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55 Willys Restoration

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by 55_Willys_CJ5, Aug 9, 2015.

  1. Aug 9, 2015
    55_Willys_CJ5

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    Hello all. Between the don't have the time, don't have the money, don't have the whatever, I decided that it was way past time to put this baby back on the road. I started this restoration this past May. A brief history of the Willys. My dad purchased the Willys in 1977 while stationed at Holloman AFB in New Mexico. He wanted a vehicle to go hunting and camping in. Many fond memories of riding around in the Mountains near Alamogordo and Cloudcroft. Fast forward a decade. In 1986, my brother tried to teach a young lady how to drive, I think he was trying to earn brownie points. She was successful at driving the Willys into a reinforced block wall. Fortunately, the bumper took the brunt of the impact and the speed was low. This led to the frame off restoration, since we had to remove everything to make sure the frame wasn't twisted. Fortunately the frame wasn't twisted and we proceeded with the restoration. I wanted to include this information, for when you see the pictures of where I started you will understand why there is a lack of 60 years of grime build up. The grime build up is only 18 years in the making. :D Back in 1996 or 97 can't recall the exact year, my dad calls me up and asks me what I wanted for my birthday. I didn't hesitate, I told him to send me the title to the Willys. So flash forward to today and this is where I am at. I wanted to do this restoration to fix and replace what we were not able to do back in 1986 do to limited parts availability. I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I am enjoying the whole restoration.
     
    Last edited: Oct 13, 2015
  2. Aug 9, 2015
    55_Willys_CJ5

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  3. Aug 9, 2015
    55_Willys_CJ5

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    [​IMG]
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    Some of the parts after they have been cleaned and a coat of paint applied.

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    I am working on assembling the front axle this weekend and hope to have pictures to post with it assembled and with it back under the chassis were it belongs.

    More pictures to come.
     
  4. Aug 9, 2015
    Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    cordele, Ga.
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    Looking good. They really are fun to play with. Keep up the good work.
     
  5. Aug 9, 2015
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
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    Nice project. Keep at 'er.
     
  6. Aug 9, 2015
    Fly Navy

    Fly Navy Member

    Emerson, IA
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    Looks like you've got a solid foundation there and a nice story to go with it!
     
  7. Aug 10, 2015
    rons75

    rons75 Member

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    /\ +1!!
     
  8. Aug 12, 2015
    55_Willys_CJ5

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    Thanks for all the replies. The front axle rebuild hit a snag. Stripped the threads on the left steering knuckle for the upper kingpin bearing cap. Waiting on the replacement knuckle to come in the mail. Was frustrated for a second until I realized that after 60 years of wear and tear the threads finally called it quits. Just glad I was able to find a replacement. I ordered original and not an after market knuckle. Hope it arrives before the weekend so I can finish the axle and get it under the chassis. If this goes well, then as an added bonus I should be able to mount the engine, transmission and transfer case along with the drive shafts. :p But, I will take this one day at a time. Hate to rush through and forget or leave something out and end up worst off than if I had just taken it slow and steady.
     
  9. Oct 6, 2015
    55_Willys_CJ5

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    It has been a day or two since my last posting. I am working on getting pictures uploaded to share with all that are interested. Since my last post. I received the new steering knuckle and replaced the bad one. Both axles are under the chassis. Engine, Transmission, and transfer case are mounted. Drive shafts installed. Lubricant and oil added to everything less the steering knuckles and brakes. I plan on putting the chassis up on four jack stands to make it easier to bleed the brakes. Also, this will allow me to exercise the transmission, transfer case, brakes and clutch. Also, have a couple of videos to upload as well. The wealth of information available in this forum has been instrumental in my restoration. So more to come.
     
  10. Oct 14, 2015
    55_Willys_CJ5

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    Finally got around to uploading photos to photobucket. Should be able to view the photos here: http://s776.photobucket.com/user/Muzclehead0791/library/55 Willys CJ5

    There are two videos located at the above location. The first video is the motor running after sitting for almost 20 yrs. The second video is the motor running after I figured out I had the spark plug wires 180 degrees out. :) Her motor sounds so much better in the second video. Have a couple more items to finish on the rolling chassis and then it is time to put the body back on. Originally, I was going to restore the body and then put her back together. Since I have to save up for the body restore, I figured I would put her back together and get her on the road so she can go out and enjoy running around the desert trails. It would be a shame to not let her get some exercise after sitting so long. Can't wait.
     
  11. Oct 14, 2015
    55_Willys_CJ5

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  12. Oct 22, 2015
    55_Willys_CJ5

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    I added a subfolder to my photobucket post. The pictures are of the first frame off restoration I helped my Dad do back in 1986-87.
     
  13. Oct 23, 2015
    homersdog

    homersdog Tulsa, Ok 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Tulsa, OK
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    That's a great history you have with this jeep. What kind of improvements have you made this time that you couldn't in '86?
     
  14. Oct 23, 2015
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    This great stuff. Enjoy it.
     
  15. Oct 24, 2015
    55_Willys_CJ5

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    Thanks. The only improvements that I have made since the '86 restore are essentially installing parts that were either hard to come by or non-existent back then. This time I acquired and installed the crankshaft pulley shield. Picked up the spark cable clip that mounts on the aft side of the intake valve cover. I upgraded the distributor to an HEI made by OMIX ADA, which also included replacing the coil with a coil with an internal resistor. The old points distributor was rusted in place on the block and was destroyed by my attempts to remove it. :( I also went through the brake system and replaced all the worn out parts. Bleed the brakes this weekend and I can already tell the difference and I haven't driven the Willys in 20 yrs. The battery is now properly grounded to the frame instead of to the engine block. Didn't know about the grounding strap back in '86, but it has one now. There were only a couple of items missing from the engine, frame, and drivetrain when we did the restore back in '86. We upgraded to a 12 volt system and replaced the old 6 volt generator with an alternator. Will be upgrading this upgrade with a better mounting system. I always laughed watching the alternator move slightly back and forth when the engine was running. I was amazed that it didn't just come flying a part. :)

    The area that I want to do that we weren't able to do the first time around is with the tub. The floors are in really rough shape, though not as bad as some of the other jeeps I have seen members of this site start with. So to sum it all up I want to remove the rusted metal from the tub and replace it. Just have to save the money up to buy the reproduction replacement parts. I'm not restoring this to 100% factory original specs just want it to look as close as possible to how she did when she rolled off the assembly line. Except instead of being Presidential Red she will sport a new coat of Dark Cherry Metallic.

    47v6, Thanks. I am enjoying it. As I go through this restore it brings back fond memories of working side by side with my Dad and the fun we had in the Willys. I'm hoping to have the body restoration completed by his birthday in Oct 2016, he will be a young 70 yrs old. Not to mention I am also enjoying reading about all the other jeeps on this site as well as learning what I can about the history. If all goes well she will be around for another 60 yrs, of course it might be a little more difficult for me to restore her then, if I am still around I would be 105 yrs old. :D
     
    Last edited: Oct 24, 2015
  16. Nov 1, 2015
    55_Willys_CJ5

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    Since I have to wait to replace the floor boards, I figured I would go ahead and prep and paint the body in the new paint scheme. This way if for some reason I don't like it I will have an opportunity to change it in the near future. The paint scheme is going to be gloss black on the underside and in the wheel wells with Dark Cherry Metallic in the Engine compartment, inside the tub and on the exterior. I think it will be a good look. I will upload some pictures tomorrow of the prep work thus far.
     
  17. Nov 7, 2015
    55_Willys_CJ5

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    The temperature was 70 degrees today. Took advantage of it and primer and painted the underside of the body parts gloss black. Now it is time to let it dry and cure so I can mask it off and get it ready to paint the rest. I was going to paint the body a dark cherry metallic but decided to go with what she came of th4e assembly line with and that is President Red. the following link will take you to the paint folder on my phot0bucket: http://s776.photobucket.com/user/Muzclehead0791/library/55 Willys CJ5/Paint

    It was a blast painting.
     
  18. Nov 7, 2015
    55_Willys_CJ5

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    Temperature was 70 degrees today. So, I primed and painted the underside of the tub, front fenders, and transmission access panels gloss black. Now just waiting for it to cure/dry so I can mask it all off in preparation to paint the rest. I was going to paint her a dark cherry metallic but then decided to go ahead and dress her in the color she rolled off the assembly line, President Red. Here is a link to the paint folder on my Photobucket Account: http://s776.photobucket.com/user/Muzclehead0791/library/55 Willys CJ5/Paint

    It was a blast to paint the underside.
     
  19. Nov 15, 2015
    55_Willys_CJ5

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  20. Nov 19, 2015
    55_Willys_CJ5

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