Where do I get started??

I just bought a 57 cj5 . It runs well but it is really hard to change gears. The brakes work, but not well. There are a few dents and some rust. I have all summer to do stuff on it, but I dont know where to start how to do it and what to look for. I am a real novice.

 

Depends on what you want the final product to be. Completely restored to like new condition? Built for mud or rocks? Just getting it running good?

What are your plans? How do you want it to look, ride, when it's done?

 

I just want to be able to go over some tough logging roads. I don't need it to be perfect but definitly reliable. I want to make it look good although not perfect. I want it to ride pretty good but it doesn't have to go on the real road at 40 mph or more. Im not even gonna get it registered cause it has no VIN. Mostly just show off at parades and go on the logging roads in Maine. Nothing way to fancy or amazing. Also not a huge budget.

 

I have about the same questions as John. I would probably start with the trans problem, whether it is the clutch or in the trans or linkage is hard to say without more info. That way, you can work on the stuff like brakes while you wait for parts to fix the trans or wait to get the money for the parts. Bodywork can also be done during this time. If you have any welding experience you can cut out the rust and weld in new panels where needed. It all depends on what you can do and what you want it to look like in the end.

 

In this case, fix the brakes and beat out what dents you can. Add bondo where it needs it and try to get rid of as much rust as possible. Then shoot some paint on it and you are ready to go.

I usually end up stripping my projects down to the frame, and that may be why most of my Jeeps are still in pieces.

Oh yeah, welcome from middle Tennessee.

 

Thanks for the reply on what I have to do, not worry about the shifting yet, but I dont know what to do with the brakes. Maybe you could tell me a place to get a manual or a good internet place about CJ5's that can tell me. Or maybe you could give me somethings to test and narrow down on where the problem is.

 

Welcome from mid TN.
Do a search on the brakes here in the tech section. Yours probaly still has the 9" drum brakes that were stock, alot of us have done or are doing a 11" drum swap.

Brakes should be top on the list, then just enjoy it for awhile.


edit: I would make sure the tranny has oil in it, right Jason? R)

 

:iagree:
Also there are several places for repair and service manuals. Try
http://www.thejeep.com/
or 4wd hardware or even Quadratec. In my opinion, if you got the Haynes or Chiltons route, I would pick Chiltons. There is a lot that will probably need to be fixed or replaced on the brakes, so the 11" upgrade will be your best option and parts will be easier to get in the future.

 

Highly recommend a Factory Service Manual (aka FSM). Do a search here; you'll find the sources.

Why do you say it is hard to shift? Does it grind? Is it physically hard to move the shift lever? The more you tell these people here, the easier it will be for them to get you going. I have learned a ton of good rel;aible stuff here, and I've been playing with JEEPs for well over fifty years. These folks will be your best bet.

Brakes are little dicey, but you can make them work without a huge budget.

You don't need to be perfect, but I value reliability very highly. You can get that for a reasonable sum.

Welcome to the best on the net!

 

Here's a direct link to the manual: http://thejeep.com/shop/HOT+SELLERS....html?osCsid=a7d30172b3ae0c6351964e761e534d0a
Says they're closed till the end of the month - try www.books4cars.com

The original 9" brakes aren't great, but they will stop ok with some pedal pressure. 11" drum brakes are likely the single best upgrade for these Jeeps, and it can be done using junkyard parts with a little searching; the topic has been covered extensively here, and there's an article in the tech pages and on the CJ-3B pages.

Welcome from Boston!

 

Small world, you picked that up in Easton. The PO just sent me an email yesterday and offered me the jeep but I passed on it. The PO hadn’t realized his jeep was missing a vin tag until I had him search for it. He was also advertising it as a 51 M38A1

I may be able to help you out with the vin if your interested just PM me.


Welcome to the board, where in Ma are you from?

 

The first thing I would do is make sure the brakes work. I would consider upgrading to 11" but if the adjusters on the 9" brakes don't work you could just replace them all and you would have a cheap fix for the brakes not working along with replacing the wheel cylinders, springs and shoes.
Next I would make sure it runs ok, check the timing and dwell and carb settings. After it runs and stops then you could work on anything else that you cared to take care of.

Welcome from New Jersey.

 

Get setup on ebay too, lots of old jeep parts availible there too. Good luck with your jeep and when you have a question post it here. There are no stupid questions, only unasked! ones!

 

Very true on this site. Other sites don't have a bunch like this though and there are a lot of questions I would be afraid to ask on them. This site, however, is a totally different type of folks.

Pretty much everyone on here seems to be good people.

 

Here's the manual you may want to pick up...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Civi...goryZ46093QQihZ002QQitemZ4598920640QQtcZphoto

 

Thanks for all of your replys. Once I do make sure that everything is running fine now is there anything I can do to make sure that it stays that way. I want it to last and work well for a while

 

Drive it every day and fix problems immediately. Don't let it sit too long (a week at most). Sitting idle kills these things, seals dry out, gears rust up, carb components deteriorate, fuel goes bad. Brakes should be bled each year, dry gas occasionally used in winter, anti-freeze, changed annually. A service manual (like Chiltons) will also give you detailed maintenance charts and schedules for lubing and servicing. Keep up with it and your Jeep should live a long and prosperous life. Enjoy...

 

Welcome from VB, VA.

I agree with the get it drivable and enjoy it way of dealing with an old jeep. you can always jump into restoring the tub later on, get it safe to drive and enjoy it for a while, you will better understand why people do some of the modifications they do to these old jeeps and you will likely start creating a list of your own changes you plan to make.

it is alot easier to let the rain fall on a tub that hasn't been restored yet.

use the search here to learn about where to find your serial number on your frame. if and when you find it, post and we will help you figure out the year and such.