Newbie looking at a CJ-5

I'm looking at a '66 CJ-5. After looking at it it appears to be "relatively" unmolested for a 50 year old vehicle. It runs and has a clean title. It is rusty. The body I'm not so concerned about, and it appears there is ample aftermarket pieces available. The main issue I have is with the frame. It is rusty, but seems to be mostly solid, except for in the left rear. There is an area between the left rear spring mounts where the lower part of the rail is rotted away a bit. Also, the left rear aft spring mount is pretty gnarly and would likely need to be cut to get the spring off. I can live with the cancer in the bodywork for now. I guess what I'm looking for is opinions on how best to deal with the frame corrosion.
I can't find much in the way of aftermarket frame or frame repair parts for this year. Are there any? The other thing that bothers me is there is no air filter on the carb. It's the four cylinder with 68,000 miles on it.

The reason I'm considering it is that, while I think the current owner wants way, way, way, too much for it, he is also looking to trade for an old truck without a driveline I was going to build. Since having kids, there has been no time or space for the build (and I can't keep it outside). So, I would gain something I can use, and lose something I've been considering getting rid of anyway. I do a lot of off road motorcycling, and the Jeep would be a great way to take the kids out into the woods and swamps where I ride. I also have friends who go 4 wheeling a bit, but they trailer their trucks out. I have no where to keep a trailer, so the idea of a Jeep I can flat tow with my pickup is appealing. How capable are these things in the sand? Not looking to make time off road with it (that's what my bikes are for), just waste time.

I'm an aircraft mechanic by trade. I own a decent MIG welder, but don't have much practice with it (yet). I'm not scared to get into a bit of a project, and something I can actually use while I fix it up a bit is way more motivating than the hulking carcass I have now.

 

Anything can be repaired given the right amount of time and money. If you buy it and fix it you'll become a better welder. That's how I learned. I'm guessing you are either in the East or Northeast. We don't allow rust here on the Left Coast.

 

Learning to weld is one positive consideration for me. It's a Florida Jeep. It's always wet here, and I think it has spent it's life outside.

 

The few things you have going against you:

- if it's an even trade, maybe. But saying the owner wants way too much sounds like you're putting cash on top of the deal?

- the 4 cylinder has just enough power to get out of its own way on solid ground. Sand deems it fairly useless. Can you keep searching for one with a v-6?

- Old jeeps always need more work than they appear. If you didn't have time for the truck, are you really going to have time for the jeep?

Pics would help us make this decision for you.

 

No cash. Actually, I am considering asking for some (cash). I may make a straight swap of it; it's tough to put a value on a classic truck as a rolling shell. The seller has one of the same year with major rot going on. I hauled my truck back from Arizona. My sister gave it to me. I think the seller needs my truck more than I need his Jeep.

When you say useless in sand, does that mean it won't go? I don't care if I have to go slow through it. Much of what I would drive it on is two track, mostly firm but with some definite soft areas. The sand is usually worse in winter during the dry season. It's not like I'll be driving in it for miles; the bad spots usually only least a few hundred yards at most.

I guess the main issue with the truck not getting done was space as well as money. The Jeep is not only smaller, but with a plate on it I can keep it in the driveway. I can't plate the truck because it has an AZ title, and I have to take it to the DMV for odometer verification to tag it. So it sits in the garage. Plus, It would require a substantial outlay of cash to get it running. I know I would run into issues with the Jeep, but the expectations for it are not quite the same. And it's easier to justify spending time and money on something I'm able to use now. The other think is, I could probably unload the Jeep a lot easier than the truck. Easier to sell a runner than a project.

I'll try getting some pics up.

 

Thanks for that link.

I'm sure I could deal with it. I have access to some large sheet metal tools at work, but nothing that could handle 3/16 steel. I'm sure I could find somewhere to help me out. Lots off mud trucks around here.

 

Finally remembered how to post these:

 

That is not the stock carb, so ask if he still has the aircleaner. Although those cone shaped after market ones will adapt real easy. Also need a little one for that tube connector on the dip stick tube.

 

I agree about the rust on the left coast. My jeep is a California jeep and the lack of rust on it is incredible. I lived in Virginia for 21 years and hated every microsecond of it, but that aside, the salt they put on the roads back there in wintertime would eat through anything.

 

Rarely. I have my dirt bikes tagged. There are much better places to ride, but you need to have a street legal vehicle to ride there.

It's an orlando Jeep. According to the owner, it was originally a maintenance vehicle for UCF.

 

It's always good to learn the art of relocating electrons into structural Jeep components. The better you get, the less grinding there is later. Even an experienced welder who stops for while due to what ever reason has to find his "sweet weld" spot, and that spot differs depending on the situation. Two peices of clean steel welded on a bench should have a perfect flowing weld on it as the conditions are most ideal there. It reality you may be trying to weld rust to tin foil upside down like an exhaust repair. Eventually, the only hard part will be cutting out the old and the fab weld part becomes the best part of the job. A fresh coat of paint on anything you just welded together brings an honest sense of accomplishment well deserved.

:iagree: yes, just like he said. As to the not allowing rust, we on the east coast will have you know rust builds character and it can be simply proven. Since rust has been re-defined due to some kind of globalist order and is now referred to in it's "green" and "sustainable" terminology - "patina". Patina is green for the environment since no "energy" is being used to "disturb" said "patina". Now, I tend to stay on the old-school side (being east and all) and I disturb rust just about every day. Whenever I can repair rust and not open my wallet directly, I'm very excited about that repair. Patina, yeah great, glad you like it..... Right, sustainability, sure uhh humm watch me sustain this Jeep frame with this section of old front bumper....

:iagree: Yep, that's how it's done.

Yes, rolling chassis project prices are down in this dead since 08 economy, Jeeps take up way less space, one of my favorite things about them. My 61 seems so small due to the PO's half cab mod, looks like I could just pull it home with a rope!

I'm familiar with the AZ plate deal on Commercial trucks since we rent U-trucks here, is the deal the same on all trucks, even privately owned ones? So once you get plates, you have them for as long as you own the truck then right?:?

 

In Florida you have to have a good title and insurance for the vehicle to get a plate, and pay an annual fee (and maintain insurance) to keep a plate on it. My truck has a clean AZ title, which I would have to convert to a Florida title (for a fee). The Jeep already has a plate on it, so the title would have to be transferred to me, and a new plate issued to it under my name. The worst part, besides having to fork over some dough, is waiting in line at the DMV. That seems to be the same no matter what state I've lived in.