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1970 Cj-5, Also Known As The Vamp

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by masscj2a, May 15, 2020.

  1. May 15, 2020
    masscj2a

    masscj2a Member 2023 Sponsor

    Ware, Mass
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2013
    Messages:
    743
    Yes, name says it best. I'm calling it the Vamp, cuz its sucking the money out of me. Maybe not because I had to, but because I have a problem. This one started out life as a Virginia CJ, then last year, I went down there to rescue it from a farmers barn. The sheet metal was very solid, but when I got down there, the running motor, was not running and of course the price point began to drop. After price adjustment, it was loaded up and on its way home to western Mass.
    Came with: Dauntless that appears to have just been rebuilt. T14 that grumbles, Dana 18 TC, offset rear 44 flanged, Dana 27 front with lock o matics, both 488's, hard top, nice welded exhaust, dry rotted seats that I plan to get new covers on, plastic fuel tank. Jeep still has a lot of original items on it, like rear view mirror, gas pedal, sun visors, washer fluid bag, original uncut dash, seat brackets, windshield frame (rust free).

    Since then the following has been done and with a lot of the items bought here.

    New distributor (hence not running)
    Rancho leaf springs, (2-1/2 inch) bought new 4WDH military wrapped, rebound spring removed
    Rancho shocks, bought new 4WDH, 3 inch longer then stock
    New shackles (3/4 inch higher)
    Best Top super top, bought here used
    NOS Dana 27 Power-lok, bought here
    Dana Power-lok rear LSD bought here
    New brake lines with complete flush of fluid
    All new axle and carrier and hub bearings, seals and gear oil. This took the longest and just finally got it done.
    New rebuilt pristine Warn hubs
    New rebuilt steering linkage, bell crank, TRE's (next is cross over steering)
    Knuckles now have button head conversion
    New Walmart battery, fit my tray and hold down perfect, I know, Walmart battery right
    Used Warn XD9000I winch, fabricated winch tray, through bumper exit
    Aircraft landing lights
    Stainless Radiator grill protector (used East Coast Willys) web site
    Front vintage pull hooks
    New Crown clutch cable
    Best Top seats (used East Coast Willys)
    Swing tire carrier, bought here
    New running and directional lights, ( all of them) bought new Kaiser Willys (Crown)
    New back up lights
    New fabricated rear bump stops on frame
    New BFG KM3's Mud Terrains on vintage 3 bump 15 inch wheels. 4WDH great price, $187 each
    4 new 1-1/4 inch wheel spacers, with no tire rubbing on front springs (Ebay)

    I'm sure I'm missing things here and there, but didn't want to bore anyone with the time lapsed version of the build. So its pretty much done and now with the situation in the world what it is, I can't get an appointment at the registry of Motor Vehicles in Mass. to get it registered. Been trying for two weeks now. This state is a joke. The registry offices are closed except by appointment only and for two weeks I can't get one even into July. I have my form RMV1 from my insurance agent and my old plates, but can't get in to hand them over close to a grand to get it on the road. May have to register this one in NH.

    The synopsis on this 1970 CJ5 is, it runs great, starts at a click of the key, goes down the road straight as an arrow with no wobble at speeds of over 60 MPH, ( don't ask ) had tons of torque, comfy to ride in, room for man muscle, shifts great, steers like butter, (even with 33's) The cool parts, the 4 way flasher works and lights up, the directional switch is original and functions with a flashing light bulb, ( I know, its the small things that excite me) Speedometer works and temp gauge, Fuel gauge, not so much as poly tank has no sending unit yet.

    The cons, needs a new T14 rebuild or T15 if I can find one and convert it
    Need to get the DOM tubing to do a cross over steering system
    Needs TR flip with new Cross over
    Probably a TC rebuild, but not this summer. I have a spare T14 tranny and TC for it from my 71, may rebuild it this summer, but not going to install till next winter.
    May buy steel fuel tank and sending unit (up in the air on this)

    So that's it. Been busy and didn't want to bore anyone with this build. I'll try to find pictures, but did not take a ton.

    cj5 may 14th.jpg May 14th cj5.jpg May 14th side shot cj.jpg
     
    ojgrsoi, FinoCJ, Rich M. and 5 others like this.
  2. May 16, 2020
    fhoehle

    fhoehle Sponsor

    Harford Township, PA
    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2012
    Messages:
    1,427
    Wow, I hate the bureaucracy of PA, sounds like Mass. Is even worse. I hope you can register it soon. Do you have a vin tag that you can swap out.......
     
  3. May 16, 2020
    masscj2a

    masscj2a Member 2023 Sponsor

    Ware, Mass
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2013
    Messages:
    743
    No, nothing else is registered right now. My daughter in law lives out near Pittsburg. I hear those horror stories all the time. Can't wait to finalize my retirement and get out of the people's republic.
     
    fhoehle likes this.
  4. May 16, 2020
    givemethewillys

    givemethewillys Been here since sparky ran it. 2022 Sponsor

    New Kent, VA
    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2005
    Messages:
    1,998
    That looks like a great jeep, congrats on the purchase! I gotta admit, I'm a bit jealous, as my jeep is in pieces right now. Mass really is terrible with their beurocracy. NH at least used to be surprisingly much better.

    Here in Virginia I've been trying to get a dmv inspector to come out and verify that my vin is different than the title shows (couldn't find the vin plate way back when I first registered it in nh, and used the now-gone fhead serial number). They are showing as "closed until further notice". Grrrrr.
     
  5. May 16, 2020
    Dave Deyton

    Dave Deyton Member

    Fuquay-Varina, NC
    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2003
    Messages:
    847
    I understand people are trying to pawn off junk as collector cars and title scams are prevalent, but to get a legit Jeep registered is crazy.
    The thieves probably have a way around the problems honest people run into.
    Bought the M38A1 from Virginia and brought it back to NC. Took forever to get the title transferred. Had an AACA meeting and a guy from the DMV did the program.
    After trying to get it inspected with out success, I called him and he had someone come out and inspect it. They said we had to drive it up there, i said. "I'm not putting any money or work into it until I get a clear title." Finally, with his help, I got the title. Now if I can just get it running.

    I tried to get information before I bought it and got a lot of wrong information. The people at the DMV told me to wait and sign the title with the inspectors witnessing it.
    They said they could arrest me for having an open title and I should have already signed it. They said there are only 2 DMV offices in NC with all State employees and to use one of them for getting the title with the paperwork they gave me. From there on it went without problem.

    That is a good looking Jeep. I like a 70 model, you have done some good work.

    Hang in there. If you can talk to the right person, maybe you can make some progress.

    Dave
     
  6. May 16, 2020
    masscj2a

    masscj2a Member 2023 Sponsor

    Ware, Mass
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2013
    Messages:
    743
    Dave, one of the problems is they aren't answering phone either because there are thousands trying to do what I am. So simple answer for them is don't answer the phone. When this breaks, they will be flooded. Makes no sense, I can go to Walmart with no problems. But I can't go to a business I pay gobbs of taxes to go to and can't. Hate this state.
     
    fhoehle likes this.
  7. May 19, 2020
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2003
    Messages:
    8,513
    Jeep looks good.
    I like the color.
     
    masscj2a likes this.
  8. May 21, 2020
    masscj2a

    masscj2a Member 2023 Sponsor

    Ware, Mass
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2013
    Messages:
    743
    Finally got an appointment at the registry. June 1st at 1010 am. Only allowing 10 minutes for each transaction. I figured out a couple of years ago that I was paying over 25k a year in taxes to just live in this state and it gets you 10 minutes of time ?? Wow . And that's not counting federal tax. Thank goodness, I'm so lucky to be so generous.
     
  9. May 23, 2020
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

    exploring the...
    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2009
    Messages:
    3,869
    thats one of the reasons i love it here...the town hall handles registrations. the dmv is only needed for your license.
     
  10. May 24, 2020
    masscj2a

    masscj2a Member 2023 Sponsor

    Ware, Mass
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2013
    Messages:
    743
    Yeh I love Maine and New Hampshire. Where I spend my winters.
     
  11. Jun 9, 2020
    masscj2a

    masscj2a Member 2023 Sponsor

    Ware, Mass
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2013
    Messages:
    743
    Update. Got my registration and have about 300 paved road miles and maybe 30-40 class 6 road miles up in New Hampshire. Thank goodness I made rock sliders. Oh and I will be looking for a set of the double walled spring plates for the front springs. One thing I was disappointed in was the carb kept loading up and stalling out the motor on steep off canter climbs and of course it was always when the hardest part of the trail came up.
     
  12. Jul 12, 2020
    masscj2a

    masscj2a Member 2023 Sponsor

    Ware, Mass
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2013
    Messages:
    743
    Here are a few pictures of the disc brake conversion I did this week and the tie rod flip and cross over steering I did last week. The steering is excellent right now, can't believe the difference between the old system and new. Easily one finger steering or palm steering right now. That's without the front hubs engaged in TWD. FWD is much better than it was with the powrlok up front, but still not as good as a good manual box or PS. But damn, its a lot better. The disc brake conversion is still fighting me though. Once installed with the 2 lb residual valve, it still leaks down and gives a soft peddle. So the master cylinder looks to be very old and cannot tell , but could be original. I do have a question and I have not seen a set up like this one, but the lines coming out of the master, go into a small block just a short distance away and then split again with a line going forward to the front "T" and the other to the rear axle. Whats the point of this block? It does not appear to be and equalizing system, just a block. And on my master, the rear line closest to the plunger is going to the rear apparently and not the front. I have ordered a new master and it will be in on monday, so I am going to eliminate that possibility. One picture also shows the button head bolt conversion.

    70 front disc 2.jpg 70 front button head.jpg front 70 disc.jpg
     
    fhoehle, Fireball and bigbendhiker like this.
  13. Jul 12, 2020
    Focker

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

    WA
    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2014
    Messages:
    7,540
    We've discussed this here and there's never been a good answer.

    I copied this from a post I made in another thread...

    It's called a "Line T"...I don't understand it's purpose? I was thinking at first that maybe it was a stock version of a metering valve, but after reading the FSM this morning...It's not.
     
    masscj2a likes this.
  14. Jul 12, 2020
    masscj2a

    masscj2a Member 2023 Sponsor

    Ware, Mass
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2013
    Messages:
    743
    I'm still scratching my head as to why it's there.
     
    Focker likes this.
  15. Jul 23, 2020
    masscj2a

    masscj2a Member 2023 Sponsor

    Ware, Mass
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2013
    Messages:
    743
    Finally finished the gremlin fill disc conversion. Man those are some great brakes right now. Can't believe it's a Jeep. Ended up installing a Weaver rebuilt MC. Also installed new rear wheel cylinders and adjusters. Actually installed front wheel cylinders in the rear brakes. Bigger diameter and more power. I think it was a good idea with the extra stopping power up front to get a little more out back. I still think I'm around 60/40 in braking power front to rear but maybe more like 55/45. But I only have about twenty miles on it so far. I will see how braking progresses and post back. I'm excited about my next off road excursion now. I'll actually be able to not stand on my pedal and still roll backwards. It will stop and hold, I know it's the small things.
     
    Desert Runner and Fireball like this.
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