1979 CJ5 Tank Killer Build

[boarderofsnow]

Originally Posted by Altec

Gotcha! The way it looked I was thinking you were trying to run them in series. Sounds like you got it covered!

Maybe I'll break down and post a build thread when I get my axles. A trip to Crazy Rays is in my near future...

I also was looking at switches on Painless website and saw a fan relay on there. I opened up the digital instruction PDF and its almost exactly like the oicture I posted so I am feeling better about running it. Just need a cooler day to start the work.

[Altec]

you might want to consider a 5-pole relay. If you used a 5-pole you can also wire in a two color light setup. So when the relay is not energized, power goes to the red light (for example), and when the relay is energized the green light will be on. If you are putting the relay in the cab, it won't be much more wiring, and would help with any "whoops" moments.

[boarderofsnow]

Originally Posted by Altec

you might want to consider a 5-pole relay. If you used a 5-pole you can also wire in a two color light setup. So when the relay is not energized, power goes to the red light (for example), and when the relay is energized the green light will be on. If you are putting the relay in the cab, it won't be much more wiring, and would help with any "whoops" moments.

I already have the relays and have never had any luck with any switches with lights. I start the wiring process in the morning. We will see how it goes!

[boarderofsnow]

So started working on it at 6am this morning to try and avoid the heat. I made a template so I could cut out the firewall where I was going to mount the Battery Switch.

[boarderofsnow]

Next I started reworking the wiring for the fans. I had my maxi fuse sitting around ....don't know why I didn't install it when I did the wiring the first time so I knocked it out. My neighbors have to hate me for working on the rig in my parking spot....oh well! I dropped in two 40amp relays with 30 amp inline fuses. Then did two 40amp switches and wired those up to the dash. I also went and reworked most the terminals that were attached to my battery. I need to build an accesory block but that will be somewhere down the road. Its a little cluttered but it will work! That was a long 8 hours of work. I finished up around 2pm and man it was hot outside!

[boarderofsnow]

The fans work great now! Only down side is the switches but thats how I wanted to run them. Hopefully I did everything right and this new wiring job holds up. I used heat shrink soder connectors on everything and then did shrink wrap over all the sleaves. The battery kill switch is awesome! No more disconnecting the battery everytime I park or store it. Plus it will help to keep the chances of theft down. More to come! Still have the tube fenders to do and some more accessories to add on.

[boarderofsnow]

Today I spent about 4 hours on it pretty much finishing everything. First went and vac it out to get all the dirt out of it from Big Dogs. Then I put the windshield wiper motor back in. I went and bought a Cover for it. I figure its the only thing still somewhat old so why not cover it up! Thing still works though!

[boarderofsnow]

Next I finished cleaning up any of the wiring and getting everything put back together from pulling the old steering column. Lastly I bought a Warrior hood mount for the HighLift Jack I got. 6 bolts and she was done! Only fuss I have with this is that they were Allen Wrench bolts so it took entirely too long to put them in. I would suggest switching them out with bolts so its easier to install and remove.

[boarderofsnow]

I finished putting the top back on and finally put her away after all the fixes after Big Dogs. Most of the fixes needed were due to inexperience with wiring. I probably would have been fine repairing my column but am happy with the new column. The only thing I would say I do not like about the Ididit Steering Column is the ignition. There is a sweet spot when turning the key and if you hop over it it may not start or it will over stimulate the ignition and the column does not come with an inner lock for the steering wheel. All good outside of that though.

[boarderofsnow]

Next few weeks will be downtime and vacation. When I get back to her it will be Highline cut on the hood and tube fenders. Front shocks, Rock rings and redoing my H1's rims and painting. Might look into a spare once I get that wheel fixed and rock ringed. Then maybe build a rear stinger tire carrier. We will see.

[potlickinpirate]

Great build!! I am in the process of putting tons on my 5. Have absorbed lots of valuable info. Thanks!

Just a note; The probe you spoke of for the thermostat on the fans should be installed in the upper hose into the coolant. It sneaks in the connection between the hose and the radiator. I used one on a small block and it worked well. If the probe isn't wet it won't work. You can leave the switch you have to overide the automatic control. I realize you chose not to use it, but when you install the 5.3 I would strongly encourage a failsafe. switches are available at different temps with ajustable thresholds to trigger the relays you have already installed. A reputable parts house should be able to help. that switch will go into a not used port on the head or intake. FYI, only, I have enjoyed your write up!

[boarderofsnow]

Originally Posted by potlickinpirate

Great build!! I am in the process of putting tons on my 5. Have absorbed lots of valuable info. Thanks!

Just a note; The probe you spoke of for the thermostat on the fans should be installed in the upper hose into the coolant. It sneaks in the connection between the hose and the radiator. I used one on a small block and it worked well. If the probe isn't wet it won't work. You can leave the switch you have to overide the automatic control. I realize you chose not to use it, but when you install the 5.3 I would strongly encourage a failsafe. switches are available at different temps with ajustable thresholds to trigger the relays you have already installed. A reputable parts house should be able to help. that switch will go into a not used port on the head or intake. FYI, only, I have enjoyed your write up!

Thanks for the idea. Everything is working properly now but we will see what happens on the next wheeling trip! Glad you got some good insight from the build thread! More to come in the future!

[boarderofsnow]

I've had some down time and have been planning some stuff. Here is what I think my tube fenders will look like with the highline cut. I am moving everything up about 2-3in. Just something I whipped out in Paint to see what it would look like. I am jealous of all the TJ guys out there! Seems like the highline hood is so easy for those rigs! I am about to dive into doing mine to get a couple of more inches of up travel. Any ideas? I am in need of some enlightening.

[IEATRKS84]

Good call on the fan switches, you are gonna like them when running on a hot trail all day. This way you can just run one all the time, or both all the time or run one when the engine is off.

You are going to hate that hi-lift mount on the hood. I had one on my Jeep and i would catch it on treex and rocks all the time. I even pulled the studs through the hood more than once. Also with it being on the hood all the time the weather really did a number on the jack's internals. Furthermore i found it to be a pain the ass to pull off unlike when i reloacted it to the cage. You might as well go ahead and look for cage mounts for it now.

[boarderofsnow]

Originally Posted by IEATRKS84

Good call on the fan switches, you are gonna like them when running on a hot trail all day. This way you can just run one all the time, or both all the time or run one when the engine is off.

You are going to hate that hi-lift mount on the hood. I had one on my Jeep and i would catch it on treex and rocks all the time. I even pulled the studs through the hood more than once. Also with it being on the hood all the time the weather really did a number on the jack's internals. Furthermore i found it to be a pain the ass to pull off unlike when i reloacted it to the cage. You might as well go ahead and look for cage mounts for it now.

Yeah the wiring was a nightmare in just learning the right and the wrong way to do things and I probably still don't have it completely right but atleast I won't be burning switches, fuses, and wiring anymore....plus I freaking LOVE the battery Kill switch. I can come out to my jeep and not have to plug the battery up everytime I want to start it.

As for the highlift mount it will stay for now. I just put the highlift on there when I go wheeling so it isn't subject to weather. I do understand what your saying about trees...ect. Once I get to a place where I rebuild the cage and do a rear stinger tire carrier then I will definately consider moving it! Thanks for the input.

[boarderofsnow]

So after serious consideration I figured I would wait on the highline hood cut until I saw how much up travel I would get out of just putting the tube fenders in. I figure it won't be too much modification to just move them up another 2in if I need to and do a highline hood cut.

So we started on the tube fenders tonight and pretty much finished them in about 4 hours. Here is how they started, figured removing the hood would be easiest to work with so....that was first. Then took off the drivers side front fender.

These are Blue Torch Fab Tube fenders that I picked up last year for cheap and just like most of the BTF stuff I have bought it was pretty easy and simple to install. The grill attach point went on first. Then I added the side of the fender and attached it to the firewall. The pre cut and rolled tube was next and it was a little long. I ended up cutting 3/4in off the drivers side and 1/2in off the passenger side. Once it all lined up we tack welded it up and started looking at the top of the fender. I had to do some cutting on it to get it in line but it was pretty short and sweet. Dan and Nathan were there to help so it went pretty quick.

[boarderofsnow]

More pics. I didn't have a chance to take pics of the finished product because it was so late when we finished. I will be pulling them back off in the morning to paint them and take pics then! Also ordered the turn signal LED lights from GENright

[boarderofsnow]

Up bright and early to pull the fenders and paint them. As promised here are the finished pics before I pulled them to paint.

[xjmudslut]

fenders look real good great job..

[boarderofsnow]

Originally Posted by xjmudslut

fenders look real good great job..

Thanks! Yeah I think its about 2in of up travel or more. Here is a side by side. The most important part is the room to the rear I received. Being reverse shackle in the front definately has its benefits and its faults.

[boarderofsnow]

So I finished the tube fenders and coated the insides with Rhino Liner. I think they came out great.

[boarderofsnow]

I took her out to a little construction area at night and there was a good size dirt burm. Did a little poser flexing to see ho the new tube fenders let me stretch. I was pretty impressed with what I could see. Still need to elevate the rear to see how the fronts stuff.

[Yeager1]

Maybe I missed it in this thread, but what wheel base are you at?

[boarderofsnow]

Originally Posted by Yeager1

Maybe I missed it in this thread, but what wheel base are you at?

Stock CJ5 wheelbase is 83.5in. I'm stretched 7in in the rear and 1 in in the front. so 91.5in give or take. I plan on stretching the rear even farther once I move this build towards a CJ6 wheelbase and extend the tub. Thats a little farther down the road. I need to wheel it for now before I go to do the motor swap which is going to be a HUGE project for me.

[boarderofsnow]

Bought $150 worth of paint and painting accessories to give the Tank Killer a facelift. Plus I'm breaking the wheels open on Saturday and dropping the rock rings in. Wish me luck that everything goes as planned!