1966 CJ-5 Restoration help

my granddad has given me his old 1966 cj-5 and i am really excited about it. It has been kept in the hangar while in storage so maybe that will give you an idea of its condition. I am looking for any advice as to what will need to be replaced and rebuilt for my needs.

I am not looking to restore it to new condition. Just something than runs and will go offroad/beach. My truck is not 4x4 so i have a hankerin for an off-roader and i hope this will give me some fun.

Any help will be great!

 

Sounds sorta like my CJ5 (also a 66) when I got it. As many people will tell you, and rightfully so, the brakes on these things are pretty scary. I would go through them completely and replace anything as needed. Mine were completely shot when I got them (everythign but the drums has been replaced), but now they work pretty good, at least for 9" drums anyway.

I agree with the your plan to not restore/upgrade but just get it running and drive it. It is nuts where these things will go and what they can climb, even in stock form, especially when you think how old these rigs are. You should have lots of fun with it.

 

Everything they said, and more. Go over it with a fine tooth comb, looking for any potential problems, especially electrical. Look for bad wires, cuts, pinches, loose/corroded connectors. Try to find and fix as much as you can before you take it out.

And I agree about getting it running and reliable, and just enjoying it. I tore mine down to the frame for restoration right after I got it and I kinda regret that. Last time I drove it was in '76.

Oh, congrats on the score, and welcome from Denver! Where are ya?

 

Welcome,

It will help to buy yourself a service manual first and then follow the advice mentioned above. Good luck and enjoy!

 

Welcome aboard, pics would really let us on to the condition of it

 

Welcome from Utah! I had purchased a '65 late last year and went through it completely. Amazing what you can learn about your ride when you invest a little time into it.

 

Good luck from Vermont. Mine is also a 66. Make sure to check out the steering and running gear also. When I got mine the tierod ends, wheel bearings, and u-joints were shot.

 

welcome from middle of NC.....WHERE are you located.???? You never know who is in your neighborhood....

 

didn't '66's come with 10" brakes ??

JB

 

Yep...Mine has 10 inches and is proud of every one.

I would make the Jeep safe with the above advice, drive it for a while to determine how you want to drive it and then modify it to suit your purpose using advice and experience from this board. '66 was a very good year.