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hydraulic clutch

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by 1972cj5, Apr 12, 2004.

  1. 1972cj5

    1972cj5 New Member

    Has anyone tried to convert the AMC era CJ5 258 jeeps to a hydraulic clutch? If so do you have any advice and list of parts? Was wondering if the slave cylinder from the 1980 era will work on a stock AMC bell housing and does it have enough travel and pressure.

    Thanks,
    Brian
     
  2. Jeepenstein

    Jeepenstein Me like Jeep.. 2024 Sponsor

    That is gonna be a sort of build it yourself kinda deal.. you can get universal slaves and masters from wilwood or if you have fab equipment you can go junkyard scabbing for parts like mine.. a bit harder but sure was fun.. there are pics on my site.. below..


    BUBBA
     
  3. 1969_CJ5

    1969_CJ5 Sponsor

    I have a 1969 CJ5 with a manual clutch that goes through the floor, not the fire wall... What are the benefits of a hydraulic clutch? Easier on the legs? Any advantage to performance?
     
  4. lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Pros:
    Easier on the leg, does not get out of alignment and stop working when you get the body and frame twisted up on an obstacle, no linkage to wear out/drop off on highway or trail :rofl: and never needs adjustment.

    Cons:
    Two more hydraulic gadgets to leak and fail.
    Somewhat difficult to fab up on an Early 5, but certainly doable.

    I'm pretty sure that I've read that the '80 CJ 4-banger set up is the way to go on AMC CJs (external slave).
     
  5. BESRK

    BESRK New Member

    Yeah.. my '80 CJ5 currently has a 304 with a hydraulic setup. Works great and it should be doable for a 6 banger as well.
     
  6. OKJeepin

    OKJeepin New Member

    I put one on my 1974 and it took about an hour.
    I got one from a 1980 CJ-5 with the 4 cylinder engine, the master cylinder and the slave cylinder, picked up a piece of tbg while I was at the parts store too.
    I removed all the old linkage, mounted the master cylinder on the firewall next to the brake master cylinder with the rod coming thru the firewall so it set right next to the clutch pedal arm, drilled a hole in the clutch arm to match the hole in the arm of the pump, put in a bolt and nut with the end drilled out for a cotter pin to keep the nut from backing off.
    Then I mounted the slave cylinder to the bellhousing, had to fab a plunger rod to the clutch fork, I used a carriage bolt, the part of the old adjustment screw, some nuts, and stuff!?! Kind of a redneck rod I guess, you can actually buy this piece and thats what I would suggest.
    Then all you have to do is bend the brake line to bolt up, bleed the thing, adjust the rod between the slave and the clutch fork and walla!
    It's a very easy upgrade and it works great.
     
  7. hurtcs

    hurtcs Member

    I have a 73 and the PO converted mine to a Chain Linkage. This goes through the floor like the '69 mentioned earlier. Did your '74 go through the Firewall of the floor?
     
  8. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    '73-75 were all the same stock setup. The '72 was different with a cable, but those are mostly gone now. Jeep came out with a kit to convert them to the later linkage as a warranty repair.

    The only trouble I had was severe flex. Ideally, you should have your foot off the clutch in such situations anyway...

    At a minimum, replace those stock linkage ball joints (that fall off) with nice Heim joints and some threaded rod.
     
  9. jtgroover

    jtgroover Its a Jeep alright

  10. lil'booger

    lil'booger New Member

    72cj5 I also have a 72 and I just removed my hydraulic clutch setup off of my jeep I installed an auto tranny. I still have it if you are interested. just message me or email.