Gutting the drivetrain!

Not that this has much to do with CJs but sure. Go to http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2591493. This is my cardomain site. I haven't updated it lately I don't think but it shows most of the upgrades in progression. I'm telling you, it's mild. But it wheels like crazy; partly because the bottom is almost solid skid surfaces, it just slides over everything.

Quite frankly, I was considering a full solid axle swap until then. When I saw how well it wheeled (with alot of finesse) and then I saw how cool and easy the trail guide's CJ5 did, I decided against it.

There aren't really any shots of Rubis in the pics (save for the "tarantula" gold one with 38s leading this particular Jambo in Llano, TX) but because I have IFS, my KJ has a MUCH better turning radius and it's better balanced on side slopes. I know a good driver in a STOCK 2 door Rubi could wheel with me... but not if it was a fourdoor like mine is. Been there (four times), done that, got the T shirt! (all four)8)

 

with a 10 inch driveshaft, you wouldn't really have much breakage to worry about.

Although, with no flex, the U-joints might give way sooner

 

We all build our jeeps the way we like Some more extreme than others I have two small children and had some objectives similar to yours. One big thing that has been left out is crash safety. That is why I have ditched the extravegent plans for my early cj. I thought what would happen if I got into an accident with my little jeep. Crash saftey has improved a hundred fold with the newer rigs. If you are planning on making it trailer queen then move ahead...if not, how would it crunch up if there were a head on or if you were side swiped??? Just more food for thought.R)

 

I have a suggestion.R)

Keep the runner you have now running and use it for running around.
Get an aftermarket frame and build the one you are thinking about.
That way you have the best of both worlds.

And PICTURES! a set of ground up build pictures for the tech library or the gallery would be nice. Thanks for listening:hurrican:

 

WOW! What ever you're smokin' I want some!!! Use the jeep ya got and when the kids are old enough to understand what is goin' on with buildin' a jeep (and this will give you enough time to get your skill level up to really doing your own fabin') then build your mindseye jeep, it'll keep your kids.....well.....your kids! As Tim, the Toolman, Taylor said, "you can never have TO many tools"

Sorry, just my humble opinion, Dale

 

Funny. I'm reading (looking back) most of these posts and I have to say, a year makes ALOT of difference. For what its worth, several of you told me to go buy a newer one for the money, the safety, the intent to wheel... and you were right. The problem is, I already ripped my CJ apart! I wish I hadn't now but since I did, here we go! I did go buy a lwb TJ (LJ) to drive and I love it!!! I now am back on my CJ build and not only do I have a renewed interest in getting it going, I have a great rig to emulate, to an extent. Thanks for the good words and too bad I didn't listen. I don't wish I'd sold my 5 before gutting it but I do wish I hadn't tore it apart. I really enjoyed driving it around although my little guys kept wanting me to "take them around the block" and I did not have a good feeling about it without a cage/seatbelts and all. Oh well... Can I have another piece of that "humble pie"?

I will keep you up to date on how its going, if you care.

 

Don't worry about it, the good thing is how simple these Jeeps are to work on. You should be able to put it back together fine.