Started My ECJ5 Build

Well after finally organzing the out building and getting all the bits and pieces arranged I've started on the first one of two ECJ5 projects. This one has an F-head being sent down from NY, I'l be using a Dana 20 t-case and a set of Dana44 axles that are both locked, both with discs, and geared at 4.56 R&P. I'll have to outboard the front spring perches.

I did a bit of cutting and grinding today, took off the jacked up PS someone added, and the engine mounts of unknown origin and a few other bits that won't be used. This will have a manual steering box, and manual brakes. I shot some pics of the F&R Ramsey PTO I'll be selling, in case anybody is interested. The axles under this now in a SOA set up, and gonna be set aside, I don't know yet if I'll use them on Project #2 that has the Buick V6 or not.

This one we'll keep the Kelly hard top. I finally got the piano hinges on the doors to move. But I'm gonna look for some stainless piano hinges to replace the original ones. I think them old steel ones are gonna be continued problems down the road.

I'd like some pics of factory front and rear seats, and also some ideas on how to hook up the original steering column to a manual box from a later CJ5. I do have a later CJ5 column, and hangin pedals, but I'd like to keep the thru floor pedals and original column if I can, for nostalgic purposes. So any input on those two items would be great.

I'm gonna go with a Summit heater, and defrost routing would be nice. The pics don't show the 4x4 1/2 thick front bumper that was welded onto the frame horns. Man that thing was heavy.

Anyways, here's some pics for viewing.

 

Yeah, tell me about it, I think I got this after someone's attempt at partially trying an SOA on this beast. I don't think they ever ended up lining up the driveline and setting the steering. This thing is way too tall for my liking.

If you all see something else way out of line, please chime in, this is my first ECJ5 build so pointers and opinions are most welcome.

 

Got the PTO off of the transfer case and seperated the transfer case from the tranny. The transfer case looks good, as does the PTO unit. The tranny on the other hand will need some new hard parts. I'll be talking with Novak sooon.

And will be picking up a Dana 20 this weekennd to mount behind the T90. From Zack's (Z&M) over in Toledo.

I picked up my "new-to-me" F-head last Friday. Gotta unload that from the back of my J10. I know, I know, pics are desired, but this is all rather simple stuff, I'll wait till more interesting things get done such as frame boxing, mounting the streering box and getting the engine and everything in place. I want to pull the tub off the frame by next weekend.

 

And the fun begins!

 

Well it was a momentous day out in the barn, I seperated the hard top from the tub, and then the tub from the frame.

There is a bit of work to do with respect to the body mounts and rebuilding a handfull of them, plus some sheet metal work. All in all this one will be rough looking, but durable, useful, and enjoyable. It won't be a show queen, my wife won't be happy with a 'Mater styled paint job and body work, but function will win out over form.





This is a bad pic of the bad hard top, I may end up just searching for another one, I do like the look of Kelly top. This one is very rough, and not sure how much will be really left after sandblasting.

 

Oh, here's a pic of the F-head all cleaned up, before the oil pain was cleaned up and painted.

 

Got a few parts off of folks here today, including bartering my PTO. Picked up a poly tank, sending unit, oil bath filter housing, hose and air horn, motor mounts and new new rubber for the mounts, and a chrome turn signal thingee for the steering column.

thanks!

 

Cool! Love the Kelly hardtop!

 

I got no pics yet, but i picked up an postal column, a manual steering gear box and an intermediate shaft for my steering conversion.

I also found a really nice full hard top that I'm gonna pick up. While i like my Kelly top, it is in poor shape, and after sand blasting and the need repairs, it ain't worth it. i actually found two, and I may end up on a drive to GA to pick up a body for my daughter's project.

 

Got the frame flipped over. Figured out the perch mounts for outbaording my springs. Made some frame horn reinforcement plates, and welded up a handful of frame cracks I found.

I know, I know, pics, we like pics....

 

Ur right

 

Cool build,
like the blue :hurrican:. I will be doing the same on mine soon.

 

Well, I picked up my axles today. D44 front, 4.56 gears ARB, with GM/FSJ calipers, thick CJ7 rotors, the rear is a D44 with a Detroit, 4.56 gears, skinny CJ7 rotors, Gm metric calipers and a Warn full floater kit.

Also picked up a new to me hard top, much, muuch nicer than the Kelly top, plus a new fuel pump for the F-head.

 

Progress! I've been lacking in the forward momentum lately.mehh Keep it coming!

 

OK, got some pics for folks.

Here's a pic of the new doors:


The top, needs a little work on that back edge:


The rear full floater: yeah, i need to re-dop the rear cross member, not much left. I have a spare set up that had the factory tow bar and trianble braes on another frame, I'm gonna try and get those off and attach them to this one. That chrome rear diff cover has got to go! (Detroit inside)




The front, the high steer arms are being sold, and I need to remove the ram attachment points on the top of the diff (ARB):


Plating on the front frame horns:


The rebuilt Dana 20, needs paint and an input gear from Novak to mount it to the T90:


New steering stuff, joint, intermediate shaft, and the postal column, the manual gear box is laying around somewhere:




The barn is a freaking mess, I need to spend a couple of hours cleaning it up. I hope to get the rear axle in place, remove the old mounts and shock set up, and get new ones in place.


I'm gonna try and run 31's, I know, small tires for the axles, with the 4.56 gears and the F-head and T90, this should be pretty decent to run on the road, correct? Any inclination on that would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

Here's a couple of thoughts for ya. (A) If you put the Drawbar bracing back in at the rear you won't be able to add a rear gas tank unless you remove it again. (B) You are going to hate that manual steering in a rather short amount of time with that ARB in the front. (C) The stamped sheetmetal rear crossmember adds somewhere around 0 strength to the back of the frame. You might consider building a box tube rear bumper and welding it directly to the frame at the back. Much stronger and you can easily add a hitch tube to it. Just a thought. By the way, nice top. I just scored one last fall. It needs a little TLC too. Looks like I'm gooing to have to fab the windshield mount and tub mounts for the doors.

 

Yeah the ARB and manual steering will help give me Popeye forearms. I really want manual steering on this, for all its pluses and minuses. (the daugherter's V6 project is next and that'll get power steering) Thanks for the info on the rear cross member, good points, and your right I should probably work a tube bumper and tire carrier into the rear cross member plans. I need to fab up the tub door inge mounts, but that shoudl be pretty easy stuff.

Any thoughts on the tire size and 4.56 gears?

 

Whe I had an F-head in my Jeep I ran 32" tires. But I had the 5.38 r&p's and a Model 18 t-case. 33's would probably be OK if your not looking for highway speed and hills would be a killer. Offroad 32 or 33" work well with the F-head. I will say I've had a lot more offroad time with the V6 than with the 4 banger. So maybe some Hurricane owners will chime in here. Here's a pic of the bumper I made, using my old tire carrier I also built.