A Willys CJ-5 that has Run Like a Top for Over 60 years

Wow!
What an inspiring story.
The older jeeps were so dependable.
What year is yours ? I ve owned 2 Willys and a 1974
AMC CJ5 that always started. Wish I still had them all.
Wishing you many more adventures my friend.
Byron / Texas

Hi….
I had a 1959 CJ5…..my first vehicle. Had it for 10 years. Gave it to my buddy in Alabama who traded it to an electrician for some work. It’s still going strong somewhere in Dixie.

Yes, so dependable, virtually no failures ever unless a battery or– three times– a water pump.
I did break some clutch control rods, the old ones that had a bent ell at each end, until I welded a broken rod to have a clevis and pin at each end… never broke again!
It is a 1956 model, but I reversed the front axle spring mounting to conform to the 1962 front pivoting, which raised the front slightly. The 1956 had the spring pivot in the frame at the rear and gave a slight nose down look. The change made it level.
Many times driving in snowstorms in the Winter, coming home late at night, no one else on the snowy roads, and with snow blowing across like a blizzard, the only sound was that wonderful engine muffled by the snow and the swish of the wipers!
If the Jeep had quit, I likely would have frozen to death, as there was no one else out!I
Love my Jeep more than life itself!!

Hi, I really know what you mean by when parts were inexpensive. You could pick up an old motorcycle or jeep quite reasonably . Now everything cost an arm and a leg.
Bob

My son and I own a 1955 M38a1 and a 1957 cj5 we are almost done fixn up the 55 and are anxious to start on the 57. I certainly do understand your relationship with your Willys and thank you for sharing. Health & Happiness.

My 1959 CJ6 sat in a barn for about 40 years after being an Australian Airforce jeep. I rescued it from this farm and it has been the most reliable jeep to own. No Rust and only 40K miles on the clock.
You are so lucky to have 60 good years from your Jeep. What a great relationship, plus doing all of the minor repairs must make you feel like you have kept it on the road with your own skills.
I used to be a “flat fender” man but I have come to love the round look of the CJ5 and M38 models.

I talk to my Jeep when I pass by it in my warehouse at work. I wonder how many Jeep owners say a few words to their Jeep when they pass by it or get into it for a drive. ?
Good luck with your lovely Jeep into the future and I reckon it will be the best vehicle to keep in the family for the next 100 years.
Peter, Melbourne, Australia

I’m in love with my ‘56 CJ5 as well. Bought her in ‘06, it was love at first sight. We were born the same year so I figured we were meant to be together. My wife was with me and gave her blessing for another “Old Girl” in my life. She’s been nearly perfect! The Jeep, that is, my wife IS perfect????.
She’s the only Jeep I’ve ever owned and no plans to own another. I’m a Trail Guide with a Jeep adventure organization and she’s the runt when we’re on the trail with the other modern Jeeps. The only times she’s broken down on the trail were failures of after market parts, carb and HID coil. What a joy she is to be with, that applies to BOTH of the girls in my life!!

I don’t know who’s brand of winch you have but it usuallly took 6-8,000 lb capacity to handle situations. the most reliable mount was to have the line pull directly in line with the frame center line itself. A beautiful real jeep, it makes me envious.
Dave Jones

Thanks, guys for all your good comments, we all know how good these old beloved critters are!
And, Peter, ( Australia…) I DO talk to my Jeep all the time, too, driving it, or as I walk by it as I putter in the garage. Sure as heck do. Ha,ha!
Over the many years in those snowstorms, in endless explorations in the mountains, it always got me home safe after many adventures.

Some very nice comments on here, thank you, guys.
Terry in Colorado, very nice that you love both your Jeep and your beloved wife… and hope you all have wonderful times and adventures! It will be great for camping out and cookouts and explorations out in the forest with your wife!
For David Jones, my winch is one of those Harbor Freight 12 volt electric boat winches rated for 2000 lbs, but I have a snatch block doubles that to 4000 lbs. The frame I welded has a true Fairlead unit with 4 way rollers to allow capability for sideways pull.
I know many people do frame up restorations, but my Jeep was always used, and I know that if a person scraped away to a layer of debris on the frame or protective transmission plate, there would be DNA like proof of the wonderful places I explored in El Dorado county out of Pollock Pines, CA as a kid!!
Or of Nevada areas. And the Sierras West of China Lake. All those wonderful memories and history are there in the layers of dust and grease, even an occasional Pine needle caught in a tight cranny.
And maybe my Jeep remembers it all too.
It is all there, the history of my whole life from 18 on, in the dust and mud remnants beneath…

Congrats! You have successfully completed delightful 60 years with your jeep. You’ve been on a lot of exciting trips, and had a lot of fun. The older jeeps were incredibly reliable. However, it is critical to keep them in good condition. Because ancient Jeep parts are difficult to come by these days, I recommend that you get your Jeep components through Parts Breakers. I purchased from them as well, and their products are of excellent quality.

Hey, quick question if you don’t mind. I have a 1959 CJ5 and I need to repaint it. I would like to keep it as close to accurate as possible. I was wondering what color paint is on this jeep, it is gorgeous.

Thanks