1955 Cj5 Restoration.

Just purchased a 1955 CJ5 that we are planning on brining to the trail a few time before we restore it. It has been painted a lot of times, but we found the original color, President Red. And under it was some weird almost puke green primer. Does anyone know what kind of primer to use when restoring it, to make it as stock as possible. Also, does anyone know were to buy correct seat cover for the red CJ5, like to factory specs. Does anyone have a paint color guide as well, because i would need that to see what parts are painted what colors, and their paint codes. It also has a. what looks like original, "Arvin" heater in it. It is a small black box, that says "Arvin" on the front. Anyone's help on the cosmetic side of the restoration to make it as stock as possible would help.


P.S I would like to find an original jack that came with the Jeep.

 

Welcome to site.
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Hey Welcome. The photo is of the Jeep you bought or the Jeep you are trying to build?

You obviously have lots of questions. Starting topic with one or two questions with a title related to the questions is easier to get answers.

More pictures, more better.

 

Welcome from Michigan. Rick

 

Welcome from Arvada Colorado.

 

Hey guys, thanks for the warm, welcome! The picture is what I'm trying to build eventually, it won't be as nice though because i have a limited budget, around 6k or so, i believe. I will get some photos of it on here eventually also. I put it on the lift today to do some engine work, and i saw some original paint, very nice president red! Under that, the primer seemed like it was some kind of dark green, i would like to know what kind of primer they used on them in '55.

 

I'm gonna make it a car show jeep, that can also hit the trails.

 

Opinions will FLY at this site...here's mine. The two vehicles which you have in mind really don't mix. It's one or the other in my book.

 

P.S I would like to find an original jack that came with the Jeep.


Not sure if they are identical, but the OEM jack in my 1956 looked like these.


https://www.ebay.com/itm/266717214642?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D1110025%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.COMPOSITELISTINGS%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20220405142716%26meid%3D2e1ab776dfd94ca2be3141f5a934e825%26pid%3D101506%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D25%26sd%3D395123647536%26itm%3D266717214642%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D4247815%26algv%3DAlgoIndex5SimRanker&_trksid=p4247815.c101506.m1851

https://www.ebay.com/itm/395123647536?itmmeta=01HRX46J3C9J9HDSG9CS94NHP5&hash=item5bff346430:g:qJYAAOSwHi5ldHOl&itmprp=enc:AQAIAAAAwB/2YcwGvvMisA930T0wxlNETraHxikdFWDyvgWrdvYy47S3KHAoiSmHJ/1Yy83FZljmg4FE2+6lUvuuFifyjA5m8xK8yWCu9MwZaG2J+Ucor6kqmL/fsV+w/QgWOXwssfBQKRjFqenYwB4go6PG+8F0N56hAqKffIiWlCSkEGb+8hghy67WxCIP3XFTnT5WC4F9jcoGyQZcK2BIj5l3dbxbTJdMkKZLguynAiZJb/qjBVMdeZfOJNOWqMStGDApIw==|tkp:Bk9SR-KhmqTHYw

 

Being around a couple ‘55s over the years, I’m pretty sure some body panels, like fenders and hood, had OD green (leftover military) as a base coat, then painted over with a civilian color. I’ve only seen this on ‘55s, which have a lot of unique features, such as a reversed shackle frame (springs mounted solid at bumper end, with shackles under firewall area).
-Donny

 

This feature persisted at least to '56 and '57.

 

I always advise to start with the brakes.
Then the steering.
Then the fluids, including any sealing that needs to be done.
From there, the engine.
After all that is done to a safe level and you have checked your funds, you can start worrying about seat covers and paint.

This

 

Welcome to the site.

My read of the intentions for this Jeep is that it does not include future trail rides following restoration. Everyone will have an opinion as to their desired use but I firmly believe one should use a Jeep for what they were intended for.

The jack Pete shows is the correct stock jack and I do believe most of them were green as in the lower photo.

 

X2 on what "Jeepdaddy2000" said. Put brakes and steering at the top of the list.

Start with the brakes. This will likely be the most difficult "brake job" you will ever do, but don't skimp on it, every part of the brake system needs to go back to new condition. Your drums may still have enough meat to be turned, but just about everything else will need to be new from wheel bearings and seals to brake lines and cylinders. You will need a proper hub puller to remove the rear hubs, and depending on which type drums you have you may need a swage cutter. If you are lucky it will have the military style drums which are held to the hubs with three flat head screws instead of swaged studs.

BTW - My CJ5 color is also "Presidential Red". I found the original paint code on one of the suppliers sites, don't remember which, but search for it and you will find it is out there.
My oldest friend has been involved with auto paint businesses his whole career and currently is a sales rep for Southern Auto body. His job includes assignment to customer shops to teach them how to match colors. He was able to cross reference the original paint code to modern poly paint products which are much more durable than the enamel used at the factory. If wanted I can get the code for the modern paint, but it ain't cheap.

 

My basically unmolested original '56 cj5 (S.# 29,0XX, so over 2K were built in '56 before mine) has reverse shackles, military split windshield, OD original front fenders (seriously faded showing the OD, love the original patina), with no OD on original civilian hood.

 

Here are some pictures, I think I have a conclusion , we are going to give it a nice pain job, make it fully functional, harness, brakes, light, every on it. Then use it as intended. Make it just stock looking, just not super nice. It already runs and drives like brand new though, I’m just not pleased with the looks.
I can email pictures, they are to big for the forum.

 

Reduce your picture size so they can be shared...it's a common issue.
Keep them under 1Meg.

 

I have a trail jeep and a parade jeep. My parade jeep is ok for light trails but I don't bother taking it out much these days. As I got more into offroad, my trail jeep evolved and got all the attention. I live in the desert and love exploring. I say build your rig to fit your intentions.

As far as a show jeep, no matter what you do, it's eventually going to get scratched and dented if you hit the trail.