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1960 Cj5 Starter Button

Discussion in 'Early Jeep Restoration and Research' started by Chris Petterson, May 20, 2022.

  1. May 20, 2022
    Chris Petterson

    Chris Petterson New Member

    Milwaukee
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    May 17, 2022
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    4
    I'm about to start a frame off restoration of a 1960 CJ5 that's been in my family since 1968. I learned to drive in it, and it has a lot of meaning to me. I want to restore it as close to factory as possible, but I have a minor mystery that I need to solved first.

    The upper left dashboard has, about 6 inches above the vacuum line, a chrome starter button that has, for as long as we have had the Jeep, been abandoned in favor of a standard key starter switch. The button has what looks stock and has what looks like factory wiring leading to a firewall mounted starter relay that still operates, albeit not connected to anything.

    My question is whether this switch is actually factory or not. If it is, I certainly want to restore it to operation. But I haven't found anything like it in any of my research. Can anyone verify if this was factory or an add-on? Thanks!
     
  2. May 20, 2022
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    Factory starter switch is the key switch.
    No push button on dash.
     
    Last edited: May 21, 2022
  3. May 21, 2022
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    horn button
     
  4. May 21, 2022
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Just for the record, a reminder that early CJ5 has a foot-button starter. The One True Starter, in my book. :)
     
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  5. May 28, 2022
    hotdogtaco

    hotdogtaco New Member

    Lubbock, TX,...
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    Aug 4, 2020
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    Agreed. Real jeeps use foot button starters
     
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  6. May 28, 2022
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Guys - the original poster asked a question about the starter switch on a '60 CJ-5. I presume that's been answered. The Jeep came from the factory with a starter switch that's part of the keyed ignition, as was used in millions of passenger vehicles from that era. Along the way, someone added the dash button to run the starter.

    It seems that the earliest CJs (and the M38A1?) had a foot-operated starter switch, next to the throttle pedal. While quaint and charming, I presume this switch is not correct for a '60 Jeep.

    Let us not confuse the original poster with our nostalgic preferences.

    Also welcome Chris Patterson - please feel free to ask questions about your CJ-5.
     
    nickmil likes this.
  7. May 28, 2022
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    The post was under "Restoration and Research" and accurate info for keeping jeeps original is an important function of this site, IMHO.

    I was responding to the statement above (where production year was not specified) in the hope that it would clarify for the archive that such is not universally the case. New owners of an early year CJ5 might have been misled by it.

    The 'nostalgia' was merely light humor, also common to many threads here.
     
    Last edited: May 28, 2022
  8. May 28, 2022
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    Correct but completely different designs- the '55 - '56 CJ version is simply a big push button switch bolted to the floor that feeds electricity to the starter through a cable; the starter has a centrifugal operated Bendix. The military version is a starter mounted lever mechanism that both establishes the electrical path through a set of switch contacts and also mechanically the starter pinion gear back to engage the ring gear.



    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
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  9. May 28, 2022
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    He posted year 1960 in the header and content.
    I spoke for 1960.
     
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