My dad's CJ-5 "I don't need to go big" build

[linked&bobbed_S10]

I named this thread the way I did because my dad has always wheeled his CJ-5 at the stock wheelbase with only Detroited Dana 44's and 35-37 inch Swampers. He took a break from hardcore off roading when he built his sand drag car, but he rebuilt his Jeep and got back at it. When he finally got back into what is today's version of trail riding of 1 ton's or bigger axles and 38 or bigger tires, he was determined to prove that he didn't need to go bigger to enjoy trail riding by telling me, "I don't need to go big!"

The funny thing is that he was proving me wrong by going up most of the trails at Green Acres with his setup. He knew that he was limited with is 81" wheelbase of the CJ-5. In February while at Green Acres, I broke my pitman arm twice and I needed cash for some full hydraulic steering, so I sold my Dana 60 back to him, and he decided to throw in the towel and has now "GONE BIG"!

Here are the details......

What he had; 75 CJ-5 @ stock wheel base of 81 inches, 454, T350, Dana 20, Dana 44 front and rear 4:88 Detroits, 37 inch SSR's

What he has; same CJ-5 now at 114 inch wheelbase, TBI 350, 700R4 tranny, NP231 crawlbox, Dana 300 clocked flat, Dana 60 front 5:13 Detroit, 4 link with Johnny joints on lower links, 14 bolt rear 5:13 Detroit, 4 link with Johnny Joints on lower links, 39.5 Pit Bull Rockers

[linked&bobbed_S10]

This is what the build is looking like so far...

[linked&bobbed_S10]

more pics of the rear end.....

[sayb2]

post up the rest FAG!!! all i have is cell pics

[linked&bobbed_S10]

The front end was linked up and done this weekend.....pics of that coming this week....

[sayb2]

move this to general

[linked&bobbed_S10]

Shut up!

[mrtoddb]

Now now girls, let's play nice...


Lookin good!!!

[linked&bobbed_S10]

you know how brothers are......

[mrtoddb]

Only child here, so I have no idea, but I'm raising a couple, so we'll see!!!

[sayb2]

in case yall didnt get that, linked and i are brothers. i wish i was in oklahoma instead of wyoming to help build the thing. but, i am learning it all up here anyways...

[bbaxter51]

Looks like clean work. Are you worried about your AS at all? those links look a little short, but without a side shot it's hard to tell.

[95geo]

X2, I'd probably look into changing the frame side mounts if you want this thing to be at least 1/2 way stable on side hills, climbing, turning and pretty much anywhere but sitting still on level ground. Lower it about 6" too.

Use other vehicles that are proven to work well for a template to build from.

$0.02

[sayb2]

0 antisquat. used a 4-link calculator and design coming from other rigs that work that we run with. the front suspension links are longer than the rear. from what my brother told me the rears are short because of the stock frame and restiricted the design. the jeep is being setup to run 44's without any change. thats why its tall. thats what i know from talking to my brother, dad, and uncle whos shop its being built at. i am in wyoming and have not seen the jeep since the fab wok began. if i am wrong i am sure linked will correct me.

[95geo]

Not much of what you said makes any sence. Take a deep breath, form complete thoughts and then type them out so we can all make sense of them without reading it 4 times and still wondering.

[sayb2]

read again

[erik415]

maybe you should read it again, it all made sense to me the first time. looks good. keep up the good work

[sayb2]

i edited it. there were typing mistakes

[linked&bobbed_S10]

The AS is 109 front and rear. The rear links are so short due to the doubler, the skid plate, and the narrow frame of the CJ-5. It was setup on the computer, and we presume it will work out just fine. We will find out in two weeks for a weekend test run at a buddies canyon land.

[linked&bobbed_S10]

pics of the front end and on tires.....still need to finish steering, some plumbing......disassemble, clean, reassemble the front end, finish welding, and paint the front end and suspension....make some rocker protection....then fire it up and let it run

[linked&bobbed_S10]

more....

[linked&bobbed_S10]

I think that it will work....

[jackson76550]

Originally Posted by 95geo

X2, I'd probably look into changing the frame side mounts if you want this thing to be at least 1/2 way stable on side hills, climbing, turning and pretty much anywhere but sitting still on level ground. Lower it about 6" too.

Use other vehicles that are proven to work well for a template to build from.

$0.02

x3 it looked better in the before pics. but hope it works out for you

[linked&bobbed_S10]

Well we are pretty happy with the results, this design has worked for us and this is the 3rd rig that we've built in this form with a few upgrades.

Next weekend will tell quite a bit for this build though. I'm not saying that its done in the form of a ColeWorx rig, but not everyone can design like those professionals, yet the guys have done a great, clean job!

[76j20]

I am beginning the same swap on the rear of my 75 cj5. What size tubing and joints did you use? Where did you get your tubing????