Getting started

Greetings, all.

I've been lurking for some time in anticipation of someday having Dad's 1957 CJ5 in my possession. This weekend that process finally started so I thought I should de-lurk and get involved with this great community.

The shortish story: My Dad obtained the Jeep sometime around 2002. I didn't live nearby so do not know in what condition he received it and did not see it until restoration was almost complete. My step-mom was undergoing chemo and he was out of work at the time, so he REALLY needed something to work on. I know that the body came off, both it and the frame were completely stripped and repainted, the engine (and perhaps tranny) were completely rebuilt, the electrics were replaced and converted to 12v and anything worn was replaced with NOS or repop parts. He was meticulous in every aspect of his life, but in the mechanical arena he really took it to another level. I have not yet had the chance to go over the truck as carefully as I'd like, but am certain that every detail has been attended to with care. It now looks identical to the logo truck for this site.

Unfortunately, not long after the Jeep was finished in 2005, he was diagnosed with lung cancer and died in three very short months. My step-mother has had the Jeep ever since. I maintained it for her and she drove it periodically the first couple of years, but concern over breakdowns has kept it in her garage for at least the past 3. The last time I winterized it I Stabil-ized the full gas tank (making sure to run it into the carb), changed the oil and put it up on jack stands. There she sits to this day.

Fast forward to this past weekend. My step-mom is ready for the Jeep to get the love and attention it deserves and gave it to me. I am thrilled beyond belief and plan to go get it from her in a couple/few weeks. I have a garage and am a fairly accomplished shade-tree mechanic, but most of my experience is with motorcycles and diesel engines. I am terrified of screwing up the recommissioning of this treasured little truck and could really use your advise.

Three years really isn't all that long, so I might be getting my knickers in a bunch about nothing. Should I simply put in a new battery and let her rip? I was planning to top off all fluids, pull the plugs, spray a little oil into each cylinder, and crank it a few seconds to get the oil/fuel flowing before really trying to start it, but other than that I'm not sure what to do. I plan to trailer it home, so really only need to get it from garage to trailer, then from trailer into my garage. Should I replace all of the fluids first, or can I do that later? There are some driveline leaks that need tending to, but I figure I can do that once it is back home.

Sorry for the long intro, but I felt it was necessary to convey the significance of this process. I was very close with my father. His truck, like his tools and service M1911 that I also inherited, is a tangible connection to my memory of him and I want to treat it right.

Thanks for reading, and for any advise you can offer.

Cheers,
Mike

 

Yikes. All that background and no details on the truck!

I'll give you what little I know:
- F-134 Hurricane. Stock intake/exhaust and everything else as far as I know
- I am not certain if the tranny is 3 or 4 speeds. Pretty sure it is 3. There is a separate lever to engage an overdrive.
- No idea what the transfer case or differential models are, but I would be surprised if they were not stock
- Wheels are stock. Tires are brand new Firestone NDTs

Thanks!

 

Sounds good Mike,you might need drain the gas tank or rig up another one with fresh gas.That won't be hard to do.

 

These vehicles weren't designed to be fussy. In the last 55 years it has probably already survived worse abuse than anything you could do to it.

But the care you give it is an expression of respect for your father. I feel the same way about a Model T Ford that my father taught me to drive when I was ten years old. Fifty years later he left it to me in perfect condition. It's something to live up to.

Enjoy!

 

I would not recommend starting it until you post some photos. I believe a thorough inspection by the forum is in order. R)

 

Thankee, gents. I'll unbunch my knickers and get her started.

Worry not, Mark. Pictures will be forthcoming as soon as I get it in my possession.

My last question before picking it up is in regard to lubricants. What weight/spec should I use in the differentials, tranny, transfer case, and engine? I don't have the repair manual and want to top everything off.

Thanks again!
Mike

 

Welcome Mike Don't let thees guys get you thy just like to see new jeeps
Do a search on lubricants and you will findever thingg you need
For the engine
this is out of the book
Oil Selection Guide
Select the grade of oil recommended for the temperatures
likely to prevail during the engine operation
following the change.

Above 90 degrees Fahrenheit SAE 30 or 10W-30
Not lower than 32 degrees SAE 20 or 20W
10W-30 or 10W-20

As low as 10 degrees SAE 20W
above zero Fahrenheit 10W-30 or 10W-20

As low as 10 degrees SAE 10W
below zero Fahrenheit 10W-30 or 10W-20

Lower than 10 degrees
below zero Fahrenheit SAE 5W or 5W-20

 

Thanks, Boiler.

I had actually tried searching before posting but it didn't work. Must have been operator error, because I tried it again and you were right. Got everything I need.

I read that there is a PDF version of the manual somewhere on this site, but I can't find it. I've seen a lot about knuckles, puddin' and kingpins and need to read more.

Cheers,
Mike

 

Mike,if all you are gonna do is put it on and off a trailer,I wouldn't worry about "top off" the fluids,as long as there is enough "lube" where there is supposed to be you should be fine.80-90 will work in the front,rear diffs.trans and t/c.

 

Thanks again for the advice and words of encouragement.

Going to pick up my Jeep on Sunday.

Wish me luck!

 

Good luck!