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Miner's '57 CJ5 Build

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by schneedrache, Jul 6, 2016.

  1. Jul 6, 2016
    schneedrache

    schneedrache New Member

    Gansevoort, NY
    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2016
    Messages:
    28
    My Wife and I picked up a '57 Willys on a trade. It's in pretty rough shape, but the motor ran and everything worked well. Plus the frame looks great, just surface rust.

    It didn't have any papers when we go it so we had to go through the process of registering it in NY state (that was fun). We just got the transferable registration in the mail which officially means that the build can start.

    We're planning a 2 year build. Pretty simple driver that's safe and reliable.

    Jeep as it came:
    - Hurricane F134
    - T90
    - Dana 18 twin stick
    - Dana 44 rear
    - Dana 25 front

    Jeep as it's planned:
    - Boxed frame
    - V6 (debating between 4.3 or 225 Buick)
    - T90
    - Dana 18
    - Dana 44 rear
    - Dana 25 front
    - 33's (maybe)
    - Disc brakes all around

    Updates will come as we slowly start to tear down and prep for all of the rebuilds.


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    Last edited: Oct 24, 2016
  2. Jul 6, 2016
    schneedrache

    schneedrache New Member

    Gansevoort, NY
    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2016
    Messages:
    28
    Well, my wife started blasting the tailgate, looking pretty good. someone put a piece of angle iron across the top so I'm gonna have to repair that stuff, and one of the pivot points is gone so I'll have to weld in a replacement rod.

    I Powdercoat and Sanblast as a side business.
    Insert shameless business plug here ->Security Check Required...so needless to say, every piece that can be will be coated....

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    Mmmm...frozen hardware.

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  3. Jul 6, 2016
    schneedrache

    schneedrache New Member

    Gansevoort, NY
    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2016
    Messages:
    28
    Well, we got it to it's home for deconstruction. We put it up on stands and started to disassemble.

    Removed the fenders and grill. Fenders are toast, grill looks save-able.

    It looks like someone had the frame and underside of the body coated in rubber, not sure when, but it's what saved the frame for sure. Also found the frame serial number, it matches the body serial number, so atleast those were original. The motor looks to be from a '56 based on the serial.

    Also pulled out the heater that was installed. It's nifty, but doesn't look like it was meant for the vehicle, one of the necks is cracked, and it looks like the jammed an aftermarket motor in......so that's scrapped.

    Trans tunnel bolts are rounded, and the new floor pans they put in overlap with rivets, so it looks like we're just going to cut the body in half to remove it, nothing other than the hood and tailgate are salvageable at this point, so it should make it easier to remove cut in half.

    Checked what ratio we have in the rear, it's a 5.38, front is a 2.(something (3ish?))

    Also removed the Sparton turn signal to begin rebuilding as a side mini project.

    Next will be removing the plow/hydraulic setup. Someone did a terrible weld job on the front brace that I'm sure will take me multiple hours to carefully extract with an angle grinder so that I don't damage the frame.

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  4. Jul 6, 2016
    schneedrache

    schneedrache New Member

    Gansevoort, NY
    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2016
    Messages:
    28
  5. Jul 6, 2016
    schneedrache

    schneedrache New Member

    Gansevoort, NY
    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2016
    Messages:
    28
    The plow setup will be put up for free in the classifieds section shortly.
     
  6. Jul 7, 2016
    a42pb

    a42pb Member

    atascadero ca
    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2007
    Messages:
    56
    You going to try to use the tub?
     
  7. Jul 8, 2016
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    Man! You've got your work cut out ahead of you. You've got my respect for tackling it. Subscribed.

    What is that superman-logo-shaped thing on the dash? A speedometer?!!
     
  8. Jul 8, 2016
    schneedrache

    schneedrache New Member

    Gansevoort, NY
    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2016
    Messages:
    28
    Tub is toast, beyond repair. Going to have to source a new one, would like to find a salvageable one locally.
     
  9. Jul 8, 2016
    schneedrache

    schneedrache New Member

    Gansevoort, NY
    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2016
    Messages:
    28
    It's a speedo cluster from a chevy. Farm fresh, they used what they had to fix it.
     
  10. Jul 8, 2016
    fhoehle

    fhoehle Sponsor

    Harford Township, PA
    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2012
    Messages:
    1,427
    Hey, cool start to the build. Congrats on keeping alive an old CJ. My son's is in similar shape.
     
  11. Jul 8, 2016
    Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    cordele, Ga.
    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2007
    Messages:
    5,916
    Your planning on this to be a 2 year project? You must have a lot of free time... Hope your wife sticks with you through the project and don't let her get discouraged.. Enjoy..
     
    Mark T. likes this.
  12. Jul 8, 2016
    schneedrache

    schneedrache New Member

    Gansevoort, NY
    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2016
    Messages:
    28
    If I had a garage and wanted to devote 3-4 nights +1 day a week, I could crush this out in a few months. But because it's a low priority project and I'm working outside I know it will take some time.

    Plan is to strip everything and start rebuilding things slowly, mostly do all of the rebuilding of each component over the upcoming winter in my shop. Then assemble a roller in the spring. and move on from there.

    My wife is a special woman. I've actually never owned a Jeep myself. She owned and built her own and trailed it in VT in the woods and sand pits. So I'm not so worried about her involvement :)
     
    Mark T. and ITLKSEZ like this.
  13. Jul 9, 2016
    aallison

    aallison 74 cj6, 76 cj5. Has anyone seen my screwdriver?

    Green Cove...
    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2006
    Messages:
    1,929
    I wish that tub was in good shape. I really like the old colors and patina. Very cool. But I know those tubs get to a point repair is not possible. I have one of those as well. Good project. I like what you are doing with it.
     
  14. Jul 10, 2016
    schneedrache

    schneedrache New Member

    Gansevoort, NY
    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2016
    Messages:
    28
    Well this was not as easy as planned. went through a few cutting discs, and it looks like they cut the front of the frame with a torch. I ended up having to switch to an angle grinder to get through it faster.

    Can anyone post any photos showing the front of their frame and what the distance is from the spring shackle mount to the end? I'll have to make a new front.

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  15. Jul 10, 2016
    IRQVET

    IRQVET Bubbaification Exorcist

    Tallahassee, FL.
    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2015
    Messages:
    680
    This is going to be one hell of a thread if you can turn that thing back from the brink, you are a brave man, I couldn't do it.
     
  16. Jul 13, 2016
    schneedrache

    schneedrache New Member

    Gansevoort, NY
    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2016
    Messages:
    28
    I tore apart the signal controller and blasted and powdercoated it. The Sparton logo was a pain, it's all powdercoat, including the chromed lever.

    Hopefully I'll get sometime to reassemble shortly...

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  17. Jul 18, 2016
    schneedrache

    schneedrache New Member

    Gansevoort, NY
    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2016
    Messages:
    28
    Finally started chopping some of the body off, the heat up here is rediculous right now, so working out side is limited.

    I tried cutting it nicely with a body saw... but damn this old metal is thick. I got tired of it and switched to a plasma cutter, 'cause fire.

    Is it now classified as a truck?

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  18. Jul 18, 2016
    montanacj

    montanacj Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2012
    Messages:
    794
    Thanks for documenting this. If the rest of the jeep turns out like the turn signal did its gonna be cool.
     
    ITLKSEZ likes this.
  19. Aug 14, 2016
    schneedrache

    schneedrache New Member

    Gansevoort, NY
    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2016
    Messages:
    28
    Well it's been a little hot here in NY so work has been delayed a little. But today we finally got the body fully removed. We literally just flipped it over off the back of it.

    Stupid steering wheel was stuck on.

    Frame is still in great shape. Found one area that is a little thin.

    Next is to put new front frame horns on, and pull the motor. If anyone wants a '56 Hurricane for free, let me know. Ran fine, burned oil.

    We also found a USMC gas can at a swap meet today. The guy wanted $5! I couldn't pull the 5 out of my pocket fast enough. In the oven right now getting ready for sandblast and new powder. Can't decide between red and olive drab. Votes?

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  20. Aug 14, 2016
    Chilly

    Chilly Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2007
    Messages:
    1,486
    If you can bear it, save EVERYTHING until you are done. Too easy to throw away an irreplaceable small part. Even the junk body pieces will yield valuable clues later when you are putting things back together. Put bolts and screws back in their holes, or in logically labeled zip-lock bags.

    If the cowl and firewall are close to slavageable then save it. Classic Enterprises has nearly enough panels to build an entire tub except for cowl and firewall. At least save for someone to use as template for a glass body cutouts (can I even suggest that without getting banned?).

    Your hood looks like Swiss Alpenfage.
     
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