1966 CJ5 build....was father's first car.

This jeep was my fathers first car when he bought it new in 1966. Was passed down to me several years ago and I am the second owner. I have been riding around in it since I was a baby (it is only one year older than myself!) The need for a new clutch has prompted me to undergo a complete restoration, with a couple of changes, mostly for reliabilities sake. I will be asking alot of questions and know that the answers are here as I have been lurking around for a long time, but not really active in posting. I will be putting up alot of interesting pics, I think, as this is a serious time capsule. After my birth it was only used for firewood gathering and other short two track trail duties. Original mileage is low, but she has kissed a few trees. Any how, here are some pre tear down pics as she sits in my garage now.













Semper Fi, Rob

 

Re: 1966 CJ5 build....was fathers first car.

Very cool Rob. What changes are you planning?

 

Re: 1966 CJ5 build....was fathers first car.

looks perfect as it is for sure. real nice.

 

Re: 1966 CJ5 build....was fathers first car.

Oh, yes I like it too.
If it were mine I think the only changes might be add a full roll cage and if it has the 9" brakes I would put 11" drum brakes on it. Herm's dual MC conversion is also a good safety upgrade.

Don

 

Re: 1966 CJ5 build....was fathers first car.

Very cool! I like the history of your Jeep. Hopefully it can stay in your family for a long time. Looking forward to your build.
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Nice looking Jeep. Good luck on it.

 

Great story and Jeep. Looking forward to the progress.

 

She's a peach!! Put the clutch in it a hang a wax job on her and you're good.

 

Thanks for the comments! Basically I want to tear her down, stop the rusting, and put in a top quality clutch, open to suggestions??? Its a T86AA transmission. I am wondering about one that Rugged Ridge makes.

After that its basically stop the rust and fix some dents and repaint all to new. I am going to use a bedliner coat on the interior, but will stick with original colors after that. She will need new springs in the rear, new muffler, gas lines and tank. Already put new glass in the windshield, some new hoses and wiring. What I have not replaced with new will get done now. no major modifications are really planned other than I am seriosly thinking of a roll bar. Back in Michigan that never crossed my mind. Some of the trails here in Idaho however........well they got some fairly steep edges here.

Anyway, took out the seats today, the gas tank, the windshield, the hood and tail gate too. To finish the floor plates I have to take out the heater system for one last bolt, and that is where I stopped.

Semper Fi, Rob

 

Good looking jeep you got there. Hope its smooth sailin for you. Good luck!

 

Suggestion: DO NOT install a heavy duty clutch. Standard clutch is just fine. And remember, that bed liner stuff is really really really really difficult to remove should you ever decide to make her as she came from the dealer. I'm just sayin'.......

 

Here's some update pics of the tear down...........







Also have all the floor panels out. Tomorrow I hope to pull the dash and prepare to take off the body and fenders.

Semper Fi, Rob