So, I have been driving a while now. She has been very reliable, with very few gremlins for being a pile of parts not too long ago, and so much custom engineering and fabrication that has been involved...

Happy to report that I am getting @ 30MPG. I just installed a working fuel gauge, so I will know more accurately soon. I got tired of trying to put @ $10 of fuel in it, and only getting @ $5 in it. However, I haven't put fuel in it in over 3 weeks, and have used slightly over 1/4 a tank, so @ 4-5 gallons. That is ALL of my to and from work, errands, and personal social driving. AWESOME.

She is a "gutless wonder". Rather slow to get to speed, but not dangerously so. REALLY wish I had the rare factory 4.23 ratio. But the turbo will help all of that.

I also scored a old "Kelly Manufacturing" "Safari Full Cab" Steel top, doors, and pre-'68 windshield for less than $140 at the local pick-your part off of a CJ6 rotting away in the back corner. Just got the wipers installed and operational(not shown in this pic). The top will be completely restored this winter.

Although some amusing hateration and indignation from those who thought their SUV or truck is actually kewl, but are mistaken. But mostly she gets smiles, waves, questions, and huge enthusiasm everywhere we go.

Man I love my Heep.

 

Nice little puddle jumper you have there!

Can you hold 5th on the highway? I wonder what 4.10's would do for your little Heep

 

Thanks Sir.
Although I would trade it for a small plane on floats! haha

Nope. Not going anywhere near a highway yet. They would help a great deal. I happened to ride in a bud's S10 C223 (NA) Diesel with 4.10's last weekend. Slightly heavier vehicle, .3L bigger motor. Night and day difference. Able to accelerate up a fairly steep grade in 3rd gear.

The Heep is great off road, even in 2WD High. Plows through bramble and brush, mud, over logs excellently barely off idle. Doesn't much care what's in front of it.

The thing is I am working on putting a turbo back on it as it should be. That will cure what ails her. I'll play with ratios after that. That is also cheaper than two ring and pinion sets, and bearing/seal kits. And having someone help me set the lash, as I have never done that myself.

Turns out my spare set of axles is also 3.73's, not the rare and elusive 4.23 factory ratio. But I wasn't surprised.

 

A short crappy phone vid.
Overwhelms my friend's phone mic with all of the diesel clatter and bassy exhaust thump of the Flowmaster in a 2 stall metal building. You can tell the phone is confused what to record.
You can hear the intake sound very well during the rev. Yes, that is probably @ 5,400 rpm, and VERY loud in that small building.
My bud said you can hear the bass note of the exhaust from a good way away, and it'd definitely a diesel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4yk...ature=youtu.be

 

About share some Jeep fun with a youngster this past weekend.
The most rewarding activity for me as an Old Jeep caretaker!

It's Jeep thing. Ya wouldn't understand.

 

So a few years later(6?), she has been crazy reliable. I have been averaging @ 40 mpg or so city all these years, with all the timing and tuning and playing I have done.

YES, It IS STILL that clean.

I drive the snot out of it during warm months. And put fuel in it @ twice a year, so maybe one tank(10-15 gal) of fuel. Off road, chugging @ off idle, I get closer to 60mpg. That is almost every day, driving to and from work, and in the eves just riding in it, with the wife. Often for several hours, because vintage topless Jeep.

With the turbo, it sounds a LOT like a turned up duramax(or modern common rail), accelerates absurdly, and is frying my mostly stock clutch plate at a very low 3-4 psi. SO far, barely turning it up, and so many mods left(like a rare in the USA C223T injection pump to frankenbuild) I am almost embarrassed it's a diesel CJ5. That is ALL on ONE turn of the fuel/smoke screw, after finalized NA pump settings. SO MUCH left power wise that I probably will never explore. Plus who like gritty cylinder walls anyways?

My Izusu guru said 12-15PSI would still be mild. And I am far from even putting that down so far.

So still have the clutch to ponder. Probably headed towards a CJ or mustang T5 clutch, with flywheel drilled for off the shelf, inexpensive, common and much more gripping power. Without a bunch of custom ordering and costs. Prob is, fitting it inside the "bell" of the 4FB1 flywheel.

Also, that is a retrofitted clarke or Hyster brass radiator that was never used after a recore. Used GM truck rubber isolators and made custom frame mounts.
Still have a forklift air filter housing to retrofit for a factory appearance, and be rid of that hokey "tuner" looking garbage filter.

Also, finally swapped the rear axle for a lower time unit, and Tom Woods double cardan driveshaft. Still have front axle and TW DC driveshaft to install. But I have to balance myself with the fleet's demands.

She has all 5 brand new firestone 31's, and a modified late model cj5-cj7 spare tire carrier, with jerry can mount(all built by me).

And btw, the thing, despite PO installed 3+ lift, it still is very balanced and nimble off road with that near M38A1 military design spec weight and balance.

No absurd heavy 5 ton truck motors and dangerous CG, dangerous braking characteristics, and pathetic departure angles for me. Thanks.

Overall, an absolutely AMAZING, PERFECT swap for a Military rooted Cj5.


5 years later, and a TD04HL15T

fleet has grown...

 

I forgot to mention (for those considering turbo'ing something that currently is not). I had over $1K into the turbo project.
I used all new parts, avoiding the headache of worn out questionable junk. So between a brand new cartridge, FMIC, ductwork, braided oil supply, coolant line, AN fittings, rad hoses(as the IC was mounted to the rad, so had to mount it) and the cost of making the SST turbo manifold, ect. In my experience the aluminum radiator was not durable enough for serious off road and incessant diesel vibrations. I had different issues pop up several times, and was glad to be rid of it.

Opinion based on my 40 years experience:
I wasn't wasting my time and money on those cheap ebay "turbo kits" made in china that grenade in no time. You can save money trying to half ***, but you WILL pay for it somewhere else. Often at a HUGE loss.

 

Needs paint but carrier is built

 

I have a 74 CJ5 Renegade I've completely rebuilt. But I built a 401 AMC rather than the stock 304. Although I certainly wish I would have now with the 6 mpg I average. But she is definitely fun. But this Isuzu turbo diesel swapped CJ is by far the most impressive, most Interesting and most sensible diesel swap I've ever read about or seen and I've seen a bunch in my 20 years of Jeep building, owning and wheeling. Just fantastic in my opinion .

 

Thanks man! Its been soo reliable, so fun. In service bumping 10 years, and still nfs.