I'm getting really interested in building a rock crawler. What I have to start with is a 1977 Jeep CJ5.
It currently has a 4" sping lift hung from the factory spring mounts. I'm running a Ford 302 with some goodies.
Still has the T150 and original diffs and transfer case on 33x12.50 GY MT's. Put it this way, I drive it on the street most of the time and it's really sharp.

The area I need help in is determining if I should start from scratch and save the CJ or begin planning a build incorporating what I can and go from there. I've had this CJ since 1990 and have driven it weekly since August 1990.
The body is pristene and stays inside unless it's being driven. Also, I'm not new to the 4x4 scene, as I date back to the mid 70's in my experience. I have a lot of tools and have a mechanical background plus being a certified welder. I'm currently employed working in the Information Technology field for a manufacturing company.

Please share with me your experiences planning, building, wheeling, and wrenching your crawlers. it would be a big help.

IMHO, I would save the 5 if it's in as good of condition as you say it is. There are times when I wish I would've kept my CJ8 as nice as it was when I bought it, but building a dedicated trail rig out of it has been an absolute blast and it's still nowhere near complete. Maybe I'm off base, but considering your history with your jeep, I think you may regret turning it into a dedicated crawler. Personally, I would save the 5 and find a cheap CJ or YJ tub and frame and then start outfitting it for your crawlin' needs, then in the meantime you still have the 5 to satisfy the open top need. There's alot to be said for starting from scratch and building something to fit your needs/wants.

Thanks

I also have a 98 XJ 2 door 4.0 5sp that I may start with instead. It's nice but hasn't got a sigle mod on it yet,,,, bone stock. My 16 year old drives it to school and work but he wants to make a trail rig too, so maybe we'll team up.

i agree with robin i had a cj7 i wanted to build and my dad talked me out of it and i got a cj5 and im building it if it wrer me i would build the xj 8" rusys longarm and throw some dana 44 or 60 under it will be easyer