Jeepers

[Firehaus]

I try hard to not get dents! Lol!

The wheels picked up some rock rash on the way down from top of the world.


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[Zundfolge]

So a question for you Jeepers here (especially the old Jeep guys ... as in the Jeeps old, not the guys ... although that probably too).

So the outer pinion bearing on the front diff of my '70 CJ5 went out and I took it to a local guy that works on Jeeps and he's telling me that the entire diff needs to be rebuilt because there are other problems inside. Its a Dana 27 so it's weak, has drum brakes up front and apparently D27 parts are getting rare and expensive.

When I bought the Jeep it came with most of a newer front axle assembly that's a Dana 30 with disc brakes. Only part I'm missing is the short axel shaft and the disc pads (although the calipers look like junk but they're not that pricey so rebuild or replace is likely in order).

The dilemma I'm having is what to do next. Rebuilding the D27 and replacing it with the D30 are both going to be about the same cost so rebuilding the D27 is pointless. That said I could just give up and sell the Jeep but at this point with the work that needs to be done I will probably lose most of what I have in the Jeep (I'm about $4k into it and will probably only get about a grand if I sold it now).

The question is, will the upgrade to D30 and disc brakes up the value of the Jeep by much? If I can make the case that sinking another $1500-$2000 into it will increase the value to the $5k-6k range then it would make sense (of course if I upgrade it I'll not sell it right away).

[newracer]

Replacing the D27 with the D30 will not increase the value by much.

[Zundfolge]

Replacing the D27 with the D30 will not increase the value by much.

I think my mechanic's thinking was that going with the D30 would make future repairs cheaper/easier and give me a better Jeep in the here and now, but that the replacement of the front drum brakes with discs is what would boost the value the most.

[newracer]

All tru. Having it functional is what will increase the value. The better axle won't increase it much more.

[rondog]

My '56 Willys CJ5 had a D25 front axle. I put a D30 from a 1972 CJ5 on it, but not for value. I wanted the bigger drum brakes, 3" wider stance, tighter turning radius, sealed open knuckles and larger stronger shafts with more splines. Everybody in the old Jeep community said it was a perfect upgrade, and I got the whole assembly essentially for free.

[newracer]

The front driveshaft went to crap in the JK so I bought a replacement from Adams Driveshaft. My son swapped them out today.

[islandermyk]

Jeep and guns.... Murica

[Fentonite]

Jeep and guns.... Murica

Dude, I'm jealous. At least there's no rattlers there, like the last time we went out. I need to fire up the Pinz and head uphill.

[islandermyk]

Dude, I'm jealous. At least there's no rattlers there, like the last time we went out. I need to fire up the Pinz and head uphill.

Oh man.. you got to let me know... I'd love to load up and wheel in that rig of yours