This 1969 Jeep CJ5 is not only cool for being a desert-dry survivor but also for its prodigious amounts of off-road equipment that should make it extremely reliable crossing into the unknown. The seller notes that despite being a barn find, the original builder of this Jeep clearly had go-anywhere dependability in mind, and not just in terms of upgraded suspension. The Jeep also features upgraded cooling capacity, a chain clutch setup, additional tow hooks, electronic distributor, and more. The Jeep is now listed here on craigslist for $10,750 in Menomonie, Wisconsin.
I will admit that I am just beginning to scratch the surface of understanding the world of four wheel drives and off-road equipment. My 1986 Isuzu Trooper project sports a lift kit with upgraded sway bars and tires, but that’s just the start of making sure you can get back home after you venture out. The world of upgrades and common sense improvements is vast, and is best determined by actual off-road exploration to identify flaws and vulnerabilities. The original builder of this CJ5 equipped it with the requisite lift kit and tires, and the seller speculates they even modified the axles with lockers of some kind (it has a Dana 27 up front and Dana 44 in the rear), but the list of improvements keeps going. Check out the stainless steel locking glove box, too.
The Jeep comes with a swing-away spare tire carrier and dual jerry can mounts, along with Advance Adapters fenderwell headers and Thrush turbo mufflers. The suspension, as mentioned, was upgraded to a Rancho 2 1/2 inch lift with new 31-10.5-15 mud tires. For even better control, the Jeep has been converted to Saginaw steering with a tilt column. I mean, the list of upgrades just goes on and on, and you wouldn’t necessarily expect this many improvements just by looking at it. The vanity license plate is perfect for a truck like this, which may not be a good choice for any speed competitions, but will absolutely leave you in the dust on the trails.
The engine is the original Dauntless Buick V6 paired to a GM SM420 4-speed with a Dana 18 and twin stick shifters. The seller also observed an aluminum Offenhauser four barrel intake with a fresh Performance Carter AFB carb with electric choke and mechanical secondaries. The Jeep has also been converted to an GM HEI electronic distributor, along with a flex fan, a coolant return bottle, and possibly a larger radiator than stock. Overall, you have a to love a truck like this that’s certainly not pretty but still holds enormous amounts of eyeball appeal given its roughshod patina and loads of offroad upgrades. Just install a new CB radio (the wiring and antenna are still there) and get out there!
I’ve seen this rig offered for sale before – I searched the “other site” but didn’t see it but I remember commenting on it before. This truck was obviously built by a true enthusiast ‘back in the day’. It has so many thoughtful upgrades that improved the performance of the stock vehicle while maintaining the stock appearance of the Jeep – I’ve followed the same logic with my Bronco build over the past 40 years.
Folks in the backcountry are just naturally a lot more friendly when you pull up in a rig like this compared to one of the latest blinged out trucks or a side-by-side.
Boy if I counted up the money I’ve spent on my 3 jeeps, 1 land cruiser, 1 4×4 Chevy van, 1 power wagon, 1 blazer, and the tons of parts, I know the rest of you understand the vast amounts of money we end up throwing at what we love, to end this story with now I have a new passion called Harley-Davidson
And a Levis interior that hasn’t been trashed by the elements. Nice CJ
Wonder how long he’s had it cause all the photos are obviously from Arizona not Wisconsin, it’s current location. Cool rig and it’s be a blast in the snow around the Midwest but I’d hate to see how quickly it’d rot thanks to our winters and road treatments!
Great write up, but that is not a twin stick transmission, those two shifters control the transfer case. One is to get into 4 wheel drive, the other stick is to get into low range. Last stand of the WWII tech.
The Buick 215 ci aluminum V8 will bolt to the transfer case. A bunch more power and torque, and over a 100 pounds less weight.
I’m sure most expect my usual bellyaching about these,,,and today will be no different. 1st, I never heard of a “chain clutch linkage” for these. My YJ has a hydraulic throw out bearing setup, that I’m not too crazy about, requires transmission removal to replace, although, I’ve never heard of one failing, the chain deal is an odd setup, with a gear and a roller chain, pulled by mechanical linkage or a cable to the throw out fork. Seems like a PITA.
Anyway, it’s a nice CJ, and a wise fellow to bring it back to Wisconsin. They are unheard of there like this. Before I got mine, I was told, AZ. is the place to find one.
The chain type clutch linkage modification probably is done to address the problem of the original mechanical linkage becoming disengaged by misalignment of the engine and chassis due to frame twist (due to terrain, eg.) or engine torque. The pushrod would fall out of the release fork, causing the clutch not to disengage. The flexibility of the chain, and the fact that it is anchored on both ends would allow a higher amount of misalignment while retaining full function. I know of the problem, since I had a neighbor who was adept a putting the pushrod back in place when it became disengaged on his older Jeep with similar linkage. The 4 speed creeper low transmission would, in my opinion, be a very valuable asset in this Jeep. Even with the transfer case in low range, the extra low transmission gear (both forward, and in reverse) cuts down tremendously on clutch slippage and wear, as well as wear and tear on the Jeep overall by allowing slower, more deliberate progress over rough terrain. A highly desirable Jeep, in my opinion.
GOM – you nailed the issues with the stock linkage. The chain linkage was invented many years ago by Harry Buschart – an early innovator in the 4WD world. The kits are still sold today by Advance Adapters.