‘66 Cj5 Tuxedo Build.

So this has all came about with my fathers passing earlier this month, both my grandfather “In the cj5” and father “in the flat fender” raced Jeeps back in the 1970’s. They didn’t see eye to eye. But connected over racing. I’m in my late 20’s now and I’m just now really discovering all they did. So naturally coming across old slides & film, I wanted to carry on the tradition and fun my fathers before me had. So as soon as I got back into town I came across my soon to be project.

A 1966 CJ5 Tuxedo Park Mark lV.

And yes I choose this one because of the Jeep made top. Not to mention the 66 tuxedo was roughly 1/1400 made that year. I’m new to the site. Thank you to everyone who’s giving me some guidance and info so far. Looking forward to keeping you updated and asking stupid questions along the way.

 

4/25 picking it up in California.

A great friend and old roommate, Tyler who is a avid land rover guy...
made the 2 1/2 hour drive to pick up the Jeep for a small airport. We took it for a test drive. Which was fun you could say haha being the first time driving a stick in 10 years. We made the deal, where I thought it would be a good idea to drive it home back to Nevada. It needed tires so we made the drive down the hill to a tire shop where it would have been a 4 hour wait..

so we threw it on the trailer and headed home.
Getting back to my old roommates house where it’s being kept. Because I live in a condo down town now. We decided to drive it around and hook it up to his old Jeep trailer
After that we got cocky and decided to go grab beer and dinner with it. And on the way back we discover the joy of death wobbly at 45MPH. Blew a hole in a radiator hose, and broke the left driver window for how violent the shake was. We limped it back home. To where we are ordering all new front linkage and such from Kaiser-Jeep. Along with new tires that will replace the older dry rotted tires. As parts come in will keep you updated.

 

That looks like a great find, congrats! Welcome From Oklahoma!

 

Very Cool, Welcome from Michigan. Nice Jeep to start with, I like the Tux, too.

 

Good score on the Tux Jeep. Looks to be in good shape. I like the history with the Civil Air Patrol decal - really cool! That trailer fits perfect. You may have to acquire that too! Post some pictures of the interior and engine compartment. Also like your buddy's Land Rover.

Good luck and welcome from Texas.

 

That’s awesome! Having a turn key drivable vintage Jeep is a great way to start. And you got a Tuxedo Park ! Cheers

 

Welcome from Ga.

 

Seems like every Jeep with a closed-knuckle front axle that was not owned by an enthusiast needs going through. There are a lot of wear points between the driver and the tires. I expect you'll find lots of "deferred maintenance" to take care of. If the brakes are ok, I'd start with the knuckles.

Fortunately these Jeeps are really easy to work on, aside from a high likelihood of breaking any rusted bolts. Good luck and have fun!

 

Hi Brian! Nice find and good luck. I’m up the hill in Truckee and am also (slowly)rebuilding a ‘66 Tux. Feel free to reach out if I can help point you to anything local you need, I’ve got a good list going of vendors in Reno/Sparks for parts and resources to be had locally. Looks like you are lucky that you have the chrome finish parts that make a tux a tux - mine were long gone by the time I got my Jeep. Take special care of those!

Make sure you check out Brian Hainer’s YouTube channel (search “metalshaper”) for lots and lots of great rebuild reference videos.

The Jeep rebuilders guidebook by Moses Ludell of Fallon is a must have reference too:

Jeep CJ Rebuilder's Manual, 1946-1971: Mechanical Restoration, Unit Repair and Overhaul, Performance Upgrades for Jeep CJ-2A, CJ-3A, CJ-3B, CJ-5 and CJ-6 and MB, M38, and M38A1 https://www.amazon.com/dp/0837610370/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_j1TQEbVWX3N1S​

The folks on this forum are a wealth of solid info as you work through your project.

And lastly, if I can humbly offer one bit of advice to keep in the back of your mind, having also started with a driveable CJ Hays now mostly in ziploc bags - be wary of taking apart things that work just because you want to make them shiny and new!

 

Awesome Jeep! Welcome from Oregon! That Civil Air Patrol Crest on the door is epic. Any chance you have a close up of it?

 

Great pictures you posted, thanks! Vacuum wipers just like mine. Clearly shows how the the rear view mirror is mounted (was a whole post about this)
A very nice Tux inside and out

 

Just noticed your Tux still has the button snaps for the wheelhouse seat cushions. Awesome!

 

And I have the cushions. Took them out when we power washed the Jeep.

 

Wow!! You are fortunate to have them, they are hard to find original. Guys end up having new ones made using a template from an worn original.

 

Huh. I have a pair of those. I had no idea they were scarce/desirable.

 

Congrats on your find. She looks awesome.

The Postal Jeep committee welcomes you aboard!

 

I like the way that rear top gate slides in and up, that's different from anything you see these days.

Nice clean tub, I didn't see much rust in the floor boards, really good find!

 

Right, the tops bad ***. Wouldn’t of bought it otherwise haha. I thought the top was cooler then the Jeep. As for the floors, there are two minor spots. My buddy works in a sheet metal shops so we’re gonna bend up some patch panels one weekend weld them in. Then spend a day filling old drill hole and welding up stress cracks.

 

Don’t chuck the steps! Like so many of us have done in the past...

That’s quite a time capsule.

Welcome!