1973 cj5 info

[The Phoenix]

I'm looking at getting a fiberglass body and frame for a 1973 cj5 and I am wondering if this year is the same as the 1976 to 1986 cj5's. Also if anybody has any pros or cons with this year and model please let me know.
Thanks

[lynn]

First, CJ5 production ended after the 1983 model year.
Second, the tub and frame will be different than anything built after 1975.

As for a 1973 CJ5 pros and cons

Pros:
*engine could be a 258 I6 or 304 V8
*centered D44 rear with 30-spline, one-piece axles. This is a strong rear.
*could have a T18 4 speed
*D30 is fairly easy to swap on front discs
*gearing is probably 3.73
*CJ5s are a blast on tight woods trails.
* fairly easily modified



Cons:
*engine could be a 232
*all drum brakes (but they are 11", good as drums go)
*probably a 3 speed, or if a 4 speed , 1st gear is at 4:1, not low enough for serious crawling
*tcase is 2.03:1 low range, not very low.
frame is open C-channel, tends to crack with heavy use.
*not much room in a CJ5
*the ride basically sucks.

A glass tub swap will take about 40 hours, with help.I recommend a complete new wiring harness while you are at it, it's the best time to do it.
And of course, a full cage tied to the frame.

[Yucca-man]

Engine should be either a 258 I6 or a 304 V8; no 232 offered in the CJ that year.

Stock:
304 - 1 or 2bbl carb, T15 3-speed and Spicer 20 t-case

258 - 1 or 2 bbl carb, T15 3-speed or T18 4-speed :) and Spicer 20

4.27 is also likely as gearing. Mine had it ;)

Everything else is pretty much dead-on. Fix the wiring harness NOW - Painless Wiring is great for that. Get the unterminated kit, you have more options of how YOU want to run the wiring that way.

Boxing the frame will strengthen it, but it's 30 years old and a replacement frame might be a better idea depending on the condition of yours.

Leon Rosser (http://www.thinkoffroad.com) (formerly Think Jeep :mad: ) had an FSM for my 73 a few years back.