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What Could Possibly Go Wrong? Levi's Build

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by Mr Vaughan, Mar 25, 2021.

  1. Mar 25, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    I feel like i've put this off for a bit too long (and i was told so as well), so i'm gonna put a whole bunch of information here. i don't have the money or space to do anything crazy yet, but i just have a lot of things to do to it that should have another home than the what did you do to your jeep today thread. it'll likely be that i learn to weld by patching up this body, and about mechanical work. i'm not gonna restore it, just gonna make it good. what do i mean by good? great question. if you know, please tell me. i need glovebox hardware, a heater, a horn, and a door hinge. i'd like to upgrade to a front D30 with discs. i'd also like a rear locker and rocker protection.
     
    timsresort likes this.
  2. Mar 25, 2021
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2007
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    3,559
    Heat is over rated. Most of the rest you want. First step is making it reliable and safe.
     
    Tom_Hartz, Dne007 and timsresort like this.
  3. Mar 25, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    get it running. you may not need heat, but when winter comes its really nice to have, along with glass, which it has little of.
     
  4. Mar 25, 2021
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2008
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    4,717
    I like my two heaters. Keeps the bikini on longer.

    But hold off on the factory one. You will want swinging pedals, summer is near, and I might have a plan.:whistle:
     
  5. Mar 25, 2021
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2009
    Messages:
    4,460
    Comment from "gulf breeze"? Ever run an early CJ at -30? Heat is not an over rated commodity. It's also nice not to be continually scrapping the ice off the inside of the windshield-that's a bit of a distraction. BTDT

    I think you have the plan Levi. Just get it running and then the creature comforts can be addressed. I wouldn't even worry about the D30 at the present time. D25/27's work ok with stock size tires and a F head. I'd even go for the rear traction device before changing out the front axle-assuming it still is functional. If not, then the D30. I wouldn't waste any money doing a serious rebuild of a D25/27.
     
  6. Mar 25, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    i wanna do a 4.3 swap in the future, so a better front axle might be needed THEN.
    what is it?
     
  7. Mar 25, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    blalp!, Dne007, Twin2 and 1 other person like this.
  8. Mar 25, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    the one of the leaf outline wasnt necessary, but kinda cool
     
  9. Mar 25, 2021
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2008
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    4,717
    Seems I've avoided it in every picture but my 2nd heater is an ugly hand crafted housing on the floor with an 85 k10 heater core and blower. I intend to print a new housing with a retro look and even defrost ducts.
    The guts could be pulled from a local pick n pull or bought new but I'll need a volunteer to take the 2nd prototype when the time comes.
    I just haven't ticked anything off the cad project list in a long while.
     
  10. Mar 26, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    i'd love that! you guys are great.
     
    Jw60 likes this.
  11. Mar 26, 2021
    givemethewillys

    givemethewillys Been here since sparky ran it. 2022 Sponsor

    New Kent, VA
    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2005
    Messages:
    1,998
    Levi, it looks like you have a pretty good foundation to build on, and the desire to make it work. I started working on my Jeep when I was just a little older than you are now, and I found that it taught me so much about mechanics, hard work, and more importantly, project management skills.

    What do I mean by project management? Well, prioritization of tasks, budgets and goals are the most important parts of making a project successful. Learning how to successfully balance your wants (Dana 30, 4.3 engine, etc.) to the needs (must start, stop, not fall apart) within a reasonable budget will pay dividends in your future career, whatever that is.

    I'm very happy that we have a youngster that is active on this forum, and I applaud you for the efforts you've made on your Jeep. My advice is to do some small thing on it every day, and before you know it, it'll be done. I hope that you end up loving your early cj5 and keep it for many years to come. It seems like our numbers are slowly dwindling (I'm looking at you Boyink and Posimoto, with your plastic dashboards:)) I hope you bring along some friends with a similar mindset and grease in their blood!

    Carry on...
     
    Last edited: Mar 28, 2021
    Jw60, blalp! and Dne007 like this.
  12. Mar 26, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    it's not great, it was in the northeast for it's whole life (as far as i know), with repairs done ~30 years ago, after which it was thrashed on a farm by my dad and his siblings learning to drive.
     
  13. Mar 26, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    the fenders are all crumpled up from my dad running into trees, which ended up pushing the bumper beyond repair, which messed up the frame as well. one framerail is twisted enough to make putting springs on it a pain, and bumpers likely not line up.
     
  14. Mar 26, 2021
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
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    Jun 28, 2006
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    2,754
    my 2 cents: that Fhead is really all you need. as for the dana 30, it shouldn't even be on you radar at this point. I go group wheeling a few times a year. not rubicon rough or anything like that, but mild trails and some technical obstacles. both my jeeps, (62 and 70) are bone stock, and i have always done just as good as most the guys with the built rigs. (seriously, my friend has a Dakota customs $40K+ jeep and my jeep looks TINY next to it.)

    I'm doing a dana 30 swap now because i plan on hitting up the epic CO trip with these guys this year, or the Rubicon, or solo to Moab. my dana 27 has only manual locking hubs. my dana 44s are open, and that's it. and it can go just about anywhere WI trails go.

    get it running and reliable. I can do 100 miles without fear of breaking down. once you are able to do that, then start the upgrades. Metcalf disk breaks are an easy and EPIC upgrade to the old jeeps. Saginaw steering and the dana 30 can all come later.

    body repairs should also be put further down the list. so what if you have a shiny pile of parts, right?

    stop as many leaks as possible, (that's a real chore)
    make sure the gas tank is clean and the carb is clean and fuel pump is clean and its basically clean gas, from the tank to combustion chamber.
    replace all the brake wheel cylinders or rebuild them. same with the drums/pad/mc if needed
    i put in Pertronix. yes, points are easy, but I've had incredible luck with the electronic ignition, and i carry the old cap and stuff in the under seat toolbox in case of failure. (15 years or so later, no issue to be had)

    presto, you have a nice, running jeep.

    everything else should be second.
     
  15. Mar 26, 2021
    SIDSCJ

    SIDSCJ Jeep addict

    14th State
    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2004
    Messages:
    1,189
    You need to address these issues, or it's a bit like building a house on quicksand...
    A good foundation is key.
    If the frame is truly twisted it'll need to be rectified unless you're building for off road use only, then just send it till it breaks.
    I'd check it over for cracking also before you pump a lot of $$ and sweat equity into it and find it out later on.
    Or, get it running good enough and tow a gang of mowers behind it and make some $$$:D
     
  16. Mar 26, 2021
    bigbendhiker

    bigbendhiker Member

    U.S.
    Joined:
    May 26, 2019
    Messages:
    318
    Jeepstar's given you very good advice. If you want to see how capable basically stock Jeep's are, watch some of Grandpa's Jeep YouTube videos. He's has the L134 engine, Dana 25 front axle, and Dana 41 rear axle. He's added lockers to both axles. He's made a few other modifications, but nothing major. Here's a video of what changes he's made to his Jeep.
     
  17. Mar 26, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    thats a big thing i want, and one is already in the front. i have big dreams - perhaps a bit too big
     
    Puddle Jumper likes this.
  18. Mar 27, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    absolutely. without a true frame, all kindsa other things can get off.
     
  19. Mar 27, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    tomorrow i'm hoping to pull the trans/t-case and fix them up, new oil and stuff. gotta take advantage of people willing to work (who i probably inherited my crazy from) my uncle, who is here now, walked across the continental united states pushing a stroller. read about it here: Cody Walks
     
  20. Mar 27, 2021
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
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    Jul 30, 2003
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    8,513
    DO NOY drive your Jeep like he does.....scary stuff.
     
  21. Mar 27, 2021
    Dne007

    Dne007 Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    Cypress, Tx
    Joined:
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    Well, you did it, made a build thread~ congratulations! It will be interesting to see what you can do with little funds~ be creative, as someone said, do little things every day and above all have fun with it! Will your jeep fit in the garage?
    dne';)
     
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