Build Thread 1960 CJ5 Restore

[CMack]

I bought this CJ5 a number of years ago and have done nothing to it but drive it. The engine runs solid, but the body is a mess. It has sat for about the last three years and this fall I decided to get it back into shape.

The plan is tub off, get rid of the body rust, maybe a new wiring harness depending on what kind of shape that's in, and anything else that needs redone. I'm looking for it to be a three-season cruiser, maybe some light off roading.

Here are the obligatory before pictures:




The floorboards are shot. The back bumper is real ugly. And the PO hacked up the dash for a crappy stereo. But all in all, there is quite a bit to work with.

This is my first attempt at this, so I welcome all comments and advice.

 

[Sasquach]

Yes you have some work ahead of you.
It looks pretty intact for the most part though with the seats and air cleaner being a couple obvious alterations. Does look like you will need to do some sheet metal work for sure but you can buy good replacement pieces were yours cant be saved.
Take lots of pictures as you take things apart and keep groups of parts seperated and labeled, it really helps going back together
it reminds me a lot of my CJ3b , it was in similar condition.

 

[CMack]

Thanks, Sasquatch. The air cleaner has bugged me, but I think the carberator has been changed and is out of place to reach the original air cleaner. Correct or no?

Here's a few more shots. Most of this was done with a 1/2 inch wrench (love Jeeps).

I got that ugly rear bumper off pretty easy. Plan is to replace with something a little less bulky but still with a receiver hitch.


Grill is about ready to come off. There is a leak in the radiator, so that part is headed to the shop.


As I said earlier, the engine is in pretty good shape. I'm a little worried about a rear main seal leak, but we'll see when I get to there. Anything else weird that jumps out at anybody?


Cargo area has some dents, but no rust through.


This is what es me off the most. The PO decided to move the spare tire bracket from the side to the tail gate, and in the process drilled holes through the name plate. In addition, it's cracked all around the bottom of the name plate. I'm gonna have to get my welding chops back before I tackle that one.

 

[0822]

It looks like a great project. I am also doing a 1960 CJ5 and will be more than happy to help out anyway I can.

 

[CMack]

Thanks. I will definitely take you up on the offer!

 

[Sasquach]

Can't see very well but looks like the original oil bath air filter is there behind the carb in your photo, it would be mounted on the pass side firewall and then uses an air horn/boot to the carb. Carb looks stock to me.
the willy's stamp will be an easy fix once you perfect your sheet metal skills on the rest.
after looking at your new engine comp pic, yes the stock filter is there with a rag stuffed in it.lol

 

[0822]

Here's a picture of the correct air horn and hose. This is the one that is on my 1955 but the 1960 has the same thing.

 

[CMack]

So made some progress today.

Got the fenders, gill, radiator, and windshield off.

Started pulling the electrical. Can anyone help me identify the part in the center of this picture? It's on the drivers side of the engine block, way down low. It did have a wire attached to the top of it and the wire went into the harness. Oil sensor?

I got the heater off. Here is the obligatory mouse nest in the heater motor shot.

The gas tank came out and it's in pretty good shape. Although it looks like the fuel line was put in with JB weld.

What is the proper way to fix this?

After the tank came out, the floor pan under it is pretty much entirely shot.

Need help identifying this. It's mounted towards the top of the cowl and has what looks like hose nipples in a 90 degree configuration. Also looks like it had a control cable attached to it somehow.

Coil was hanging by one bold, but i couldn't find another hole anywhere where another one would go.

At the end of the day, I ended here. If I can plink around this week, by next weekend, I should be ready to pull the tub.

 

[Sasquach]

Oil pressure sensor on engine block down low, heater control valve higher on firewall.
I was gona warn you of the floorboard under the gas tank but you found it.
Maybe a new panel here with just the bad portion cut out and replaced? Not seeing what is bad on the tank connection but does not look too horrible, I have a parts tank if needed. I think the coil should be mounted on the engine but not positive.

 

[Saint0416]

Going to be a great project!n Good Luck!!

 

[CMack]

So the tub is off.

I'm guessing this cable is the parking brake? Or is it the speedometer cable? It wasn't connected to anything on the other end.

The frame is in good shape. No big dents or rust. The body on the other hand...

Those holes are mostly for drainage, right?

My guess is that there is supposed to be a shock absorber here?

Here's something odd. This tag is on the dash, but there isn't an Overdrive on this jeep.

My plan for now:

• CLEAN IT. A buddy of mine was in the auto body business. His suggestion was Easy-Off oven cleaner. Let it sit for a day or two, then power wash.
  
• Drain and change all fluids.
  
• Check for oil leaks - Main seal, valve cover, oil pan, valve cover, and replace as need be.
  
• Prep frame and block. Paint frame, block, and valve cover.
  
• Check all u-joints, ball joints, tie rods. Replace as needed.
  
• Check breaks. They work pretty good, but I'll check them just to be sure.

I'm not planning on doing a full frame off, so a lot of this will sit as is.

Tell me anything I am missing or have wrong. ALL comments and advise are welcome.

 

[0822]

Oil pressure sensor on engine block down low, heater control valve higher on firewall.
I was gona warn you of the floorboard under the gas tank but you found it.
Maybe a new panel here with just the bad portion cut out and replaced? Not seeing what is bad on the tank connection but does not look too horrible, I have a parts tank if needed. I think the coil should be mounted on the engine but not positive.

The coil bolts on the side of the engine.

 

[CMack]

The coil bolts on the side of the engine.

Ah yes. Thank you. It looked kind of like a sock hanging on a bed frame.

 

[Sasquach]

In your last picks were you show a missing shock, is that a coil spring I see between the frame and leaf spring.
In the t case pic you should have an e brake cable on the driver side linkage and speedo on the pass side.
The OD would be bolted to the back side of the t case next to the e brake, yep it's not there. Is there a hole in the tub for the linkage in that area? Anyway its a bolt on option.

 

[CMack]

Yes. Yes that is a coil spring. They're on the rear, and there were no shocks on the back. It made my Dad scratch his head too.

Based on what you said, that's a speedo cable. I'll take a few more photos to see if there's an E-brake.

There is a hole in the tub for the OD linkage, but it doesn't look like the back of the Transfer Case was ever taken off for an OD. Quite curious. Thanks for looking.

 

[CMack]

Sasquatch and all,

Here are a couple shots of the rear springs. It is an odd set up with both coil and leaf springs. Any guesses as to why? Detriment? Benefit? Looks cool?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Sasquach]

Trying to get more payload be my guess.

 

[CMack]

I posted these on the PO Engineering thread and that's exactly what Caveman said. Overload springs.

 

[CMack]

I power washed everything today and got the worst of 50 years of oil and muck off everything. It didn't look too bad.

Can someone tell me what the knob thing is to the left of the high-low stick in this picture? It looks like it should be a dipstick, but it's not.

But..... i wasn't going to do a full frame-off, but now it looks like I'll have to. There is just enough surface rust on the frame, so I'll probably sand blast it. . That will add a few months I didn't count on. Oh well.

 

[0822]

I power washed everything today and got the worst of 50 years of oil and muck off everything. It didn't look too bad.

Can someone tell me what the knob thing is to the left of the high-low stick in this picture? It looks like it should be a dipstick, but it's not.

But..... i wasn't going to do a full frame-off, but now it looks like I'll have to. There is just enough surface rust on the frame, so I'll probably sand blast it. . That will add a few months I didn't count on. Oh well.

That knob thing is a vent.