A farmboy's 56 CJ5 tons/SBC build

[himarker]

Well, im getting some parts rounded up for my CJ5. I bought it last year as a pile of parts. I put it all together and wheeled it over the winter, it worked well, but its time to go bigger. Heres a current list of what it is before the surgery:
'56 CJ5
D44/D30 5.13's, locked/welded
carb'd 4.3, T18, D20
Beadlocked 38.5x15.5x15 Boggers.

Heres whats goin in:
'97 Vortec 350, (fresh rebuild by me)
'94 dodge D70 rear
'91 dodge D60 front
either 39.5 Rockers or 41" Iroks

im shootin for 5.13's again cause they worked well for me before. Probably detroits for lockers. Im stayin on leafs due to budget, but eventually it will be linked in the rear with coils.

Im basically lookin for info or guidance from those familiar with these parts or have done this before. I dont want people telling me that this wont work of that i need some high $$$ parts, cause i cant afford them. I worked my ass off in harvest for this and this is what i have. Hopefully some guys on here have some info on this.

thanks in advance
himarker

[m38a1jpn]

Got any current pics?

[robi615]

are you going to box your frame? what wheelbase are you going with? Is your setup going to be the sbc 350, t-18, d20, to dodge axles? Any pics of current rig?

[himarker]

I already boxed the frame when i built it the first time. I am shoothing for the vortec 35 to the t18, dana 20, to dodge axles....should work with a little fab work. Ill get some pics up.

[robi615]

is the trans a tcase from a jeep? Jeep frame/body/trans/tcase, chevy motor, dodge axles......sounds like a Frankenstein lol.

[himarker]

well it already has a chevy motor, thats the only reason im going vortec....and the dodge axled were what i could find for a good price. hard to find chevy dana 60's around here...

[robi615]

no big deal, just don't see many people running dodge axles. LP60 right driver drop right?

[crashnzuk]

Yes, a 91 Dodge 60 is low pinion, but it is passenger drop just like his dana 20. Are you going to spring it over, or is it already? You will need a wheelbase stretch I think. That rear 70 in a CJ5 will result in a super short rear shaft if you don't. I have a t-18/dana 20 combo and a Dana 60 rear in my YJ. The rear shaft is something like 22 or 24 inches long with my stock wheelbase. I see no problem with your parts choices, just build it.
Travis..

[himarker]

I'll spring over for suspension. I was really wanting to link the rear on coils, but i dont think i can afford it. Ill have to stretch it a little i guess. We'll see. The driveline angle right now isnt too bad and it's SOA now. We'll have to see. I like dodge stuff, i drive mine everyday for the last 217,000 miles and it just works. i thinkk with somem trimming and SOA 41's should be a good fit. Anyone know anything about the 39.5/16.5/16 Pitbull Rockers? Im curious...

[robi615]

I'd like to see pics, hope it turns out well. I love the look of older jeeps on 1 tons, most of the time you see YJ and TJ builds.

[himarker]

well, its starting to come together. I finished building the motor for the most part today. Headers will be here next week, then its ready. I got the axles all cleaned up, just need to buy parts. Probably just going to gear and weld the front, but gears and detroit in the rear. Im going back to the linked plan. It will be easier to stretch it that way, and i know if i dont do it now, ill regret it. Im hoping some F150 front coils will work. Im going to take some pics tomorrow so you can see it in current form. 42" PBR's are getting ordered soon.....go big or go home.....lol

[gtxracer]

Sounds awesome, get us those pics and some tech on the dodge 60

[himarker]

I took some pics tonight. Pics arent very good, not the best terrain available to show what it can (cant) do. Convinced the wife to drive it around. I threw in some pics from snow wheelin in april...proof that it moves....lol

[Deadman 94 xj]

Holy shit, you ran 38" boggers on stock axles. Makes me feel good about my 33's

Jeep looks great, can't wait to see what it turns into.

[himarker]

38's are fine in the snow.... Toyotas around here run 38, 39, ive even seen a set of 44's on toyota axles. Not a lot of torque in snow. It works well as it sits. Those snow pics dont do justice to that day....we were bustin trail in around 2.5ft of fresh. FUN STUFF....

Youtube or google "Jubilee Run".....if you like snow wheelin

[himarker]

im kinda surprised that there hasnt been more people flaming me for this build. Or at least some helpful tips from gusy that have been here.

Got to measuring on it tonight, and the wb is right at 84" now. The front springs better than i thought they were. Center pins are offset by about 9-10" but installed backwards now. Im shooting for a WB in the neighborhood of 100-105? sound do-able? Any ideas on steering? Im thinkin hydro made out of John Deere stuff ( i work for a JD dealer)?

Just runnin my mouth lookin for inspiration i guess...

[himarker]

Anyone have any ideas on coil springs that would be a good fit? I was thinking about some F150 stock springs or possibly some later jeep springs if i had any idea which ones. Im also looking for a set of 16x12 wheels if anyone knows of some....

[himarker]

Update:

Vortec is ready to drop in. Probably start on it next week. Orederd a set of 42/15/16 Pitbull Rocker bias today. I have most of my suspension stuff rounded up. Trail Gear 1 1/4"x 5/8" Creeper Joints, 1.5" sch80 pipe for the links, plate of 1/4" steel for tabs and such, and a set of front coils off a cherokee. Hopefully it will all work.

Pics later

[himarker]

Well I have been workin on this thing for a long time now. Here's what I have done so far: tore it all apart and decided to build a new frame. 2x4x3/16 rect tubing. Set the rear up on a double triangulated 4 link on coils. Front on leafs. Comp cut the tub. Stretched the wheelbase out to 100". Cj7 hood to clear the Vortec 350. Built a cage out of 2". Shocks are mounted. I have all the stuff to gear the axles. I went with yukons of the 6.17 variety. Currently wiring the motor, finishing up the fuel cell, setting up gears, and setting up full hydro steering. Its a low slung bitch. 42" pbr's and im about 80" to the top of the cage and belly is around 22". Ill get some pics up so everyone can see the progress.

[ToyotaJeep]

I like it. What is your bottom door entry height measured from the ground? I like the proportions and I was curious on your height.

Here is a Walla Walla related question. Sorta off topic.

Where do you wheel from say 12-1 until the first part of April? When I left there 15 years ago you essentially couldn't legally lock your hubs in for almost 4 months of the year. I remember running Tiger the last Sunday in the fall and counting the days until the spring.

I think they left Blacksnake open and that was all for the winter wheeling.

Is it still that bad for access?

ROB

[himarker]

Ill measure the door. I like the dayton side more than tiger. Im in prescott so its easy to go that way. Blacksnake is still open though.

[ToyotaJeep]

So you can still legally get up to the snow that way? I remember that it was not a fun time in the mid-90's to wheel. Not much for areas to go.

What do you estimate your Jeep will weigh?

ROB

[MrWillys]

The tub, grill, windshield, and fenders are not from a 56. Looks more like a 70. Nice build though. You did a nice job on the frame and links. What springs did you end up using in the back?

[himarker]

Well, the windshield is around 72, as is the grille. Fenders are handmade. I was told the tub was original, but im not sure. springs are front coils off a cherokee. Ill weigh it when its done.

[Deadman 94 xj]

Updates?

I saw a pic you posted in the other thread. Man this thing really turned out slick!