I have a plan and a dream. My base is a 74 CJ5 with a 232. The engine has been rebuilt and has larger cam so that is rumbles like a V8. I will post pics eventually.

The plan is to install a T-18 tranny with a 6:1 first gear. That will be married to a Dana 300 that will haveLomax 4:1 kit. Lockers will go into the front Dana 30 and also in the Dana 44 that is the rear. I have decided which lockers yet but I am leaning towards Yukon or Ox lockers. I also am planning to do a disc brake conversion in the front. I could really use a parts list and advice for this modification.

The body on my CJ5 is totally tweaked and has the occassionally rust spot. It will go to the steel recyclers. I will be using a Painless wire kit for wiring. I will be keeping the original grill but replacing the tub and fenders.


I have changed out the body for a Willys Overland Motors.It has some great benefits. The first being predrilled for body mounts. All firewall holes properly cut and angled. Holes for the gas, brake, and clutch pedals. Hole for the steering column. All tail light wiring and fuel filler holes will also be in place. Later CJ models will have the brackets for the grille support rods, tailgate seals, or tailgate mounting holes installed. Floor supports repaired, modified and/or re-positioned. A number of other parts that we fabricate and weld into place.


Enough of my ramblng, I will post pics of the Jeep in its current state tomorrow. Thank you in advance for all the critics, advice and encouragement.

Read more: http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/f98/operation-money-pit-22199/#ixzz3wnjOhyk6

Here is how it originally looked.

Pics of it coming apart.

My daughter from MN visiting. Yes, I put her to work the first day here.



My wife brought us food and helped a bit.

The body coming off.













- - - Updated - - -

One of Braedon's first rides in the CJ.

Here is where I am today. I have to source a throw out bearing for the T-18. Unfortunately, I do not know what the T-18 came out of. I do have the inner diameter. That is 1.437.

I have the new body ready to go on and the body fenders from Metalcloak. I am waiting to see how short the rear driveshaft is. That will determine the next step. To stretch or not to stretch.

Awesome! Thanks for posting the build thread. Can't wait to see Money Pit in the green!

Thanks Alan. Like I said I need the right throw out bearing then I can move forward.

I got the throw out bearing and the right clutch fork today plus some other miscellaneous stuff. Took a trip to Willy's Works in Tucson. Avis I recommend Rob, the owner, as a great resource. Pics soon.

Yeah I've been there a couple times, cool place.

Worked on the transmission and clutch today. Spent a lot of time learning and figuring things out. Found out I put the clutch fork and the release bearing in in the wrong order. The bearing needs go on first and then the clutch fork clips on to the bearing then the inner bell housing return spring gets attached. Right now my spring is sprung and the pivot ball won't stay in place. Live and learn. It is a $4 mistake.

I had the chance to go to Willy's Works and pick up a few things on Saturday. One of those things is a pilot bearing and boy am I glad I dis. I used hydraulic pressure to get the pilot bearing out. What I did was rip up newspaper and soak it in water. Then I stuffed in the hole where the bearing is at. I pounded on the the newspaper with an input shaft from an old t-18. The water squeezed the bearing out. My neighbor gave the idea.

This is what it looks like in process.



Here is the clutch out of the jeep.



This is what I found when I got the pilot bearing out.



Hmmm...a split in the bearing. Good thing I got it out of there. Also, notice that it was not all the way seated. Kinda ticks me off. I am glad I had a new one to put in and my neighbor pushed me to check the shops work who supposedly knew what they were doing.

Here is another pic.