‘59 Cj Beginner Restoration

Buying a Willys and doing a full frame off has been a life-long dream since I was in middle-school. I wanted an MB or GPW, but anything Willys would do. In 2017, at the age of 37, I was separated from work and eventually medically retired due to long term side affects associated with my military service. In September of ‘19, after perusing Craigslist for a long time I found, what I believed would be a really nice Jeep suitable for a fairly easy restoration project for my retirement, as it drove and was plated. The frame seemed solid, with minimal rust on the body, F-134 engine, 3 speed, role cage, and a nice hard top for the cold winters.

As I’ve always liked the classic look, so my plan over time is to tinker on it where I can until I have shop space to start the tear down and restoration. I’m no machinist or welder, but I’m comfortable with 12v and basic mechanical work combined with the resources here, a little Google and on YouTube will be my guide. My limitation now will be what hand-tools I have with me and what I can do in my driveway . Anything beyond that will have to wait until I’ve got a proper shop and lift (in the works)









I will endeavor to do my best research , as I know most of this stuff has been covered before at length. As with most noObs, I’ll have questions that will likely seem basic to most of you. I’ll try my best to use the resources available, but will likely need a point in the right direction.

Thanks in advance

 

Last fall, following 65seejayfive, I replaced the worn out suspension with a Rough Country 2.5” lift. That was surprisingly straight forward and even with my medical problems, I found I was having su much fun, I hardly got agitated. Usually I insert at least one profanity a couple times per hour on a project like this.



Found one reason why the Jeep rode so poorly



I’d never replaced springs before, but it was really just un-bolt, clean, paint, replace. Simple

While I liked the traditional NDT’s, I wanted something a little more aggressive, so the Yokohama’s were picked. Combined with the 2.5” lift and up one tire size, she got 3.5” taller. I was very pleased.







Finally got her out to play just after the first snow. A little slop in the steering, burns a lot of oil, windows that fog up, and brakes. Yes, she needs new brakes. For now, just drive easy.

 

Cool Jeep, I like those seats and the tires look great.

Have fun with that Gem.

Thanks for posting.


Dave

 

With the help of a friend pumping the pedal, I found only 2 mostly functional wheel cylinders, 1 barley working, and one completely dead. So, tear down, clean, paint, replace.

There was so much filth, but it came out good enough for now. I just need brakes that work!



Orange seemed traditional




Th debate on which length shoe gos where was interesting. Everyone has an opinion on that. After driving around some, the brakes work fine, it I think I’ll put the long in the back, just to see if there is any difference.


New stainless steel lines and hoses all around.


All new brake springs, shoes, hoses, lines, cylinders. The m/c seemed fine for now. Bleed the system, refill, pump the air out. Now she stops. Very stoked. Easy project. I’m getting used to being covered in filth from removing years of grime, rust, dirt, branches, rocks, etc. This is medicinal for me.

 

Currently me and my Willys are n Plumas County, at about 4,300’ in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Winter was fun, and what little driving I could do, the ole girl did ok.





She struggled at speeds over 35. Had very poor power, and was burning a quart of oil every 30-50 miles. It was fun...... it my wheels continued to spin on what to do next

 

The research never ends as I have so much to learn. Engines, however were never my thing. To find an odd-fire or keep stock.

Well, then I realized Jimmy Strauss was just 3 hours down the hill. After a nice phone call and some time to think; yeah, let the pro handle the engine. And since he was so close, it just made sense. Unfortunately the garage was not available and as I don’t have an engine hoist.....off we go.



After removal from the chassis, a compression test revealed good compression (over 100psi), but the cylinder walls were falling and the crank needs machining. So, she’ll get a full rebuild to Jimmy’s standards. Plus, re-surface the flywheel, upgrade from an 8 to 9.25 heavy duty clutch, the Toyota Land Cruiser starter, an oil bath air cleaner, a complete Pertronix ignition, new water pump, professional radiator service, and lastly the carb will be tuned correctly. I’ll probably add an overdrive this spring, as ll as replace the exhaust manifold and exhaust system.

Spendy, sure. But now I can enjoy the Willys for as long as I need until I have the facilities to do a proper tear town. Scratching the engine off the list makes the rest of the restoration far far easier

 

I like it, we have very similar Jeeps. Also a big fan of the BF area... hoping to move up toward Eureka in the next couple of years.

 

Beautiful Jeep with those new tires .

Looking at the u-bolt in this picture they don't look like the right size bend for your axle. Maybe it's an optical illusion.

 

Not an illusion. They required coercion to fit. I’m not satisfied. When I do t tear down, I’ll source better fitting bolts.

I won’t be using rough country products any more.

thanks. I really like the tires. They work great in the snow.

 

Rough country products are really cheap. Looks like they gave you an intermediate (72-75) cj5 kit. They had larger axle tubes.

If you need anything on originality, my 56 CJ5 is very original.