42 Jp jpmagazine.com NOVEMBER 2019
PERFECTION
to exacting specifications. Every weld was
inspected and repaired as needed. While
the factory had specifications, they also
d id n’t devote nea rly as much t i me a nd
effort to perfection. Body tub metal resto-
ration involved eight weeks of sheetmetal
replacement and repair using only the
best quality components.
Pa i nt i ng of t he body pa nels took
seven weeks to get just right. This
process was also done on a rotisserie to
ensure complete coverage and the best
finish. American-made body panels
were obtained from Classic Enterprises
or hand-fabricated. Some of the body
seams were split, realigned, and then
welded together as the original designers
intended. Every seam was sealed using
modern self-leveling seam sealer.
Since this is an AMC-era Jeep, the
d r ivet ra i n is pret t y good i n stock for m,
and rather than replace it, Matt’s father
rebuilt the 232ci inline-six. A Pertronix
electric ignition was added as an upgrade
over the original points ignition to ensure
reliable starting and firing. The engine is
backe d by t he or ig i n a l T-15 m a nu a l t r a n s-
mission, which was also rebuilt with new
synchros and bearings. While it doesn’t
benefit from the super-low First gear of
the renowned T-18, the T-15 is still plenty
strong and has smaller gear splits for
better road manners. The transmission is
a lso on ly 10 i nches long, mak i ng it per fec t
for a CJ-5. The T-15 tranny is bolted
to a Dana 20 transfer case, which has a
Power comes from a 232ci inline-six mated to a T-15 manual transmission. This was the precur-
sor to the 258ci engine, with the same bore but a shorter stroke due to the lower deck height.
The 232 is rated at 100 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque. Matt added a GM alternator and power steer-
ing pump to the otherwise stock engine.
In 1976, Jeep switched to the large rectan-
gular taillights that were used all the way
through the TJ model. Matt’s Jeep has the
earlier round taillights and separate round
backup lights in the rear of the tub. This CJ-5
has a tailgate; they were actually an option
back in 1974.Saginaw steering boxes replaced the Ross
cam and lever steering on CJs in 1972, but
Matt updated the manual box to a power
Saginaw steering box for less steering effort.
This required a custom mount for the steering
pump, since there was never a factory pump
offered on the 232.Up front the Dana 30 uses the same gears
and carrier and has the open knuckles that
became standard in 1970, but the 11-inch
drum brakes were replaced with discs.
Factor y disc br akes were not an option until
1976 and did not become standard until 1977.Mat t used low-back seats on custom mounts
that look factory, which is the point. He
made a significant effort to source correct
hardware for the Jeep, not just Grade 5 bolts
from the local hardware store. There are lap
belts for the front-seat passengers and no
provisions for rear passenger s in this ’5.