1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Project CJ5

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by WRXminion, Apr 19, 2005.

  1. Apr 19, 2005
    WRXminion

    WRXminion New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2005
    Messages:
    5
    Alright, so I'm new to the "off-road" world... I have a WRX and have built it up as a race car... autoX, Track, and I used to do Rally..

    any way... my dad has an old 1956 cj5... the car has been sitting so long that I think the engine is seized... I have not really spent a whole lot of time looking at the car and trying to figure out what is wrong with it... but I'm wanting to fix the car up for a daily driver....

    any way, what types of engines will fit in the engine bay and link up with the stock manual tranny.... it has a 3 speed H... and low and high.... my dad claims that there was an "overdrive" put on the engine....

    any way… any information would be great.
     
    WRXminion, Apr 19, 2005
    #1
  2. Apr 19, 2005
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    Welcome from Boston. Where are you located?

    This thread would be a good place to start: http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=13998

    About the only engine that bolts up to the stock transmission (I think) is a Studebaker inline 6. Not a very practical swap these days. Inline 6s are too long for the engine compartment anyway. Everything else requires an adapter.

    If this is a stock Jeep, and it has an overdrive, I'd try to unstick the engine and drive it. You can get around ok in a stocker; they aren't fast, but the overdrive makes them capable of 55-60 with no trouble.
     
    timgr, Apr 19, 2005
    #2
  3. Apr 19, 2005
    mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    Charlottesville Va
    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2003
    Messages:
    2,706
    welcome from central Va.

    WRX hmmm someone else who loves small turbo motors :D
     
    mb82, Apr 19, 2005
    #3
  4. Apr 19, 2005
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    6,197
    Howdy from W. MI.

    Hmm..going from a prepped WRX to a '56 CJ5? You realize that these two vehicles are on opposite ends of several automotive continuiums? :D

    What's a "daily drive" for you? Depending on where you live and what kind of driving you do, and your tolerance for the lack of every creature comfort you had in the WRX, the Jeep may be unrealistic as a DD without a ton o' mods.

    Old Jeeps as DD is a matter of debate here, there are those who do it, but I only did for a year in 18 years of owning a CJ5. To me they make better toy vehicles, between the ride, lack of security and high center of gravity on snow covered roads.

    Keep in mind that, to the Jeep Corporation and the buying public of 1956, you're looking at a tractor in nicely-shaped sheet metal...;)

    Not to say that it can't be done, but just want to make sure your expectations are realistic.

    What's the current state of the Jeep besides the motor? Pretty much original? Solid?
     
    Boyink, Apr 19, 2005
    #4
  5. Apr 19, 2005
    jd7

    jd7 Sponsor

    Nacogdoches,Texas
    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2004
    Messages:
    1,745
    well said Mike
     
    jd7, Apr 19, 2005
    #5
  6. Apr 19, 2005
    WRXminion

    WRXminion New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2005
    Messages:
    5
    Well i'm from Tulsa Okla.... but right now I’m going to CU boulder for collage....

    and about the "creature comforts" in my WRX..... when I said it was prepped... I meant it... full race suspension 500lb springs in front 600lb springs in rear... with race seats.... so there is no "comfort" about driving the car.... the tires make the car follow every grove in the road so u always have to pay attention while driving... the harness doesn’t let you move so your ars starts to go numb/hurt very fast.. not to mention there is no padding around the ars.... but enough about the race car.....

    I'm actually not sure if I’m going to turn the jeep into a DD though.... earthier way me and my dad want to try and fix the jeep this summer....

    hmm, so sounds like a new engine and tranny then.... what do you guys recommend?
     
    WRXminion, Apr 19, 2005
    #6
  7. Apr 19, 2005
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    9,221
    sparky, Apr 19, 2005
    #7
  8. Apr 19, 2005
    mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    Charlottesville Va
    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2003
    Messages:
    2,706
    mb82, Apr 19, 2005
    #8
  9. Apr 19, 2005
    WRXminion

    WRXminion New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2005
    Messages:
    5
    That was only two mods I listed.... it's a fun car tho

    well thanks for the link..... lots of info there.... but is the CJ6 the same as the CJ5? what exactly are the diff anyway? yea, I know nothin about jeeps... but imports....
     
    WRXminion, Apr 19, 2005
    #9
  10. Apr 19, 2005
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    9,221
    Yes, CJ-6 is a long CJ-5. Makes no difference in this case anyway. Why do you ask?
     
    sparky, Apr 19, 2005
    #10
  11. Apr 19, 2005
    WRXminion

    WRXminion New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2005
    Messages:
    5
    becouse i have a CJ5, and that guy was askin about a CJ6... or atleast thats what i thought i read.... ::shrug::

    how is every thing else on a stock CJ5... like the suspension and what not... i'm prob going to have to get new wheels.... it was sitting so long that the wheels bent out.. lol
     
    WRXminion, Apr 19, 2005
    #11
  12. Apr 19, 2005
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    9,221
    No, it's a CJ-5 that he's asking about. Only difference is it's a Tuxedo Park (just gussied up) like I said, same situation. Don't worry, we won't steer you in the wrong direction here. ;)
     
    sparky, Apr 19, 2005
    #12
  13. Apr 19, 2005
    WRXminion

    WRXminion New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2005
    Messages:
    5
    yea, i'm not to worried about that.... this isn't goin to happen for a while....
     
    WRXminion, Apr 19, 2005
    #13
  14. Apr 19, 2005
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    6,197
    6's are way, way cooler...:D Seriously, a 6 is nothing more than a 5 with 20" added right behind the doors. $150 option back in the day, 150 lbs heavier, a bit of added strength on the frame, but otherwise outfitted the same way.

    Sounds like you'll have the 4WD version of your race car...all the same sensations at 1/3 the speed....;)

    If the springs are original they probably need replacing. Steering will need to be gone through, probably need a rebuilt box, new tie rod ends, rebuilt knuckles. Lots of folks upgrade to saginaw steering and a one-pc tie tod.

    Brakes are 9", and commonly get upgraded to 11" drums or disc.
     
    Boyink, Apr 19, 2005
    #14
New Posts