Interesting new Jeep in the works

[Fishinfool]

Here is me posing in 1975 or 1976 with my dads 1971(?) CJ-5. Factory 304 V-8, 4spd. Engine had a cam, aluminum intake, 4bl. carb., headers and side pipes. 4:11 gears if I remember right. It was his off road toy, and would go about anywhere.

Drove it enough myself to learn real quick the principals of "high center of gravity". Nothing like being on two wheels to make you a quick learner.

We drove it from CT to northern Maine several times on hunting trips, and the main things I remember were the heater didn't do much, you couldn't go much over 60 mph for any long stretch, you couldn't really carry on a conversation at highway speeds, and boy would it go down those fire roads in the snow. Pretty quick off the line too.

One return trip, we had a buck strapped over the spare tire in back, along with one in the cargo area inside, and all our gear. It was TIGHT, and smelled a little funky on the way home. Would do it again in a heartbeat.

Larry

 

[TX-Dennis]

My father-in-law with his Willys CJ5 in Cuba circa mid 1950's. He now drives a 2012 Wrangler Sahara.

 

[03hemi]

BFG KO-2's 285/70/17 and wheels went on, amazing what a difference they make, no longer "anemic" looking. I was half way expecting the up size to have a negative effect on the power and handling, but has been just the opposite to my surprise. Same amount of get up and go, still have 5th and now it drives like it's on rails! Very, very impressed.

 

[BB57]

If I can get it with a pintle mount for an M60 I may be interested.

I want the Rat Patrol version with the M2.

Or maybe one with an M40 106mm recoiless rifle. Go big or go home.

 

[BB57]

As in tires are too big and the body is too high over them.

This thing could go almost anywhere(and it went) using an anemic 60 hp flathead four. And it sure is not bigfooted.

The CJ-2 and CJ-3 had the 134 cu in L head engine which had 55 hp. The CJ-3B and early CJ-5 had the 134 cu in F head engine, which produced a whopping 75 hp. It didn't come along until 1950.

I had a 1956 CJ-5 with the F head engine. I learned how to cut and grind valve seats on the F head because no machine shop in the area would work on valves in the block.

It topped out at 55 mph, unless you added a Satellite overdrive, but it would climb a tree in first gear in low range. However, in sand or mud it still benefited from wider tires and I put 235s on mine.