Should it really be this slow?

Hey guys!
This is my first post to this forum, although I've been reading stuff here for a little while. I've got a pair of old Jeeps, one a '59 CJ6, the other a '55 CJ5. The CJ6 is in pretty rough shape, but runs really good. The tub has quite a few (riveted) patches, the suspension is completly shot (you can lean on it and it will squat onto the bump stops), and some previous owner removed a lot of "uneccessary" things like the fenders, speedometer, all the wiring (except for the engine) windshield frame, the exhaust system, etc. Aparently they were a pretty skilled welder though, as they built an interesting custom grill with square headlights out of 1/4" plate (seriously, they actually did a decent job here, even if it is really ugly). Custom tube bumper. Anyway, I traded a '77 Chevy flatbed with no motor straight across for the thing, so I guess I did ok. It didn't run or have any brakes when I got it, so I replaced the brakes with 11" Wagoneer units from the junk yard (I got a great deal on them, although I thought I was going to snap my breaker bar getting the rear drums off the tapered axles!!). Got it running really well too, although between not having an exhaust system and the grinding of the tranny/t-case it's a pretty noisy ride. I also wired up the tail lights and added a turn signal switch (from an M35 Deuce in the junkyard). An OD paint job with stenciled numbers made it look a lot better (considering what it did look like)
After driving it a bit, I do have a question though...are they just naturally really slow? I know that little 134 doesn't have much poop to start with, but this thing can barely get out of it's own way. I need first gear just to get up a slight hill. My 71 Volkswagon would walk all over this thing. The engine looks like it was rebuilt at some point, but I never got around to doing a compression check (doesn't smoke or anything). This is the only early CJ I've ever driven, so I have nothing to compare it to. Thoughts?

The 55 CJ5 I got a good deal on as well. It came with a steel hard top, and a bunch of extra parts (trannys, t-cases) and a Warn overdrive. I sold the top and the OD to help pay for the jeep, but I kept the other parts. It's almost all original, and in pretty good shape...unfortunatly the last owner was going to restore it and only got as far as taking it apart. There's no drivetrain at all in it, and the front clip is sitting in the back, taken apart. But the tub is very solid, and wouldn't take much work to get it nice and straight. It's a big project, but nothing like the CJ6.

I'm tempted to take the engine out of the 6, and put together a tranny and t-case for the 5 and try to finish restoring it, but I know if I do I'll probably never do anything with the 6. Or maybe I should sell the 6 while it runs and drives to pay for an engine for the 5...

I don't know. I don't really have any time left for my projects any more...wife/kid/job pretty much monopolize all my time anyway.

Any thoughts on any of this would be appreciated! Oh, and anyone else here in Montana?
Later,
Scott

 

Welcome from middle TN. What size tires are you running? They don't have a ton of pep, but seems like it should have a little more than what you have. You might need lower gears.

 

Thanks for the welcome! The tires are generic mud tires on stock wheels...forget what size they are. They're not oversize by any means. The gears are stock, so I'm guessing they're already 5.38s (?). Did they use any other ratios in '59?

 

Those old Jeeps most likely have 5.38 gear ratios, so they'll have a top speed of around 55 with a stiff tailwind and running at peak performance. Sounds to me like your best bet is to combine the two and get the '55 together, that's what I'd do. Although the CJ6 is a rare and desireable puppy, if it's really beat it might not be worth the grief to fix it up.

Oh, welcome from Denver! We've got a member or two in Montana, but don't ask me who. Got any photos?

 

:iagree: You won't have much top speed, but it should take off good. Kinda hard to say without driving it whether it is pulling like it should be or not.

 

Ron's right on the money. I'd make the '55 a solid driver and be done with it

 

A F134 should move the Jeep around fine at boulevard speeds or lower. When the speed gets much above 45, you start to run out of power and the wind resistance builds up.

An easy comparison would be between your VW and the Jeep. Calculate the power to weight ratio, and compare them. The VW has an advantage at highway speeds though, since the beetle body is fairly aerodynamic. At low speeds the aerodynamics won't be such a factor.

You said the CJ-6 had a lot of stuff welded on - how much does it weigh? CJs in factory trim are pretty light, less than 2500 lbs generally. If you have 1000 lbs of extra steel to carry, that will affect performance a lot.

It's hard to evaluate the two vehicles from what you've written. Generally the body tub carries a lot of value, since they are expensive to replace and are often rotted. Completeness and overall condition mechanical condition is important too. If there are a lot of parts missing from either of these vehicles, it may not be cost effective to repair them without combining the two.

BTW a CJ-6 is cool, but a 55 CJ-5 has a cool factor too, being the first year of production.

 

Thanks! I've got some pics, but not handy. I'll try to post some when they are. I also (briefly) had a '48 CJ2A that I got from a farmer for $300...it was a good 20 footer, but it needed more work than the CJ6. I got $600 for it...I was happy.

 

Welcome from Indiana.

:uwop:

 

Welcome from Missouri!

I daily drive a '66 Beetle with my '71 F-Head CJ5 as back-up.
I can say from experience that my Beetle accelerates like a 'Vette (R) when compared to an F-Head, that is R) )compared to the CJ and maintains highway speeds effortlessly.
Whereas the CJ is NOT a highway machine.

My F-Head experiences/opinions:
Stay off the interstate.
Stay on backroads and smaller highways.....that's the most fun in these things anyway....they'll maintain the necessary speeds, until you hit a hill....besides, see the country, don't get in a hurry. R)
Wind resistance is unreal....a good headwind can scrub off 5-10 MPH in NO time.
Overall? I'm quite happy and pleasantly surprised with my F-Head, even with the stock 4.27 gears and 33" tires.
My '71 T90 does have a lower first gear (3.44 first) than your earlier ones (2.98 first) so that helps me "out of the hole" a LOT, too.

Sorry to ramble but this post REALLY hit home.
Feel free to e-mail if you have any more questions.
I'd be glad to help.

 

I actually thought about the weight being a factor...it might be enough to have an impact, although I wouldn't think it would be *that* much. I don't know. The only thing the '55 is missing really in an engine, since I got extra transmissions and t-cases with it. The CJ6 is missing the windshield frame, fenders, grill, tailgate, original seats, etc. The big thing the 6 has going for it is a good running motor. I do have a grill and fenders off an M38A1 I could use on the CJ6 though. Not sure how the grill would work with thoes hinges though. It's a tough call...the CJ6 is neat because it's different, but the CJ5 would be easier to restore....
I'm sure if I ask my wife what to do she'll kindly suggest they both find a new home .

 

Thanks!

 

Rambling is good. Thanks for the tips! If your 134 can scoot around on 33s with 4.27s mine should be able to move fine on pizza cutters and 5.38s . Right now that jeep is about the last thing I'd take on the highway even if it had the power...the front end has a tendency to "wander" at speed. Makes driving a lot more interesting .
Thanks!

 

After I tuned mine up with all the necessary goodies (points, condenser, plugs, wires, cap, button, fuel filter) and fiddled with the tuning and timing, I got it running really nice now. I have no problems getting up to speed and maintaining it, even up hills now. I'm running 31x10.50's and it's not a problem to get the Jeep going faster than I am comfortable with. She'll go up to 55+ with room to spare now, but at that speed I don't feel so relaxed behind the wheel if you know what I mean. R) Good luck and make sure it's tuned up the best you can and that the timing and plug gap and all that are spot on. It makes a HUGE difference.

 

Elevation can be a power killer too.

 

Welcome aboard from NE Utah! (nudge on shoulder) Got any pics?

This is my problem living at 5300'.

 

yea i think maby you have a problem with your timing or somthing to that effect. My 46 2a with a flathead and 35" tires is just a tiny bit slower than my brothers 62 bug with a 1600 lol

 

In traffic on a modern highway an early Jeep will seem like it is standing still. Don't even try. Even my YJ is almost as bad.

But think about what they were made for - crawling a trail there still is nothing to beat them, even six decades after they won WWII. Ride with pride.

 

holy thread revival batman

 

Yup! Sneaks up and thumps you, don't it?