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Dutch '73 Cj5 Restoration

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by Sander, Jul 4, 2017.

  1. Jul 4, 2017
    Sander

    Sander New Member

    the Netherlands
    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2011
    Messages:
    9
    Hello,

    My name is Sander and I'm from the Netherlands. A few may have seen my introduction in the introduction page were I shared a few pictures of the cj5 restoration my dad and I are doing. Now it is time to start a thread about the (slow) progress of the restoration.

    Now time for some background on our previous and current Jeeps. Back in the early 90's my dad bought a M38a1 released by the Dutch army. The Jeep addiction started when I was around two years old and considered old enough to join my dad on Jeep adventures.

    The M38a1 got sold in the late 90's in favor of a 1985 Land Rover 90, because it was more suitable to drive every day. Then in 2004 the 90 got traded in for a 1998 Land Rover 130 because the whole family would fit in it. And finally in 2008 (or 2009, I can't remember) the Jeep cj5 came along.

    This particular CJ5 was originally one example of a fleet of Jeeps ordered by the police force of Kuwait. For about 10 years the Jeep was used very hard, when we got it had a lot of stress cracks around the entire body. Around 1987 that whole fleet of Jeeps was imported from Kuwait to the Netherlands. Most of these Jeeps were restored to their former glory. Several attempts were made to restore our Jeep. By past owners a new frame was bought because the old one was rotted beyond repair.

    The Jeep remained unrestored till we got around 2008/2009. When we got the Jeep it was still looking like it came directly from the desert. The engine and transmission were strapped in the back with several other parts. All body panels were beat but fairly rust free due the dry desert climate.

    At first glance the Jeep looked pretty complete. But over the years with growing Jeep restoration experience, we now have the impression that it was more likely a basket case with only value its body, axles and transmission.

    We also got to know the intermediate cj5's and their unobtanium of parts in the Netherlands. But over the years we almost succeeded in finding every missing part of the Jeep.
    So time for some pictures:

    [​IMG]
    Here it is on the trailer with the Land Rover 130.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    These are all pictures when we picked the Jeep up. The Jeep originally has a AMC 232, T14/Dana20 and Dana 30 and 44 axles with 4.27 gears. The original AMC 232 was full with desert sand, so it was repowered with another AMC 232 from a 1969 Jeep Gladiator fire truck, which turned out to be not that straightforward swap.

    At the moment the Jeep runs and drives strong with only the electrical work needing to be done. Also it still needs a title for final registration.
    Below how the Jeep looked 6 months back.
    [​IMG]

    In the following days I will post the pictures from then to now.

    Regards, Sander
     
    Bowbender, sterlclan and 1957Willys like this.
  2. Jul 5, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2014
    Messages:
    7,540
    Wow... That's a lot of grease and sand. Looks like you have a good handle on things.

    Thanks for sharing.
     
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