always wanted an old CJ, finally getting one! CJ2a in a few weeks :)

[EricMCJ5]

you know I really have no idea what thermostat is in there, or anything about the radiator. If the radiator isn't original, it's a same-spec replacement I think.

The temperature is just fine while driving around town, even in stop & go traffic, it's just fine. But granted, here on the west side of LA by the coast, it's not very hot out. It's when I get offroad (going slow, in the heat) or going up a long steep hill that I notice the temperature rising.

I suppose I should maybe have the radiator flushed, put new fluid in there and check the thermostat before I do anything? No clue how old the fluid is either.

Dan,

Flushing and changing the radiator fluid is a great idea. Do you have a mechanics manual?
If not, it's a good investment:

http://walcks4wd.com/repair-manual-c...1945-49-2.html

It will show you where the thermostat lives (the top radiator hose connects to its housing).

Does your radiator have a fan shroud? That can make a huge difference.

Eric

[daniel_buck]

Yes, I do have the repair manual. And there is a thermostat housing, i've just never popped it off to see what was in there.

Yes there is a fan shroud as well, appears to be the original one.

Wonder how much a decent place charges to flush the radiator real good?

[6spdYJ]

Be aware that places will try to double or even triple the rate because its an "SUV" - I hate that term. They try to say they're harder to work on. What could have more clearance under it to get around?

[aw12345]

Good starting place would be to have the radiator rodded out

[daniel_buck]

rodded out, that's just like an internal cleaning, eh?

[aw12345]

rodded out, that's just like an internal cleaning, eh?

Yup they take the tanks off and rod all the tubes out, provided it's in good enough shape to do so

[daniel_buck]

yea, no clue if mine is the original one from 66 years ago, or if it's been replaced at somepoint.

[EricMCJ5]

Fan belt tension ok?

[daniel_buck]

Ok, new radiator core is in, I got a chance to test it on some mountain roads and a bit of offroading, it works great! No over heating! :-)

And it's idling offroad perfectly now too, after cleaning the carb out. :-)

TSL radial super swampers arrive in a few weeks, and next week some older style ford truck wheels (basic steel wheels) arrive. Maybe I should start a 'build thread', haha!

Kurt is going to be fabbing up a 6 point cage, and I'll be cutting the fender wells to allow for a bit more seat room. low-back baja SS suspension seats will be going in as well. The cage and seats are partially for offroad safety, and partially for on-road safety. If I get hit and flip over, I'm probably dead even if it's not a bad accident, since this is my daily driver I think a cage and better seats will be a bit safer on the road.

[inVERt'D]

The CJ and the '72 K-5 look good together. That's not the Salton Sea in the background, is it?

[daniel_buck]

that's the pacific

The K5 is pretty sweet, it needs a bit more work, but it's doing pretty good so far!

[inVERt'D]

Pacific was my next guess! I guess the vastness thing should have clued me in. Coulda just been a good angle on a hazy day?

TBI would be cool in the K-5.

[daniel_buck]

put the 2nd coat of paint on the wheels!

The wheels are "wheel vintiques" 41 series ford truck wheels, minus the fancy center cover

[RAT]

put the 2nd coat of paint on the wheels!

The wheels are "wheel vintiques" 41 series ford truck wheels, minus the fancy center cover

Those wheels are real close to old GM sport wheels. Nice choice.

[daniel_buck]

Yea, I like those old rally wheels, but I don't think they were ever made in a bolt pattern or center bore large enough for a CJ. That's why I was stoked to find these :-D