1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

MD Juan Tub Kit 1969 CJ5 4CLY (7/2016)

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by Wirework, Jul 10, 2016.

  1. Aug 25, 2016
    Wirework

    Wirework Navy_Jim

    Pittsburgh, PA
    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2016
    Messages:
    542
    Wow. 'Sorry. I'm not ready to give it up yet... I've already made too many mistakes by creating insufficient documentation when taking things apart. The existing body is my only map to hole locations. etc... I've got to keep it until I get through the MD Juan body attachment sometime this winter.

    I painted the frame this week... 'used the Eastwood brand mostly because my brother already had a half gallon ready to go and it will likely outlast me no matter what I use. I got some of that paint on my hands... 'still can't get it off. 'Hope it holds up like this on the frame!

    I got the wheels and axles opened up... all bearings and differentials' gear are all in great shape! I just need to replace seals. What good luck!

    I did destroy a rear wheel by using the wrong kind of puller. No part stores carry the 'right' kind as a loaner... but found one on the internet. It worked perfectly and safely.

    Transfer case is next.

    'Hope you liked Pittsburgh... but please tell everyone it is just a smokey stinky hell hole full of only mean spirited people... I don't want anyone else finding out how great a place we have here. I've been everywhere... I wouldn't live anywhere else. Oh! Whoops! ... I mean,"yea, isn't Pittsburgh really the pits!?!"
     
  2. Aug 25, 2016
    Wirework

    Wirework Navy_Jim

    Pittsburgh, PA
    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2016
    Messages:
    542
    I've decided to build a fold down rear bumper-mount spare carrier. My brother has some square tubing 'just the right size and a MIG welding rig. I joined ShopTec here in Pittsburgh and soon can custom cut (CNC) steel plate as needed.
     
  3. Sep 4, 2016
    originalcj5

    originalcj5

    When I bought my 73, it had a spare tire carrier bolted to the rear x-member. Problem was, that it would only fold down so far. Not that it really matters to most people, but it made it impossible to drop the tail gate. I needed to drop the gate so that the dog cound jump in the back & ride. I went with the side mount. The side mount bracket did not line up with the existing holes in the 1/4 panel, so I did have to modify the tub/bracket (can't remember which) to get it to fit.

    Plus, I liked everything about how the side mounted spare tire looked. So did everybody else.

    Every Jeep that I ever saw in N. Georgia had a rear mounted spare. In my ever so humble opinion, I think the side mount adds a uniqueness & an element of style. JM2C

    DSCF0012.JPG
     
    Walt Couch likes this.
  4. Sep 4, 2016
    Wirework

    Wirework Navy_Jim

    Pittsburgh, PA
    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2016
    Messages:
    542
    You are preaching to the choir on that one. I much prefer the look with the spare mounted on the right rear fender... but I haven't convinced myself (yet) that I can "adequately" reinforce the MD Juan body to support it. Has the factory underside spare bracket support been adequate in your opinion? No weight or vibration damage? I'm going with stock wheels/tires.
    Thanks.
     
  5. Sep 4, 2016
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2012
    Messages:
    3,784
    Stock wheels and tires , is what it's made for........anything heavier or larger becomes a liability in weight and width..........seen plenty ripped off on the trail by a tree that did not move.
     
  6. Sep 4, 2016
    Wirework

    Wirework Navy_Jim

    Pittsburgh, PA
    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2016
    Messages:
    542
    This is a bit of a public apology to the Jeep rebuild world... Just last week I received my PARTS LIST (Approved Jeep PARTS and ACCESSORIES - $50 @ Rock Auto) and OMG how embarassing! I've been asking parts questions on forums all over the internet when 90% of the answers are right here.

    I only wish the part sellers referenced the factory p/n... I can't count how many hours I spent this week trying to match seals and gaskets... etc. with sellers dumping multiple years/models packed together with minimal info.

    Anyway...meaculpa.
     
  7. Sep 4, 2016
    Wirework

    Wirework Navy_Jim

    Pittsburgh, PA
    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2016
    Messages:
    542
    So if i'm not a trail guy, it should last longer than I do? ... (which is all I really care about.)
     
  8. Sep 4, 2016
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2012
    Messages:
    3,784
    If it's properly braced , Yes!
     
  9. Sep 4, 2016
    Wirework

    Wirework Navy_Jim

    Pittsburgh, PA
    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2016
    Messages:
    542
    P.S. Your jeep looks great. I hope mine turns out even close to that!
     
  10. Sep 4, 2016
    originalcj5

    originalcj5

    Thanks...It was a survivor with 68,000 original miles when I found it in 2004. It was lifted, had a full roll cage & huge ugly wheels & tires. I was able to put it back to original factory condition. It had some maintenance issues, but those fixes and some original parts & a little body work & paint (the original Jetset Blue) turned it into a real head turner.

    The right quarter panel still had the inner brace in place. It was in good shape (probably never used).

    By the way, I'm not exactly a new member. I joined in 2003 or 2004 & had a couple of hundred posts, but I guess since I hadn't logged on for a few years, my account was no longer in the data base. My user name was available, so I set up a new account with that..if the Mods can locate and resurect my old account, I'd be down with that.

    I now live in Thailand and no longer have that Jeep. I sold it to a guy from Florida in 2007 just before I left.

    There are a lot of Jeeps over here, as you might imagine, as the US had quite a presence in Thailand during the Vietnam era. Problem is, most are bastardized hodge-pods of who knows what. Almost all have Toyota diesel engines as the original ones died long ago & there were no Willys or Jeep parts available. Most, but not all, are only 2WD now as the original transmission and transfer case were discarded when the engine was swapped in. I've also seen Jeeps made by Mitsubishi, under license from Willys/Jeep. It's crazy when you see an old flat fender, that is obviously new, with a Mitsubishi logo stamped in the grill.

    The reason I came back is that I saw what, at first blush, I thought was a MB or a GPW. It has a Toyota diesel engine, but is still 4WD. I'm a bit confused about what it is, as it has decals, not plates, in English, on the dash for shifter position & so forth. It's not rusted out, has military tail lights, but the shovel & ax (probably not original) are on the right side and it's left hand drive. There is no data or ID plate on the firewall. The frame also is unfamiliar to me as well. The front x-member is an approximately 3 inch tubular piece with a shallow downward U bend. Never seen that before. It's about 30 klicks from here and the used car dealer that has it wants 280,000 Bt...that's $8187 US. It's a bit pricey, so I just looked and walked away. I'm sure he gave me the "rich foreigner" price.

    Next time I'm down that way, I'll take some pics. What section would I post a "WTF is this" thread? Flat fender tech, maybe?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 4, 2016
  11. Sep 21, 2016
    Wirework

    Wirework Navy_Jim

    Pittsburgh, PA
    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2016
    Messages:
    542
    Now that I've been here for a while, I feel like I'm in the wrong forum. I think I should shift my updates in the builds forum, right?
     
    Greenshirt82 likes this.
  12. Sep 22, 2016
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2014
    Messages:
    7,540
    Moved. (y)
     
  13. Sep 22, 2016
    Wirework

    Wirework Navy_Jim

    Pittsburgh, PA
    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2016
    Messages:
    542
    'Just an update on the 1969 rebuild...

    [​IMG]


    Joe and I (Jim) completed the rebuild of the engine, transmission, transfer case, and axles this week and will finish up frame and subassembly painting tomorrow.

    We've been amazingly lucky, I think. The frame was rust and crack free, and the transmission, transfer case, and axle gears looked very, very good... bearings good all around; only seals and gaskets were needed. The engine was generally good except for extra wear on the starting gear on the flywheel and the prior brazing repair of a large chip out of the top edge of the engine block. All brake cylinders were rebuilt; shoes were all salvagable, only brake hardware needed replacing.

    We made a few mistakes that cost us a few parts... 'wrong wheel puller damaged a wheel, wrong removal technique damaged the steering wheel and a water pump pulley. Two threaded holes stripped out in the front hub flange when using the torque recommended in the Jeep Rebuilder's book, and they both needed to be retapped larger.

    One top leaf was broken in a leaf spring; we replaced both sides. The knuckles needed sanding. A bad transfer case seal let oil soak the parking brake, so those shoes needed replacing. Worn cluch linkage needed welding and reshaping. The valve cover and air cleaner needed some weld repair. The P.O. welded the steering bellcrank nut to its bolt so it needed replacing.

    All disasembled parts were wire brushed clean, some sandblasted, and everything was or will be painted. New belts, lubrication, fluids, and filters will finish off the drive train.

    Stock wheels and military tires are on order and will replace the P.O.'s wide wheel "upgrade". By the end of next week we'll have a completed rolling chassi, so wiring and body work will begin then.
     
    Last edited: Oct 31, 2021
    tarry99 likes this.
  14. Sep 24, 2016
    Wirework

    Wirework Navy_Jim

    Pittsburgh, PA
    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2016
    Messages:
    542
    PO used the wrong nut on the camshaft pulley... 'Anyone know what die size/thread is appropriate for trying to clean up the damaged camshaft threads? I don't have a die or gage that size... 'have to rent/borrow one. Thanks.


    Update 3 days later: 'Looks like the crankshaft is 1"-16 via a caliper and thread gage... i.e. 0.990 OD on my (damaged) threads.
     
    Last edited: Sep 27, 2016
  15. Sep 26, 2016
    Wirework

    Wirework Navy_Jim

    Pittsburgh, PA
    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2016
    Messages:
    542
    [​IMG]

    Today we repaired several bumper dings, assembled springs on axles, installed them on the frame with new spring/shackle bushings and new shocks, installed all the steering linkages with new tie rod ends, pin, damper, bearings and seals and touched up the frame paint.

    We started on the brake lines and found the dual master cylinder corroded when we attempted to rebuild it. Also I accidently ordered the wrong (i.e. the single) master cylinder rebuild kit.

    Wheels and tires are still 2 weeks out.

    We'll finish brake lines Wednesday and likely get the drivetrain all in too. Friday we'll likely do cluch linkage, parking brake, steering column, draw bar accessory, etc.

    Undecided about building a new wiring harness before or after attaching the body... we still have the original harness. Thoughts, anyone?

    Thanks.
     
    Last edited: Oct 31, 2021
  16. Sep 26, 2016
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2014
    Messages:
    7,540
    It's looking great! (y)
     
  17. Sep 27, 2016
    Wirework

    Wirework Navy_Jim

    Pittsburgh, PA
    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2016
    Messages:
    542
    Thanks! I never expected to like the color "black" so much. After a lot of conversations here, we decided to not sandblast but rather to rely on just wire brushing and the appropriate Eastwood paint, brushed on (to keep the vapors to a minimum).

    We used a rattle can hi temp black on the engine but still need to run it up to temperature to bake it on.

    We also decided to trust the spare tire side mount recommendation we got on this site (since we are going with stock wheels). Both the external spare tire mount and in-fender support bracket have arrived.
     
  18. Sep 27, 2016
    jeepermc

    jeepermc Active Member

    Western WA
    Joined:
    May 25, 2011
    Messages:
    1,188
    Mine's all original and doesn't meet the catch either.
     
  19. Sep 27, 2016
    montanacj

    montanacj Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2012
    Messages:
    794
    Nice work and great progress.
     
  20. Sep 27, 2016
    rejeep

    rejeep Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Rochester, NY
    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2009
    Messages:
    1,691
    Really nice looking chassis
     
New Posts