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Stock 56 Willys Cj5 "restoration"

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by gpjeep13, Jul 26, 2018.

  1. Jul 26, 2018
    gpjeep13

    gpjeep13 Member

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    My dad and I picked this jeep up from rural Montana in the frigid spring of 2017. It had spent its life as a ranch jeep and has the scars to show it. The plan is to go through the mechanical aspects of the jeep and restore everything in need of restoring while keeping most of the rough (really rough) exterior appearance. Dad also has a yellow 1956 CJ5 in need of some TLC that we will get around once this one is closer to finished. I'll periodically post photos of our progress up to where we are now (far from finished). Plan is to take it camping on on some logging roads and trails in the northwest and running around town. Attached are photos from the craigslist listing. IMG_4182.JPG IMG_4178.JPG IMG_4185.JPG IMG_4168.JPG
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Jul 26, 2018
    1957Willys likes this.
  2. Jul 26, 2018
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Looks relatively stock and authentic. Good luck with your project, I love my '56/57.
     
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  3. Jul 26, 2018
    Muzikp

    Muzikp Active Member

    Sacramento Ca.
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    If it ever thaws out that looks like a great place to start. (y)
     
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  4. Jul 31, 2018
    gpjeep13

    gpjeep13 Member

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    Some more photos of loading up the Cj5 for the trek back to eastern WA. The rear axle did not want to move so the sellers negotiated it onto the trailer with the tractor and some chains, the snow helped slide it around... Sellers insisted it rolled just fine the last time they pushed it (more on this later..) One of the rear springs was also detached for some reason so it set a bit wonky at the time. We also found a very fitting backdrop for the jeep on the way out of town.

    38138924_112389116360558_1817290895905521664_o.jpg 38026241_112391936360276_4894435011287056384_o.jpg 38085468_112394319693371_4370982796890472448_o.jpg 38122083_112394296360040_1558805818273431552_o.jpg
     
  5. Jul 31, 2018
    Muzikp

    Muzikp Active Member

    Sacramento Ca.
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    Brrrrrr!!!!
     
  6. Jul 31, 2018
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I love the way that jeep looks.
     
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  7. Aug 2, 2018
    gpjeep13

    gpjeep13 Member

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    After the arduous journey from Montana back to Washington we unloaded the jeep into its new home in my dads shop. I imagine it was happy to thaw out a bit. The rear axle was still not moving but after disconnecting the rear drive shaft it moved fine.. Seems the transmission was the culprit as we couldn't shift the jeep from neutral. We put the windshield on to get the full picture before we started taking it apart. The jeep was mostly all complete and original but was missing the original oil bath air cleaner. 38016084_112395583026578_5067084162486239232_o.jpg 38046107_112395716359898_3940602476553568256_o.jpg
     
  8. Aug 2, 2018
    1957Willys

    1957Willys Member

    Birmingham, Alabama
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    What ever you do keep the pto and winch!
     
  9. Aug 3, 2018
    58 willys

    58 willys Sponsor

    Millsboro, Delaware
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    Good find
     
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  10. Aug 3, 2018
    jeepstar

    jeepstar Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sheboygan
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    if you need an oil air bath, I have one off the '62. its yours. PM me your info.
     
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  11. Aug 3, 2018
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    X2
     
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  12. Aug 3, 2018
    gpjeep13

    gpjeep13 Member

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    Thanks Jeepstar, very generous offer.. but i've already got one in the parts pile that will fit nicely. Thanks everyone for the comments. Cant' wait to drive it someday
     
  13. Aug 3, 2018
    gpjeep13

    gpjeep13 Member

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    Absolutely keeping the winch! The brake mechanism for the winch is missing.. can it work without??
     
  14. Aug 3, 2018
    1957Willys

    1957Willys Member

    Birmingham, Alabama
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    Yes but it will unspool when you want to unwind the winch. I think Herm the over drive guy has the brakes for the winch.
     
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  15. Aug 5, 2018
    gpjeep13

    gpjeep13 Member

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    Once the jeep thawed out we started teardown. First to come off were the grill, hood, and fenders. The tool box lid was cut and welded partially shut for some reason. The winch mount is a homemade job that doesn't seem like it will hold much so will need to be reinvented at some point. Next up will be getting the tub off.

    38065538_112408953025241_3989609049833340928_n.jpg 37974629_112408969691906_3602446992531259392_n.jpg 38122994_112408976358572_7224320667603173376_n.jpg
     
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  16. Aug 5, 2018
    Muzikp

    Muzikp Active Member

    Sacramento Ca.
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    Nice shop!!! Sure wish I had room to do a body off type build :(
     
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  17. Aug 5, 2018
    Danefraz

    Danefraz Well-Known Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Too many guitar fixin things in the way?
     
  18. Aug 6, 2018
    Muzikp

    Muzikp Active Member

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    Yep (y)
     
  19. Aug 8, 2018
    gpjeep13

    gpjeep13 Member

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    Once the front end was taken apart the tub was next. We made due without a lift using some 2x4s, blocks, sawhorses, dollys and jack stands. Overall the tub is in pretty good shape, some rust through the passenger floor pan and toolbox and obviously banged up from a life well lived but nothing too bad. The frame seems to also be pretty decent; surface oxidation only and no sign of any cracks. Since the suspension wasn't hooked up in the rear we still couldn't tell if the frame was tweaked or bent much.

    In the background the yellow 56 and the white 65 cj5's supervise progress. The white jeep came with the green one from Montana and is in pretty good shape, not yet sure what we will do with it. You can never have too many right??

    38068005_112410243025112_4106859277602258944_n (1).jpg 38152780_112410219691781_6989942631518175232_n (1).jpg 38195945_112410246358445_8764048554680385536_n (1).jpg 38173194_112410286358441_5425230679161962496_n (1).jpg
     
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  20. Aug 9, 2018
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Did the transmission free up when it thawed out?
    They tend to collect water when left outside, and it jams things when it freezes.
     
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