Can old CJ5 gauges be restored?

Forgive my ignorance, but is it possible to restore an old CJ5 gauge cluster? I recently parted-out a 63 CJ5 that still had the original gauge cluster in it. However, the glass was broken on the gauge and there was some rust pitting on the face of the speedometer, temp and fuel gauge and on the housing. All of the needles and cables are there.

I would love to take the aftermarket gauge out of my 62 and replace it with the stock gauge. If it is possible to restore old gauges to working order, can anyone recommend somebody who does this type of restoration? What kind of dollar range should I expect for this type of work? Or is this the type of thing that could be undertaken by an inept mechanic with shoddy skills (Me)?

Thanks!

 

I've used these guys before for some street rod stuff. Not cheap, but if you want original, and you want it to work, they've never let me down.

http://www.autoinstruments.com/

 

Yes, it can be restored.

 

If you follow this link and scroll down on the right side there are new old stock ones that should cheaper than having yours rebuilt.

Mike

http://www.debellajeepparts.com/oddlot.htm

 

Wow, thanks for that link! I don't know how I hadn't run across the DeBella website before now. I can already hear a draining sound coming from my wallet...so many things I think I need all in one place.

Joe

 

^^ This!!! I wish I'd never clicked that link.

 

OMG that is a dangerous link. I'll take one of everything, please!

 

Once the NOS parts are gone they are gone. Thats my feeling. Collect them and cherish them as they are, use the repro parts and improve them if you need to.

 

DeBella's is one of those places I'd like to visit in person.

 

You never know what you are going to find on ebay too...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/19062883821...AX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_500wt_1156

I just snagged this for my '55 CJ5. All I needed was the needle but anyone who knows anything about the 1-10 gage clusters for a '55 can see the "Awesomeness" in what I found. To-bad the "silver face" didn't say Willys but I can still use my "silver face" and steal the needle off this.

 

Nice find!

 

Can you offer more info on this? Although my Jeep has been in my family since '68, my uncle "can't remember" if he put this in or if was original. Ha, getting old sucks. I'm nearly 40, though, so I'd best watch out. Lol...

My CJ5 is a '56... did some get Aero speedos from the factory? Here is my dash shot:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_LP9mTn-paz0/TI6imsIQRCI/AAAAAAAAAFY/ygoBuMkrJAQ/s1600/014.JPG

You can see my needle fell off too. If its OEM, I'd like to fix it. If not, I'll likely replace it, though the Jeep has been converted to 12V. Any concerns I should have?

I searched in the archives, but didn't come up with much.

JFab
'56 Willys Jeep CJ5... Resto-mod write up at http://jfab.com

 

Jfab,

Here is a picture of the speedo in my '55. This jeep has been in the family since '62, and the speedometer has not been changed in that time. I think that it's a fair bet that it's original.

I checked your web site and enjoyed looking at your restoration progress pictures. It's interesting how some little things are different on your '56...

Randy

 

Well, thank you for the reply, Randy! That's good news and bad news. I was hoping that was the original gauge, as that was the one that I grew up looking at, and I really love it. That's the good news. The bad news is that I will now have to figure out how to fix mine or find someone who can... LOL.

Well, thank you, fine sir. I have made progress that isn't shown on there. I will have to get on that and get some of these pictures uploaded. Been busy being a dad lately, and whenever I can find a moment, I wrench (or wire-wheel) rather than work on the website updates.

Do you have some other dash pics up of yours? I'd sure like to see it, especially if it's more complete than mine. Though mine has been in the family since 1968, it was a farm Jeep from 1974 until about 1998 when I bought it from my grandfather, so lots of changes have undoubtedly been made.

 

Here you go....just as plain as can be....used to be President Red, now it's Kermit green....but it will be red again very soon...




Now, if you (or anyone ) happen to have a picture of the right rear of your jeep where the spare tire mount goes, I'd appreciate it! On my jeep the holes were filled and so I'm not real sure where to start drilling for the new mount..!

Randy

 

Ugh, don't ask for a picture of mine -- it's a mess back there. I think at some point, the spare was ripped off, and there's a chunk of wood under some bondo and... well, you get the idea.

And, thanks for the photo of your dash -- very clean!

JFab

 

Well mine has a piece of 1/8" sheet iron back there and lots of bondo to hide the sins....The good thing is the sheet iron should be able to deal with the weight of the spare!

Have you found someone to repair your speedometer? Mine works fine but the gasket/O-ring between the frame and glass is missing and the glass is kinda loose, and it's getting dusty in there...

Randy

 

I haven't found anyone to repair mine yet, but to be honest, I haven't been looking. Been working on some of the major mechanicals for the time being, and the gauge repair will be later on down the line. However, if find someone who does good work, please do pass on their contact info, because sooner or later, I'm going to have to get it done.

 

I suggest looking in Hemmings Motor News. Advertisers there can do anything you want in parts rebuilding, at a price.