I need direction

[jdub]

I'm toying with the Idea of building the '52 cj5 big. Well big enough to be able to tackle Wanes World. Truth is that I want to be able to run the snakes completely.

The cj5 is currently needing sbc block, and a tranny rebuild-I think the tranny acting weird jacked up the motor. With those remedied it could handle Rattlesnake. Here are my questions.

The large cfm was fun on the street but terrible on climbs. Change the carb or go nuts and do Propane? Since No sniffer is involved do I need to worry about registration('52)?

I almost loose my thumbs due to the lack of power steering, should I go hydro or just a large power set up for 37-39'' tires?

I don't like the look of a stretched wheelbase when the tires extend out of the body, at least for a street legal rig, Would a body and frame stretch be worth it? I have a scrambler soft top for it. I hear for Eagles Nest you need to be in the 110-115'' category for climbing.

More than anything just curious about tricks, techniques, and success stories.

P.S. I love the manual steering and brakes-when motor killed out due to carb issues I could still steer and brake. Should I think twice before getting larger than 33's

Jeep has 33's dana 44's 4X chev discs.

The other question is that it's open front and rear, I like the idea of full detroit in the front and open in the rear, not a fan of side hilling. What combo works best for Wanes?

Or should I ditch the Idea and sell the thing?

 

[Bart]

WW is a wheel base thing, and I don't think you'll be doing it in a CJ5. Stretching a good plan but tons of work. To do Eagles Nest the wheel base you've mentioned is a plus, with lots of power and strong parts. I've done it in two different buggies, both at about 101".

 

[Rusted]

Sounds like you need a different platform to start that project. Your old CJ has an 81" wheelbase right? And a C-Channel frame. Sounds like a lot of work to box that frame, and get 2 feet more wheel base when you could just start with a YJ and get much closer to your goal.

Also I don't see a scrambler soft top ever fitting on a CJ5. Way longer, wider I believe, doors don't match up, etc

 

[jdub]

helpful I've meant to pull out the tape measure. Seems like a stretch, pun.

 

[Jeeperman]

as much as I love the old CJ's, I'm going to have to go with Rusted on this one.

 

[Rusted]

I was trying to think of some examples that maybe what you have in mind. One is the frame stretch that Bart did to his. His turned out really well in my opinion and would be similar to what you may have in mind.

http://www.rockymountainextreme.com/showthread.php?t=40732

Here is another one similar.

http://www.rockymountainextreme.com/showthread.php?t=44488


And here is one more that I have considered. It is (don't be offended Mark) kind of a mutt of parts. But it is very practical and works great. Almost every part you can get from a checker auto. Full width axles, still street legal, better frame than what you have started with, seats 4 still. And just simple and practical.

http://www.rockymountainextreme.com/showthread.php?t=32224

Mark easily went to 101 wheelbase, but if you combined the Mark and Bart ideas together you would have a good combination in my opinion and get really close to your goal of wheel base. Maybe even add enough length in the frame and tub that that soft top may work.

 

[jdub]

Rusted you are more than helpful. I was going to look for a donor truck for parts..... Sounds like I need to look for a donor blazer and transfer the body panels till it resembles a jeep.

My '52 has no way of identifying it other than the body anyway. No vin on frame etc. drivetrain is all chevy.

 

[mbryson]

......And here is one more that I have considered. It is (don't be offended Mark) kind of a mutt of parts. But it is very practical and works great. Almost every part you can get from a checker auto. Full width axles, still street legal, better frame than what you have started with, seats 4 still. And just simple and practical.

http://www.rockymountainextreme.com/showthread.php?t=32224

Mark easily went to 101 wheelbase, but if you combined the Mark and Bart ideas together you would have a good combination in my opinion and get really close to your goal of wheel base. Maybe even add enough length in the frame and tub that that soft top may work.

No offense taken by me. Very accurate. I always think of the Johnny Cash song when I fire it up. As it evolves, I think it'll end up about 103-104" wheelbase and probably linked up (unless the latest leaf spring pack mod makes things "OK") with 2.5" air shocks?

The goal was not to have any "custom" parts. I've got some "custom" steering parts, but if I bend/break those, I've done something. Everything else is "off the shelf" in some manner.


I've thought more than once about stretching it to CJ8 length (for an easy soft top) but in a CJ6 way (minus the CJ8 rear overhang--just add the stretch in front of the wheelwell like Bart did to his TJ). It works pretty good for what it is. It's really more Chevy than Jeep (by far).

Rusted you are more than helpful. I was going to look for a donor truck for parts..... Sounds like I need to look for a donor blazer and transfer the body panels till it resembles a jeep.

My '52 has no way of identifying it other than the body anyway. No vin on frame etc. drivetrain is all chevy.

I started with an '89 Suburban for the motor/trans and wiring harness. I've got a Chev D60 front, Jeep D300 (w/Novak adapter kit and Tera HD rear output) and 14 bolt. The only thing "Jeep" is the body/frame/gas tank (tank was stolen from Braden's experienced UROC YJ).

You could use the '52 front end with a YJ tub if you wanted. I'm not sure if that's worth it to you. From what I understand, it's almost a bolt-on deal to put the CJ front on?