Gauge And Switch Questions

What's the problem with the radiator?

 

No problems to my knowledge. The previous owner said he was going to get a bigger radiator for it. I'm not sure if he wanted to do desert trips, or if there is a cooling problem. Either way, I'd like to do some desert driving, offroading, and camping eventually, and a better radiator would be peace of mind at the very least. There is a good leak at the thermostat housing, so I'll be dumping the coolant anyways. I might just go ahead and throw in a heater core and new radiator while I'm at it, and get it all done on one coolant change.

 

I'm unsure what "better" would be, or why you'd think the current one is inadequate. Newer is not better these days, in many products.

I'm on my third radiator for my 1988 YJ, whereas my 1950's units are still going strong.


I admittedly have a strong personal bias for the older copper and brass OEM units, which I feel were much heavier and better quality than modern offerings, and substantial enough be repaired as necessary.

 

I'm an ignorant teenager, so when I see shiny I think performance.

 

No 12v conversions on yours. Jeeps went to 12v in the 1957 model year. If stock, you most likely have 3.73 axle gears, though 4.88s were optional. The 4.88 gears were pretty rare (if factory option) in Tuxes. An overdrive really isn’t needed with 3.73 gears, especially with larger tire.
Your body and sheetmetal look very good. Your dash is pretty cluttered, but still has the chrome w/s clamps and chrome perimeter bolts. The chrome glovebox door is not original. The front turn signal lights should be the same as the rear backup lights, only with amber lenses. Your rear tail lights are correct (and look beautiful!), but your backup lights have been added. Your Tux originally had chrome bumpers, front and rear, and you can see where the license light was originally mounted in the center of the tailgate (these both are pretty hard to find).
Your transfer case has been swapped for a twin-stick. Originally, it was a single-stick located high on the right side of the upper floorplate. The power steering is not original, but is a nice upgrade if properly done. That’s an interesting mount for the Saginaw box. The rollbar has been added, but not a bad idea if you’re going to use the Jeep.
You have a nice Tux with some original parts. If you were to restore it back to original, it would have a bit more value over a regular CJ5, and there aren’t many left in this solid of condition. As it is, it’s still a Tux, but doesn’t have any significant added value over a regular Jeep. This lets you figure out what you want to do with your Jeep, kind of a blank slate, which ever direction you go. Don’t toss any of the original trim stuff. Its getting harder to find good Tux parts. Any chance to get your serial number to add to my list?
-Donny

 

First off, thanks for the info on my Jeep. Unfortunately, I don't have the serial number now but I'll get it to you when I get back home this summer. I'm going to be quite careful not to toss out any parts unless I know for sure that they aren't original or rare. I don't have pictures of it, but the welds on the rollbar from the crossbar forward are noticeably worse than the welds on the back half, making me think that the front half was likely added onto a stock-style rollbar. I do need to work on the power steering, as the belt slips quite a bit and there isn't much power assist when I try to turn the wheel while stationary. There is a license plate bracket and light that may fit on the tailgate. I'll look around online and see if I can find you a picture of the same one.

 

The light looks like this chrome one, but on a universal trailer-like bracket.
https://ibb.co/HH2YKRw

 

That photo is the correct light and bracket. The original bracket looks pretty utilitarian, but does have a hinge (snugged by a wingnut) so you can drive with the tailgate in the open position and the plate hanging down.
Thats also the correct rear bumper, but wrong tail lights. You have the correct chrome Hall 701 lights. Your late Tux shouldn’t have the stake pockets on the rear corners, and should have chrome gate chains. The 4wd decal is the wrong version for a Tux, though.
-Donny

 

Clarification: I meant that I have a light that looks like that one but it's on a universal-type bracket, like this: https://ibb.co/PrFV43N

From looking at pictures, it looks like I'm just missing the bumper and what's on the rear currently should be there behind the bumper. Am I correct in saying that?

 

You have a draw bar mounted on the rear now which is very common for the old jeeps, dealer installed. Similar to a tow bar but it has more utilitarian uses in addition to trailer towing. I believe the chrome bumper would be mounted to the rear cross-member of the frame.

 

Here’s what the brackets look like that hold the rear chrome Tux bumper. There’s a few post on here about them, and even a schematic drawing showing measurements on making a repo set.