Who Does Restorations?

I just purchased my neighbor's 1974 CJ-5. It is in running condition and could be drive as is but I would really like to bring it back its former glory. I have neither the time (I am looking at a year long "vacation" to the "Big Sand Box"), the equipment, the space, the knowledge, nor the skills to do a complete frame up restoration. Are there any companies out there that does Jeep restoration? I have found several that restores Land Cruisers but noe that do Jeeps. Can someone out there help me?

 

It might help to know where you're located. I think Collins Brothers does them but not sure where you're located. www.collinsbrosjeep.com

 

Right now I am in Colorado but in a year who know where I might be.

 

I smell Military..... Well since these are obviously your first posts, welcome from W. Mi!

Lots of former and a few current military folks on the board. At least one future... (I'm in Air Force ROTC, will be commissioning in April).

As for restorations, you might find someone that can do it, but just my $0.02 is you could still do it yourself. The great things about Jeeps is they are simple, and a terrific way to learn. Me, I knew diddly-jack about restorations before I started, but I wanted to learn and this is about the best way to do it. I'm pretty early on in mine (see avatar), but I'm already learning a ton. If it doesn't have to be done anytime soon, you'll be much money ahead, and have a lot more fun, doing it yourself.

That being said, if you've got more money than time, I'd start asking around local body shops. They probably won't do it, but these are car guys, they'll probably know someone in the area you can talk to.

 

Isn't there a place around Colorado Springs, CO. Mile high something or other. I will be at Fort Carson, CO in January. Extremely Giddy about the move. Where in CO you at?

 

Actually I live in Colorado Springs. Will be heading down to Fort Cartoon in about two months. After 4 years of active duty (FA) I bought the line of one weekend a month and two weeks during the summer. Almost made it to retirement. Got notified that I will be called up for active duty. Now what are they going to do with a over the hill Major. Beside that they won't let me take my 1911 with me. Now that does pi$$ me off.

 

http://www.milehighjeeprebuilders.com/

These guys might be the ticket for you.

 

first one I thought of

 

Seeing as how you're not planning on doing any of the work yourself, you may save yourself a bunch of money by buying a Jeep that someone else has already done all the work to as opposed to buying all the parts and paying the labor to restore the one you've got. I see some pretty nice Jeeps advertised for sale in the 6K to 8K range that people have receipts that total two to three times that amount. A buddy of mine just bought one for 8K which was just recently done and the guy he bought it from had receipts for over 25K spent over the last year.

If this Jeep has no sentimenal value to you, it may be an option as you may be able to sell for what you paid and apply the money toward a completed one.

Just a thought.