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'59 Vs '69

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by jflots, Feb 1, 2018.

  1. Feb 1, 2018
    jflots

    jflots Member

    New Smyrna Beach, FL
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    I started surgery on my '59 by removing the body with a sawzall and hammer to see what I'm dealing with. the tub had more plywood and 2x4's than steel. Note the 2x4 body mount to the right of the parking brake. I have a donor/replacement frame, fiberglass tub and fenders, new grill etc. The jeep is original and has a pto winch.
    For starters I'll need a hood, seats and frames, transmission rebuild and wheels and tires. And then I found this '69 on CL for $2700.
    Ad says it needs the passenger floor pan replaced, driver's side is done, brake cylinders bled and tires. So big delima on which one is less work and what I want out of the project.

    Any personal opinions on the differences between the 2? Other than 4 cyl to V6 what are the mechanical differences between them. Brakes, transmission, transfer case, steering, suspension etc. I like the F head look and feel, it reminds me of MASH. thanks
     
  2. Feb 1, 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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    Not only a PTO and winch, but a rear PTO output also… that is sweet.

    '59 transmission rebuild is no big thing. Hoods are dime a dozen. A pair of Smittybilt seats is $300.

    I say build BOTH! (y)
     
    Glenn likes this.
  3. Feb 1, 2018
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Personally I would jump at the chance for a steel body over fiberglass. The chassis mechanical bits are not terribly different. Certainly the V6 is vastly more practical for modern life - the 4-banger has a lot of nostalgic appeal, but it had a 30 year old origin in 1960 and aside from specific issues in its design, it's just not powerful enough to move a vehicle with such terrible aerodynamics at highway speed. The 4-banger will be fun, but you may not end up driving it very much because its just not practical for any distance on the highway.

    Axle ratios are different for the V6 (3.73 std 4.88 opt), the transmission should be a T-14 in 1969 which is synchromesh in all forward gears, bigger brakes (10" over 9", which makes a big difference though parts are expensive for both), bottom mounted electric wipers, updated Dana 18 transfer case, lots of other little stuff.

    Seems like a no brainer to me. I would scrap the '59 unless it had some deep emotional connection.
     
    58 willys and colojeepguy like this.
  4. Feb 1, 2018
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
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    x2 on what Tim said....
    6>4
    And that 69 looks like a lot more promising vehicle to start with.
     
    58 willys likes this.
  5. Feb 1, 2018
    jflots

    jflots Member

    New Smyrna Beach, FL
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    Thanks guys! We got a good few years out of the '59 but the salt air of beach side living got to it. It's use was beach driving and an ocaisional commute to work, never over 3o mph. We've moved since and it would now see a highway to leave the neighborhood. I hear you on fiberglass verses steel and agree but we live coastal and salt air is a bitch. Will the PTO winch work on the '69. I also have an electric winch that came on my wife's TJ that's a candidate. thanks again.
     
  6. Feb 1, 2018
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Is the '69 local?
     
  7. Feb 1, 2018
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    PTO winch will work on the '69, I don't know if the PTO shaft to the winch is the exact same length due to the different engine and transmission than the F-head.
     
  8. Feb 1, 2018
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Not sure what to say about the beach driving. I recall the dealership where I worked sold Jeeps to the beach cities for use as patrol vehicles. These Jeeps would come back on trade after maybe 3 years and be rusty everywhere. The owner would have the body shop patch them up and take them to the car auction - he would not put them on the lot.

    The body is not the only thing that gets ruined by the salt air ... chassis, wheels fasteners, everything explodes in rust. The obvious thing is - keep out of the water. I would also wash the Jeep thoroughly top and bottom after every trip. Periodic treatment with a preservative like Waxoyl or Fluid Film would likely help a lot.
     
  9. Feb 1, 2018
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Living on the coast in general is a much harsher environment, then throw in beach driving and all bets are off.
     
  10. Feb 1, 2018
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    I should say I assume there is nothing in the way with the V6 to stop it from working on the '69. Someone will know for sure.
     
  11. Feb 1, 2018
    jflots

    jflots Member

    New Smyrna Beach, FL
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    It was in such poor shape we weren't worried about it. It never got wet but at night you see the salt air blowing by the street lights and hear you tools rusting in the tool box in the closed garage. If I go through with this it won't see the beach again. I'm meeting him Saturday to look at the '69.
     
  12. Feb 1, 2018
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    It's obviously local then. ;) What highway do you have to get on? 95? US 1?
     
  13. Feb 1, 2018
    jflots

    jflots Member

    New Smyrna Beach, FL
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    Now I'm afraid to say where it is because I want first dibs. US1 for a short distance to get to the next closest neighborhood, 4-5 miles to the flea market and a longer haul to the Canaveral National Seashore.
     
  14. Feb 1, 2018
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    Shouldn't be a problem. $2700 seems fair for what you describe if it runs and drives, and there aren't that many people looking.
     
    58 willys likes this.
  15. Feb 1, 2018
    jflots

    jflots Member

    New Smyrna Beach, FL
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    I have enough things sitting around to sell that would pay for it. Is the steering the same?
     
  16. Feb 1, 2018
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    Yes, though the parts are a little different. V6 steering gear is beefier, IIRC.
     
  17. Feb 1, 2018
    Willy

    Willy New Member

    West TN
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    JMHO, but I'd build the 69 and use the 59 for what ever parts that I needed for the 69 that were still workable. (And I'd put that PTO/winch set up on the 69 if at all possible.
     
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  18. Feb 1, 2018
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    :) I don't think any one on here would try to beat you to it, someone not a member might though. I just meant was it close enough for you to go look at. :)
     
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  19. Feb 1, 2018
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    another buy the 69
    and use the other for part sales
    keep the PTO winch set up
     
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  20. Feb 1, 2018
    Focker

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

    WA
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    X2
     
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