1975 Brutally Simple Daily Driver

[Jw60]

Ah, yeah for us the expedition gets good mileage compared to other 8 passenger school busses.

I did flat tow mine with a Ford ranger. It was a bigger 1999 ext cab 4x4 4.0
I put the jeeps snow plow in the bed because it got pushed around on the gravel otherwise.

I've heard of three different instances of guys pulling cj's with yj's or jku's northbound across missouri.

Get familiar with the combination. Plan the route carefully. Pack extra gas for the tow vehicle. Don't flat tow on the unfamiliar roads at your destination.

Definitely disconnect the driveshaft just for hp sake.

If you can get a hydraulic trailer brake hitch than you can plumb it into an axle for the drive and cap / bleed on arrival.

You know your rigs and terrain better than anyone else. If you gotta take it slow than do so.

Don't forget a pair of Harbor freight magnetic trailer lights and an "In Tow" sign

 

[neohic]

Moving forward on the CJ to Moab list. Would you believe that all of the tie rod ends are shot?… yup, I wasn’t surprised either. Parts are on order, but I wanted to give it some caster in the front axle also.

I added a 4° shim to the leaf pack because that’s what I had on hand. Ideally, I should be cutting the inner C’s and rotating them back to gain caster and I usually shoot for 6-8°. It’ll be way better than it was on the road. SOMETHING had to be better than the .5° of caster it did have.

The tow bar got a coat of paint too. I started going through the Jeep and all the stuff that just lives in it. A bunch of it got paired down but I also added some tools for Moab. I’ll get more into creating additional storage for certain things once the top comes off and it’s easier to work in. Probably next weekend? I feel like Moab is creeping up quickly.

 

[neohic]

More Moab prep today. I was hoping to tug it around with the Comanche but I ran out of time before the weather started to turn and the power went out. In preparation to match up with the tow bar, I’m trying to get rid of as much wiggle and rattles as possible. That started on the truck side. I added a big set screw on the bottom corner of the receiver to keep the draw bar from knocking around.

It’s just a 1/2” bolt and nut. There’s another nut welded to the receiver. Then the top came off the CJ because it’s always easier to get motivated on CJ projects after the top comes off.

Along the way, as things came off that are in the way of getting the top off, they just went in the bed of the truck.

Ballast!

The steering got all new tie rod ends and the radiator got new hoses. What I found when I was crawling around under the Jeep was a big ol’ crack in the frame behind the front crossmember and the steering box had just a little play at full lock. The play turned out to be the left side frame rail twisting. I didn’t have making a steering box on my bingo card for the day.

I might readdress this in the future (which means I’ll probably never do anything else with it). It’s made of junk that I had around and I’m not super crazy about the 1/2” heim but it made a huge difference! There’s just a plate on the right frame rail under the winch plate tying it all together.

Then the power went out! The CJ went out and the old rain cover went on. It still needs to be remade since it got hailed on early last year. We might be getting some snow tomorrow so I guess it’s better than nothing.

Maybe I’ll find time for a test tow this coming week.

 

[Jw60]

This is bringing back fond memories...



What is your plan for safety chains?

Also reminds me I want to do something for break-away brakes.

Windshield down top off should be manageable. This was a pushrod 4.0 with 5 speed manual and 3.73 axles.

 

[neohic]

What is your plan for safety chains?

Also reminds me I want to do something for break-away brakes.

Windshield down top off should be manageable. This was a pushrod 4.0 with 5 speed manual and 3.73 axles.

My truck is a warmed up 4.0, auto, and 3.73s. I’ve got a safety chain that goes from the CJ’s frame to the hitch. Planning on dusting off my magnet mount lights leftover from flat towing in my VW days.

 

[neohic]

Test tow day!

… it didn’t go well… but that’s okay! I had high hopes but, in the back of my head, I quietly had my doubts. Around town, things went great! I took it for a drive up to 55mph that went around a bunch of curves and hills. 55-60 felt just about right. The truck did okay as far as temperatures and even power. A little more oomph would be nice. Unfortunately where things just didn’t feel right was in the brakes. We all saw that coming!… again, that’s okay. After a couple practice emergency stops and then one final hard stop going downhill I lost faith in the brakes. They got hot and smelly.

I’m sure I could get some brakes figured, but realistically I’m running out of time. Maybe U Haul is the next move?

Next, I’m looking at storage for important stuff. I’d like to carry some extra fuel, but I’d like to keep everything contained in the Jeep. I’ve got a (probably too big) fuel tank that’s been kicking around the shop for a while. What I like about it is that it fits well and it’s low profile. I welded on a couple tabs at each end and bolted it in after drill yet more holes on the tub… because old Jeep. Next to that is the all important cooler and I snuck a 10# CO2 tank in there too.

There’s more stuff to do yet. The major one is finally adding three point seat belts. I suppose tomorrow I’ll start getting serious about renting a truck to get out there and back.

 

[3b a runnin]

A tow dolly with brakes is not a bad option.

 

[Jw60]

There are other truck rentals that will get better mpg. Think Ecoboost f150 like at your local Enterprise truck rental in Colorado springs. Just look it over and verify it has a hitch.

 

[colojeepguy]

Unfortunately where things just didn’t feel right was in the brakes. We all saw that coming!

There's a reason I drive an F250. Dual.piston calipers and vented rotors up front and great big 12x3 drums on the rear.
I imagine the newer half tons with 4 wheel disc brakes would be fine for flat towing but when I bought my truck over a quarter century ago the F150s had pretty wimpy brakes.

 

[Fireball]

Test tow day!

… it didn’t go well… but that’s okay! I had high hopes but, in the back of my head, I quietly had my doubts. Around town, things went great! I took it for a drive up to 55mph that went around a bunch of curves and hills. 55-60 felt just about right. The truck did okay as far as temperatures and even power. A little more oomph would be nice. Unfortunately where things just didn’t feel right was in the brakes. We all saw that coming!… again, that’s okay. After a couple practice emergency stops and then one final hard stop going downhill I lost faith in the brakes. They got hot and smelly.

I’m sure I could get some brakes figured, but realistically I’m running out of time. Maybe U Haul is the next move?

Next, I’m looking at storage for important stuff. I’d like to carry some extra fuel, but I’d like to keep everything contained in the Jeep. I’ve got a (probably too big) fuel tank that’s been kicking around the shop for a while. What I like about it is that it fits well and it’s low profile. I welded on a couple tabs at each end and bolted it in after drill yet more holes on the tub… because old Jeep. Next to that is the all important cooler and I snuck a 10# CO2 tank in there too.

There’s more stuff to do yet. The major one is finally adding three point seat belts. I suppose tomorrow I’ll start getting serious about renting a truck to get out there and back.

I love that Comanche. It reminds me of the old Archer Brothers SCCA race trucks.

 

[neohic]

I love that Comanche. It reminds me of the old Archer Brothers SCCA race trucks.

Funny you mention that. I’m originally from MN and was in contact for years with them before moving to CO. This was between maybe 2012-15. John let me go into their warehouse and they had enough parts on the shelf for one more truck.

My truck sits on a full SCCA suspension now with Sachs shocks, Eibach coils, and Flex A Form fiberglass leafs. That from valance? That’s the last that Bobby Archer would’ve made. I met Tommy once at the shop too. Good dudes.

 

[Jw60]

How about swapping to a hydraulic tow bar coupler and using some sort of slave cylinder at the brake pedal? It would need to push the pedal but allow the pedal to swing independently. Something like a clutch slave cylinder with a slotted link. You would need to brace from tow bar slave directly to the brake baster cylinder bolts and pedal assembly because it will be capable of producing a ton or two of pressure.

Or plumb the hydraulic coupler into the front axle and deal with re-bleading 4 times per trip.

 

[Fireball]

My truck sits on a full SCCA suspension now with Sachs shocks, Eibach coils, and Flex A Form fiberglass leafs. That from valance? That’s the last that Bobby Archer would’ve made. I met Tommy once at the shop too. Good dudes.

Holy cow! It really is like the race trucks. So cool.

 

[neohic]

Holy cow! It really is like the race trucks. So cool.

Yup!… but more of a tribute. The SCCA trucks were all 2.5/2wd. Mine is a 4.0/4wd but I recently swapped my NP231 transfer case for a NP242 so I can have all wheel drive when I want. Packaging got very tight for a lowered Comanche with a front drive shaft!

 

[colojeepguy]

How about swapping to a hydraulic tow bar coupler and using some sort of slave cylinder at the brake pedal? It would need to push the pedal but allow the pedal to swing independently. Something like a clutch slave cylinder with a slotted link. You would need to brace from tow bar slave directly to the brake baster cylinder bolts and pedal assembly because it will be capable of producing a ton or two of pressure.

Or plumb the hydraulic coupler into the front axle and deal with re-bleading 4 times per trip.

I think one of those brake buddys that push the pedal for you would be a better option. Not sure if it would fit in a CJ

 

[Fireball]

Yup!… but more of a tribute. The SCCA trucks were all 2.5/2wd. Mine is a 4.0/4wd but I recently swapped my NP231 transfer case for a NP242 so I can have all wheel drive when I want. Packaging got very tight for a lowered Comanche with a front drive shaft!

It's 4wd with a full time transfercase???? It just gets cooler. Fantastic truck!

 

[T.M.]

Yup!… but more of a tribute. The SCCA trucks were all 2.5/2wd. Mine is a 4.0/4wd but I recently swapped my NP231 transfer case for a NP242 so I can have all wheel drive when I want. Packaging got very tight for a lowered Comanche with a front drive shaft!

I’ve never seen a Comanche that wasn't lifted or stock, but that thing is sweet!

 

[Fireball]

For those that don't know about the old Race Truck Challenge, here's a decent summary: https://www.hagerty.com/media/motorsports/scca-racetruck-challenge-pole-position-mayhem/

They were a hoot to watch and the Archer Brothers won the championship with a Jeep in 1988. I saw a couple races in person back in the day.

 

[neohic]

Thanks, all! I love my truck and this is the fourth time I’ve completely reworked it. I make everything bolt in so it’s easy to change when I no doubt change my mind in the future.

Anyhow… CJ stuff… more work today. The three point seat belts got installed. These are “Jeep Wrangler” aftermarket but they could really go in just about anything. I had to weld a bung into the main hoop, but otherwise they just bolted in place of where the lap belts were.

Then I moved onto the fuel system. There’s really nothing wrong with it, but the pump has been loud since it went in there. I went back to a parts list from when I pieced together a Howell setup for a friend’s YJ and just used that part number. I also double checked it with Kyle a while back for good measure.

The old pump is now the new transfer pump should I need it. It runs off of a remote starter trigger switch.

What I didn’t want to do is plumb in a permanent auxiliary tank. This way I can remove it when I want. Otherwise the punch list is down to trying to get the parking brake working, nut and bolt it, recentering the steering wheel, and check the toe again. This is a huge annoyance.

Unfortunately, my potential trailer spot isn’t going to work out either. I reserved a U Haul going there and the return trip, but now I’m about 60% leaning towards keeping the return reservation as a plan c… d?… and just driving it out there.

Decisions… decisions…

 

[FinoCJ]

The three point seat belts got installed.

I keep debating if I should go this route in the CJ with low backs (shoulder point would go into the body mounted roll bar like yours). I believe Doug has the same set-up - sure other do as well. I put 3pt in the 58, but I have aftermarket high backs in that. Guess I am not sure what to think about shoulder belt and low backs....hopefully this doesn't derail your thread....if it does, I can break it into its own thread.