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Seeking Comfort And Cool Factor...

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Jeb Wahlstrom, Dec 10, 2018.

  1. Dec 10, 2018
    Jeb Wahlstrom

    Jeb Wahlstrom New Member

    Ogilvie
    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2018
    Messages:
    5
    My '63 CJ5 drives pretty well for its age and considering it's mostly stock. But, I'm seeking to make it more comfortable and make it more capable off road. I'm not looking to spend a lot on it now as I plan on completely restoring it down the road - for now I'm seeking some ideas to make it more comfortable and generally just better. Any ideas are appreciated!
     
  2. Dec 10, 2018
    scott milliner

    scott milliner Master Fabricator

    Seattle Wa.
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    Dec 17, 2002
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    Power steering or power brakes?
     
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  3. Dec 10, 2018
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
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    Wheelhouse notch.

    [​IMG]
     
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  4. Dec 10, 2018
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    Jul 18, 2013
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    Upgrade brakes and steering for easier driving. Upgrade seats and heater for passenger comforts. Upgrade leaf springs to softride for ride comfort. Brakes and heater are probably the most cost conscious and don't require too much fab work (well for 10 or 11" drum brakes). Springs aren't cheap, but its an easy upgrade in terms of work - and possibly the one that has improved my ride quality more than anything else. Seats can really help if yours are toast - but options might be a bit limited or need a bit of fab work for the seat frames. If you don't mind fab work, then steering or power brakes is a big step. Also, new tires designed for your intended use and keeping the air pressure a bit lower than you might think goes a long way to improving ride quality.
     
    Last edited: Dec 11, 2018
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  5. Dec 10, 2018
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
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    Sep 17, 2009
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    From the thread title, I was going to say buy a JL---------------

    James covered it well. For comfort, it is hard to surpass a decent set of suspension seats.
     
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  6. Dec 10, 2018
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Aug 3, 2003
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    How long have you owned it? Your expectations may be higher at first, but with time you may be able to enjoy a jeep for being it's true spartan self. They didn't win their lasting worldwide reputation by being built for comfort or speed. Just the opposite.

    Even my '88 YJ Wrangler is incredibly primitive by today's standards - but some how we managed back then.

    "Cool factor?" What can be cooler than owning the vehicle that won WWII? (y)
     
    Last edited: Dec 10, 2018
  7. Dec 10, 2018
    Bowbender

    Bowbender I'm workin' on it!

    Northern Minn.
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    Nov 14, 2014
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    561
    I see you just joined the forum yesterday- Welcome! If you hang around for a while, the "inspiration" will come.
     
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  8. Dec 11, 2018
    Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I live South of...
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    Welcome form Michigan. Only you will be able to make those decisions, it will depend on how Tall you are, and your size. Jeeps are small for todays people. People were smaller in the 40's and 50's, so Jeeps are small for the larger American. I am only 5'6" now, was 5"8", either way I fit OK. That is why Buildfly said the notch the wheel wells, to give you more leg room. Next I would drive it, to see what you enjoy about it, and what you don't care for about it. What are your plans for it? I use mine for Cruising the two lanes, and Forest viewing, so I used mostly original type equipment, springs, shocks, tires, motor, trans, transfer case. and so on. All of that depends on what you have to start with, the axel ratio will tell what tires you will want, what you want to do with it will count too. The guys here will help you make your decisions, they can answer any of your questions and give you solid advice from experience. Good Luck what ever you decide.
     
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  9. Dec 11, 2018
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
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    My suggestion is a manual Saginaw steering update at the minimum. Go with power steering if you want it to be even better. That old manual ross box is a pain at slow, of roading speeds.
     
  10. Dec 11, 2018
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Whatever you do, try to get it done one thing at a time, complete each small step, and keep it running meanwhile. Best to drive it for a time before even beginning any mods.

    It's no fun to get it all torn apart, spread on the garage floor, and never be able to drive it again. All too common though.
     
  11. Dec 11, 2018
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
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    So very true
     
  12. Dec 11, 2018
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Since it's driveable already I wouldn't do anything to it right away. Get used to it as is and while considering the ideas presented. Then you'll have a better idea of what will work best. Jeeps are pretty capable off road as is so it doesn't necessarily take much to add to the capability. What kind of terrain do you plan to go out in?
     
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  13. Dec 11, 2018
    71CJ54WD

    71CJ54WD Sponsor

    DC
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    I have to say my favorite "mod" was geo tracker front disks, new master cylinder, and all new rear brakes. Something about bringing the stopping power up to snuff that made the whole Jeep nicer.
     
  14. Dec 11, 2018
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
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    Good brakes do make a big difference but, IMO, probably less so than good steering. The 9" brakes actually work ok if in good condition and properly adjusted. The caveat is that the brake upgrades are usually bolt-on as opposed to some more or less permanent modifications needed for the steering conversion. Do a search on this site for both-a lot of information available. The 3B Page also has some very good information that is directly applicable: CJ3B.info is The CJ3B Page
     
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  15. Dec 11, 2018
    Jeb Wahlstrom

    Jeb Wahlstrom New Member

    Ogilvie
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    Dec 9, 2018
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    Hey Rick, thanks for the info. I plan on driving this on the road more than off road. I upgraded the master cylinder to a dual chamber right from the get go, and I've replaced everything else between the pedal and the drums. I am not sure what gears are in it exactly, but I'm sure they're whatever stock is, it goes 60 but it's nearing top end when it's there. I've got some more aggressive road tires on it currently. I've also heard replacing the stock leafs with brand new stocks will increase ride height quite a bit, mine are almost flat as it sits now - is that true?
     
  16. Dec 11, 2018
    Jeb Wahlstrom

    Jeb Wahlstrom New Member

    Ogilvie
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    Dec 9, 2018
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    I'd say I've put about 50 miles on it since I got it running initially, and it won't see a ton of off road use, but definitely some. Nothing extreme but it'd be nice to have the capability to romp around anywhere I'd like to around here. There isn't much open to me besides old rail road beds, dirt roads, and mud.
     
  17. Dec 11, 2018
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Springs do have a way of flattening out. A spring shop can re-arch them, although it may not last forever.
     
  18. Dec 11, 2018
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    The flat springs will ride a lot worse than ones with the proper arch. It's a problem with leaf springs universally - they fatigue and go flat. Then you have no suspension travel

    A lot has been written about replacement springs if you search old posts.
     
  19. Dec 11, 2018
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Where is Ogilvie? Your profile shows you're 16 and from what you've done it seems you have quite the ability to work on stuff....excellent! I was 16 when I got my first CJ5. That was in '67 and it was a '59, totally stock, open differentials and recap stock size tires. It went where I pointed it which at times was some pretty nasty mud and water.
     
  20. Dec 11, 2018
    jeep2003

    jeep2003 Well-Known Member

    Upstate NY
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    Carpet goes a long way in quieting things down and making it more hospitable. Even heavy cow mats or something like that would be good if you dont run a hardtop year round.
     
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