First Jeep build! 79 CJ5

[rtpalko]

Well I got my first Jeep. I have been a toyota man but I picked up a 1979 Jeep CJ5. Has a blown small block 350 in it but got it with a new motor ready to go into it. Has dana 30 front, 44 rear, sm465 tranny, dana 300 transfer case (YES), rough country springs, 32 bfgs and a ton of other goodies on it. After I get the new motor put in and freshened up will be putting a twin stick, 33 baja claws, front driveshaft, maybe chromoloys. If anyone has any comments to help out this new jeep owner or parts for it let me know. Here are some pictures of the progress of the jeep tearing down the motor. Hopefully going to make it in time for Bantam Jeep fest and possibly a Meridian Offroad ride.

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[gonecheenin]

I can't figure out if the first pick is what you want it to look like or if it's what it use to look like?

Either way on a CJ 5 keep it low, lock at least one end, skip any bias ply tire options if your street driving it often/far, install Fuel Injection since your at this point already, and have fun!

[rtpalko]

The first picture is what it used to look like, i would like to do efi but it's too darn expensive and it has a holley truck avenger carb, edelbrock intake, msd ignition. I need a new front driveshaft real bad after I get the motor going.

[Deadman 94 xj]

Nice freakin jeep dude!

[Krod]

Nice CJ!

[Sycotik Skier]

You can do efi fairly cheap. Check out affordablefuelinjection.com for the harness. Thats what i used. Nice cj btw

[The_War_Wagon]

High school buddy of mine had a '77, 30+ years ago - we used to wheel that on the powerline roads in rural NC where I grew up. Had a LOTTA fun bouncing around in it!

Glad to see some more classic steel surviving & wheeling in SWPA!

[OverkillZJ]

That thing looks clean!

[gonecheenin]

YJ front shaft would be a good upgrade.

i would like to do efi but it's too darn expensive

Stock GM TBI 350 - you can get them cheap and work the harness yourself.

[rtpalko]

Update on the progress.

Donor Motor is back in the jeep fired it up and smokes real bad. Think it is just condensation and needs to be burnt out. The smoke is white btw and only starts blowing when it starts to warm up. Got an electric fan wired up and just need to put the switch in the dash and almost done applying bedliner to the new gas tank I am putting in. Next things to look at is complete fluid change, also need to order a new front driveshaft from Tom woods and then some 33's. Leaning towards baja claws, free shippping and rebate on them meow. Also need to mount up those poison spider rocker knockers as well. Will be getting some more picture soon

[Azzy]

Smoke is white and only starts once the thermostat opens?

[oros35]

Sounds like a head gasket or intake gasket if it's making that much white smoke.

[HackFabrication]

Sounds like a head gasket or intake gasket if it's making that much white smoke.

^^^What he said. Drain the engine oil and see if it looks like a cafe latte...

BTW: Nice looking CJ5. Much better than the POS that followed me home:

[rtpalko]

Update on the jeep. No more smoke. It was just from sitting for a while and had to blow out all the stuff in the pipes. Need to rebuild the holley truck avenger in it. Sounds like a vaccum leak. Question for everyone out there on which twin stick to get. Omix-ada or spend the extra $70 for a currie. About to order 33 inch km2's, superwinch tiger shark winch, new steering stabilizer(probably pro comp), twin stick (gonna research first which one), smitty build jack, and a rear seat( unless someone has one they want to sell). Gonna put the poison spider rocker knockers on and then try and get some pictures up. Let me know what everyone thinks.

[rtpalko]

Also how do I change my profile picture?

[rtpalko]

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[rtpalko]

So I decided not to sell it. Going to keep it through my last couple years of college and finish building it up and start wheeling it. Cant wait to show it off at Jeep fest next year. And want to wheel it up at scrub grass once I get the carb tuned (running way too rich Holley truck avenger 670). Next things I am going to do is fix the body rust, yj spring swap, new clutch(burns through 2nd gear), lockers chromolies, tube fenders, rebuild dana 300 and sm465(bad bearing wine in 2nd gear).

[PatF10]

That have steel fenders on it? They look like they are in pretty good shape

[rtpalko]

That have steel fenders on it? They look like they are in pretty good shape

Tube Fenders like these

http://www.metalcloak.com/Jeep-CJ-Wr...nder-s/133.htm

[rtpalko]

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[rtpalko]

Finally got her out to wheel her over my fall break. Did really well and that low gear in the sm465 is crazy along with the d300 twin stick helped a ton. For sure need to lock the front or rear and cage is needed real bad. Also need a new clutch and HEI distributor. The holley truck avenger carb is doing a hell of a job ever since I got it back from KARB King who did the rebuild. Need to take it out to scrubgrass to test it out even more. And spring under cj springs flexed a ton more than what I thought.