'61 CJ5 Project

I've been lurking this forum for some time. It is a treasure trove of information and inspiration.

I am the proud new owner of a '61 CJ5. It will be quite a project. I'm not sure if the tub can be resurrected, although after seeing a few of the threads on here I think some of y'all can build a tub out of a license plate. I've rebuilt a few trucks over the years and have always wanted to rebuild a jeep. I'm psyched.

The jeep was running fine a year ago. In the past year it has been moved outside. The current owner is trying to find the parts he took off when he was trying to rebuild it. When I haul it home I will find out just how much rust there is on the body. I'll put up some picks as soon as I can.

I hope I don't pester y'all with too many questions!

 

Good luck!
Let's see those pics!

 

Here are the first pictures. The jeep is still outside. She's been there for about nine months. The owner, well previous owner, is the son of he original buyer. The jeep was primarily used to haul a sail boat back and forth to the Gulf until a few years ago. He, the man who owns the lot that it sits on now, had it sand blasted and primed last year. He didn't expect all the rust. Now, he just wants someone to bring her back to life. So, he gave it to me. The engine was running well ten months ago. They did drain the gasoline before they parked it. So, what do y'all think? (Sorry for the quality. I had to use my phone.)

 

Well. . .

I was going to haul it home today. The weather went nuts and it is stormy all over the place. So, that is not going to happen. I will be going down this week to help in the parts search. Laying in a barn somewhere are the pedals and linkages, a 'new' windshield frame, seat frames, original air cleaner, and other stuff.

This is going to be interesting. I don't have a garage or carport. I do all my work in the open laying on crushed limestone. I have been wanting to build a carport for some time. I am a licensed contractor / carpenter and have just never gotten around to building it. I'm trying to figure out a way to build it now and still have the funds to do what is needed on the Jeep. (I'm leaning toward building a pole barn that can later be framed in and floored.)

I haven't done sheet metal welding in years. I have torches. I just need to get some bottles / gas rented. I am going to try and do that this week so I can get some practice in before going live on the jeep. I also have to pick up a 00 and 000 tip. The rig I have was owned by a iron worker. Nothing smaller than a 1. It is a bit of overkill for body work, but man is it a sweet torch, Victor H315FC. I've been keeping my eyes peeled for scrap steel, eyeing the salvage yards, and reading this forum. Gosh, there is some encouragement and inspiration here.

My daughter asked me the other day if I was going to make it a rock crawler. She's been reading the site, too. I told her, 'No, right now it is just get the chassis and body solid and get it running well.' She looked sort of bummed.

 

We hauled the Jeep home this past weekend. In the process of picking it up we scored on the missing parts! Gauges, air cleaner assembly, pedals, etc were all in a couple of boxes. I have it parked in the drive under a tarp right now. I will be 'taking inventory' this week and taking pictures as I go. I'm going to figure out what to buy and what to try and fab on the floor panels. They are shot from the toe pan back. The chassis and axles need sanding and painting. All the wiring has been cut out. I'll get pictures up as soon as I get them.

On the way home we stopped at Lowes with the Jeep on the trailer. My daughter was with me. Two men saw the Jeep and came over. They each have rebuilt several CJ's. One of the has a 3a and a GPW at home right now. They don't live near here though. One of them said, 'Son, you make me happy by rescuing that baby from certain death.' He was pretty emotional about it actually. Nice fellows.

 

On this site I have seen many projects turn into great rides. Bringing these units back from the dead is the fun of this "sport." I suspect you will build a passion for this as you get your Jeep on the road and you will turn your head at all Jeeps to see how it's going for the other guy. Jeeps are so simple, so interesting and so different. Have fun and take many photos for your own records. It helps when you look back and see how far you have come.

 

That is definitely true. This site is one reason that I'm taking this on. When I saw what some of y'all have been able to do I was inspired. Some of your Jeeps looked like they were unsalvageable, but now they are impressive vehicles.

When I was first offered my Jeep (hmmm don't know if I've ever referred to it that way) I was psyched. I was offered the Jeep as we were driving an old school bus through the southern reaches of Mexico enroute to Honduras. The Jeep was in Alabama. When I first saw the Jeep I was a bit disappointed. I didn't know if I was up to it or not. I went home and began trying to research what would be involved. I found this site and spent a good bit of time reading threads. In a very real sense the reason that Jeep is sitting in my drive is due to the influence of all y'all.

Thanks.

 

We are "enablers" , we help others to share our addiction. Looks like a good solid foundation to build on. Lay out a game plan and stick to it. I'd make it run and get the mechanicals squared away before worrying about the body too much. Maybe one of those "instant garage in a box" to keep the weather off?

 

I think you've got a great Jeep to start with, with most of the parts & the most important thing of all, the interest & drive to do it! Just be prepared to take your time; in my experience with the 2 jeeps I've been working on, it can be easy to get frustrated with lack of funds, tools, time, etc., but well worth it in the end when you finally get it back together for the first time, hear it run for the first time, take it for that first drive . . . my 2A has taken me nearly 7 years to complete, but I finished it last week & I couldn't be happier - now I'm eager to get back to work on my '53! Congrats on the jeep & enjoy it - there's a ton of great fellas on here with great advice & humor - use them to the max!

 

I was able to take some more detailed pictures today. Sorry if I put too many up.

In the Lowe's parking lot:


On the road:


Birth Certificate:


Finally Home:


I don't know if I can resurrect the tailgate:


Front end:


Front diff. Look at those long shackles:


Cutlass Hubs: I have never messed with these before.


Brazing Rod?


More rod?


The firewall, dash and toe pan are in great shape:


The former driver's seat now containing pedals, vacuum motor, and other stuff:


It worked when they took it out. I hope it still does:


All that oil did a good job preserving the air cleaner:


Wheel House Brand Swiss Cheese:


Who needs a rear deck:


A one year old fuel tank:


Rear End: The left light is in great shape. The right have taken a blow to the bottom. I think it could be reused if I can find a lens.


Ugh: Both rocker panels are pretty much shot. They could be replaced.


Something really stressed this window hinge assembly:


I'm not sure why they pulled the cover. How were they attached in 1961? I can't tell:


F Head:


Under side of hood: More brazing rod.


That's one way to mark a wire:


Merely a flesh wound:


The frame, axles, and differentials are rusty. It is not deep at all. I think they will clean up and do well. There is one frame crack on the front end where the Jeep came down hard on a stump in the river one time. They replaced both front spring assemblies when they happened. The crack is right behind the bumper and will be easy to weld.

The floor is shot from the toe pan back. The cross member might be salvageable. I am planning on using another tub. But, I am curious about rebuilding this one, too. If I had a shop I'd do it anyway.

I have to finish up the kitchen remodel before I can really get cranking on the Jeep. In the next couple of weeks I hope to get the body off (It is just sitting on the frame right now so that won't be too hard.) and start cleaning up things on the chassis, axles, drive line etc.

I'll probably be pestering y'all with questions. Hope you don't mind.