'55 CJ5 help/research/advise please

New here, but not to Jeeps, so I know enough to be dangerous, know some parts companies (4wd.com, quadratec, jeepdoc), but the oldest Jeep I have worked on is 81. This is a bit foreign to me.

My wife's uncle has a 1955 CJ5 (old title from '79 says '57) that has been sitting in the barn for as long as I've been in the family, over 9 years. Its in great shape and has low miles (I think under 30,000), and I think I have him talked into finally getting it out of the barn and driveable, to be the farm's winter project. Here is what I know:

-1955, according to some research here I have been able to do
-CJ5 (not flat fender, spare on side)
-original-style old narrow bias-ply tires need replacing
-stock rims
-someone has put in 80's van highback front seats
-engine ran when parked 10+ years ago

I am looking for info, research suggestions, website links for info and parts, pics, anything anyone can help me with. Some changes and work that needs to be done are:

replace all fluids
replace tires to radials
replace seats to be closer to stock
check/replace ujoints, bushings

the 2 main things he has mentioned to this point is to change seats (he would like more room between driver and stearing wheel, if possible), replace tires, maybe also get new wheels if needed. Also the obvious fluid changes. He has also mentioned painting it (want to convince him NOT to do John Deere scheme and instead maybe go olive drab).

I can't attach pics, but have a few I took a few years back, if anyone is interested and if it would help.

Thanks in advance for the help!
Mat

 

:uwop:

 

Sounds like a great opportunity! I hope you can keep it as original as possible.

I would make sure to pull the oil pan and clean out the sludge before running it. Also the external oil filter canister will need to be dredged and cleaned out totally.

Probably wouldn't hurt to check and clean the carb bowl, and maybe the fuel pump filter bowl. Only a few minutes work beforehand could save some head scratching later on.

Clean and set the points?

Radial tires will tend to lower the clearance unless you go to oversizes, which then create width/clearance issues. For taller radials you may need to go to a wheel with wider spacing (backset).

Good luck and have fun.

 

thanks for the help and suggestions...what size are the stock rims? They are 5x5.5 bolt pattern, right? what would the width and diameter be? How wide of a tire would be ok on the current stock wheels?

He also mentioned it was a rough ride and the stearing was sloppy the last time he drove it, but that could all be attributed to bia ply tires, right?

 

Also probably need to check wheel cylinders, brake lines and master cylinder. Look over the wiring to make sure that no critters ate it for lunch. Looks like a true barn find in amazing shape.

 

Wow thats a find. Nice original jeep. Has it been repainted?? Looks like new paint or its in excellent shape for its age.

I would not change the tires much those look good on there as it is. Steering will be loose because it is the original, and the ride is because its a 55 Jeep. New tire might help a little.

Looks like they mounted the new seats on the old seat frames. That is a great restoration canidate.

 

Wow, what a cherry! Paint looks fine to me from here, has obviously been repainted in the past. Looks to be pretty much stock and complete. I see the choke and hand throttle cables are still there, and the horn too. 6 volt battery too.

The wheels should be 16" diameter, and 4.5" wide. I think 7" to 7.5" would be the max tire width, I believe stock was 6.5". Personally, I'd forget about radials and put tall skinny bias ply tires back on it. It'll never be a speed wagon, not meant to be. More like a tractor. You can get new Firestone NDT's for under $100 each from Coker Tire, any tire shop should be able to get them. Those are the old military type tires that you've seen on nearly every old Jeep photo from WWII. Probably the only tires you'd ever need for it, if you're keeping it a stocker for farm use.



I can't believe it still has the original seat frames in it, but somebody hacked out all the springs and put those van seats inside the frames. Replacing those original seats will be a challenge, they can be hard to find and there's no repros made.

Overall, I think it looks quite good and very restorable! Should be a great project. Walck's 4wd is a wonderful source for correct restoration parts, he has a lot of parts that are made just for him. For example, he has exact reproductions of the taillights, which I see are missing on your Jeep. He also has killer reproductions of the front bumper, nicer than the originals. DeBella Jeep Parts is another good source for original, N.O.S. parts.

Keep in mind that Jeeps of that era were nothing like the sport Jeeps that they evolved into later. Even totally rebuilt, the stock steering, brakes and suspension will likely never meet your expectations if you want them to be like a newer model. It can be restored to original, or it can be improved and still appear original, which is what I'm doing to my '56.

 

Thanks for all the replys so far! Yeah, its been john deere yellow, then got painted white and no one on the farm likes the white. I think it would look sharp white with black steel whieels and seats/interior.

I had found these seats on ebay, would they work with the old frames?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cust...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item45ed057172

also found these, new at 4wd.com:
http://www.4wd.com/productdetails.aspx?partID=15301#

would either of thos work?

I'll show him this forum, maybe this weekend...maybe that will help get a fire under his butt to get it out of storage!

 

I know pic's hide things but DAMN that looks nearly new... Great looking jeep..

 

Since the seat frames have had the springs gutted out of them, if the frames themselves are intact you "might" be able to weld in some kind of pans to make the eBay seat cushions work.

The Smittybilts, you'll probably have to build frames from scratch. That "1955-1971" in the ad is pretty much BS. The original seats for that Jeep would look like these. The springs were attached directly to the frames, those Smittybilt seats....I have no idea how they consider that they would work. But a creative feller can make just about anything work if you're willing to make changes. Your frames have already been butchered, might as well try to make 'em work.

 

Seeing the pics makes me hope even more strongly that you will keep it to original specs. Yes, even the wheels and tires!

Anyone can customize a jeep to the latest style or fad, but it's very hard to bring one back to the rare near-mint condition yours is in. Those seats are an example of what I mean. Ouch...

Personally, I think early jeeps were damn good "as built" and they still are. I drive a stock '57, and it does everything I want it to.

 

Thanks again for all the replys. The odometer says around 22,000, and tend to think it may be accurate!

I had no idea those seats were constructed that way (remember, I have wrenched on an 81 and 94, so this is an odd seat to me!). As for making either one work, I think your probably right. I don't think Uncle will want to go thru the hassle to get the current seat frames re-worked to factory, so I think I would lean towards the 4wd.com ones. The guys on the farm have experience in "fabricating" having built several forklifts out of 1980's bronco IIs, so I think getting either seat to work will not be an issue. And I really like the look of the military spec tires. I'll have to talk to Uncle some more as to what his intentions are.

Another concern we haven't addressed much is the title is in his mother's name still, last titled in 79. It was willed to him when his father died, but I don't know what will need to be done to get the title in his name and get it registered/plated. I'm thinking he'll do antique plates when he gets it all figured out.

 

A suggestion on seats - M38A1 Jeeps are very close to CJ5. The seats could be made to fit, and replacements are available. (Beachwood Canvas, or etc.)

The military seats and frames are not exactly the same as civilian, they are a more basic flat seat pad and back pad, somewhat smaller than civilian. The replacements today are foam with screw-fastened canvas covers. If you don't like OD, vinyl covers would be simple to make.

I have them in my '52 military and find them satisfactory. They are not as plush, but perhaps are good enough around the farm, and may even provide a bit more leg room.

 

Dont know about Mi, but here in Ca that vehicle will have dropped out of the system completely. It does not exist to the DMV. So you print out the VIN verification and have a cop verify that the VIN and info you wrote down is correct and your just about done. I believe there is one more form to fill out. Check your DMV website for info. It is actually better that it has dropped out of the system because there are no back fees owed attatched to the veh.
Nice find!!
good luck

 

Wow-- nice 'find'!

Keep it stock, please. As said, a 'built' CJ is cool, but a restored CJ is something special.

A set of 215-85 16's will fit well on those rims. About the same height, but ina comfy/modern design.

I ran set of the Firstone Knobbys on mine-- great in the snow & rain. A bit noisy, though.

 

Hoping to get him to get it out of the barn before the snow flys, maybe this weekend. Any suggestions on procedures in getting it out of the barn and across the road to a pole barn w/ tools and heat for the winter? Shouldn't start it, right? Hook up a truck and tow strap to it and pull it out, right? Anything I am missing? Make sure tires are inflated, make sure brakes can stop it, what else? Remember, its been sitting for 10+ years, though I think the tires do still hold air, for now...

Thanks again for all the suggestions and help.

 

I'd just fill up the tires, make sure it's in neutral, and gently tow it over there. I wouldn't even worry about the brakes, I'd bet money they don't work anyway. Don't wrap your tow strap/rope/whatever around the center of the bumper though, or you'll likely bend the snot out of it. You'll want the towing forces pulling as close to the frame rails as you can get, so the load goes into the frame and not the bumper. Once it moves out of its "spot", it should roll much easier. Mine sat unmoved for 30 years, but it was inside a dry building on concrete.

 

Looking at those seats, a good upholstery shop that does restoration work should be able to rebuild the springs. It's common to replace broken springs in old seats.

You could even tear apart some old seats at the junkyard if you want to try to rebuild the seats yourself. A few springs, some wire, a horsehair pad, a vinyl cover and you should be all set.

 

been thinking about the room issue and was concidering if a stearing wheel swap would help...how big around is the stock wheel? Looks like it must be at least 15-18", right? Anyone ever put on an aftermarket wheel, like this one?
http://www.quadratec.com/products/96114_103.htm
Wil that work with the adaptor? Would you all string me up for suggesting such a thing?!