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CJ5 V8/Fiberglass Front End Questions

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by olcj, Jan 10, 2009.

  1. Jan 10, 2009
    olcj

    olcj A Work in Progress

    Cleveland, Ohio
    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2009
    Messages:
    38
    Hi,

    Doing a small block Chevy V8 conversion on my '75 CJ5. Can someone give me the basic dimensions for a 304 V8 radiator? I would like to find something of similar size that will match up to my Chevy motor without having to resort to the pricey ones that places sell for the conversion. I would also like to know if anyone has a one-piece tilt front end on their Jeep and if so, how did you mount the radiator? I would assume you would have to fabricate some framework to hold it in lieu of the grill shell holding it in place, since it is no longer in a fixed position. I'm a newbie to this, having bought a rolling shell that I'm trying to piece into a working Jeep. Thanks in advance...

    Mike
     
    olcj, Jan 10, 2009
    #1
  2. Jan 10, 2009
    rixcj

    rixcj Member

    Rhode Island
    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2006
    Messages:
    351
    The previous owner of my jeep had angle iron uprights welded to the frame, as a radiator support. I wanted to have a bolt-on setup, so I cut the old one off, and fabricated this boly-on support...

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2009
    rixcj, Jan 10, 2009
    #2
  3. Jan 10, 2009
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    6,199
    Tough to tell, but this is the only pic I can find:

    [​IMG]

    I just had some strap steel, bent to ~4" "L" shape pieces welded to the top of the frame to hold the bottom of the rad. The top of the rad was held in with the stock support arms yet.
     
    Boyink, Jan 10, 2009
    #3
  4. Jan 10, 2009
    olcj

    olcj A Work in Progress

    Cleveland, Ohio
    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2009
    Messages:
    38
    Nice looking setup, it's at least starting to give me an idea of what I need to do. It's tough when you're starting from scratch and are not even sure what a stock setup looks like. Thanks guys!
     
    olcj, Jan 10, 2009
    #4
  5. Jan 11, 2009
    rugerboy916

    rugerboy916 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 24, 2008
    Messages:
    5
    Ive seen a few fiber glass hood/fenders and personally I WOULD NOT DO IT!!!! they crack and flop in the wind and look like crap.... just my 2 cents.... stick with sheet metal
     
    rugerboy916, Jan 11, 2009
    #5
  6. Jan 11, 2009
    rixcj

    rixcj Member

    Rhode Island
    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2006
    Messages:
    351
    My 1 piece tilt nose doesn't move at all, plus, when I lift it, the engine is completely exposed.
     
    rixcj, Jan 11, 2009
    #6
  7. Jan 11, 2009
    rugerboy916

    rugerboy916 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 24, 2008
    Messages:
    5
    COOL!!! maybe the ones I saw were old or cheep???
     
    rugerboy916, Jan 11, 2009
    #7
  8. Jan 12, 2009
    rixcj

    rixcj Member

    Rhode Island
    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2006
    Messages:
    351
    If you ever buy fiberglass jeep body parts, always pay more, and get better quality parts. Avoid J.C.Whitney, cheaper, but junk. 4WD Hardware has good quality units.

    The body parts are also available in Kevlar, and aluminum.

    One thing , though...if you plan on hard off-roading, where you'll be bouncing off trees, or going airborne, stay with steel.
     
    rixcj, Jan 12, 2009
    #8
  9. Jan 12, 2009
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    6,199
    My 4WDH one-pc nose was very solid, and actually survived a rollover with minimal damage. There were a few times I forgot to clip it down and it stayed in place even then.
     
    Boyink, Jan 12, 2009
    #9
  10. Jan 12, 2009
    olcj

    olcj A Work in Progress

    Cleveland, Ohio
    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2009
    Messages:
    38
    Don't have much of a choice with mine, it came with a fiberglass tub and front end. Looks like older, good quality stuff though...
     
    olcj, Jan 12, 2009
    #10
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