1969 Cj5... All Original?

If your tub is so bad . a replacement is something to consider . whether you buy new replacement or find a better tub to repair , I would try and find a better tub to work with

 

I think all early CJ fenders have those cut outs.
Dad's Jeep is 20 miles away from me, I don't plan on being there for a couple of weeks.

 

You might want to search through the "See this thread for Serial Number or VIN questions" sticky and see what other people say they have for turn signals, windshield etc. Post #259 has info about a jeep slightly newer than yours with small front marker/turn lights. The leading 3 in the serial number indicates V6, whereas your leading 2 indicates F134. If you are searching for 69, you may want to consider searching for 68 also as I think your Jeep was earlier in the 1969 model year build and could easily have been built in 1968 as the model year change over actually happens late summer. According to my documentation, Kaiser indicates your serial number, for registration purposes, could be considered an 1969 vehicle.

What are you trying to accomplish with the "original" part of this discussion? If you are replacing the body, is it really "original". Are your trying to do an accurate restoration and want it to have the absolute correct characteristics of the production sequence it was in? As people have said, there were several changes around the 1969 model year.

I would say as an early 1969 (model year) it would not have any rear side body reflectors. It would not have front fender marker lights. It would unlikely have hood mounted reflectors, but it is a possiblity as I think that happened in the 1969 model year. Bottom mount wipers sounds correct, arched or flat top of windshield might require more research.

 

The year on the title of an old Jeep is completely irrelevant as they were titled so differently in different states. The only thing that really matters is the sequence of the Vin number. Parts went off vin number breaks not when they were sold or titled. Things changed rapidly in the late 60s as the company was often just trying to stay afloat.

 

It would be nice if suppliers for old Jeep parts also went off serial numbers for their fitment, but I don't think they actually know what serial number things changed. These were built almost 50 years go and most of that data is lost. We probably have the largest user base of early CJ5 owners in the world here, and even we don't have a list of what changed at (about) what serial number. I think in general, most of us don't care alot if we have a 1970 grill and turn signals on a 1965 CJ5, or whether my 1970 came from the factory with hood mounted reflectors or not. People trying to do acurate restorations might, but it's not the highest concern for most of us.

 

Most of the features listed are correct for a '69, though as mentioned earlier, there were lots of running changes in this era.
The small grill marker lights seemed to run into the early '69 production, though most '69s had the larger versions.
The bottom wiper/ arched top glass windshield frame seems to start sometime in later '68.
The snorkel cutout on the right side of the hood was deleted sometime in the early '67 model year, so your hood is likely from a '66 or earlier.
The raised center of the tailgate with a blank (no "Willys") started around '64 with the takeover of Kaiser. This later returned with "Jeep" around '72 with AMC.
The single-stick transfer case came in sometime in '64.
I not sure when the small clear backup lights were added, or the Hall 701 tail lights were superceded, but I guess around '68 or '69.
The underseat gas tank was changed to the rear sometime around '70.
The top stake pockets on the rear corners seem to have been deleted in the later '65 models.

The hood with the cutout seems to be the only item not original to your Jeep.
If anyone has different information my dates, please feel free to correct me.
-Donny

 

Ewillys search window is in the upper right corner if you look at it from a PC. If you look at it from a tablet or phone, it only appears if you rotate to landscape mode.

 

Thanks, Zoomer. I'll search VIN section before taking up more time in this section.

The "accomplish what" question is really still evolving I guess. I'm bought a jeep and went searching to see what I had so while working on it I could move it as much as possible in the direction of "stock" for the model year it was supposed to be per the s/n. The available info on my model year was all over the map, so I came to this forum for help nailing some of that down. Ok, it turns out the model year was all over the map, but as is, my Jeep probably nearly all authentic 1969. I'm very grateful to have made this much progress in just a day.

Relative to the "original" question, I have to replace maybe 30% - 40% of the body with new sheet metal parts made by someone other than Kaiser. A lot of rebuilders and restorers seem to farm out work they don't have the skills to accomplish. I can do anything mechanical or electrical, but I never did any body work before. And everyone has a time and money budget. My best chance for a good outcome might be a tub kit. Still not firm on that though. I'll still have maybe up to a year of work ahead of me regardless. If I buy a tub, the one I have now could end up in someone else's stock Jeep project... someone with more body work skill than I have.

 

Thanks for a great summary, keys5a,Min. has the Hall tail lights, one with a clear lense cut out for lighting the license plate. And I have screw-on sheet metal top stake tube pockets in the rear corners, and a side mounted post sticking out for a spare tire... but no tire and no top... plus a roll bar.

Ahhhh. I'm on a tablet. Thanks for the "Gibbs slap".

 

It sounds as if yours was built a bit later as you suggested so mine should also have a hood mounted reflector ...or none. Thanks again.

 

Wirework described my original '69 CJ5 perfectly with the exceptions that I don't have a roll bar or snorkel opening.

 

Compare the serial numbers to see how far apart they were built.
-Donny

 

I just read through 34 pages in the VIN section and learned a lot. Unfortunately, none of the links worked from my tablet, so I couldn't see the s/n vs. date info referenced there. Are all the links dead? I see it was an older thread. Thanks.

 

Consider the current JK color, Anvil. I think it may give you the best look on your tribute.

 

Hi,
What do you want to know about MD Juan products? thanks!

 

Mine is 8305 0152 57932, if that helps

 

Rianayang, I don't know anything first hand about MD Juan; I can only summarize what others have said about them on line. They have a website which lists 4 USA distributors. They have a broad range of jeep bodies, with Jeep brand logos on some and cheaper no Jeep stamp on others. Some sell just tubs and piece parts, one also sells tubs kits with all but the grill, some specialize in military bodies, one specializes in "fixed" tubs.

I'm brand new to this, but based on my internet searches, they appear to me to be the only game in town for "complete" replica bodies, but they and others sell pieces of bodies (floors, sides, etc). The word on the street seems to be: "you'd better think long and hard before buying an MD Juan tub" because the bodies are copies, not originals. And there is talk of historical quality issues, including shipping damage (but also more recent suggestions of some quality improvements). "Don't expect a perfect fit", seems to be an understatement. "Expect a LOT of work making them secure and presentable"... "drilling, cutting and welding may be required". One USA MD Juan distributor has made a business out of "fixing" their tubs and guaranrees a perfect fit on the frame. You'll find a lot of complaints on line and only very few positive comments (just like everything else in life). However, there are a LOT of them around and a lot of people have made them work, some winning "best of show".

Some people seem to turn up their noses when they hear the name MD Juan. Personally, since I have to replace 70%-80% of my cj5's rusted tub with something... I'm happy to have the option of a complete tub since I don't have any prior body work experience and not much artistic sense (which I think a good body guy must have). I hear that Jeep experts can spot the MD Juan replicas, but probably not newbees (like me). I'd like to be as authentic as possible for my model year but mine isn't a show Jeep.

I'm having a tough time getting precise info about MD Juan tubs and kits. The "earlycj5" guys responding to this thread in the last two days taught me more about Kaiser Jeep features from the late 1960's and early 1970's than the USA MD Juan sales "experts" seem to know about their matching $3000 - $5000 cj5 products... 'not much of a confidence builder in MD Juan USA... but in fairness I have not talked at length to enough of them yet.

 

Boy, that's a great color! From what I understand, the standard "NAVY" color was a "Haze Grey" but there were no Navy "color police" so Jeeps got painted whatever grey the guy with the paint brush had. So... in that great Naval tradition... Anvil Grey looks like it could be a contender!

Word is that a handful of stock 1960's era cj5s were sold for use on Naval Air Stations. Two references (one a first person reference) say they were blue (!!!), not grey.... if I want to be as authentic as I can.

Thanks for commenting!