The first photo is from when I first got the Jeep. It was so ugly that I kept a tarp over it until I could paint it. The last two are when it was basically finished. It will never be fully finished, it’s a hobby. It has a “Kelly All Steel” top on it but I didn’t get any doors. I made those out of 3/4″ Azek (PVC Panel). It’s expensive but will never rot or rust. I added one of my grandson in it. I hope I can pass it on to him someday.
It is a 1956 so it was 6 volt and had a generator. I converted it to 12 volt and installed an alternator. I added a picture of the alternator mount if anyone is looking for an idea. The original wiring was in really bad shape. The previous owner cut out all the wires everywhere and even removed everything in the dash. It had no electrical system. Then he realized he didn’t know how to rewire it. That is what I do best. I made my own wire harness and put the fuse panel where the cardboard glove box used to be. The shocks and springs were disgusting. I replaced them too. The brakes worked but they were 60 years old and I didn’t trust them. I replaced the entire brake system.
My gas has been stolen 3 times. No one makes a locking gas cap for it so I made a fuel door. Incidentally, when I got it, the original gas tank was gone and it had a plastic tank out of a boat in the back. I’ve replaced other parts too numerous to list here. I got 95% of them from Kaiser Willys.
It was set up for a snow blade when I got it but I didn’t get the blade. So I took all the snow blade stuff off. I still have it in case I ever get a blade. “I’ve wanted an old Jeep all my life and I’m getting old enough that I need to do some of the stuff I’ve always wanted to do. I traded a shotgun and a hundred bucks for this old Jeep. It was in pretty sorry shape but it ran good and had good tires. I’ve had to do a lot of work to it and I’ll probably never be finished but it is a good driving Jeep. I don’t do anything rough with it but I drive it to work every day.”
Kaiser Willys Jeep Blog Story – Joel Merrill
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I ran mine off an eight volt tractor battery forever. Except for adjusting the voltage regulator to charge an eight volt battery, nothing has to be changed. (Eight volt trickle chargers are still available.)
I would have left it 6 volt but the previous owner had already removed the generator and gave me a good alternator with it. They didn’t post all of the photos here. There are more in the Kaiser-Willys Photo Gallery under CJ5. Last I looked, it was on page 6 in that gallery. The Jeep was just one step from being cut up for scrap when I got it but I got it cheap enough to be able to afford putting some money into it. Kaiser-Willys has been a life saver. I’ve spent a ton of money with them in the last 2 1/2 years. The Jeep runs and drives great. I’d like to buy new body for it but I don’t think I’ll be able to come up with that much money anytime soon.
Rachel,
I found the locking gas cap I mentioned earlier, and if your father wants it I can be reached @ 651 224 7107or @gussey2003@yahoo.com.
Dave Jones
Nice Jeep, and cool ideas!
Rachel,
There was nothing wrong with the 6 volt system for starting as long as the grounds were intact & clean. The first vehicles ahd a ground strap underneath the generator to the frame, and as long as it was tight & clean it should roll over & start @ -20! I used to have a locking gas cap for my CJ-2A I will look around for it if your dad wants it. JC Whitney used to carry replacement gas tanks new in their Jeep parts catalog. I also have an copy of the original service manual I can send copies of the pages to you in the mail if you need the reference.
Sincerely;
Dave Jones