Yep, Bought A '68 Cj5(project)

I used the Skyjacker springs, (soft) 2" on my 71 CJ5, they are nice and I have no qualms about them.

 

Thanks Jason!

 

Ordered a hub puller, then got busy organizing the garage to play with the axles.

What would be some nice looking diff covers? not too expensive

So this is a posi? looks really clean vs the front axle gears.

 

Looks like you have a power lok.
Have you thought of going to a Dana NT 30 frt end and D-44 flanged rear?

 

Jim, I'm good at the obvious dictated by logic, that being said, what would the NT30 and D44 do for me? and how does one go about making it happen

 

This is the left upper king pin bearing race, the others are not like this. With the axles out ,the pinion/carrier sound ok, no roughness and seeing how it's the front axle of which I'd probably never use; would be ok. Just overhaul the rest of it. But does make me consider front disc brakes, but then that changes the idea of using a stock master cylinder? However, if I can get the drum off of the hub, I'd just do new drums. The left front drum came right off.


the u-joints feel good, no play nor roughness, but it's pretty messy

 

Chuck, it's fine the way it is, the rear is on the Summit racing stand, and the other on the low/tall stands. It's great!

 

JeepsterJim wrote: "Looks like you have a power lok.
Have you thought of going to a Dana NT 30 frt end and D-44 flanged rear?"

After spending some time on the Kaiserwillys to order parts just for the front axle, it's ringing up a tall tab pretty quickly, but I knew that. So, by the time I buy all the front axle parts(drums/wheel cyls/ king pin parts, brake shoes, hardware, flexible brake lines, etc/ then substituting front disc setup instead of drums), so what about this Dana NT30 front end? It's just talk right now

1941-71Jeep front Drum-to-DISC BRAKE CONVERSION KIT dana 25/27 w/Closed Knuckles | eBay

Jeep CJ5, CJ7, CJ8 AMC - auto parts - by owner - vehicle automotive...

 

dana NT30 is the narrow track dana 30 made for 72-75's which should bolt into your jeep with little effort. 76 and later dana 30s for CJ's are a little wider but some have used them. The dana 30 is an all around upgrade over the 25/27 and there are more after market products for them. I think they are still in production but not narrow track.

 

The D-30 NT Frt. diff was made from 1972-1980. Then Jeep went to a wide track 30.
Now is the time to slow down and look at what can be done to improve the steering, brakes, parts availability, Parts cost, and maintenance.
The 30 bolts in
the 30 '77-'80 has disc brakes
the 30 a little wider stance---1 1/2" gives more options with wheels and tires----no spring rubbing.
The 30 steers better. Are you thinking of a Saginaw conversion?
There not hard to obtain and cost around 100-----250. I just picked up one from a '74 CJ-5 complete for $75.00 and will rebuild it just to be safe and also install a Spartan locker. Going into my '47 2A.
You mentioned a spring lift which will change drive shaft length....D-30 would need a 1" shorter shaft then the D-27. So no real extra amount of money spent with D-30 "maybe"
Over all it's a great improvement.

If you are wanting to keep the D-18 X-fer, it's a good unit, Can install an Overdrive with it, than a D-44 2 piece axle, 19 spline, may still be your best bet. It's what should of came in your CJ. You can install disc brakes easily. Brennan metcalf's disc brake conversion.

One can install a floatation axle set up----overkill maybe for you----pricey too OR find a D-44 off set flanged diff out of a '70/'71 CJ----pricey very strong but maybe again over kill for you.


If mine----or building a nice CJ for a customer, D 30 NT W disc brakes '77/'80, W/locker
Saginaw steering
225 V-6
T-14----deep freeze all parts, minus case----cryogenics----increases strength by 40/60%
D-18
OD
D-44 2 piece axle 19 spline w/ power lok----deep freeze axles---suzuki disc brakes---brennan Metcalf.
4.88 gear ratio.
AS with any Jeep, what I wrote is just one idea out of hundreds but it is a good basic simple build and 90% bolt in. It's a strong build for the average jeeper.

 

Might see what he wants just for the '78 d-30
Skip the Model 20....weak tubs/ housings in the early years.

Guys on the board may have a D-30 with 4.88-----good with a OD.

 

I hope I don't disappoint you guys, but I've decided to use my existing axles but with the recommendation by Jim on the Brennan Metcalf's disc brake upgrade, so that will eliminate some things
Today I blasted the axles with the wet sandblaster. A lot of the decision making is swayed by the Corona virus; I just don't want to go around hunting/traveling looking for parts. So, I'm going to keep it simple (I could have sworn that I wrote this already; hope it doesn't come up twice).

I had already blasted the diff covers in my cabinet and scrapped off what I could.




I do have a hub puller; should be arriving soon

 

Are you going disc brakes on all 4 corners?
Make sure "ALL" bearings are USA made.....No on Omix and Crown. NOS bearings are out there. The kingpin preload is important so read up on it. I used to use a good fish scale.
HAVE FUN----post pics

 

Yes Jim, all 4 wheel disc I read about (don't know where) the preload, guess that's why the KaiserWillys kit comes with so many "shims"?

King Pin Bearing Kit for Both Sides Fits 41-71 Jeep & Willys with Dana 25/27

 

Finally got around to calling the machine shop. Houston is lock down except for 'essentials', So I'll take the engine over kind of early, go there and come right back home. It's the first time I've gone anywhere for a couple weeks. I spoke to the guy and they'll come out, remove the engine from my truck and I'll split.
I just set the intake on, just want them to clean it, but not install it.


The u-joints in the axles are free, no slop, they get greased by the 90wt? right?

 

Search 'knuckle pudding'. Not just the thread title, a complete search. It has been discussed many times. Don't use straight 90, it will leak out the seals.

 

EP 00 Grease (1 Quart with Squeeze Top) | eBay

 

Thanks Grant, and thank you ITLKSEZ for the link, I'll look at this in the morning

 

On the front axle. You might look at the Roxor. Dana 44 disc brakes. Some one on the forum got one for about $1000.00