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‘66 Cj5 Tuxedo Build.

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Brian Carothers, Apr 30, 2020.

  1. Apr 30, 2020
    Brian Carothers

    Brian Carothers Member

    Reno NV
    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2020
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    133
    F0134D56-4CB4-4861-B49F-AB880EB12A1A.jpeg 0185F341-7F19-4665-BEEF-60A4E9EA86A7.jpeg 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.
    E268C9D0-D8AD-484A-A983-204DB92217FF.jpeg
    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.
     
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2020
  2. Apr 30, 2020
    Brian Carothers

    Brian Carothers Member

    Reno NV
    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2020
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    133
    4/25 picking it up in California.

    A great friend and old roommate, Tyler who is a avid land rover guy... 4BDCAFEC-2607-44F7-B6B3-8B493D90AFF7.jpeg
    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..
    6BD605D0-F5B0-4E33-A9DF-45DD2DB2C353.jpeg
    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 7B708D8E-29A3-4852-8034-CDB1DAB20DA5.jpeg
    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.
     
    73 cj5, Glenn, ITLKSEZ and 8 others like this.
  3. Apr 30, 2020
    homersdog

    homersdog Tulsa, Ok 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Tulsa, OK
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    That looks like a great find, congrats! Welcome From Oklahoma!
     
    Brian Carothers likes this.
  4. Apr 30, 2020
    Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I live South of...
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    Very Cool, Welcome from Michigan. Nice Jeep to start with, I like the Tux, too.
     
    Brian Carothers likes this.
  5. Apr 30, 2020
    bigbendhiker

    bigbendhiker Member

    U.S.
    Joined:
    May 26, 2019
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    318
    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.
     
    Brian Carothers likes this.
  6. Apr 30, 2020
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

    Big Island on...
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    That’s awesome! Having a turn key drivable vintage Jeep is a great way to start. And you got a Tuxedo Park ! Cheers :beer:
     
    65seejayfive and Brian Carothers like this.
  7. Apr 30, 2020
    Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    cordele, Ga.
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    Welcome from Ga.
     
    Brian Carothers likes this.
  8. Apr 30, 2020
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    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!
     
    ojgrsoi and Brian Carothers like this.
  9. Apr 30, 2020
    truckee4x4

    truckee4x4 Grant Kaye 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Truckee CA
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    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!
     
  10. Apr 30, 2020
    Brian Carothers

    Brian Carothers Member

    Reno NV
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  11. Apr 30, 2020
    Timber Cruiser

    Timber Cruiser Member

    Oregon
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    Awesome Jeep! Welcome from Oregon! That Civil Air Patrol Crest on the door is epic. Any chance you have a close up of it?
     
    Brian Carothers likes this.
  12. Apr 30, 2020
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

    Big Island on...
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    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 :)(y)
     
    Brian Carothers likes this.
  13. Apr 30, 2020
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

    Big Island on...
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    Just noticed your Tux still has the button snaps for the wheelhouse seat cushions. Awesome!
     
    Brian Carothers likes this.
  14. Apr 30, 2020
    Brian Carothers

    Brian Carothers Member

    Reno NV
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    And I have the cushions. Took them out when we power washed the Jeep.
     
    Beach66Bum likes this.
  15. Apr 30, 2020
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

    Big Island on...
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    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.
     
    Brian Carothers likes this.
  16. Apr 30, 2020
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    CJ6cushions.jpg

    Huh. I have a pair of those. I had no idea they were scarce/desirable.
     
  17. Apr 30, 2020
    Jeff Bromberger

    Jeff Bromberger Quarantined in the Garage

    Dallas Metroplex...
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    Congrats on your find. She looks awesome.

    The Postal Jeep committee welcomes you aboard!
     
    ojgrsoi and Brian Carothers like this.
  18. Apr 30, 2020
    AKjeff

    AKjeff Member

    Carson Valley, NV
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    Oct 1, 2017
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    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!
     
    Brian Carothers likes this.
  19. Apr 30, 2020
    Brian Carothers

    Brian Carothers Member

    Reno NV
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    Apr 26, 2020
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    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.
    4BBA0B69-E140-456D-B879-08AFA132DD18.jpeg
     
  20. Apr 30, 2020
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

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

    That’s quite a time capsule.

    Welcome!
     
    Brian Carothers likes this.
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