Build Thread Heathicus's 1956 CJ5

[Heathicus]

I guess this is the start of my build thread. A little background... My grandfather bought this CJ5 brand new in 1956. I still have the 1956 title he was issued. My grandmother was a teacher and she used it to get herself, my dad, and my aunt to school. The roads through the hills weren't so great back then (still aren't!) and the 4-wheel drive was frequently needed just to get to school. My dad and aunt both learned to drive in this Jeep. Grandpa used it around the ranch and cutting trails through the woods, etc. Somewhere in the late 70s or early 80s, the front springs broke and it was left in the pasture. Grandpa cranked it up from time to time, but eventually stopped. It sat there until the mid 90s when my dad got it with the intention of getting it going again. He replaced the broken springs, but didn't do anything else to it. It's been sitting in the corner of his shop ever since. Several years ago he told me it was mine. I had no intention of doing anything other than looking at it and appreciating it just how it is... until now. Now I've got the itch to bring this thing back to life.

I'm not planning a "like new" restoration. I just want a "like it was in the 70s" rejuvenation.











All I've done so far is research research research. I think I've watched every Jeep restoration video on YouTube. I've bought some books and ordered a carb rebuilt kit from Kaiser Willys. I've been studying diagrams. I'm picking up a Mig welder tomorrow so I can start learning to weld. It's going to be a lot of work, but I'm anxious to start making progress!

My Google Photos album: (Link)-> 1956 Jeep CJ5 · Sep 4 – 25 -<

 

[TSB8C]

Looks like your new MIG welder is going to get quite a workout.

 

[Belizean]

Good story

 

[EatenByLimestone]

That’s got some family history! Make more generations of memories!

 

[Heathicus]

The front passenger fender got banged up and the windshield was busted when dad rolled it as a teenager. He was driving too fast in the hills and rolled it over on its side. Once grandpa stopped being mad at him, they used the tractor to roll it back on its wheels, checked all the fluids, cranked it up and drove it home!

There's a pretty big creek that cuts through the family land. About 20-30 ft high steep banks, up to 200 ft wide (across the top of the banks) in places. Grandpa used the jeep to cross it. He'd use the PTO winch to lower the jeep backwards down one bank, drive across, then winch it up the next bank!

 

[Belizean]

I can imagine the old boy worked up some.

 

[jzak]

I think you've cornered the global market on Jacks buddy.