59 CJ5 - Go gently into the night? Or don’t follow the light!

Do you know what it was originally used for? Seems like a lot of leaves in those packs for a stock jeep. The basic parts are worth a bunch of money just to someone who wants to rebuild them. Were it me, I'd spend the time and money to get it running and driving as is. The motor is just about perfect in size, like the OD and the twin stick. It's in good shape to start and it's all there. Even has side steps. IF those are stock and not beat up, then those are worth a pretty penny.

I'd agree with everyone else on time and money. Of course it really depends on your skill level. I'd say a minimum of $3K if you do the work. I'd start with the axles and pull them one at a time and completely go through it. Then tranny, trans and motor, fuel system, brakes, etc. Remember, there was not a wiring harness like you think. No fuse block on a '59 as I remember. In line fuses only. You can redo each wire at a time or you can put in a harness with a fuse block. Depends on your skill.

Lots of work but you will have an very nice jeep when done. IF you don't want to do it, I'm sure you can sell it and get enough to get a running older truck.

 

As far as I know just a daily driver. As far as the leaves go, how do you know if it's worth replacing? The Jeep sits level, no issues there. Though they are rusted. Of course the shocks are shot, but have no idea how to gauge the leaves.

Yep, the side steps are stock.

 

nice find . now the biggie . how mechanically are you , I see a jeep that could come back to life . yes it could take some change $$$$ . but like some of the guys here have said . it won't be a weekend job . but its a nice start

 

I like it. Alot! Great story and good looking start to a jeep project. It won't be easy and won't be cheap because you will need to go through pretty much everything. Your engine is the biggest unknown at this point. If you can get it to run, everything else will probably be easy work comparatively. The condition of the motor is going to depend solely on how it was stored and it water was able to get into it. Oil in the cylinders, wait. Gently try to turn over by hand, more oil, wait. I imagine rodents have chewed on wiring etc. As said, the stock systems will work fine for your use although I would consider an 11" drum upgrade if you are replacing brakes anyway. I don't think your use requires the additional costs associated with a disk upgrade but maybe you do. Good luck and I think you've got a great start! I've started with worse... My CJ-6 sat for 37 years before I got it and it was running (not driving) about 2 weeks later in my spare time. I also had a 289 in my flatty that sat for a long time too. As long as not water got in, you can probably bring it back to life relatively easily.

 

Steering-keep the stock setup if its time will be mostly around the property and not on higher speed highways.
Brakes-you would be fine rebuilding the stock brakes based on the usage stated above. It will stop.
Wiring-meh. It doesn't require much wiring to be able to tool around on a farm.
The body is in awesome shape. Way better than mine was.
You mention that the 289 should be good based on the miles-but keep in mind that unless you know how many it had when installed you have no idea how many are on the engine.
Your final investment will be based on basically two things: How far from where it is today towards a total restoration or modified state you go, and how much of it you can do yourself.
Its a gem. Mine took a year and I haven't added up the tickets but I'm guessing $10,000. Its not restored or fancy, nor super modified. I hired the machine work on the engine and knuckles out, and the sandblasting. Your results may vary. I'd get it running driving and stopping and then see where you want to go.

 

I agree.

 

If that carb was covered up pretty good I will stand to bet the engine isn't seized. I'd be getting a can of Kroil oil, seafoam Deep creep, or pb blaster and soaking those cyl walls anyway. After you see that the engine spins over I would get a set of front and rear shoes, wheel cylinders, wheel cylinders and brake parts kits if you can get them. Im not sure if you can get a full brake line kit for that old of a jeep but I just replaced all of my hard lines on my 73 for under $70 at autozone. Just bent them all by hand to fit.

Man..........I would be working on that thing right now if it were mine!!

 

Stopping is your primary concern. It's a bit hard to figure out if you can't get it to go however, so if you can get good pedal preassure, give it a try but don't be aiming the Jeep at the wifes car unless you have a good exit route figured out.
Steering, both of my Jeeps have the Ross boxes, don't expect the handleing of a Ferrari. I suppose the only thing I can say is that it is something you get used to.
As others have stated, get it running and then figure out if you need to throw more money at it or where to throw money at it.

 

? I'd just pulled the spring spring clamps out a bit and Jack the frame up and let the axle droop. Then spray white lithium grease between each one and call it done. Replace eye bushings as they fail. Looks to be a farm use only jeep anyhow.

 

Despite the 'weathering' the fact the factory side steps are still on it suggests it has been used gently. They rarely survive.

Don't go crazy with upgrades or mods at first. Just get it cleaned up and go over the basics one at a time, get to know it better. Plenty of penetrating oil and some time will 'fix' a lot of things.

 

There's so many leaves in those packs I wouldn't think they were ever taxed even sitting for 30 years.

I'd still maybe pull them apart and sandblast them throw them back together with new bushings and use them.

 

It's not worth saving. Tell you what, I'll do you a favor and take it off your hands and save you all the hassle. You'll thank me later.

Seriously, the side steps look like original diamond tread ones, if you want to sell them please keep me in mind. I also have a '59 and started with one in MUCH worse shape than yours! If you want to restore it, here's what it could look like:

 

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Any updates on this one?

I can't believe that it is in such good shape for sitting so long, especially in a damp region!

There is no way I would ever paint it. Get it mechanically sound and buff/wax that paint - it would look amazing.

Please keep us updated with plenty of pics!

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Looks like rusty gold from the pictures on the first page of this thread. Body looks pretty straight. Nice find.