1963 Cj5 Project "keep It Running"

Focker suggested I start a build thread for my CJ, so here it is. Pictures will follow at a later date.

My wife bought it for me about 6 years ago. It has been a very slowly progressing project. I don't get to work on it as much as I would like. Hopefully, when I retire in a few years, I can dedicate more time to it.

It is a 1963 CJ 5, with original (I think) drive train components on 31X10.5 tires. It will mostly be used for mild trails and back roads and pasture cruising type of adventures. After I retire, I would like to trailer it from Kansas to Colorado and do a few trails like Black Bear Pass, Imogene, and Tin Cup. That type of trail is about as strenuous as I would like to get.

My first project was to replace the spider gears in the Dana 27 front axle. That got me back into 4X4 mode. Next, I took out the outdoor carpeting and the metal strips holding it down. I welded shut all the screw holes, ground them flat and sealed with paint.

Next was the HF 12K winch. (Hey, I'm on a budget here.)

Then the radiator was next. It kind of exploded all at once with multiple pin holes. The radiator shop said it wasn't worth fixing, so I bought a radiator for a '65 Mustang, and modded it to fit the CJ. I also replaced the radiator hoses, thermostat, and temp sensor on the side of the block. That got my temp gauge working. (Still trying to get fuel gauge to work.)

Future projects include power-washing the underside to get rid of all the grease and oil, then watch to see where the leaks are coming from. I already know I need a new front pinion seal. Hopefully, at some point, I can swap the D27 for a D30. I would like to add lockers and disc brakes, but can't see spending the money until I get rid of the D27.

Last week I changed out the pads in the front drum brakes, which leads me to my question for this posting. I could find no way to adjust the brakes on the front drums. There is no star wheel to spin. They are pretty snug when turning the tire by hand. I took the Jeep to run errands today, about 5 miles total, and when I got back the driver side hub was very warm, but I could keep my hand on it with some discomfort. The passenger side was much hotter and I could not keep my hand on it for more than a quick second. I tried the high speed reverse with vigorous braking trick a few times, as well as forward with hard braking.

Is there a way to adjust the pads, or do I just drive it and let them wear down on their own? Can they get hot enough to damage anything?

Thanks for your help

Steve

 

You need a service manual to start with.. Tells you how to adjust the brakes, etc.. Best money you can spend on this project..

 

I do have a service manual. I couldn't find anything about adjusting front brakes. It only addresses adjusting rear brakes using the star wheel. If it is in there, can someone please point me to the right page?

 

If there is no star wheel adjuster do they have the eccentric bolts to adjust the top and bottom of the shoes? A photo if the back would help.

 

Thanks ojgrsoi. I didn't notice any, but I will check it out.

If I can't find any way to adjust them, I will put the old shoes back in. They are still in pretty good shape. The only reason I changed them is because I had to change out the cylinders, and figured I might as well put new shoes in while I had things apart.

 

If you have the older style 9" brakes, they are adjusted by 4 eccentrics per wheel. One at the top and bottom of each shoe. Here's the relevant service manual page:

 

Thanks Fireball! I'll check that out when I get a chance. Also going to re-read my manual to see if I can find that page. The images you provided are a lot better than the ones in my FSM.

 

Good start

 

It is easy to adjust such brakes, 1st if you want you can check without the drum how the shoes move. Then you adjust to minimum, you put the drums and you go increase the adjustment until contnact, then you go bact reverse and you check that the drum turns free.
Just take time and get a good seat.
frankly, it is so easy...

 

Thanks Alan! Great song also!

 

The usual 53-71 service manual doesn't discuss adjusting the older type of brakes even though it should. The manual I pulled that from was published in 1965 and does cover the older brakes. You can download it here: Universal Service Manual For Jeep Vehicles

 

Thank you!!