Crazy??

[Niedhogg]

Well I think I'm losing my mind, I have not only taken on my first CJ Jeep build ever (see signature), I am now going to go look at a 1959 CJ5 with an original snow plow. It runs, drives, plows snow, but needs brakes. So I ask how's the body and he says it's been patched together and it really could use a new body, which I kinda figured, but he says the frame is solid and from what I've read they do have a pretty heavy duty frame. My research also says this should have the hurricane 4 engine and a four speed. The pictures look like it has the single stick Transfer Case and my research also says that some of these have the mechanical lockers front and rear. So, what should I look at and have concerns with on the Jeep when I go look at it tomorrow night? Will the lockers be a cable engaged type of locker and be slap in the face obvious? I'm hoping that since it has the plow, this was an option the original owner chose, and will the plow be an engine driven hydraulic set up? That would be pretty cool. it doesn't look like it ever had a hard top, and the soft top bows are still on this Jeep with a make shift top attatched... are originals or repops available, and I guess that should follow with engine parts and driveline parts still available as well?

What can I say? My wife told me to buy a snow plow...

 

[Sasquach]

A 59 CJ will NOT have a heavy frame but rather a light weight open channel construction frame that is quite flimsey.the 4 speed will be if you count reverse as a gear. Oh, and all 59's will need brakes, the have a single reservoir system with rather small drum brakes at all corners and are known for there lack of braking. Mechanicaly operated lockers? no but maybe an automatic trac lock type. As far as I know early Jeeps were offered with many options but all were installed on the basic chassis.
Does all the above mean it won't be cool? heck no, you may have struck gold my freind.

 

[Niedhogg]

Thanks Sasquach, I'll be looking it over pretty well then. Now I could swear that the 4 speeds were an option? but I may have misunderstood the information, they were talking about all the models over a 3 yr range of production.. I wonder too, if it could have PTO.. it looks like there may be a red knob mounted about center under the dash panel, and with the original plow still mounted it made me wonder about the type of pump drive. Just a really cool Jeep any way you look at it. It has a pretty cool spotlight mounted through the windshield frame, and I really hope the engine is complete with the oil bath air cleaner and maybe the glass bowl sediment filter.. pretty excited!

 

[Niedhogg]

Well if someone in the Buffalo are needs some Willys parts, I didn't buy it, and the guy would probably take 400 bucks. 59 CJ5 , original dealer mounted plow w/Willys engine drive hydro pump, hurricane 4 all original, it does run, twin stick Transfer Case , and the body is shot. Has the overhead vacuum wipers too. Frame didn't seem too bad either. Wasn't for me, though, so on to the next big adventure.