CJ5 build- Jeep on the Cheap

Hey everybody!

I'm new to the forum and new to the world of Jeeps, although I've been wanting to get into it for a while. Yesterday I purchased a 1977 Jeep CJ5 for $1600. I set a budget for myself of $3500 for this build. With the exception of machine work, I plan to do everything on my own, hence the cheap part of this thread title. I am happy to spend money where I need to but want to show that it's possible to build a sweet Jeep for a reasonable price.

I suppose the first thing I should do is tell you about my Jeep (now accepting suggestions for names).
1977 CJ5. The front body panels belong to a 1972 CJ5, courtesy of an fallen tree. Current motor is an AMC 4.2L I6, T18 4 speed manual transmission, Dana 20 transfer case. The body doesn't look pretty but it's mostly sound. There are a few rusty areas but nothing a little elbow grease and new metal won't fix.

Up next is my plan, subject to change. Drop in a Chevy LM7 5.3L V8 (the motor is the easy part, the money will come from the adapters and such). Replace all wiring throughout the Jeep and replace the broken lights. New wheels and tires all around. Fabricate tube doors and a tire carrier in the back. Fix the tub and repaint it a slick American flag inspired paint job. lineSline theuthe insidetinside of thefthe tub with bedliner.

As I said before, I'm aware the cost can become fairly high for some of these things but I also plan to do much of the work myself to offset the cost where I can. If I start getting close to my budget, I will be picking up shifts with DoorDash (quick, easy, and I average $25/hour) to pay for more parts.

As of now I plan to keep my stock axles but am open to swapping them if a sweet deal comes along. I'll throw some pictures up, let me know what you think!

 

One issue that I would like to bring up first would be how the oem axles were constructed. The rear hub part of the axle is held on to the axle itself with a drive key making it a weak 2 piece rear axle. The two piece axle does not have a good history for holding up. There are one piece axles made on the aftermarket F.Y.I.https://www.quadratec.com/p/crown-automotive/one-piece-axle-kit-jeep-cj-7-and-cj-8-amc-20-rear-axle-0?utm_id=bi_cmp-42931930_adg-1228154692620323_ad-76759778514712_pla-4580359290940466_dev-c_ext-_prd-222231&msclkid=37643235f0c81bdfb8606d033228e8ae&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping&utm_term=4580359290940466&utm_content=Crown Automotive
Edit: plus I have seen a few bent axle housings as the Dana 20 tubes are very thin.

 

Welcome @Twoods1322 ... the CJ build should be interesting to follow.

 

I ultimately plan to upgrade the axles. I will be flat towing the Jeep to any trails I go to so I'm not terribly worried about how I'll get the Jeep home if the axle breaks in the meantime. Eventually I'll look at Dana 60 axles, that's a ways away now though.

 

The Dana 20 transfer case provides poor lubrication in the transfer case during a flat tow operation, as the driveshaft is rotating. So a driveshaft removal would be recommended. If you want to install lower gears in the transfer case they are available. A Dana 60 axle should provide enough strength to handle a 40" tire

 

Well life has been crazy but over the last month I've begun to settle in to the new place with space to work. Today I finally got the body off the jeep and cleaned up the years of caked on oil and dirt on the transfer case and transmission. The main issue I've found is the plate on the front of my bellhousing is damaged and bent up at the bottom. Is this something I should be terribly worried about or can I just slap a new one on and be good?

Updates to my plans: I'm going to keep the drivetrain as it sits. The motor is going to get refreshed with a full teardown, inspection, and new gaskets. Any worn or broken pieces will be replaced. The body with be painted inside and out with a DIY raptor liner two tone paint job. I'm going to build a new front bumper. I will refresh the wheels and get some new tires. I would like to be on the trails by the end of July to enjoy the weather before fall is here.

Things to research during this adventure: I need to replace several of the bolts throughout the jeep. Some had to be cut off and others were stripped due to my impatience and frustration. I will see who provides a solid kit to replace most if not all of the bolts from front to rear on the Jeep. I need to look for an affordable rebuild kit (since I'm keeping the 258, I don't need crazy performance parts) that includes a full gasket set. Finally (for now), I need to find a a good wiring harness. I'm leaning toward Southwest 12 circuit harness (https://swperformanceparts.com/prod...wEShgXtFRIDV8HGQAl7Lq8ENnwW5jQhhoCH7wQAvD_BwE) over painless because of the cost.

I will post pictures soon and keep everyone posted on the progress as I get further!

 

Rockauto and Quadratec is a good go to place.

 

For which parts?

 

They both have a good variety of parts

 

Awesome! Thanks!

 

It looks like you got a pretty good deal to me. I lived in Colorado for 16 years and I owned a very clean CJ7 with a 4” Superlift and 2” body lift. But my point was that even beater Jeep’s went for 3-4 thousand bucks. I’m back in Texas now and they aren’t exactly cheap here either. Where you live I think can really affect the price of certain used vehicles.