-Arched

 

Could you shorten the rear shackles? Personally I would wait until everything is bolted up and drive it around a bit before you make any decisions on the leveling. Once you have a full tank of gas, spare tire and camping gear, the rear may settle. My Rancho springs sit a bit high in the rear with no load, but once it's all loaded up it is actually higher in the front.

 

Ya im not going to change anything untill its all bolted up and I drive it for a bit. I prefer it to sit a little high in the rear anyways but its a little much now. My n9435/dana300 combo is ALOT heavier then the t15/Dana20 combo thats in it now plus I have a 3/16ths full skid with sides being make for the fuel tank (which is not even in at the moment) so im sure it will settle a little bit. I thought alot Thompology about re-arching them but dont want to spend the money and thanks greg for your input because i really didn't want to block the front. I will probably (if its still too low in the front) add a leaf to the front of her when its done. I thought about dropping the bottom thick leaf out of the rear but want to keep it to help with wrap.

 

I didn't see you mention it anywhere, but what are you doing with the D44 you pulled out of the rear? I am looking for one that would be a good builder or just for parts.

 

I sold them actually the day after I started my build. You needing a t15 and dana20???? haha

 

Thanks but no. I have a t-15 that I can't seem to give away.