The restoration of a 1967 CJ-5. We purchased this Jeep from a person in Mentone Ca. in the summer of 2011. It was not running and had not been registered since 1980. The body was in fair condition with its share of rust, dents and holes from many attempts at fitting soft tops on it. The running train consisted of a V6 odd fire, T86 trans, Dana 18 transfer, D44 rear and D27 front with Dualmatic hubs. The engine was all together minus the radiator and a few other parts not worth mentioning. When we picked up the Jeep to bring home the seller did say it ran but as most of us know they all run when you buy them.
After the Jeep sat along our garage for some months I one day got an itch to tinker with it. After dropping in a battery and pouring some gas in the carb I turned the key and low and behold it fired up. Only running for a few seconds it was enough to get me started on the rebuild. I tore the CJ down to the bare frame placing the engine on a stand and disassembling the trans and transfer cases. Opening them presented me with a challenge I didn’t expect. Both cases had water in them with plenty of rust and locked up gears. After months of chasing down parts and gears and a hefty amount of cash I learned the hard way how to put it all back together.
The engine was not in the best of shape either, one cracked head and flat cam and an assortment of worn parts to boot. Three months later and another bundle of cash I finally got the engine back from the machine shop. New rings, cam, rod and main bearing, new cam, new lifters and heads rebuilt, new water pump, alternator, radiator and gasket kit. By then I had done most of the stripping of the frame and body and was in the process of body work and painting. Now I could actually see some progress in the rebuild as things started to go back together. I had ordered parts from Kaiser Willys a little at a time stock piling them up for the rebuild. Boxes of stored parts in the corner of the garage covered with dust finally got opened up and for the life of me had no idea of where they all belonged. With the frame and body painted and a complete rolling chassis I talked a few friends into helping put the body back on the frame. Now it looks like a Jeep again said my wife as she looked on thinking of when she could get the garage back to park her car in again. But after a few long nights of rewiring, turning wrenches, and a lot of prayers I got to turn the key on the new old Jeep. It started up without a hitch and with a few minor tweaks it ran like a top. After days of anticipation I backed the rig out of the garage and turned it out on the street. With a slow ride down the street of the neighborhood I finally was relieved that I put it back together right. Still in the break in period it runs well and I still have plenty left to do. The pride you get in accomplishing a task like this is all worth the effort in my book.
Kaiser Willys Jeep Blog Story – Darrel Parlapiano
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I have a 1966 to 1968 jeep cj5 v6 depending on which parts made made the best of two jeeps. posi. rear.3.73 ramsey 8k winch pto. new bestop, new seats, bulletproof dauntless v6,electric wiper conversion daily driver. never walked away from it. always got me home. almost love it too much to sell.
I’m very sorry for not getting back to any of you who appreciated the work I did on the CJ. I’m very poor with computer work and responding at this and other blogs. Just don’t know how to use them! Anyway as for some of the questions I’ll try to answer some. The engine color came from a small blotch of paint left on the timing cover, so I asked the mixer to add a little metallic to it to give it a little dazzle. The air cleaner is a K&N filter 11 in Diameter X 4 in high for a two barrel Rochester carb. And also I looked high and low for a sector shaft for the V6 with the 15/16 shaft. Two were made, one for the M38 A-1 and one for the CJ. Both have the same shaft but the “nubs” on the CJ measure 2″ on center where the other measures 1 1/2″ on center. I ground down the back of the riveted side of the “nibs” and turned them 90 degrees and welded them back in place seemed to work fine as for tighting up the slop in the steering. Hope that helps any of you who are working on your project . Again sorry for the late reponces.
Does this gentleman have a build thread??
Incredible!!!. Just purchased a 66 CJ5 and when I look at it and all the crazy work others have done to it that needs to be done properly I just get that kind lost feeling. I can only hope it ends up like yours.
James
Looks great! Way to stay with it. I also own a 1967 V6 CJ5 and can relate. Where did you find a custom air filter to fit the dauntless engine? See you on the trail
Skip
Hey great job on the 67!!! I’ve got an m38a1 with in odd fire in it. What paint did you use on the odd fire. Looks great. Can you please let me know what paint you used that matches perfect. Those rims look great.
That is a beautiful job, and great attention to detail.
You do very nice work.
I know exactly what you mean by the sense of accomplishment when done.
Thank you for saving another one from the scrapper.
Very nice job! It was definitely worth the effort. I really like the way you did the dash and gauges.
I just finished a 1949 CJ3A and have purchased a 1966 CJ5 identical to your 67. Looking forward to the project.
Keep on jeepin’
WOW! That is one beautiful CJ5 restoration. I just started mine this past spring, and at every turn there is another challenge….but it’s well worth the effort, as evidenced by your beautiful restoration.
Have fun!!
Shelley
Very nice job. I too am doing a frame off restoration on a 66 CJ-5. A local shop is helping me. Your Jeep is an inspiration to keep going. I have an “as was” picture in the photo blog. I can’t decide to do the wheels in white or black. I like both!
Looks great. I am doing a 67 CJ5 also but waiting for some cash flow to continue 🙁
http://1967cj5.blogspot.com/
Nice job. I also have 67 CJ 5 with a V6 in my garage needing a radiator hose or two and a tune up to be drivable. Mine has the overdrive and gets great gas milage with it. Worth the thousand bucks to get if you don’t already have on. The seats look nice in yours also. Great job. What did the restoration cost? A lot less than a new one I bet.
Nice job!! I finished mine last Sept. 69 CJ-5. see the pics in the photo blog? Sweet ride!!!
John