Project Valiant Effort: 1966 CJ-6

Well, the bug hit me. It hit me hard and now the day after I am wallowing in the hangover from bringing home another Jeep that only another Jeep Owner/Builder/Driver and Dreamer can fully understand.

Enter VALIANT (effort), my new to me 1966 CJ-6.



4 Years ago I was given a 1969 CJ-5. Since then I have been Dissasembling, Rebuilding, and Collecting parts to rebuild this 5 into the Jeep of my Dreams. A couple of weeks ago I took note of a Forlorn CJ-6 for Sale, Mostly dissasembled and minus the Drivetrain. This is when the bug hit. It is a 6 with a full hard top, origianally had a Dauntless :v6:, and it was a Screeming Deal. I quickly extolled the virtues of this little 6 to the Wife like: there will be more room for the Kids, It has a Full Complete Hardtop, and All of the parts I have for the 5 will work on this 6. I did not tell Her about the bad like: it was mostly dissasembled, and that it had at one time been hit hard in the front passenger corner. She unwittingly (and Lovingly) said sure. The Phone call was quickly made, and the deal sealed.



Yesterday we made the Trip to Idaho Falls and back as a Family (The Wife said it would be fun) and brought it home. We left the House at 7 AM and returned home at 1 AM. It was a long and fun day withthe Family.




I did not have the energy last night to inspect my new prize. So this morning I went out to make an objective assesment of my new toy. It is worse than I had thought. A list of what needs done and a list of all the spare parts I scored with pics will be forthcoming. After talking with my Wife about it we both agree that while formidable it is worth the effort, time, and money we have spent thus far. I jokingly told my Wife that I will put forth a "Valiant Effort" to get it going just enough to enjoy it for some of the summer before it gets cold again.

 

Re: Project Valient Effort: 1966 CJ-6

Would've done the same thing had I been in your shoes.

 

Here is a list of the Parts Scored, with attached Pics.

First is the rear Axle, it has 4.10 Gears and is totally dissasembled. This is very scary because I have no clue how to put it back together. I still have the axles from the 5 but they are 5.38 gears.





Here is the Front Axle. Totally re-built Dana 30 with Disc Brakes, but no Hubs (anyone have a set or able to recomend a set?).



Here is the Radiator, wich I will have re-cored at a buddies shop in town.



Hood damaged by whatever took out the Passenger Front of the Jeep, as well as a messed up Grill and Rusted Tailgate.





Here are the Doors wich are complete and in great shape except for a Passenger Side Window Crank that is missing (where can I get one).



Good set of Shocks (they will be too short with the Lift Springs/Shackles that I have), Tranmission X-Member, and a Ross Steering Column.



Dana 20? Transfer Case.



More extra Leaf Springs than I know what to do with.



Bucket of Various Nuts and Bolts and stuff. I have seen where you can get all new Hardware for these Jeeps, but I forgot where I found it.

 

Re: Project Valient Effort: 1966 CJ-6

Hey Mods... My Wife just pointed out that I do not know how to Spell! Can someone change the Tiltle from Valient to "Valiant".

 

Good luck on your project. Mine had an engine and axles under it when I bought it, but mine was not in any better condition. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Nice hardtop.

 

Thats a sweet project. great score.

I love the boxes of parts!

Awesome

 

Thanks for the encouragement everyone!

Here is a list of what is wrong. First of all is the fact that at some point it was hit hard in the Passenger Front Corner. I will probably just straighten enough of it for now so I can get the fender on. This will be permanently fixed next winter as I want to drive it if possible this summer. Expert opinions needed here, Should it be reapaired or should I replace the damaged area with the cowl off of my 5 Tub? The first two views are external, and the third is internal.





Next major item is the front frame rails. They are bent bad! This repair is out of my league so I will be taking it to a Master Fabricator for repairs. Expert Opinions needed here as well, will it be o.k. to drive it like this or does it need repaired for safety?





Next is the Sheetmetal on the Tub. This will definately wait as I want to drive it. Re-Skinning will come next winter.






There is only one minor repair to make to the Hard Top. A Small tear at the top of the back lift gate on the left side.



The Floorpans and inside of the toolbox are very rust free, so no worries there. I am hoping to get the spare block I have mounted into the frame so I can re-drill holes for my SM465 crossmember. I can have the SM465 and Dana 20 in and ready when I get all the motor pieces back from the machine shop. Then I can even mount the tub and axles while I wait on the motor if I have time.

 

i will be watching this one. i also just picked up a 66 cj6 a couple weeks ago but its just sitting there till i finish a few other things first.

mine might be running and driving but your tub is a whole lot better.

 

The frame up front will need some repair. Cut and replace is an option. or just trying to straighten is another. i would suggest trying to straighten with heat and a BFH. if you can get it close, then reinforce with plating.

Cutting and replacing can be tricky.

I am no master metal guy, just willing to try it on my own rig

The dents, scratches, and imperfections add to the vehicle in my opinion, but hey, folks have seen what i have done to my wagon...

 

I'd beat out the dents with a hammer. You just want to drive it for the summer. Next winter when you do the sides, do the front as well.

As far as robbing from the 5, I wouldn't do that too much. Play your cards right and you can have a 5 and a 6.

If no one tosses out the place for the bolt kit, I'll find it tonight.

Nice find. I was born in '66.

But fix the frame now. You are only a few wrench turns from stripping it so I'd do that anyway. Get it straight, paint Eastwood Rust Encapsulator in it and not have to worry about the frame next winter.

 

I like it, old tin in it's finest
Anyway,
Aren't those Warn hub's I see in the box of parts?

 

Yep, I think it's not going to drive right if the frame isn't straight. Probably have to farm that out. How's your welding?

 

There is only one Hub there.

Wait..... I went out and checked and there are two hubs, but one has the insides out of it. Pics will come, maybe I can rebuild them, I have heard that we have the technology.

 

Tub is just sitting on the Frame right now, no bolts attached. You guys might be right getting about the Frame done now. My Welding skills are not up to par for a fix like this, I will have to get it done. That will set me back in time though so I can come up with the Scratch to pay for the repairs.

 

As for cutting and replacing... with the Frame I want that done once and done right. The Welder I know has done all kinds of things with these frames from complete custum replacements to repair and modifiction.

The Dents while adding Character are hiding rust I am afraid. Gonna have to fix them eventually so it does not rust away.

 

Well I got the Tub off the Trailer and into the Garage with the help of some buddies here on Base. My Garage used to be so much bigger...R)







Had some little helpers join in the fun as well!



Going to drop the frame off tomorrow at the welders shop. I will wait for his ideas on what to do to fix it.

 

Time for some updates!

Dropped the frame off at the Welder in town. He is going to fix the frame rails on the front and strengthen them with tube and fishplates. At the same time He is going to build me some new bumpers front and rear with integrated points for D-Rings front and rear. He is also going to intergrate a reciever in the rear, and remove and brace the rear V-Shaoed cross member so I can do a rear gas tank conversion. It all sounds cool, but it is nothing really to special. He said at the worst it would be two months (he is very busy) and 450 dollars. He has the material on hand so he is only charging me 40 dollars an hour .

I got my new grinder out and went after the Bondo mess on the right front of the Cowl. It was almost an inch deep in some areas. The damage is pretty good.





The metal is pinched and folded pretty good. I am going to heat it up and pound it out as best I can to get the fender on. Remember, I am just going to do what I need to to get it back together and running. I think I will source a complete cowl and replace this later.

I also took the grinder to the bondo on the rockers. There is a bit of rust here to deal with. You would think that with rust like this the floors and hat channels would be thrashed. They are very good though, and the hat channels look perfect. What is the best way to fix this temporarily and then permanently?