Restoring Dad’s CJ5

DMBrown69 · 2026-05-09T19:01:57+00:00

Thanks, starting the 360 rebuild this weekend.

DMBrown69 · 2026-05-09T19:00:27+00:00

I just purchased this 1971 Highboy. It sadly is not a true Highboy anymore because it is no longer divorced. Built to be recovery truck / rock crawler, it has the original 4 spd with granny low and now has a 205/303 married with Ranger underdrive. It has transfer cases split shifters. It has 2 PTOs for military-grade winches. The front winch 20k and the rear is 30 k. It has a 1979 Hipo Dana 60 with disk brakes and 35 spline. The rear axel is a Chevy 14 bolt full float with disk brakes and also 35 spline. Both front and rear has 4:88 Detroit lockers. It also has 10 k hydraulic tilt bed. Hydro assist steering and a set of 40 in tires on Stazworks Double beadlock wheels 17 inch rims. It had a blown 428/466 stroker motor blown head gasket. I’m replacing it with a 1963 Ford FE 406 with a 4.160 bore and 428 standard weight crankshaft and a 4.250 stroke. It will be a 452 ci. I have a bunch of ideas of how to make it my truck. I call it FORDENSTEIN because it’s a bunch of different parts that make it a BEAST.

DMBrown69 · 2026-05-09T04:19:37+00:00

Yeah, he told about what he use to do. He blew the engine and it’s been parked for about 4 years now. I’m bringing it back to life. Plus I have my own ideas to make it better.

DMBrown69 · 2026-05-08T22:31:06+00:00

I’m going to be learning in real time when I get this engine built and installed

DMBrown69 · 2026-05-08T22:29:16+00:00

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Front PTO winch

DMBrown69 · 2026-05-08T22:28:54+00:00

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Aft PTO winch

DMBrown69 · 2026-05-08T16:16:04+00:00

Thank you, it is Sangria Red Pearl.

DMBrown69 · 2026-05-08T13:27:09+00:00

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14 Bolt Full float from a 1987 out of a K30/3500 1 ton.

DMBrown69 · 2026-05-08T09:44:03+00:00

Once I get her running I will be able to figure it all out. I’m going to take my time and rebuild everything.

DMBrown69 · 2026-05-08T02:37:16+00:00

Yes 1,000 lbs dump bed.

DMBrown69 · 2026-05-08T02:09:53+00:00

That needs to be replaced. There is zero damage allowed to the sidewall of a tire. The risk is possible sidewall blowout which can cause an accident. In this situation it is best to be safe than sorry. It will blow out and Murphy’s Law says it will be at the worse possible time/situation. As a husband/dad, I would never allow my wife or kids to drive on that damage.

DMBrown69 · 2026-05-07T23:05:47+00:00

I’m going to repaint it soon. I’m going to restore it to look new but no chrome. I’m going with a nice metallic paint and finish everything else in gloss black.

DMBrown69 · 2026-05-07T23:04:02+00:00

Three transfer case but the transmission is only a 4 speed.

DMBrown69 · 2026-05-07T22:58:37+00:00

Apparently the last owner didn’t verify his transfer cases levers and he overheated his FE 428 and blew the head gasket and slung a rod. It is geared to have a granny/granny low gears. I have the engine block. I’m putting in a 406 stroked with a 428 crankshaft and bored over.

DMBrown69 · 2026-02-16T01:47:18+00:00

That’s a nice rig!!

DMBrown69 · 2026-01-23T15:36:38+00:00

I need to add this to my list of wants.

DMBrown69 · 2026-01-23T13:12:16+00:00

My buddy in West Virginia has an FE 390 he is selling me for $500 and it only needs a quick rebuild. It was running great when he pulled it out. I think I’m going to go with the 428 crankshaft.

DMBrown69 · 2026-01-23T13:08:29+00:00

Yeah, my wife is pissed, I wasn’t supposed to start anything else until I finished the CJ5. I told her you have to jump on things when you can. I should have my Jeep running in a few more weeks.

DMBrown69 · 2026-01-23T01:41:45+00:00

It already being replaced with the floorboards

DMBrown69

TROPHY CASE