Renegade 1

Hey guys, I thought I'd start my build thread since it's raining outside and I'm getting skunked on working on the jeep. I did get to use my knot tying skills when I decided to put up a camping tarp to keep the jeep out of the rain. Then I got a tape measure and sure enough I think I can fit this jeep in my 1 car garage with my other jeep. The wifes not going to go for it at first but I'll reason with her and then get her to help me push it in the garage . Hopefully, lol. Stay tuned. I'm off to fold the laundry.

 

The tarp in action. Next move is the jeep in the garage. I've had it less then a week.

 

I was able to get the compression checked today and it was healthy with numbers right around 90/100 at 3300 feet elevation. That's good for me. Next up was distributor install/timing the motor. I found TDC of cylinder 1 and got the distributor installed and ran the plug wires to their respective cylinders. I turned it over and got nada. But it didn't sound like it was tuning over very strong. It was defiantly laboring to turn over compared to what I would consider normal. I checked battery voltage and it was 12.6 and only dropped to 10.4 well cranking so I don't think voltage is the problem. I inspected the cables and they look old. Next move is to do a voltage drop to the starter. I also noticed quite a bit of dirt and grease on the ground cable bolt to the block so I bet that's going to need to be cleaned.

 

I picked this 1970 renegade 1 up a week ago in CA loaded it on a trailer and brought it back to Montana.
The story on the jeep is interesting. The original owner claims that it was used to shoot a commercial out west and then shipped to him with @1000 miles on it. He was apparently given a discount for the usage. I have the pink slip and the original purchase receipt from the dealer that I'll scan and load up

 

Voltage drop test confirms the starter is no good. On the bright side I fit the renegade in the garage for now. I can move the 55 out when I want to work on the renegade. It's funny to see them next to each other the tires on the 55 look tiny.

 

Worked on the Renegade this morning. First thing I did was re set the #1 cylinder to TDC. Then I checked that the distributor was clocked to the # 1 cylinder. Next I double checked the firing order. I put some gas in the carb and tried it but nothing. Its cranking slow but not super slow. I re did some voltage drop tests and decided I need new positive and negative leads. They look old and have some drop so buh bye. Also noticed I have fuel coming out of the 2G carb vacuum port. After doing some research I have decided to order a rebuild kit from mikes carburetor parts dot com. I am going to pull the old one and inspect the floats and idle mix screws to see if they need to be replaced before ordering.

 

Very cool. Love the Jeep!

 

I have been working with the jeep every spare moment in the evenings mostly. The jeep ended up needing new battery cables a new starter motor and I rebuilt the carburetor. After all that I was able to start the jeep and take it for a spin around the block. Next, I washed and then rubbed the Jeep out with rubbing compound followed by wax. I feel like you really get to knows car when you're waxing it so that was interesting to get to see all the different aspects of it.

I snapped a couple different photos one shows an original Turista sticker which apparently the original owner drove the jeep to Mexico in 1970 and that sticker was part of the Trip.

Lots more to do but fun to have the first drive under my belt.

Patina

 

Also Christmas came early in the form of a new tig welder. I'll be using this to fix the jeep floor pans and other patch panels over the winter. For now the plan is to drive the jeep and enjoy it for a while.

 

This weekend was fun I got the jeep running and took it around the block a couple times. It now starts right up when I turn the key once it's warm. I reinstalled the seats that had been removed by the PO. I put an old sleeping bag down on the seats because the lower parts of both seats are pretty beat up. Surprisingly the seat backs are in good condition. I am thinking the direction I am going to take this build will be original with repairs but no re paint.

The patina on this jeep is amazing and I love that aspect of it. The floorboards are both pretty bad and will need to be replaced.

 

Very cool project. Glad you were able to getting it running.

 

Very nice project.

 

There was a group buy not long ago in research and restoration for R1 seat covers. If you want resto correct seat covers, you may want to look up that thread.

 

Very interesting and clever. You want to keep the 2 Jeep? It is a lot of work. I have a neighbourgh who started repairing old Peugeot, he has some in his garden but they are rusting faster than he works on them. Your green Renegade is superb, some works to do of course.
But you other Jeep is nice and maybe in better condition. I wish you good luck for all these projects.

 

Nice Jeep. Is that the factory color on your '55?

 

Thanks, I recall reading that and need to find the thread.

 

Thats a good question. The guys over at lime street jeeps didn't seem to think they made them in that color for a year. It's a first year and in fact appears to be first week of production with a low serial number. #311 produced. It's a time capsule of sorts with original seats and chain covers. The paint has been touched up here and there but it looks to me to be original.

 

Alan my wife asked the same question, " You want to keep the 2 Jeeps?" Ha ha I was able to talk her into it. The blue one runs and nothing is wrong with it. The green one is the project. I have a feeling the blue one will be in a lot of my photos due to my limited 1 plus garage. Which fits both jeeps surprisingly well. Plan now for the renegade is to drive it a bit and figure it out but fix it as I go. I have no plans to do any sort of frame off restoration etc. I may remove the body to weld some patch panels but thats the plan for now. Thank you for your kind words.
sean

 

Could very well be Powder Blue which was offered as an option for that year and a carry over from 1954 per this paint card:


Found it here:
http://cj3b.info/Paint1.html

Or according to KaiserWillys website it could be Gulf Blue Poly - Willys Jeep Paint Color Guide.

Either way it is a nice color for one of the very first 1955 Willys CJ5

They are both nice looking jeeps. Howard Eisenhauer, staff member here, has one of the early ones as well - #378