Tinkering On My 1957 Cj-5

I pulled this ‘57 CJ5 out from a field near Westcliffe on August 11th. It’s a little rough but nearly stock and all there. It turns over so I’m going to flush out the fuel system and rebuild the carb this weekend. Ultimately I want to convert it into a CJ-6 so I’m keeping my eye out for a good deal on a body or if someone wanted to work a trade. Otherwise I’ll just have that much more sheet metal work to do. Either way, I’m glad to own a Willys again. My last one was a ‘48 I wish I’d never sold.






A few more pics from the weekend when I got it



A few of the "treasures" I found as I was cleaning out the years of junk



On August 17th I went to town on the CJ5 with my new shop vac. I literally filled a lawn waste bag with carpet remnant, rags made from various sheets, actual rags, old gloves, broken windshield brushes and scrapers, bits of random floor mat, and other misc trash. I also removed enough tire chains to outfit a small fleet of CJ5 plow vehicles. The end result is a vehicle I can now crawl around in without feeling all itchy and has a little less of that "abandoned in the back forty" feel to it.


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My "treasure" display, plus a heater hose LOL

 

Today I spent the afternoon working on the Mountain Man Express as I like to call it, on account of some of the "creative" things done to this vehicle. I started off by removing the fiberglass top that was absolutely not designed for it. Then I started it up and actually drove it around the block, which is kind of tough with a gas pedal that isn’t attached to its hinge anymore btw. Once I got it into the garage I removed the still working plow and all of its controls/wiring. Then my buddy Phil came over and rebuilt the carb for me as I kept tinkering on things. I replaced the broken hood latch, removed the extra battery box, cleaned up some of the creative wiring, and replumbed the carb with actual barbed fittings and a fuel filter. I need to get a new voltage regulator and choke cable, plus fix the gas pedal at a minimum to get it driving.


The XJ looking in on Great Grandpa, actually I needed a bit of juice as the old battery from the XJ wasn't happy running a non-charging Willy's.

Awesome wiring setup with a second voltage regulator for the extra battery to power the plow


Legit plow switch

No more plow

Meyers Model T 12V plow, still functions and has mounting for an early CJ. For Sale, buyer must pick up.

New hinge from Bestop, I got a pair for $8 on Amazon but only replaced the one that was broken. I just had to leave the old one on the other side, I also couldn't bring myself to use the shiny new hardware. It just wouldn't have looked right.

Rebuilt carb and a remade fuel line. The PO replaced the Solex with a Rochester B-1 from a 6cyl Chevy truck at some point. His method for adapting the fuel line to it from the pump was to just cut the hard lines and use them as fittings for the hose. I got some actual barb fittings from ACE Hardware along with some fuel safe pipe dope to do it a bit better. I also added an inline fuel filter to help catch any sludge from the tank.

And that's basically it for now. It runs really well but is a bit hard to get started as that carb is so oversized. It also smoke like a chimney, although not as bad as it did at first. I think some fresh valve seals will make a big difference with that. I'm still impressed that it got running again so easily. It hasn't been registered since 1985, so its very possible it was parked around that same time.

 

No pictures but I did pick up a Wagoneer passenger offset D44 rear axle for $100 this morning. Now I'm on the lookout for a matching front. Once I get the CJ6 tub (hopefully on Sunday) and get that going this will put me at pretty close to the same width and WB as the XJ's I'm very used to wheeling.

 

Lots of potential and it's fun to see progress! Enjoy.

OEM was steel hard line, same as brake tube. Safer in the long run, if you can change it later. Also I like to have my auxilliary filter before the fuel pump.

 

This guy followed me home today, just another piece of the puzzle coming together for my build plans.

 

Kubota diesel?

 

Yeah, V2203 DI. I’ll be adding a turbo and putting a T98 behind it using Overland Diesel kits.

 

I see where you're heading with this.... should be a cool build!

 

So this followed me home today. 1970ish CJ6 tub sand blasted and in very good condition. Has the fenders and the hood too. No grill, dash, tailgate, or windshield frame though.

 

love kubota...work horse! looking forward to more!

 

Ha! I just saw that on Craigslist.

 

So the CJ6 tub I got is a 72-75 era one. That will make upgrades like hanging pedals and a worthwhile heater a lot easier, although I do kind of wish it was a Willy's tub.







And this should be a major clue as to the transmission I will be running

 

T18?

 

T18/T98a hybrid of sorts. T-case will be a D18 inside a D20 case.

 

Showoff! That tub looks great.
-Donny

 

I was finally able to get the time for my buddy Steve to come over and spray some PPG Red Oxide primer onto the CJ6 tub, hood, and fenders. Now I don't have to worry about them rusting away over the winter.

 

I'm no paint guru, but I though primer was not moisture resistant?

 

It doesnt appear there is much moisture to worry about there. But its true that many primers do not seal out moisture. Epoxy primers have a reputation for sealing pretty well, but dont sand easily.

I like that primer color well enough to clear over it and be done!

 

I like the idea of the Kubota diesel. Got a small tractor and that diesel always starts and loves to work.

This will be an interesting build.

Dave

 

I like the idea of the diesel. Whats the horsepower on the Bota?