1959 Cj5 Build (was Gpas Cj5)

Hey yall!
So i started another post just as a "New Here" but figured id extend it to a actual Build thread.... so
it starts with a '59 CJ5. Grandfather was original owner and it was a Farm Vehicle. used to tow tractors etc.. when they got stuck or an infield repair. Its now in my name and my Dad(retired diesel mechanic) me, and my son are going to be working on it and hopefully one day pass it down to my son.

The plan for this build is to keep original motor in it but restore/rebuild it, but upgrade everything else to make it more reliable and current generation. Like new oil filter, Cold air style intake off of carb. 12v conversion. disk brakes, electronic power steering, electronic fan, radio, new modern style bumpers and rock sliders, new headlights, flush mounted rear brake lights. And possibly a small turbo because why not.

this is the CJ5 in its original location abandoned in 2004 after his death.




You can see from the dash the original color, though its a '59 it came in '58s Omaha Orange and was repainted to a gray/silver. Everything looked to be Original except for the minor mods inside for the seat bracket, tool box added instead of back seat etc. It was hard to see since there was a nice layer of dirt



After some basic cleaning down in its original location we finally got most of the dirt out and tires swapped to transport it 50 minutes to its restoration location. and got it cleaned with water and then you can see what shape everything truly is in.

after seeing it more cleaned it seems to be in far better condition than we had originally thought. all the rust seems to surface rust and the very few things that are rusted are easily swapped like exhaust. It has some minor fender/body damage but i might bed line it with Raptor Liner so it doesnt really matter. Will still get out the bigger fender dings and dents before painting.



Seats were trashed and will be upgrading to bucket seats with 4 or 5 point seat belt system.

 

Got motor out and after cleaning found out its not original, but still a f134.
we want to go through the motor because after looking at the dip stick there is signs of sludge.

Also after going through engine bay found out grandpa had converted it way back when to a 12v system using an epoxy coil and associated parts.

 

New plans for the inside of the CJ5 are:
3 bucket seats(Mastercraft Nomad), add tire mount inside next to rear seat, add jerry can holder, and small storage locations since the CJ5 isnt known for having great storage. and i really want to show off that Willys tailgate since its a true willys and none of that modern "Willys" sticker stuff.

 

Update from over the weekend, decided to go full tub off to get all the surface rust and make it a bit easier on some of the mods and updates. Think im going to do a rear bench seat instead of a bucket and get a rear/bumper mounted tire carrier and might relocate the gas tank to the rear.

We tore the engine down, oh boy....
SO i know its been sitting since 2003ish...so alot of the fluids and such are what youd expect but since this was a ranch vehicle it was never ran hard and treated as a replaceable tool...
As you can see one of the rods have a build up on it....We knew the water pump was seized and you can see the crud inside.
Dumping the oil came out at first as a normal oil viscosity then started to be more like pancake batter and you can see the build up around the pick up, so far the crank looks good but wont know until we take it out.

Plan for the engine is to take it to a machine shop near by and have them professionally clean and swap the cam bearings. Then i was going to buy the gasket kit from kaiser willys and start the rebuild.

 

finally started taking the engine further apart. (family medical issues prevented work the last month) And come to find out this engine has a forged crank!

 

Dont toss the original seats. Somewhat unobtanium.

someone would probably want them and the brackets.

looks like a good solid platform.

 

only thing is both seats arnt original
at this point. i can tell my grandpa took tractor seats and welded a DIY bracket to make it work.

 

but i do plan on keeping the seats until i get my new buckets in (want to do suspension seats)

 

Took the summer off since it gets 115 here...but finally got back to tearing this thing down...decided to go topless...

 

SO.... the projects been a bit delayed.. Son was in the Hospital ICU back in November for pretty much the whole month with RSV/Flu-B. And with his history of being a Micro Preemie it did a number on him.. then my wife being hospitalized last month... things have been focused elsewhere.
BUT were back.. got back to sanding down the frame to get ready to paint with POR-15...

and BOY did it clean up better then we thought! the bumper in the photo is how it was before sanding/scouring and you can see how it is now! The little boy was able to jump in on this and really enjoyed helping!

 

Can't see photos

 

how about now?

 

Yup

 

QUESTION: so im at the point of redoing the brakes as well, im going to redo all the hard brake lines and add a dual master instead... will the standard brake lines from a single master work?

 

Yes and no. You will likely need different lines attached to the Master and to a proportioning valve of some kind. Are you still going with disk brakes? Its not a huge Job to change all the lines.
Buy something like this
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B085...d_r=842b6c2b-e730-4cd7-a32e-202adf9b7cff&th=1

And this.
https://www.amazon.com/Titan-Tools-...ke+line+tool.+3/16,automotive,243&sr=1-4&th=1

 

I use the exact same setup with niCopp tubes though. My only advice for that tool is to back the material off by 1/16" in order to get good flares. Its an amazing tool, but for me it only works when I back the material fed through the hole off about 1/16 rather than lining it up with the mark flush.

 

spent some of saturday painting the frame with por15. and its looking great!!! going to finish it up this weekend.

 

finished the frame. Looks almost like new!!!

 

Came across a roll bar for $60… not the exact shape I wanted but a starting point and at that price? Psh