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The "1953" AZ CJ5 Build Project

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by Mark T., Nov 11, 2015.

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  1. Nov 11, 2015
    Mark T.

    Mark T. Member 2022 Sponsor

    Gilbert, AZ
    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2015
    Messages:
    160
    My first build here so there is lots to learn. I found this CJ5 out here in the desert southwest near Coolidge, AZ. Not much rust on it but it has some repairs needed. and parts figured out. The title says it was first registered in December of 1953 but I think I can deduce that that wasn't the case. But I still don't know what year it is. I'm thinking that when the title was reissued it read the original typewriter 1958 into a 1953 but I can't be sure. Looks like PO torched out the firewall so I'll need to rebuild that and then plug all the holes where it looks like a shotgun was taken to it. But other than that the welding seems to be minimal.
    Missing a few engine parts like oil bath and bracket, battery tray, alternator, new complete wiring and oil filter. It has a welded dash panel so I don't know if that tells us anything about the year or not. Thee are no serial number of vin plates that I can find on it. Only the frame stamped sequence number which doesn't appear to get me very far. It appears the original color is a Royal Blue which from what I have researched was an option color. I'll send some more pics of it later.
    I've identified the T90 A1 transmission, I think it is a Dana 44 rear but not sure about the front. Cap-n-cray identiifed the dualmatic front hubs for me, haven't seen those much.
    It has a push pull system for air controls mounted to a solid steel bracket for Defrost, air control, and something else but I haven't seen these on many of the pics so maybe that can help identify the year. Anyway, I can't afford a complete original restoration so I'll do as much as I can for now. I'm going ot need a fuel tank and seats and seat frames at some point too. They seem hard to find. Enjoy the pics.
    http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah187/tolmanma/IMAG0373_zps6yt1x47d.jpg
    http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah187/tolmanma/IMAG0374_zpswu9q8aur.jpg
    http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah187/tolmanma/IMAG0375_zps29ygdkiq.jpg
    http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah187/tolmanma/IMAG0376_zpszkcxvsxi.jpg
    http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah187/tolmanma/IMAG0377_zps1rszx7ov.jpg
    http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah187/tolmanma/IMAG0378_zpsjqtul6b1.jpg
    http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah187/tolmanma/IMAG0381_zps2m3ixrvz.jpg
    http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah187/tolmanma/IMAG0395_zpswoztcc0j.jpg
    http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah187/tolmanma/IMAG0398_zpsxx4f6opp.jpg
    http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah187/tolmanma/IMAG0403_zps1yzfndwr.jpg
    http://i1380.photobucket.com/albums/ah187/tolmanma/IMAG0402_zpscfdzvzsk.jpg
     
  2. Nov 11, 2015
    tarry99

    tarry99 Member

    Northern California
    Joined:
    Oct 29, 2012
    Messages:
    3,784
    Looks like a good start to a long project...........and yes , there will be lots to learn along the way. Seems the PO and his cutting torch had bigger plans for that Jeep other than the 4 cylinder that currently resides in there........Welcome Aboard!
     
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  3. Nov 11, 2015
    68BuickV6

    68BuickV6 Well-Known Member

    Hesperia, CA.
    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2012
    Messages:
    2,160
    For ease of viewing.

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  4. Nov 11, 2015
    uncamonkey

    uncamonkey Member

    Greeley CO
    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2009
    Messages:
    2,104
    Looks better than some of the Jeeps my brother has parked in my yard. As far as the top, go to the CJ3B page, they have a good write up about them.
    It lloks like you have a good place to start from.
     
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  5. Nov 11, 2015
    rusty

    rusty Well-Known Member

    norfolk,va
    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2006
    Messages:
    1,652
    Great project. Looks very clean.
     
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  6. Nov 11, 2015
    Mark T.

    Mark T. Member 2022 Sponsor

    Gilbert, AZ
    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2015
    Messages:
    160
    thanks 68buickv6. I'll have to see if I can find out how to do that.

    Got the body off. Rust underneath looks pretty good. Only one serious spot and that is a front passenger brace needs replacing.
    Anyone know what these are for? Passenger side high on firewall.
     
  7. Nov 14, 2015
    Mark T.

    Mark T. Member 2022 Sponsor

    Gilbert, AZ
    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2015
    Messages:
    160
    Had the boy helping out today. we found out that the left side wheels are reverse threaded studs. Who would have know? Well he used a breaker bar to work on them and they were really tight. I was scraping off caked on grease elsewhere. I finally asked him if he had checked on the socket to make sure it was not stripping the stud. Well, as it turned out he had buried the nut three quarters through the rim before he stopped and checked. Wait it gets better. When he tried to back it out the correct direction for whatever year this CJ is (yes we are still trying to figure it out), the nut head stripped and the small amount that wasn't buried in the rim is now rounded off. So......I have no idea now how we are going to get this thing off. Buried too far for a nut splitter, I thought about maybe putting a sacrifice nut on behind it and then welding it together to see if we could back them out together but I don't have a welder and I am worried that the weld might set the nut to the stud. So I am open for suggestions.
     
  8. Nov 14, 2015
    durangotang

    durangotang Member 2022 Sponsor

    Not Western CO
    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2010
    Messages:
    501
    Nice CJ, I might have some parts that you could use up here in Durango if you're ever in the neighborhood.
     
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  9. Nov 14, 2015
    uncamonkey

    uncamonkey Member

    Greeley CO
    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2009
    Messages:
    2,104
    I'm sorry to read about your issues but the left hand thread is something I learned fourty six years ago. either lug nus or lug bolts. My neighbor will help me change wheels on the 3B and I have to go ask him if he noticed the L stamped in the end of the bolt. If, heaven forbid, I ever take the Mitsu Fuso into a tire shop again. I ignore the no customers sign and go out to show the rattle wrench monkey the large L stamped on the parts of the left side.
    If the lug nuts are pulled into the wheel as you described, the wheel is junk now too. Figure out how to cut things apart and replace studs and hope the drum isn't bent. Sorry, I wish I could give you a cheaper answer.
     
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  10. Nov 14, 2015
    Mark T.

    Mark T. Member 2022 Sponsor

    Gilbert, AZ
    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2015
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    160
    Thanks uncamonkey. I was pretty sure this is where it was going to end up. Fortunately I have a spare exact match rim so it is what it is. We'll get it done eventually. Good news is we've scraped off all the years of hardened grease from the differentials and front steering knuckles. Got the diff covers off and cleaned up and it looks great now.
     
  11. Nov 15, 2015
    Alan28

    Alan28 Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Châtillon en...
    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2012
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    2,327
    If I understand well, you tried to take off a wheel and the nut was blocked. Then you found that you had to turn in the reverse side to unlock the wheel.
    The nuts on the wheels are not the same for right and left side of the Jeep, I learned this when we had to change a wheel, travelling with an old Willys.
    We staid maybe 20 minutes on a St Tropez beach, trying to move away a flat tire... Then suddenly we discovered that it was better to turn in the reverse way! That's the Jeep...
     
  12. Apr 9, 2016
    jeepjunkie

    jeepjunkie 1955 CJ-5, stock-ish.

    Glendale, AZ
    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2012
    Messages:
    62
    I just read you post .. I dont know if I am too late or not.. I have a complete set of 55 axles . I also have a welder and would be glad to help in any way I can.. I am located in Glendale. I dont check here too often so feel free to contact me through E-mail....jeepjunkie@cox.net
     
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  13. Apr 9, 2016
    chris423

    chris423 Sponsor

    greeneville tn
    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2014
    Messages:
    565
    Nice jeep ! Welcome from Tennessee ! What is the serial on the frame ? We have a post that will tell you the year . Definitely looks to be more of a 58 than any thing .
     
  14. Apr 10, 2016
    Mark T.

    Mark T. Member 2022 Sponsor

    Gilbert, AZ
    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2015
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    Thanks and your never too late. This was started knowing it would last a while. I'll email you.
     
  15. Apr 10, 2016
    Mark T.

    Mark T. Member 2022 Sponsor

    Gilbert, AZ
    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2015
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    160
    I've looked everywhere and all I can find is the frame rail number and it appears to be a production number only it is missing the first few digits but I know it is the early CJ5 just not the 1953 the State said it was. Frame rail is 104780.
     
  16. Apr 10, 2016
    chris423

    chris423 Sponsor

    greeneville tn
    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2014
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    565
    look in early cj tech for serial numbers yours comes out to a 1960 . probably made in November or December . This is a form by Zoomer
     
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  17. Apr 11, 2016
    Mark T.

    Mark T. Member 2022 Sponsor

    Gilbert, AZ
    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2015
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    160
    Thanks for the info. I just found out the state has a film of the original info so I'm going ot head down to the DMV and get a look at it to see if I can find out what the original title info said.
     
  18. Apr 11, 2016
    mike stg

    mike stg Member

    gilbert AZ
    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2014
    Messages:
    99
    hey Mark, I am in Gilbert too. :) Yours looks about the same as mine when i started. We will have to get together sometime. Mine did not come with any kind of top or a heater unit, so you are way ahead of me there. Mike
     
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  19. Sep 25, 2016
    Mark T.

    Mark T. Member 2022 Sponsor

    Gilbert, AZ
    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2015
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    160
    Getting together would be great. Even if I can't add much to the conversation it would be fun to meet some Jeepers aroud here.
     
  20. Sep 25, 2016
    Mark T.

    Mark T. Member 2022 Sponsor

    Gilbert, AZ
    Joined:
    Nov 9, 2015
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    160
    This weekend we pulled the front Axle and spring and shackles etc. Good news is everything came out....eventually. Got 90 % of the chasis reconditioned and its in the process of painting.
     
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