'55 CJ-5 Blank Slate suggestions

I recently got a '55 with a decent body, good frame and seemingly complete suspension. It has a transmission and driveshafts but no engine or associated parts. It is too far gone for a full restoration, so I'm thinking a resto-mod with a v6 and modern brakes and steering. Right now, I'm concentrating on getting the body ready for body work and paint.

But then, should I do the brakes and suspension work first, or engine/transmission stuff first? I will have to have most of the work done by professionals as I don't have the tools or knowledge to do anything serious with any degree of safety. What engine is the best? I've seen that a small block chevy and the 4.3 are popular choices that even I could work on.

I want it to look as original as possible, but have good components for a daily driver. I plan on using it for light off-roading and driving around town at reasonable speeds. I'm on a somewhat limited budget, but have the time to save up for bigger expenses.

Please respond as you would to a person that has limited mechanical experience coupled with a lack of knowledge of many technical terms.

 

I put a couple of pics in an album if you're interested

 

Hi Josh -

This sounds like a great project. 1955 was the first year of production, as mentioned, and that makes it the most collectable of the '50s CJ-5s.

Missing an engine... and you are thinking about a swap. These are hobby cars, and most owners can afford to own them because they do their own work, for the most part. I wonder if you have a realistic idea of how much it will cost to have a V6 engine transplanted into this chassis, if you have to pay a shop to do the work. When finished, I expect you will have more money in the Jeep than it would cost you for a nice example that already has an engine.

If you had some great sentimental attachment to this Jeep, it might be worth it to pay for the work. Likely it will need a lot more work than just an engine; these Jeeps typically need a lot of mechanical refurbishment if they were not owned by an enthusiast. Jeeps have a lot of moving parts compared to a passenger car, and the parts don't last as long as what we expect today. But the mechanics are comparatively simple, and you can do your own work on them for the most part... making them appealing as hobby cars.

So I'm wondering if you have a realistic idea of where you are headed with this.

 

Can't find any pic's???

 

What Tim said. An engine transplant alone will likely set you back at least $2000 if someone else is doing the work and it could go a lot higher. I really like sbc's, ubiquitous or not, but it's easy to exceed the capabilities on the remaining stock drivetrain with those and then the bill doubles again. While a lot of people like the 225 Buick for good reason, if starting from scratch, a 4.3 is a much better choice for a V6. A lot bigger parts selection available for a lot less money.

Sooooo, stock drivetrain (T90/D18/D25/D44) with 4.3, 11" bolt-on drum brakes, Saginaw steering, and probably sooner than later, an overdrive. My best guess you will be into it at least 4 to 5k. These things really are a labor of love. There is no way to really do any work on one and actually not loose money even if you do all the work yourself. On the up-side, they make a great learning tool for all kinds of skills and are pretty much dead simple.

Not to mention they are a whole lot of fun to pilot off road.

 

Ok I figured out how to upload the picture from my phone. It looks to be upside down though. I am ok with 3-5k over the course of getting it done. I know that it will be a money loser. It's not really an investment as much as a very large toy.

my advantage is that I got the thing for next to nothing, so I will end up doing ok money wise

 

IMO, you should do the frame, suspension, brakes, drive lines, tranny/Tcase and engine FIRST. When this is done you fit the body back on, make any necessary corrections or changes, then take the body off and do final finishing and paint.

I think you would be far better off to install an original F head motor - it's a bolt in. They are not hard to find.

 

I think you should just give up now and ship it to me in PA, as I am sort of in need of '55 just like the one you have.

But really, if the body is good and the frame is good, well, you've got 1/2 the battle won. The mechanical stuff normally isn't too hard to find. And if it's all there but the engine, you're good to go.

 

JoshDee. hope you didn't mind . brought it back down to earth

 

wish the body on my 56 cj6 looked that good