Lee Ayrton

Congrats on the Jeep. I've got a `79 CJ-5 with eh 258 in it.

Front disk brakes were optional in 1977, standard equipment from 1978 up.

Pretty much everything on the CJ-5 remained unchanged from the redesign
in 1976 through the end of the line in 1983, although the emission
controls changed steadily during those years. Most parts are common to
both the CJ-5 and the CJ-7, except those that deal with the sheet metal
from the door hinges back and of course the drive shaft.

Decades ago, my brother converted his `74 CJ to front disk brakes. As I
recall it was a simply bolt-on conversion using boneyard parts. You
might have to swap out the hubs, but from the backing plate out it
should be a bolt-on job -- Jeep didn't change the steering knuckles. Be
sure to change out the proportioning valve located on the inner side of
the frame just below the driver's right foot.



Neil wrote:
> I guess I've finally been bitten by the "bug". My wife and I purchased
> a 2006 TJ a few months ago. I thought it would be my daily driver /
> weekend toy. Boy was I wrong! Now she likes it so much that it's HER
> daily driver and definitely not a weekend toy. Anyway, after a lot of
> whining on my part she agreed to let me buy another jeep of my own,
> albeit it had to be an older/cheaper one. No complaints about that.
> Plus I think she wanted another one too. Guess the bug can bite more
> than once, LOL. Anyway, I found and bought a 79 CJ5 with 304 V8 and 4
> speed transmission. It's in fairly good cosmetic shape, the frame is
> great, it runs pretty good and the price was right so it followed me
> home, LOL. Here's where it get's interesting, though. After I brought
> it home some things started looking a little funny. OK, it is
> supposedly a 79 model but it has drum brakes in the front. To my
> knowledge all post 1976 jeeps had discs in the front, correct? From
> what I can tell it has a T-176 transmission and a Dana 300 Transfer
> case. Again, that transmission wasn't available in 1979, right? The
> rear axle is an AMC 20 and the front axle, I think, is a Dana 30, but
> I'm having trouble proving that as there is no tag and it doesn't look
> exactly like a Dana 30 should. It has power steering, but no power
> brakes. It has a clock in the dash, so does that mean it's been a
> renegade model? If so, shouldn't it have power brakes if it has power
> steering? Here's where it get's even more bizzare. I got the title
> back and under the year column it says 1979, but under the vehicle
> description column it says exactly this: 83CJ5. So, it is a
> frankenstein jeep for sure. Again, the drum brakes in the front make
> even less sense if it turns out to be an 83 model. The 304 has side
> pipes for the exhaust that I'm not nuts about, but boy do they sound
> good going down the road. It's just the exhaust fumes that are a bit
> nasty. The carb on the 304 seems to be running very rich so it smells
> like raw gas all the time. The passenger side rear axle seal was
> leaking so I went ahead and installed a one-piece axle kit and new
> seals/bearings. It just made sense to do that instead of worry about
> fixing the old two-piece design. So, here are my decisions: I'm not
> nuts about the 304 for a few reasons. It is simply tooth chattering in
> its current configuration. After 30 minutes of driving my ears are
> ringing. The side pipes could go, I know, and that would take care of
> a little of the noise, but not all of it. I'm not building an extreme
> off roader. This will be a weekend rider and a VERY mild sunday picnic
> off roader, so I don't need rock-crawler ability. Question 1 is:
> Would I be happier swapping the 304 V8 for the 258 I6 and adding fuel
> injection to make it smoother driving? Would it be wiser to just add
> fuel injection to the 304? Question 2: I know that I can add power
> brakes by just adding a brake booster, but what do I do about the front
> drum brakes? I could find a junk yard axle and rob the parts off it
> and switch them over, but is there some weird benefit I'm not realizing
> to having drum brakes on the front? Question 3: If I go with a 258
> I6, will it bolt up to my T-176 trans and Dana 300 TC? How hard is it
> to rebuild a T-176? Question 4: The steering wanders just a bit, so
> I've been looking at ways to upgrade it. Do I need a new Heavy Duty
> steering box bracket, or is the brace that goes to the other side of
> the frame better? Or both? I already plan on putting on a steering
> stabilizer, so that may fix most of the issues. I am just wondering
> which is better the brace or the HD bracket. I apologize for the
> lengthy post. Thanks everyone for your help and I hope everyone is
> having a wonderful day.
>


--

This website supports what I thought would be true, So It Must Be
(tm).” David Winsemius willingly creates an anti-motto at room
temperature in AFU Labs.

Lee Ayrton

Congrats on the Jeep. I've got a `79 CJ-5 with eh 258 in it.

Front disk brakes were optional in 1977, standard equipment from 1978 up.

Pretty much everything on the CJ-5 remained unchanged from the redesign
in 1976 through the end of the line in 1983, although the emission
controls changed steadily during those years. Most parts are common to
both the CJ-5 and the CJ-7, except those that deal with the sheet metal
from the door hinges back and of course the drive shaft.

Decades ago, my brother converted his `74 CJ to front disk brakes. As I
recall it was a simply bolt-on conversion using boneyard parts. You
might have to swap out the hubs, but from the backing plate out it
should be a bolt-on job -- Jeep didn't change the steering knuckles. Be
sure to change out the proportioning valve located on the inner side of
the frame just below the driver's right foot.



Neil wrote:
> I guess I've finally been bitten by the "bug". My wife and I purchased
> a 2006 TJ a few months ago. I thought it would be my daily driver /
> weekend toy. Boy was I wrong! Now she likes it so much that it's HER
> daily driver and definitely not a weekend toy. Anyway, after a lot of
> whining on my part she agreed to let me buy another jeep of my own,
> albeit it had to be an older/cheaper one. No complaints about that.
> Plus I think she wanted another one too. Guess the bug can bite more
> than once, LOL. Anyway, I found and bought a 79 CJ5 with 304 V8 and 4
> speed transmission. It's in fairly good cosmetic shape, the frame is
> great, it runs pretty good and the price was right so it followed me
> home, LOL. Here's where it get's interesting, though. After I brought
> it home some things started looking a little funny. OK, it is
> supposedly a 79 model but it has drum brakes in the front. To my
> knowledge all post 1976 jeeps had discs in the front, correct? From
> what I can tell it has a T-176 transmission and a Dana 300 Transfer
> case. Again, that transmission wasn't available in 1979, right? The
> rear axle is an AMC 20 and the front axle, I think, is a Dana 30, but
> I'm having trouble proving that as there is no tag and it doesn't look
> exactly like a Dana 30 should. It has power steering, but no power
> brakes. It has a clock in the dash, so does that mean it's been a
> renegade model? If so, shouldn't it have power brakes if it has power
> steering? Here's where it get's even more bizzare. I got the title
> back and under the year column it says 1979, but under the vehicle
> description column it says exactly this: 83CJ5. So, it is a
> frankenstein jeep for sure. Again, the drum brakes in the front make
> even less sense if it turns out to be an 83 model. The 304 has side
> pipes for the exhaust that I'm not nuts about, but boy do they sound
> good going down the road. It's just the exhaust fumes that are a bit
> nasty. The carb on the 304 seems to be running very rich so it smells
> like raw gas all the time. The passenger side rear axle seal was
> leaking so I went ahead and installed a one-piece axle kit and new
> seals/bearings. It just made sense to do that instead of worry about
> fixing the old two-piece design. So, here are my decisions: I'm not
> nuts about the 304 for a few reasons. It is simply tooth chattering in
> its current configuration. After 30 minutes of driving my ears are
> ringing. The side pipes could go, I know, and that would take care of
> a little of the noise, but not all of it. I'm not building an extreme
> off roader. This will be a weekend rider and a VERY mild sunday picnic
> off roader, so I don't need rock-crawler ability. Question 1 is:
> Would I be happier swapping the 304 V8 for the 258 I6 and adding fuel
> injection to make it smoother driving? Would it be wiser to just add
> fuel injection to the 304? Question 2: I know that I can add power
> brakes by just adding a brake booster, but what do I do about the front
> drum brakes? I could find a junk yard axle and rob the parts off it
> and switch them over, but is there some weird benefit I'm not realizing
> to having drum brakes on the front? Question 3: If I go with a 258
> I6, will it bolt up to my T-176 trans and Dana 300 TC? How hard is it
> to rebuild a T-176? Question 4: The steering wanders just a bit, so
> I've been looking at ways to upgrade it. Do I need a new Heavy Duty
> steering box bracket, or is the brace that goes to the other side of
> the frame better? Or both? I already plan on putting on a steering
> stabilizer, so that may fix most of the issues. I am just wondering
> which is better the brace or the HD bracket. I apologize for the
> lengthy post. Thanks everyone for your help and I hope everyone is
> having a wonderful day.
>


--

This website supports what I thought would be true, So It Must Be
(tm).” David Winsemius willingly creates an anti-motto at room
temperature in AFU Labs.

Lee Ayrton

Congrats on the Jeep. I've got a `79 CJ-5 with eh 258 in it.

Front disk brakes were optional in 1977, standard equipment from 1978 up.

Pretty much everything on the CJ-5 remained unchanged from the redesign
in 1976 through the end of the line in 1983, although the emission
controls changed steadily during those years. Most parts are common to
both the CJ-5 and the CJ-7, except those that deal with the sheet metal
from the door hinges back and of course the drive shaft.

Decades ago, my brother converted his `74 CJ to front disk brakes. As I
recall it was a simply bolt-on conversion using boneyard parts. You
might have to swap out the hubs, but from the backing plate out it
should be a bolt-on job -- Jeep didn't change the steering knuckles. Be
sure to change out the proportioning valve located on the inner side of
the frame just below the driver's right foot.



Neil wrote:
> I guess I've finally been bitten by the "bug". My wife and I purchased
> a 2006 TJ a few months ago. I thought it would be my daily driver /
> weekend toy. Boy was I wrong! Now she likes it so much that it's HER
> daily driver and definitely not a weekend toy. Anyway, after a lot of
> whining on my part she agreed to let me buy another jeep of my own,
> albeit it had to be an older/cheaper one. No complaints about that.
> Plus I think she wanted another one too. Guess the bug can bite more
> than once, LOL. Anyway, I found and bought a 79 CJ5 with 304 V8 and 4
> speed transmission. It's in fairly good cosmetic shape, the frame is
> great, it runs pretty good and the price was right so it followed me
> home, LOL. Here's where it get's interesting, though. After I brought
> it home some things started looking a little funny. OK, it is
> supposedly a 79 model but it has drum brakes in the front. To my
> knowledge all post 1976 jeeps had discs in the front, correct? From
> what I can tell it has a T-176 transmission and a Dana 300 Transfer
> case. Again, that transmission wasn't available in 1979, right? The
> rear axle is an AMC 20 and the front axle, I think, is a Dana 30, but
> I'm having trouble proving that as there is no tag and it doesn't look
> exactly like a Dana 30 should. It has power steering, but no power
> brakes. It has a clock in the dash, so does that mean it's been a
> renegade model? If so, shouldn't it have power brakes if it has power
> steering? Here's where it get's even more bizzare. I got the title
> back and under the year column it says 1979, but under the vehicle
> description column it says exactly this: 83CJ5. So, it is a
> frankenstein jeep for sure. Again, the drum brakes in the front make
> even less sense if it turns out to be an 83 model. The 304 has side
> pipes for the exhaust that I'm not nuts about, but boy do they sound
> good going down the road. It's just the exhaust fumes that are a bit
> nasty. The carb on the 304 seems to be running very rich so it smells
> like raw gas all the time. The passenger side rear axle seal was
> leaking so I went ahead and installed a one-piece axle kit and new
> seals/bearings. It just made sense to do that instead of worry about
> fixing the old two-piece design. So, here are my decisions: I'm not
> nuts about the 304 for a few reasons. It is simply tooth chattering in
> its current configuration. After 30 minutes of driving my ears are
> ringing. The side pipes could go, I know, and that would take care of
> a little of the noise, but not all of it. I'm not building an extreme
> off roader. This will be a weekend rider and a VERY mild sunday picnic
> off roader, so I don't need rock-crawler ability. Question 1 is:
> Would I be happier swapping the 304 V8 for the 258 I6 and adding fuel
> injection to make it smoother driving? Would it be wiser to just add
> fuel injection to the 304? Question 2: I know that I can add power
> brakes by just adding a brake booster, but what do I do about the front
> drum brakes? I could find a junk yard axle and rob the parts off it
> and switch them over, but is there some weird benefit I'm not realizing
> to having drum brakes on the front? Question 3: If I go with a 258
> I6, will it bolt up to my T-176 trans and Dana 300 TC? How hard is it
> to rebuild a T-176? Question 4: The steering wanders just a bit, so
> I've been looking at ways to upgrade it. Do I need a new Heavy Duty
> steering box bracket, or is the brace that goes to the other side of
> the frame better? Or both? I already plan on putting on a steering
> stabilizer, so that may fix most of the issues. I am just wondering
> which is better the brace or the HD bracket. I apologize for the
> lengthy post. Thanks everyone for your help and I hope everyone is
> having a wonderful day.
>


--

This website supports what I thought would be true, So It Must Be
(tm).” David Winsemius willingly creates an anti-motto at room
temperature in AFU Labs.

Red Jeep

> I guess I've finally been bitten by the "bug".

Admitting you have a problem is the First Step. :) Welcome!

> To my knowledge all post 1976 jeeps had discs in the front, correct?

The '79 FSM says front disc brakes were standard.

If it is a '79, then the second character in the VIN will be a 9. The
third character identifies the transmission (A=auto F=3spd M=4spd). The
seventh character identifies the engine (C=258 H=304).

> From what I can tell it has a T-176 transmission and a
> Dana 300 Transfer case. Again, that transmission wasn't
> available in 1979, right?

The FSM says Dana20 was the only t-case in the CJ5 from the factory in
'79. Also T-150 (3spd) or T-18A (4 spd) trans.


> It has a clock in the dash, so does that mean it's been a
> renegade model?

Maybe. The clock might just have been an option by itself. Did it have a
tach?


> I got the title back and under the year column it says 1979,
> but under the vehicle description column it says exactly
> this: 83CJ5. So, it is a frankenstein jeep for sure.

Frankenjeep.

> The 304 has side pipes for the exhaust that I'm not nuts
> about, but boy do they sound good going down the road.
> It's just the exhaust fumes that are a bit nasty.

Get the exhaust out the rear or increase your life insurance.

> Question 1 is: Would I be happier swapping the 304 V8 for
> the 258 I6 and adding fuel injection to make it smoother
> driving? Would it be wiser to just add fuel injection
> to the 304?

That sounds like a personal decision. If it were me, I'd stick with the
304 and probably upgrade the carb or get Projection.

> Question 2: I know that I can add power
> brakes by just adding a brake booster, but what do I
> do about the front drum brakes? I could find a junk
> yard axle and rob the parts off it and switch them over,
> but is there some weird benefit I'm not realizing
> to having drum brakes on the front?

None that I am aware of. You might even be able to find a Scout or Bronco
front D44 with disc brakes.

> Question 3: If I go with a 258 I6, will it bolt up to
> my T-176 trans and Dana 300 TC?

Stay with the 304.

> How hard is it to rebuild a T-176?

I can't answer that.

> Question 4: The steering wanders just a bit, so I've
> been looking at ways to upgrade it.

Check the tire pressures, the tire wear, the wheel alignment, and make
sure the wheels are round and true.

> Do I need a new Heavy Duty steering box bracket, or is
> the brace that goes to the other side of the frame better?

Unless you're going to go with really big tires, the brace would be a
good way to go.

> I already plan on putting on a steering stabilizer, so
> that may fix most of the issues.

Check for wear & tear first.

All-in-all it sounds like a great Jeep and lots of fun!

Red Jeep

> I guess I've finally been bitten by the "bug".

Admitting you have a problem is the First Step. :) Welcome!

> To my knowledge all post 1976 jeeps had discs in the front, correct?

The '79 FSM says front disc brakes were standard.

If it is a '79, then the second character in the VIN will be a 9. The
third character identifies the transmission (A=auto F=3spd M=4spd). The
seventh character identifies the engine (C=258 H=304).

> From what I can tell it has a T-176 transmission and a
> Dana 300 Transfer case. Again, that transmission wasn't
> available in 1979, right?

The FSM says Dana20 was the only t-case in the CJ5 from the factory in
'79. Also T-150 (3spd) or T-18A (4 spd) trans.


> It has a clock in the dash, so does that mean it's been a
> renegade model?

Maybe. The clock might just have been an option by itself. Did it have a
tach?


> I got the title back and under the year column it says 1979,
> but under the vehicle description column it says exactly
> this: 83CJ5. So, it is a frankenstein jeep for sure.

Frankenjeep.

> The 304 has side pipes for the exhaust that I'm not nuts
> about, but boy do they sound good going down the road.
> It's just the exhaust fumes that are a bit nasty.

Get the exhaust out the rear or increase your life insurance.

> Question 1 is: Would I be happier swapping the 304 V8 for
> the 258 I6 and adding fuel injection to make it smoother
> driving? Would it be wiser to just add fuel injection
> to the 304?

That sounds like a personal decision. If it were me, I'd stick with the
304 and probably upgrade the carb or get Projection.

> Question 2: I know that I can add power
> brakes by just adding a brake booster, but what do I
> do about the front drum brakes? I could find a junk
> yard axle and rob the parts off it and switch them over,
> but is there some weird benefit I'm not realizing
> to having drum brakes on the front?

None that I am aware of. You might even be able to find a Scout or Bronco
front D44 with disc brakes.

> Question 3: If I go with a 258 I6, will it bolt up to
> my T-176 trans and Dana 300 TC?

Stay with the 304.

> How hard is it to rebuild a T-176?

I can't answer that.

> Question 4: The steering wanders just a bit, so I've
> been looking at ways to upgrade it.

Check the tire pressures, the tire wear, the wheel alignment, and make
sure the wheels are round and true.

> Do I need a new Heavy Duty steering box bracket, or is
> the brace that goes to the other side of the frame better?

Unless you're going to go with really big tires, the brace would be a
good way to go.

> I already plan on putting on a steering stabilizer, so
> that may fix most of the issues.

Check for wear & tear first.

All-in-all it sounds like a great Jeep and lots of fun!

Red Jeep

> I guess I've finally been bitten by the "bug".

Admitting you have a problem is the First Step. :) Welcome!

> To my knowledge all post 1976 jeeps had discs in the front, correct?

The '79 FSM says front disc brakes were standard.

If it is a '79, then the second character in the VIN will be a 9. The
third character identifies the transmission (A=auto F=3spd M=4spd). The
seventh character identifies the engine (C=258 H=304).

> From what I can tell it has a T-176 transmission and a
> Dana 300 Transfer case. Again, that transmission wasn't
> available in 1979, right?

The FSM says Dana20 was the only t-case in the CJ5 from the factory in
'79. Also T-150 (3spd) or T-18A (4 spd) trans.


> It has a clock in the dash, so does that mean it's been a
> renegade model?

Maybe. The clock might just have been an option by itself. Did it have a
tach?


> I got the title back and under the year column it says 1979,
> but under the vehicle description column it says exactly
> this: 83CJ5. So, it is a frankenstein jeep for sure.

Frankenjeep.

> The 304 has side pipes for the exhaust that I'm not nuts
> about, but boy do they sound good going down the road.
> It's just the exhaust fumes that are a bit nasty.

Get the exhaust out the rear or increase your life insurance.

> Question 1 is: Would I be happier swapping the 304 V8 for
> the 258 I6 and adding fuel injection to make it smoother
> driving? Would it be wiser to just add fuel injection
> to the 304?

That sounds like a personal decision. If it were me, I'd stick with the
304 and probably upgrade the carb or get Projection.

> Question 2: I know that I can add power
> brakes by just adding a brake booster, but what do I
> do about the front drum brakes? I could find a junk
> yard axle and rob the parts off it and switch them over,
> but is there some weird benefit I'm not realizing
> to having drum brakes on the front?

None that I am aware of. You might even be able to find a Scout or Bronco
front D44 with disc brakes.

> Question 3: If I go with a 258 I6, will it bolt up to
> my T-176 trans and Dana 300 TC?

Stay with the 304.

> How hard is it to rebuild a T-176?

I can't answer that.

> Question 4: The steering wanders just a bit, so I've
> been looking at ways to upgrade it.

Check the tire pressures, the tire wear, the wheel alignment, and make
sure the wheels are round and true.

> Do I need a new Heavy Duty steering box bracket, or is
> the brace that goes to the other side of the frame better?

Unless you're going to go with really big tires, the brace would be a
good way to go.

> I already plan on putting on a steering stabilizer, so
> that may fix most of the issues.

Check for wear & tear first.

All-in-all it sounds like a great Jeep and lots of fun!

Red Jeep

> I guess I've finally been bitten by the "bug".

Admitting you have a problem is the First Step. :) Welcome!

> To my knowledge all post 1976 jeeps had discs in the front, correct?

The '79 FSM says front disc brakes were standard.

If it is a '79, then the second character in the VIN will be a 9. The
third character identifies the transmission (A=auto F=3spd M=4spd). The
seventh character identifies the engine (C=258 H=304).

> From what I can tell it has a T-176 transmission and a
> Dana 300 Transfer case. Again, that transmission wasn't
> available in 1979, right?

The FSM says Dana20 was the only t-case in the CJ5 from the factory in
'79. Also T-150 (3spd) or T-18A (4 spd) trans.


> It has a clock in the dash, so does that mean it's been a
> renegade model?

Maybe. The clock might just have been an option by itself. Did it have a
tach?


> I got the title back and under the year column it says 1979,
> but under the vehicle description column it says exactly
> this: 83CJ5. So, it is a frankenstein jeep for sure.

Frankenjeep.

> The 304 has side pipes for the exhaust that I'm not nuts
> about, but boy do they sound good going down the road.
> It's just the exhaust fumes that are a bit nasty.

Get the exhaust out the rear or increase your life insurance.

> Question 1 is: Would I be happier swapping the 304 V8 for
> the 258 I6 and adding fuel injection to make it smoother
> driving? Would it be wiser to just add fuel injection
> to the 304?

That sounds like a personal decision. If it were me, I'd stick with the
304 and probably upgrade the carb or get Projection.

> Question 2: I know that I can add power
> brakes by just adding a brake booster, but what do I
> do about the front drum brakes? I could find a junk
> yard axle and rob the parts off it and switch them over,
> but is there some weird benefit I'm not realizing
> to having drum brakes on the front?

None that I am aware of. You might even be able to find a Scout or Bronco
front D44 with disc brakes.

> Question 3: If I go with a 258 I6, will it bolt up to
> my T-176 trans and Dana 300 TC?

Stay with the 304.

> How hard is it to rebuild a T-176?

I can't answer that.

> Question 4: The steering wanders just a bit, so I've
> been looking at ways to upgrade it.

Check the tire pressures, the tire wear, the wheel alignment, and make
sure the wheels are round and true.

> Do I need a new Heavy Duty steering box bracket, or is
> the brace that goes to the other side of the frame better?

Unless you're going to go with really big tires, the brace would be a
good way to go.

> I already plan on putting on a steering stabilizer, so
> that may fix most of the issues.

Check for wear & tear first.

All-in-all it sounds like a great Jeep and lots of fun!

Earle Horton

Another thing I thought of after posting this is that the evaporative
emissions system (charcoal cannister and associated parts) may have
something to do with that "raw gas" smell.

Earle

"Earle Horton" <earle-NOSPAM-horton@msn.com> wrote in message
news:44e48c6c$0$12259$a82e2bb9@reader.athenanews.c om...
> The 304 should run pretty smooth if it is tuned up properly. It shouldn't
> "smell like raw gas all the time", but swapping in a 4.0 is overkill for
> fixing that problem. There are fuel injection kits and manifolds
available,
> and these are fine if you are rich, but you probably just have a bad float
> needle valve.
>
> Manual transmissions are a pain in the neck to rebuild. If they need
> rebuilding, there is always a high dollar part like a countershaft that is
> bad. If you just want to refresh the bearings, gaskets and small parts to
> get some extra life out of it, that shouldn't be too bad.
>
> Earle
>
> "Neil" <neilbedwell@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1155825546.472270.318040@m73g2000cwd.googlegr oups.com...
> > I guess I've finally been bitten by the "bug". My wife and I purchased
> > a 2006 TJ a few months ago. I thought it would be my daily driver /
> > weekend toy. Boy was I wrong! Now she likes it so much that it's HER
> > daily driver and definitely not a weekend toy. Anyway, after a lot of
> > whining on my part she agreed to let me buy another jeep of my own,
> > albeit it had to be an older/cheaper one. No complaints about that.
> > Plus I think she wanted another one too. Guess the bug can bite more
> > than once, LOL. Anyway, I found and bought a 79 CJ5 with 304 V8 and 4
> > speed transmission. It's in fairly good cosmetic shape, the frame is
> > great, it runs pretty good and the price was right so it followed me
> > home, LOL. Here's where it get's interesting, though. After I brought
> > it home some things started looking a little funny. OK, it is
> > supposedly a 79 model but it has drum brakes in the front. To my
> > knowledge all post 1976 jeeps had discs in the front, correct? From
> > what I can tell it has a T-176 transmission and a Dana 300 Transfer
> > case. Again, that transmission wasn't available in 1979, right? The
> > rear axle is an AMC 20 and the front axle, I think, is a Dana 30, but
> > I'm having trouble proving that as there is no tag and it doesn't look
> > exactly like a Dana 30 should. It has power steering, but no power
> > brakes. It has a clock in the dash, so does that mean it's been a
> > renegade model? If so, shouldn't it have power brakes if it has power
> > steering? Here's where it get's even more bizzare. I got the title
> > back and under the year column it says 1979, but under the vehicle
> > description column it says exactly this: 83CJ5. So, it is a
> > frankenstein jeep for sure. Again, the drum brakes in the front make
> > even less sense if it turns out to be an 83 model. The 304 has side
> > pipes for the exhaust that I'm not nuts about, but boy do they sound
> > good going down the road. It's just the exhaust fumes that are a bit
> > nasty. The carb on the 304 seems to be running very rich so it smells
> > like raw gas all the time. The passenger side rear axle seal was
> > leaking so I went ahead and installed a one-piece axle kit and new
> > seals/bearings. It just made sense to do that instead of worry about
> > fixing the old two-piece design. So, here are my decisions: I'm not
> > nuts about the 304 for a few reasons. It is simply tooth chattering in
> > its current configuration. After 30 minutes of driving my ears are
> > ringing. The side pipes could go, I know, and that would take care of
> > a little of the noise, but not all of it. I'm not building an extreme
> > off roader. This will be a weekend rider and a VERY mild sunday picnic
> > off roader, so I don't need rock-crawler ability. Question 1 is:
> > Would I be happier swapping the 304 V8 for the 258 I6 and adding fuel
> > injection to make it smoother driving? Would it be wiser to just add
> > fuel injection to the 304? Question 2: I know that I can add power
> > brakes by just adding a brake booster, but what do I do about the front
> > drum brakes? I could find a junk yard axle and rob the parts off it
> > and switch them over, but is there some weird benefit I'm not realizing
> > to having drum brakes on the front? Question 3: If I go with a 258
> > I6, will it bolt up to my T-176 trans and Dana 300 TC? How hard is it
> > to rebuild a T-176? Question 4: The steering wanders just a bit, so
> > I've been looking at ways to upgrade it. Do I need a new Heavy Duty
> > steering box bracket, or is the brace that goes to the other side of
> > the frame better? Or both? I already plan on putting on a steering
> > stabilizer, so that may fix most of the issues. I am just wondering
> > which is better the brace or the HD bracket. I apologize for the
> > lengthy post. Thanks everyone for your help and I hope everyone is
> > having a wonderful day.
> >
>
>

Earle Horton

Another thing I thought of after posting this is that the evaporative
emissions system (charcoal cannister and associated parts) may have
something to do with that "raw gas" smell.

Earle

"Earle Horton" <earle-NOSPAM-horton@msn.com> wrote in message
news:44e48c6c$0$12259$a82e2bb9@reader.athenanews.c om...
> The 304 should run pretty smooth if it is tuned up properly. It shouldn't
> "smell like raw gas all the time", but swapping in a 4.0 is overkill for
> fixing that problem. There are fuel injection kits and manifolds
available,
> and these are fine if you are rich, but you probably just have a bad float
> needle valve.
>
> Manual transmissions are a pain in the neck to rebuild. If they need
> rebuilding, there is always a high dollar part like a countershaft that is
> bad. If you just want to refresh the bearings, gaskets and small parts to
> get some extra life out of it, that shouldn't be too bad.
>
> Earle
>
> "Neil" <neilbedwell@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1155825546.472270.318040@m73g2000cwd.googlegr oups.com...
> > I guess I've finally been bitten by the "bug". My wife and I purchased
> > a 2006 TJ a few months ago. I thought it would be my daily driver /
> > weekend toy. Boy was I wrong! Now she likes it so much that it's HER
> > daily driver and definitely not a weekend toy. Anyway, after a lot of
> > whining on my part she agreed to let me buy another jeep of my own,
> > albeit it had to be an older/cheaper one. No complaints about that.
> > Plus I think she wanted another one too. Guess the bug can bite more
> > than once, LOL. Anyway, I found and bought a 79 CJ5 with 304 V8 and 4
> > speed transmission. It's in fairly good cosmetic shape, the frame is
> > great, it runs pretty good and the price was right so it followed me
> > home, LOL. Here's where it get's interesting, though. After I brought
> > it home some things started looking a little funny. OK, it is
> > supposedly a 79 model but it has drum brakes in the front. To my
> > knowledge all post 1976 jeeps had discs in the front, correct? From
> > what I can tell it has a T-176 transmission and a Dana 300 Transfer
> > case. Again, that transmission wasn't available in 1979, right? The
> > rear axle is an AMC 20 and the front axle, I think, is a Dana 30, but
> > I'm having trouble proving that as there is no tag and it doesn't look
> > exactly like a Dana 30 should. It has power steering, but no power
> > brakes. It has a clock in the dash, so does that mean it's been a
> > renegade model? If so, shouldn't it have power brakes if it has power
> > steering? Here's where it get's even more bizzare. I got the title
> > back and under the year column it says 1979, but under the vehicle
> > description column it says exactly this: 83CJ5. So, it is a
> > frankenstein jeep for sure. Again, the drum brakes in the front make
> > even less sense if it turns out to be an 83 model. The 304 has side
> > pipes for the exhaust that I'm not nuts about, but boy do they sound
> > good going down the road. It's just the exhaust fumes that are a bit
> > nasty. The carb on the 304 seems to be running very rich so it smells
> > like raw gas all the time. The passenger side rear axle seal was
> > leaking so I went ahead and installed a one-piece axle kit and new
> > seals/bearings. It just made sense to do that instead of worry about
> > fixing the old two-piece design. So, here are my decisions: I'm not
> > nuts about the 304 for a few reasons. It is simply tooth chattering in
> > its current configuration. After 30 minutes of driving my ears are
> > ringing. The side pipes could go, I know, and that would take care of
> > a little of the noise, but not all of it. I'm not building an extreme
> > off roader. This will be a weekend rider and a VERY mild sunday picnic
> > off roader, so I don't need rock-crawler ability. Question 1 is:
> > Would I be happier swapping the 304 V8 for the 258 I6 and adding fuel
> > injection to make it smoother driving? Would it be wiser to just add
> > fuel injection to the 304? Question 2: I know that I can add power
> > brakes by just adding a brake booster, but what do I do about the front
> > drum brakes? I could find a junk yard axle and rob the parts off it
> > and switch them over, but is there some weird benefit I'm not realizing
> > to having drum brakes on the front? Question 3: If I go with a 258
> > I6, will it bolt up to my T-176 trans and Dana 300 TC? How hard is it
> > to rebuild a T-176? Question 4: The steering wanders just a bit, so
> > I've been looking at ways to upgrade it. Do I need a new Heavy Duty
> > steering box bracket, or is the brace that goes to the other side of
> > the frame better? Or both? I already plan on putting on a steering
> > stabilizer, so that may fix most of the issues. I am just wondering
> > which is better the brace or the HD bracket. I apologize for the
> > lengthy post. Thanks everyone for your help and I hope everyone is
> > having a wonderful day.
> >
>
>

Earle Horton

Another thing I thought of after posting this is that the evaporative
emissions system (charcoal cannister and associated parts) may have
something to do with that "raw gas" smell.

Earle

"Earle Horton" <earle-NOSPAM-horton@msn.com> wrote in message
news:44e48c6c$0$12259$a82e2bb9@reader.athenanews.c om...
> The 304 should run pretty smooth if it is tuned up properly. It shouldn't
> "smell like raw gas all the time", but swapping in a 4.0 is overkill for
> fixing that problem. There are fuel injection kits and manifolds
available,
> and these are fine if you are rich, but you probably just have a bad float
> needle valve.
>
> Manual transmissions are a pain in the neck to rebuild. If they need
> rebuilding, there is always a high dollar part like a countershaft that is
> bad. If you just want to refresh the bearings, gaskets and small parts to
> get some extra life out of it, that shouldn't be too bad.
>
> Earle
>
> "Neil" <neilbedwell@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:1155825546.472270.318040@m73g2000cwd.googlegr oups.com...
> > I guess I've finally been bitten by the "bug". My wife and I purchased
> > a 2006 TJ a few months ago. I thought it would be my daily driver /
> > weekend toy. Boy was I wrong! Now she likes it so much that it's HER
> > daily driver and definitely not a weekend toy. Anyway, after a lot of
> > whining on my part she agreed to let me buy another jeep of my own,
> > albeit it had to be an older/cheaper one. No complaints about that.
> > Plus I think she wanted another one too. Guess the bug can bite more
> > than once, LOL. Anyway, I found and bought a 79 CJ5 with 304 V8 and 4
> > speed transmission. It's in fairly good cosmetic shape, the frame is
> > great, it runs pretty good and the price was right so it followed me
> > home, LOL. Here's where it get's interesting, though. After I brought
> > it home some things started looking a little funny. OK, it is
> > supposedly a 79 model but it has drum brakes in the front. To my
> > knowledge all post 1976 jeeps had discs in the front, correct? From
> > what I can tell it has a T-176 transmission and a Dana 300 Transfer
> > case. Again, that transmission wasn't available in 1979, right? The
> > rear axle is an AMC 20 and the front axle, I think, is a Dana 30, but
> > I'm having trouble proving that as there is no tag and it doesn't look
> > exactly like a Dana 30 should. It has power steering, but no power
> > brakes. It has a clock in the dash, so does that mean it's been a
> > renegade model? If so, shouldn't it have power brakes if it has power
> > steering? Here's where it get's even more bizzare. I got the title
> > back and under the year column it says 1979, but under the vehicle
> > description column it says exactly this: 83CJ5. So, it is a
> > frankenstein jeep for sure. Again, the drum brakes in the front make
> > even less sense if it turns out to be an 83 model. The 304 has side
> > pipes for the exhaust that I'm not nuts about, but boy do they sound
> > good going down the road. It's just the exhaust fumes that are a bit
> > nasty. The carb on the 304 seems to be running very rich so it smells
> > like raw gas all the time. The passenger side rear axle seal was
> > leaking so I went ahead and installed a one-piece axle kit and new
> > seals/bearings. It just made sense to do that instead of worry about
> > fixing the old two-piece design. So, here are my decisions: I'm not
> > nuts about the 304 for a few reasons. It is simply tooth chattering in
> > its current configuration. After 30 minutes of driving my ears are
> > ringing. The side pipes could go, I know, and that would take care of
> > a little of the noise, but not all of it. I'm not building an extreme
> > off roader. This will be a weekend rider and a VERY mild sunday picnic
> > off roader, so I don't need rock-crawler ability. Question 1 is:
> > Would I be happier swapping the 304 V8 for the 258 I6 and adding fuel
> > injection to make it smoother driving? Would it be wiser to just add
> > fuel injection to the 304? Question 2: I know that I can add power
> > brakes by just adding a brake booster, but what do I do about the front
> > drum brakes? I could find a junk yard axle and rob the parts off it
> > and switch them over, but is there some weird benefit I'm not realizing
> > to having drum brakes on the front? Question 3: If I go with a 258
> > I6, will it bolt up to my T-176 trans and Dana 300 TC? How hard is it
> > to rebuild a T-176? Question 4: The steering wanders just a bit, so
> > I've been looking at ways to upgrade it. Do I need a new Heavy Duty
> > steering box bracket, or is the brace that goes to the other side of
> > the frame better? Or both? I already plan on putting on a steering
> > stabilizer, so that may fix most of the issues. I am just wondering
> > which is better the brace or the HD bracket. I apologize for the
> > lengthy post. Thanks everyone for your help and I hope everyone is
> > having a wonderful day.
> >
>
>