CarTech®
CarTech®, Inc.
838 Lake Street South
Forest Lake, MN 55025
Phone: 651-277-1200 or 800-551-4754
Fax: 651-277-1203
© 2017 by Michael Hanssen
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission from the Publisher. All text, photographs, and artwork are the property of the Author unless otherwise noted or credited.
The information in this work is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. However, all information is presented without any guarantee on the part of the Author or Publisher, who also disclaim any liability incurred in connection with the use of the information and any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Readers are responsible for taking suitable and appropriate safety measures when performing any of the operations or activities described in this work.
All trademarks, trade names, model names and numbers, and other product designations referred to herein are the property of their respective owners and are used solely for identification purposes. This work is a publication of CarTech, Inc., and has not been licensed, approved, sponsored, or endorsed by any other person or entity. The Publisher is not associated with any product, service, or vendor mentioned in this book, and does not endorse the products or services of any vendor mentioned in this book.
Edit by Bob Wilson
Layout by Monica Seiberlich
ISBN 978-1-613253-42-7
Item No. SA396
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Hanssen, Michael, author.
Title: Jeep CJ 1972-1986 : how to build & modify / Michael Hanssen.
Description: Forest Lake, MN : CarTech, [2017]
Identifiers: LCCN 2017003180 | ISBN 9781613253427
Subjects: LCSH: Jeep automobile--Motors--Modification--Handbooks, manuals, etc. | Jeep automobile--Maintenance and repair--Handbooks, manuals, etc. | Jeep automobile--Customizing--Handbooks, manuals, etc. | Jeep automobile--History. | Antique and classic cars--Conservation and restoration--Handbooks, manuals, etc.
Classification: LCC TL215.J44 .H36 2017 | DDC 629.28/722--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017003180
Written, edited, and designed in the U.S.A.
Printed in China
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Front Cover: A group of CJs line up for a day on the trail at Rausch Creek Off-Road Park. These CJs are equipped with an array of modifications to improve off-road performance but maintain street drivability. Lift kits, mud tires, lockers, and much more keep these classic Jeeps moving on the trail.
Title Page: Four classic Jeeps navigate a steep rocky ravine on a fall day trail run. With the help of ground clearance, mud tires, low gears, and lockers, the Jeeps gracefully move up the rocky hill with little effort.
Back Cover Photos
Top: This 1984 CJ-7 underwent a recent T176 swap from a worn-out T5. The factory fit and strength plus low cost/hassle make this conversion an excellent choice. The T176’s 3.52 low gear is not low by any means, but when combined with a TeraLow-equipped Dana 300, the ratios are very useable off-road.
Middle Left: Adapting a popular non-factory transmission to a Jeep transfer case requires the use of an adapter. Adapters from Novak are complete with all of the required components, including the rear mounting provision. (Photo Courtesy Novak Conversions)
Middle Right: An old trail trick to keep the underhood temperatures down was to stick a block of wood or steel under the cowl side of the hood hinges. The half-inch or so opened up a gap that ran fully across and allowed underhood heat to escape. Slow trail driving drastically raises underhood temperatures. You can feel the heat moving just by placing a hand on the hood.
Bottom: An often-competitive activity is to test the Jeep’s suspension flexibility by driving up a one-sided ramp to measure ramp travel index or RTI. This measurement divides the distance traveled by the wheelbase of the Jeep, which is then multiplied by 1,000. A score of 1,000 means that the Jeep traveled up the ramp the same distance as its wheelbase length.
DISTRIBUTION BY:
Europe
PGUK
63 Hatton Garden
London EC1N 8LE, England
Phone: 020 7061 1980 • Fax: 020 7242 3725
Australia
Renniks Publications Ltd.
3/37-39 Green Street
Banksmeadow, NSW 2109, Australia
Phone: 2 9695 7055 • Fax: 2 9695 7355
Canada
Login Canada
300 Saulteaux Crescent
Winnipeg, MB, R3J 3T2 Canada
Phone: 800 665 1148 • Fax: 800 665 0103
CONTENTS
Chapter 1: The AMC Era: A Brief History
Chapter 4: Transmission and Clutch
Chapter 5: Transfer Case and Driveshaft
Chapter 6: Axle and Traction System