At A Crossroads On First Build.

I won a CJ5 at an Auction about a month ago. It looked good from pictures but turned out to be 78 that was wrecked with broken frame. So I found what was supposed to be an 80 CJ5. Not knowing until later the frame was a 73.

It has 73 Dana 44, with T-14 transmission, Dana 20 transfer case and a 73 I6. All drum brakes.
so here is the question.

So I’m thinking of beeping this and using disc brakes from wrecked 78. But at this point not sure what to do with body. But a new one or just scratch 73 frame and find 76+ frame. At a cross roads big time trying to decide what to do.
thanks for any input.

On a side not the tub was just strapped down to the 73 frame. So it wasn’t ever bolted down as far as I can tell.

 

Hi - first post - welcome from Boston.

You understand that the '73 and '78-ish Jeep have very different frames and bodies? It would take a lot of work to make a '78 body fit on a '73 frame. The '73 has a ladder frame, with the rails parallel front to back. From 1976 on, Jeep modified the frame to widen at the rear wheels, boxed more of the frame, and changed the body to sit on the new frame. If you have the '73 rear axle, that won't fit on a '76-up frame without changing the locations of the spring mounts.

The 11"x2" Bendix drum brakes used in '73 are fine for daily use, when in good condition. These brakes continue to be a popular upgrade for older Jeeps with smaller 9" or 10" brakes. So that in itself does not seem to be the worst aspect of this combination. Fit of the body on the frame would be of most concern to me.

In '76, just about everything changes. Jeep kept the Dana 20 transfer case, the Dana 30 front axle, and the front clip, and changed most everything else. New frame, body, windshield, steering, rear axle, transmissions, dash, seats, fuel tank, wiring, etc etc. Disk brakes were introduced in 1977, and rear brakes were revised soon after. The body kept the outward appearance of the CJ-5, but floors and wheel houses and dash are all different.

Post up some pics and we can comment better.

 

Thanks for the info. Yes learned after the second purchase that the good frame was a 73. Everything else I have is 78 or 80. The 80 tub was just strapped down to the 73 frame. At the time I didn’t know the difference between 73 and 78 frame. Do now.

So after studying on this I think I will repair my 78 frame since I have 2- tubs 1- 78. And 1- 80 model.

So now I have this 73 frame and axles Is there a market to sell those? Frame is good. But doesn’t do me any good with 78+ tubs.

 

Picture of the 73 rolling chassis.

 

Yeah, maybe. Certainly parts of it (the front axle, the brakes) are in high demand. All of it is good, just may not be a buyer right away in your area. Nothing wrong with the rear axle or frame ... somebody might want it for a project. I expect you'll get more if you take it apart and sell the pieces. Frame, springs, tires and wheels, axles, cross member, brakes. The bodies tend to rot away much faster than the frame, especially with these early-type open c-channel frames, and it seems like there are way more rolling chassis out there than bodies.

 

Today I pulled the 78 in the shop and starting breaking it down to the frame. Almost have it where the tub can be removed and see how bad it really is.

 

Here is the 78 I started taking apart.

 

Yep. It’s already taking apart. Frame is bare. I’m assuming the axles in the 78 is ok or is worth the effort to use the Dana 44 off of the 73. Or is that even possible?

 

Depends on whether you can weld the new perches, and if it's worth the extra effort to you. The rear 44 from the '73 is a better axle than the AMC Corporate 20 (M20) used after 1976. The hub to axle joint and tubes of the M20 are weak. Owners of Jeeps with M20s often spend a lot of money to upgrade their axles with aftermarket shafts and trusses. Realize you must have the ratios of the front and rear axles match, and the '73 is probably 3.73 ratio while the later Jeeps are 3.54 or numerically lower (taller). Most would consider the deeper (numerically higher) ratios from 1973 more desirable. You could swap the knuckles and shafts from one Dana 30 front axle to the other, to keep the disk brakes with the '73 axle and ensure the front and rear ratios match.

 

All makes sense. For what I’m doing. Light off-road mostly street. Makes sense to leave 78 axles. I appreciate the response. Might can just sell everything related to the 73. Which is frame and axles, and a T14 Transmission