In the 1960s I learned to drive on my uncles 49 CJ-2A and always wanted a Jeep. I found this CJ-5 in 1998 while living and working in Denver. I would be the third owner with 65K on the odometer. It had rusted floorboards and some rust below the taillights. The engine and drive train were good with only slight oil leaks from the original Hurricane engine. During the years that I was working and raising a family the Jeep sat and was mostly ignored. It moved with me to Chicago and later to Texas but still sat untouched.
After retirement and moving to the mountains in Northwest Montana I decided I finally had time, so I used the winter’s months to restore it. Several of our retired neighbors purchased side by sides (at an average of $30K) to explore the many mountain roads and trails. I decided to save some money by doing an off-frame restoration. I searched online and found Kaiser Willys for parts and manuals but could not find any local body shops interested in tackling the rust issue. I talked with some local motor heads, and they all said to buy a welder from Harbor Freight, get on Youtube and learn how to weld. I bought the body and support parts from Kaiser Willys and with help from my 4-inch grinder and little body putty, I got rid of all the rust. Several people wanted me to find a V8 and one even suggested a diesel engine, but I wanted to keep it original so with a gasket kit and other parts I cleaned and re-sealed the engine. Lots of scraping and cleaning off 50 years of grease oil and dirt, new brakes, wires, bolts, and paint I ended up with the Jeep I dreamed about and can keep up with the neighbors.
Kaiser Willys Jeep Blog Story – David Jones
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Ha, we must be twins…. I did exactly the same with my Jeep, but have had it since 1960. Repaired body rust and used a harbor Freight welder to replace rusted out pieces. Used the angle grinder for cleaning up my welds, and some body putty to finish off.
I have never done a body off restoration though, as my Jeep has always been in use, especially before retirement. I live in Oregon.
I have put in an alternator though and built a Capacitive Discharge ignition to really improve the spark, also converted it to 12 volts.
I love the old critter..
Ha, we must be twins…. I did exactly the same with my Jeep, but have had it since 1960. Repaired body rust and used a harbor Freight welder to replace rusted out pieces. Used the angle grinder for cleaning up my welds, and some body putty to finish off.
I have never done a body off restoration though, as my Jeep has always been in use, especially before retirement. I live in Oregon.
I have put in an alternator though and built a Capacitive Discharge ignition to really improve the spark, also converted it to 12 volts.
I love the old critter..
I owm a 1954 M38A1 that I have kept in its original configuration. I am glad to see a CJ5 rebuild retaining the Hurricane engine. Great job on yours.
I owm a 1954 M38A1 that I have kept in its original configuration. I am glad to see a CJ5 rebuild retaining the Hurricane engine. Great job on yours.
I have a 69 cj5. Looks similar. I need to replace the tires. What size are you running.
I have a 69 cj5. Looks similar. I need to replace the tires. What size are you running.
I have a 1959 and wanting to change seats. The jeep looks great,would love to know the seats you used. Thanks
I have a 1959 and wanting to change seats. The jeep looks great,would love to know the seats you used. Thanks
Beware of the 8 cylinder conversions! they do not like the V-6 running gear and are very hard on all of the components. Also it takes a lot of modification to the vehicle and sometimes even the frame to make them fit.No to mention the extra weight that it adds to the vehicle itself. Sometimes it added so much weight that the had to add extra leaves to the front springs to deal with the weight.
Dave
Beware of the 8 cylinder conversions! they do not like the V-6 running gear and are very hard on all of the components. Also it takes a lot of modification to the vehicle and sometimes even the frame to make them fit.No to mention the extra weight that it adds to the vehicle itself. Sometimes it added so much weight that the had to add extra leaves to the front springs to deal with the weight.
Dave
Nice Job! I have an old war vet 1954 M38A1 with a bullet hole in right rear wheel well. Frame off restoration 2013 – 2018. Love It! Like yours, mine could use a heating system here in north west Pa. Ha,Ha. Joe.
Nice Job! I have an old war vet 1954 M38A1 with a bullet hole in right rear wheel well. Frame off restoration 2013 – 2018. Love It! Like yours, mine could use a heating system here in north west Pa. Ha,Ha. Joe.