61 Cj5 Christmas present

Some of you may have caught my post in the introductions section. I had my eye on this Cj for a couple of years always thinking it would be a cool project. A month or so ago I noticed it was for sale. I got so excited I could hardly contain myself. I knew that with Christmas coming up we (my wife & I) couldn't possibly afford to make a purchase. My wheels began to spin trying to think of a way, any way. I approached my wife about it and she told me exactly what I thought she'd say, no way... I kept my eye on it for the next few weeks and just couldn't get over it. Then I was told it had been bought by someone out of town & all the sudden it was gone. I texted my wife & told her, " I know I am not supposed to care but that Jeep is gone, Sucks!". She of course said she was sorry and that something else would come along at a better time. Christmas Eve, I was called into my brothers Kitchen and handed a USPS envelope. In it was two 1961 Kansas tags. My wife asked how cool it would be if I had a 61 to put those on. I said heck yea & she handed me a title. I'm still in disbelief! Now, I have had some time to evaluate the project a bit & get a better idea of what is there and what I want to do with it.

As it sits right now it has a Buick 3.8 Turbo motor in it that I was told runs. A shelled T90 with a D18 transfer case, Amc 20 rear, I think Dana 30 front but could be 27, Saginaw steering, Full cage roll bar, very little interior. Here are some pics, some are ugly but I remind myself that everyone has to start somewhere.

Unloading her from the trailer




Saginaw





Interior

 

Congrats! I love that hard top with the suicide doors.

 

Great project. Now the fun starts.

 

now THAT is a cool wife!!!

congrats!!

 

Thanks! I should have mentioned that she scored it for less than $500, although she won't tell me exactly how much. I'm very excited to get started on it! I've been sourcing parts lately and reading up on things.

 

Way Cool!! What a great Christmas present from the wife!

Get a plan and get her running. Then decide what you want to change. Love that hardtop. What brand is it?

 

Very cool hardtop, Looks like a great start. How's the rust?

 

Way cool story and Jeep good luck with it !

 

Nice project and Great Christmas present.

 

What I have noticed is just surface rust on the frame etc, no body rust to speak of that I have found. I'm thinking there were to many layers of paint for rust to penetrate! I did some research on the top. It seems that what little information out there is scarce at best. It says "Tank Top" on the lower part of the rear lift gate. I did find some posts on Jeep Forum of guys running across them & found one for sale recently on Craigslist in Phoenix for $1000. I think the suicide doors and the fact that its rare means it cool enough to make sure its repaired and kept. As far as plans, right now I am just looking at what is absolutely needed and find out how much those things go for so I know whether I am getting a good deal when I get to a point to start buying things for it. This is my first venture with a Cj, I built an Xj & Then a Yj but this is a little different since its quite a bit older.

 

Good score. I'm sure there is a story behind why there is an AMC 20 in the rear as it doesn't belong there. Keep an eye out for an offset D44, that's what should be in there. Looks like you are going to be busy for awhile.

 

Check out this hardtop thread over at Jeepforum: http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f8/picture-request-cj5s-acme-hardtop-844844/
lots of info and pictures a few tank tops there as well.

 

Congrats on the purchase, and love the story behind your acquiring it.

Depending on where you live, I've got an offset D44 out of a '66 CJ5 that I'd ask less than a fair price for - I don't think I'll need it anytime soon, and it looks like it'd be put to good use. It's got 5.38 gears in it right now... but unclebill doesn't let that stop him.