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Original Cj5 Side Step Identification

Discussion in 'Early Jeep Restoration and Research' started by gotime, Dec 28, 2017.

  1. Dec 28, 2017
    gotime

    gotime Sick with the car bug

    Minneapolis,...
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    I'm interested in obtaining an original set of steps. This set is very close to me, but I'm unsure if they are correct for a early 60's CJ5/6.

    Jeep CJ5 Step Plates

    They look correct to me, but I'm not an expert.

    Can anyone chime in on them and clarify if they are right for a early CJ5 or if the steps changed in the 70s or maybe they were off an earlier model and installed on a later one? How can you identify differences in steps through the years?

    Thanks
     
  2. Dec 28, 2017
    Blacksmith

    Blacksmith New Member

    Derby,Kansas 67037
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    All of the original steps I have owned had welded side brackets and diamond tread.
     
    Mark T. likes this.
  3. Dec 28, 2017
    Snouts out

    Snouts out Member

    Covedale OH
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    They look good to me,just like the ones on my 64 model! The also have repo models that look just like e’m and are much cheaper!
     
  4. Dec 28, 2017
    Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Bonney Lake, WA
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    I have a set that are welded
    I just thought Bubba got to them. Not too many stock Jeeps around these parts to compare to.
     
  5. Dec 29, 2017
    gotime

    gotime Sick with the car bug

    Minneapolis,...
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    Welded side brackets, meaning the side brackets that connect to the body and go vertically are welded to the step but bolt to the body? And the diagonal bracket is bolted to both the step and frame?
     
  6. Dec 29, 2017
    Blacksmith

    Blacksmith New Member

    Derby,Kansas 67037
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    Yes gotime that sounds right to me.
     
  7. Dec 29, 2017
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

    Republic of Texas
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    Yes the sides are welded to the step but bolt to the body. The back brace bolts to both body and step.
     
  8. Dec 29, 2017
    Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    cordele, Ga.
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    This is the way mine are also.
     
  9. Dec 30, 2017
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

    Republic of Texas
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    But I'm not sure how you tell if they are off a CJ5 or a 3.
     
  10. Dec 30, 2017
    Snouts out

    Snouts out Member

    Covedale OH
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    Brace bolts to frame! The photos shown are for a CJ 5,don’t over analyze,make e’m fit.
     
    Rondog likes this.
  11. Dec 30, 2017
    mortten

    mortten I can’t put my finger on it 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Peninsula, Ohio
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  12. Jan 1, 2018
    gotime

    gotime Sick with the car bug

    Minneapolis,...
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    There are a few things that aren't clear to me based on this website. Please clear them up for me.

    Is the rear bracket that mounts to the hat channel bolted all the way though to the inside of the body originally?

    Can someone take pictures from above and below that show where the holes are drilled for the step on a CJ5 for the front and rear side brackets?
     
  13. Jan 1, 2018
    jwmckenzie

    jwmckenzie Sponsor

    Boston, MA
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    On my 1967 CJ6. The rear bolt directly into the hat channel. There are two capture nuts in the hat channel. I should have done a better job with the repair of this hat channel. One of the capture nuts is rusted out and I will eventually have to drill thru the floor board. This is under the gas tank.

    [​IMG]

    The front bolts thru the floor board very close to the front pillar. The holes should be already in the floor, like the post referenced above. Picture titled: "Actual CJ5 floor"

    Top view:
    [​IMG]

    Bottom view:
    [​IMG]

    Hope this helps
     
    Last edited: Jan 1, 2018
  14. Jan 1, 2018
    jwmckenzie

    jwmckenzie Sponsor

    Boston, MA
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    Yes
     
  15. Jan 1, 2018
    NCRenII

    NCRenII yellow fever

    Far Nor Cal
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    I'm looking for and want to add steps (mainly per wifes request). I inspected my tub and wold like to verify if the dimension between the holes are the same in both instances. My '71 cj5 has the two forward holes through the tub, the rearward set are in the hat section with captive nuts and the distance between is outboard, just under 14" and inboard just over 14".
    What is the distance between the attachment bolts on a factory step.
    I saw on an Mortton linked online step writeup that the step "legs" are two different lengths. I suppose that is to fit the hat section attachment and make the step level.
    Are all the steps out there (factory and repro) 14" with unequal legs? This creates the need to be sure to get 1 left and 1 right step.
     
  16. Jan 2, 2018
    jwmckenzie

    jwmckenzie Sponsor

    Boston, MA
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    Don't have a factory step to measure, but 14" is about right, according to how mine are mounted.

    Yes, one leg is shorter than the other to accommodate the hat channel. I used legs from a re-pop set and they were the same length, so I cut two of them shorter. I think the re-pop installation wanted you to put a spacer, presumably wood block, under the front legs, as my steps ended up about 1" closer to the tub.

    Steps

    No big deal but had to modify the support that goes back to the frame.

    I didn't use the tread from the re-pop steps, as they were not the diamond design. I welded the re-pop legs to original 3b steps (tread)

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jan 2, 2018
  17. Feb 22, 2020
    gotime

    gotime Sick with the car bug

    Minneapolis,...
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    OK, I've got my steps all painted and ready for install. My floor pan has been replaced so the original holes aren't present, neither are the ones in the hat channels. Can someone tell me the location of the holes in the floor where the bolts go through (side to side and front to back) and also the location of the hat channel holes (side to side)? I assume the hat channel front to back will be set by where it winds up once I get the fronts correct.

    I'd like to know the proper sized hardware. I think I may use some riv nuts in the hat channel to get a close to original as possible. Thoughts?
     
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2020
  18. Feb 24, 2020
    Steve's 70-5

    Steve's 70-5 Active Member

    Louisville, Ky
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    There is a bracket that goes to the frame. Bolt that up first and that will put the step in the general area. There is some adjustment where the bracket bolts under the step.
     
  19. Feb 25, 2020
    gotime

    gotime Sick with the car bug

    Minneapolis,...
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    I'm aware of that bracket to the frame, I'd still like some locations in terms of dimensions for the holes in the body. I get the general location, I just want some extra precision on factory location.
     
  20. Feb 27, 2020
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    Post #13 shows the mounting locations pretty well. Just remember the original steps are handed, left and right.
    -Donny
     
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