Puddle Jumper (re-creation)

So when I was a kid in the 70s and 80s my Dad's daily driver was a 69 CJ5, and he belonged to a couple of jeep clubs, and he named his jeep. First it was Chicken Shift, because it did not like to stay in 2nd gear, after a while he fixed the transmission issue, and called it Puddle Jumper, which being from SW Washington State, seems pretty appropriate. The poor jeep got T-boned in the passenger side and was totaled out, he got another jeep I think a 2A with a V6 but he never really liked it as much as the 69.

Fast forward to now, I got a 58 CJ5 and am working on a field restoration, meaning I am getting it mechanically sound and safe to drive. Then I plan a quality rattle can job just to get it all the same color, and mimic what my Dad had done with the 69.

I already have the CB that he had in his jeep, and a few pictures, he says he misses that jeep quite a lot. I have a few pictures and I see him all the time so he is going to help. He was really excited when I had him go with me to get the 58.

Right now it is getting a full brake job and front axel seals also having my buddy grease all the fittings and check fluids. I have already rebuilt the carb.

 

Darn transmission popping out of second

 

going with disks?

 

Thought about it, but no the guy I got the Jeep from bought an entire brake kit drums to master.

 

Woo Hoo, it stops, and I was able to drive it about a block, but the carb is having issues. It has a SOLEX carb that idles just fine but when you hit the gas it fall flat on its face. Looks like it is dumping fuel into it an flooding it, spend a few hours trying different things got it better but can't get rid of the major dead spot and makes it undrivable. I rebuilt it and there is not much to this carb so I'm at the end of my rope and knowledge.

So, I ordered a new SOLEX carb for it, for the price of a new one and the piece of mind that it will bring it is worth it.

I am hoping this will fix that issue.

I also bolted the backseat down so it will stop flopping around in the back. I have been talking to a local shop hoping that they have some stock front seats for it to replace the Rugged Ridge ones that are in it, as I don't really fit well behind the wheel, too thick of foam in them.

Does anyone make a Canvas Bikini top? I don't mind the Besttop one but think a Canvas one would be better looking.

 

My new Solex from Morris 4x4 did the trick, revs up just fine now. Next is valve cover gasket and plates for it.

 

I'm in Washougal if you ever need help

 

Great thanks.

 

looks like a good rig, have fun re-building with your dad!

 

Oh, and welcome from Idaho!

 

I have a Solex, it works well now, but when cold outside I must let it warm some time before action.

 

I had a bunch of folks (not on this site) riding me about upgrading to front discs. I decided to stick with the factory 11 inch drums since the Jeep was going back to a more stock condition. I've been very happy with them after rebuilding the whole system and properly adjusting them. Plenty of braking power, it'll stop in a big hurry when you get after the pedal. This is on a manual brake master cylinder.

 

There are other sites

 

Did a little bit of work in the las couple of days while the weather was good. Changed out the valve cover gasket that leaked bad for a Cork one, the one on it was some type of rubber, and changed out the thermostat and radiator cap, it had a 16lb cap on it (seemed a bit much). I was able to drive it up and down my street with good acceleration and the temp was at 170 ish, I did notice that even with a new speedo cable it is not working, is it hard to rebuild the speedo or should I just bite the bullet and buy a new one.

This got me thinking I need to get my plates, so went to the local DOL, and gave them my paperwork, they looked it over and told my that they want to tax me on the vehicles value. That seems okay, then the proceeded to tell me that will be $18,000, well dang, that is a lot of money, I asked if they wanted to buy it for that much, they said no. I did get an affidavit that will let me bring the price down a lot, but really I have a hard time believing that is the average price that a 58 CJ5 is going for these days. Anyway I will get that paperwork done and go back and get title and Plates for it.

I have been getting input from the wife about color so I hope to get some kind of light blue or light green on it to cover the primer job on it now, it will just be a spray bomb job till I get my garage cleaned up to give it a real paint job.

 

Washington is such a screwed up state. They are constantly trying to inflate the value of vehicles when trying to get a license and registration.

 

.gov always trying to get it's pound (or ten) of flesh. I inherited a motorcycle from my Great grandfather. No title to be found. Brought it home to Texas and dealt with the awful bonded title process. The lowest presumtive value they'll place on something for this process is 4000 dollars. That means I had to pay taxes and get a bond for 4000 dollars on a 1978 Suzuki GS1000 that might be worth 1/4 of that. What a rip off. End cost for initial registration was about 400 dollars including the cost of the Bond and fees associated with the bonded title process.

 

Yep title bond for my jeep is $400 and then I'd still have to pay taxes and fees to the state. Rip off.

 

There is a form you can print off the gov website that will allow you to establish a realistic value. Make sure and say it needs work etc