David Vondrak’s Long Range CJ-6 Project

This is a 1965 CJ-6 Long Range Kaiser Universal Jeep. All CJ-6’s are considered rare but a LR is very rare. The Long Range Jeeps were built from the factory with a  second gas tank located on the passenger side instead of a tool box providing 22 gallons of inboard fuel capacity. I started this project 12 years ago. The Jeep was taken down to the frame and completely rebuilt using so many parts from Kaiser Willys Auto Supply I could not begin to list them all here. Also, the over-the-phone guidance from Mike, and others, was invaluable as I’m not a very good mechanic and this was my first ever, and last, frame off restoration. 

This not an exact factory restoration. It is a Jeep built the way I think the factory should have built it. Not shown in this single picture is the replicated military themed dash board with an added tachometer. Toggle switches for each individual light, and a single on/off switch with push button to start the engine. A third gas tank was added between the frame rails in the rear for a total capacity of 32 gallons without the use of Jerry cans. A Jerry can is located on the tail gate, however, and is actually a lockable tool box. The long whip antenna on the rear drivers side pulls in CB signals while the factory cowling antenna hole on the front passenger side is used for a 2 meter HAM radio. Handyman carpenter tool boxes are bolted to the rear inside fender wheel covers for added lockable storage.

In the Jeep’s first car show during last years Beatty Days in Beatty, Nevada it was awarded 2nd place in the utility division losing to the previous year’s first place winner, a restored 1940 GMC post hole digger. The Jeep took 1st place in the vehicle division in this years 4th of July parade in Dyer, Nevada. I will be using the Jeep as my go-around vehicle for the 2nd year in a row at this years annual week long Hot August Nights Classic Car Extravaganza in Reno, Nevada.