1956 Willys CJ5

I introduced myself a few weeks ago and showed you all some photos of my newly acquired 56 CJ5

http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69963

So I guess this is the best place to show the progress on my Jeep. I'm currently restoring a 45 Willys MB, and that is my priority right now. However, during down times with the MB I plan on fixing up the CJ5.

Right now I'm trying to get it in good mechanical condition so I can continue to drive it and enjoy it and eventually return it to stock condition.

Obviously I have to take care of some cosmetic issues at the same time so here we go.

The Jeep was running great up until a week ago when it started running really bad. I noticed a lot of sediment in the in line fuel filter so I cleaned that all out and it still ran like crap. At first I thought it was the carb but when I popped off the distributor cap and took a look at the points, I figured what the problem was. The points were toast! So I did a complete tune up, including new cap, rotor and wires and now it runs great.



I already showed you guys the Bubba mods as far as the aluminum threshhold plating on the rockers and rear crossmember. That was the first to go. I also transfered the NDT's and Kelsey Hayes wheels from the MB and put them on the CJ.





I ordered a stock bumper and it was delivered today. So I took the ugly homemade bumper and the winch that didn't work off. The winch plate was welded on to the frame along with part of the bumper so I had to ground the welds off and removed the whole thing.

I then ground off the welds on the frame and painted it up. Finally I installed the stock bumper. It defenitley looks a heck of a lot better, plus a lot less weight up front.











This weekend I plan on fixing a major tranny leak, which I suspect is coming from the front of the counter shaft. So I'll have to drop the tranny and seal it up.

I also scored on some stock parts from another 56 CJ5. I got a stock oil bath air cleaner, original seats, a tire carrier, and some other original parts that I will refurbish and install on the Jeep.

Until next time.

 

Awesome! Is that a Walck's bumper?

You scored some stock '56 seats? You dog you!

And those are some bodacious front springs! Don't know about those hangers though, they look like trouble.

 

I got the bumper from Kaiser Willys. Yep, I got a set of the 60/40 seats, plus a rear seat. Obviously they need to be reupholstered but the frames and internal springs are in excllent condition.

The leaf springs are 12 and 13 leafs. They look original. I plan on getting new original type shackles in the future and tossing the rear shackle lift. I'll also have to grind off the metal tabs that were welded on the front hangers.

Lots to do and it will be slow progress until I get the MB done.

 

I spruced up the ole 56 this weekend.

First I wanted to put a spare tire carrier that I acquired from another 56. I knew the mounting holes had been covered up with bondo but didn't know how much until I drilled the original holes out. There had to have been at least a half inch of bondo on the rear corner panel. After grinding it all away I found a nice rust spot smack in the middle.



So it was time to cut all the rot away and patch in a new piece.

The support channel wasn't too bad and the original wood was still good.








After grinding the welds I smoothed it over with light coat of bondo.


I also took the roll bar off to paint it, but decided I like it with out it, so off it stays.

 

After sanding the bondo and smoothing everything out I primered it and test fitted the tire carrier.





Well after primering the corner panel, I didn't like the way it looked so I decided to paint the whole dang thing. Seven rattle cans of camo tan and some black rustoleum and it's a totally different looking Jeep. Now as I go along and repair areas, I can easily blend it all in now with a bit of camo tan.



I even scraped all the label tape off the switches and painted the dash and painted the windshield black like it should be.





I even took the time to paint the Jeep and Willys in black.






Isn't that Cool!


I love the way it looks now and this will passify me until I get the MB done. Now I need a spare tire and fix the tranny leak.

 

No kidding! I'm jealous.

 

I did a few things to the Jeep this weekend. Nothing spectacular, but a couple more steps closer to original.

I cleaned up the oil bath aircleaner and welded up a few rust holes in the bottom pan, then painted it up and put a new sticker on it. I also had to get a new cross over tube.





Today I bought a new spare tire and had it mounted on the extra rim. Then I installed it on the spare tire carrier. Exciting stuff! Woo Hoo!

 

got to say, i like what you have done with the jeep, it looks good.

 

You can't go wrong with a rattle can of beige camo and a vintage universal. Nice.

 

Nice work!

 

Man, that jeep is sooo nice! would you happen to have a t-90 tranny or a bell crank in good condition youd like to sell to a fellow jeeper???

 

Thank You!

Actually I do have a T-90 that I took out of my MB that's dated 1952 that was working just fine before I removed it. I was going to hang on to it for a spare for the CJ though.

 

Thats the paint scheme I have been thinking about. I think you did a great job!

I was thinking of doing my wheels tan as well.

TD

 

well 918jeeper, if you want to sell it with in a few days, let me know. id be happy to but it, being it is good condition.

 

My gas tank sprung a leak so I took it out to repair it and found several small holes in it. I ended up doing a temporary repair with JB Weld and it seems to be working well.

I also lined the underneath with some tool box lining to prevent more corrosion and abrasion.

Just a reminder, this is not a restoration at this point, just a little sprucing up, and in time for the Vintage Jeep Meet and Greet Feb 6th.

I wont be restoring this jeep , if at all, until I'm done with the MB, so these are very low budget things that I'm doing to it right now.




While the tank was out I took advantage of painting the inside of the tub.






I then I decided I wanted to get the original seats I acquired a while ago, reupholstered. I called Gary Larsen of Pro Seatz who quoted me a deal I couldn't pass up. So he and his partner Scott came by the house today and picked them up. They should be done at the end of this week. Cant wait to see how they turn out!

 

I got my seats back and they turned out great! Gary and Scott from Pro Seatz did an excellent job!









I also did some other odds and ends to the jeep this weekend like attaching the original type vacuum windshield wiper motors, along with the original wiper guards. Now I can put the windshield down without damaging the hood or the wipers. These wipers came off of another 56 CJ5 but I don't think they are the correct ones for the jeep. The vacuum tubes are on the opposite ends. But they will work for now.



In place of the missing welting material that's suppossed to be on the guards I just put some heater hose on them in thier place.


I also decided to put the original hitch back on. This hitch was the original one that came with the jeep. From researching old photos and videos, it looks like these jeeps came from the factory with these type of hitches on them.

 

looking good,what kind of winch was itand is it for sale

 

I can't tell what kind of winch it is. It's electric and not sure what Capacity. It was barely working before I took it off so it needs work. I'd like to get rid of it but not sure I want to ship it.