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69 Cj5 Build Sanity Check

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by AnarchyInTheUSA, Jun 25, 2021.

  1. Jun 25, 2021
    AnarchyInTheUSA

    AnarchyInTheUSA New Member

    CA
    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2021
    Messages:
    1
    Hey all,

    I've recently been given a '69 CJ5 with the F134 and some pizza cutter tires on it. I'm thinking of doing a build for the Rubicon. Give me a sanity check on the plan?

    Skyjacker softrides to give me 2.5 inch lift, and some body cutting to fit 33" Super Swampers or the like. Add some armor here and there, as well as u-bolt skid plates. Probably do Herm's full float kit to the D44 in the rear, and add a locker.

    Are 33's too much to ask from the f-head? From the Dana 27? Should I just calm tf down and go with 31's?

    Do I need a front locker? At that point, should i look to swap the d27 for a d30 or a second d44?

    Thanks for all your input,
    Ross
     
    Last edited: Jun 25, 2021
    Rodney likes this.
  2. Jun 26, 2021
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2014
    Messages:
    4,170
    Your '69 with an F-134 likely came stock with 4.27 ratio axles. 4.88s were optional, but only a small fraction came with those. With 4.27 axles, I wouldn't be putting on anything taller than 29", or 30" at the tallest. Original tires on your Jeep were in the 28"-29"tall. Anything much taller is asking a lot of the F-134. Willys Jeeps typically have 5.38 gears that can pull a larger diameter tire.
    Just because you could fit taller tires doesn't mean you should. It's a shame to cut up a good body to make it fit larger tires when the rest of the Jeep isn't capable of pulling them.
    -Donny
     
    Rodney likes this.
  3. Jun 26, 2021
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,593
    FWIW - Tom (member tomtom) ran the rubicon with us a couple years ago with F134 on 31s, T98 (or T18), power steering and some extra armor (and maybe a locker or limited slip?) and serious driver skill. He ran it a few years before that with manual steering and not sure if it was still running the T90 3 speed. Basically, my thoughts from running the rubicon the last two years with our ecj5 group - 4cyl with 30-31s can be done, but you have to be willing to bang on stuff a bit. Those of us with v6s often go 2.5" lift with 33s (no fender cutting necessary - but a little extra shackle lift is kind of nice). I've not driven the 4 cylinder a lot - so cannot attest to how streetable it is with 31s or bigger, but instead of overloading the 4cyl with bigger tires, I'd suggest 4 speed granny gear swap, traction device (locker preferred), some good skid and rocker protection, and maybe power steering (although I still run manual steering). Again, not experienced with the 4cyl, but I don't see a need to replace the D27 with limited 4cyl power - and no need for a front locker (a powr loc would be nice) as I've run it both years open in the front - just a rear locker. full float rear is nice in case something breaks and flat towing, but from discussion on the forum here, sounds like the consensus is the free float kit isn't any stronger. Also for the rubicon, with only a 10 gal tank, you may want some way to carry extra fuel.
     
    Last edited: Jun 27, 2021
    Rodney likes this.
  4. Jun 27, 2021
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
    Joined:
    Jun 19, 2009
    Messages:
    3,083
    Are you sure about that? I thought 4.88s were optional with only the 225 V6. 5.38's were standard with the F134 and the 4.27s were optional. 3.73s were standard with the v6.
     
    Daryl likes this.
  5. Jun 27, 2021
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2010
    Messages:
    7,110
    33s with 2.5" springs-no fender mods needed.
    20210627_082152.jpg
     
    Buildflycrash likes this.
  6. Jun 27, 2021
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2014
    Messages:
    4,170
    You are correct regarding the 4.88s being optional for the V6 Jeeps that normally have the 3.73 gears.
    Around '63, Kaiser changed the standard axle gears to 4.27s, with 5.38s as the optional ratio. This coincided with the change to the T90C with the lower 1st gear. The V6 didn't become available until '66 for the taller gears, but the F-134 Jeeps continued with the 4.27 (optional 5.38) gear through '71. Prior to '63, all CJs came with 5.38s.
    I still stand by my comments in post #2 regarding larger tire diameters needing the low 5.38 gears. The original poster needs to determine what gears he has, or start down the "project creep" rabbit hole of compound modifications of changing gears, swapping transmissions, maybe even engines.
    -Donny
     
    garage gnome likes this.
  7. Jun 28, 2021
    Greevesman

    Greevesman Member

    Napa, Ca
    Joined:
    Oct 12, 2014
    Messages:
    417
    I have a 65 F134 with 4.27 gears T90C and 30" tires. In low range at about 1400/1500 rpm it climbs steep dirt trails pretty well..
    BUT it will never be a crawler. Nice old jeep tho.
     
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