Restoration questions

[Greywalker83]

Hey there everyone. I've got some questions and was hoping y'all might be able to help. I've recently acquired a 1951 Willy's jeep that belonged to my grandfather. It has been sitting in an open garage since the late '80s. It's in pretty good shape as far as I can tell and while there is rust it doesn't seem as though it's anything more than surface rust. I'd like to restore it to as close to new condition as I can but need advice before starting. First of all is it better to keep everything original or better to update some parts like the engine, brakes, shocks etc? If it's going to be best to put in a more modern engine what are some options to look into? How can I find the out the serial number (the plate was removed from the engine compartment a long time ago)? Where's the best place to look to find the original color? The jeep is red but I've seen some spots that look black, some blue and the inside of the storage under the passenger seat is all green. Thanks guys, sorry if these seem like basic questions but I've got no clue about any of this but I didn't want to see this old jeep get scrapped.

 

[MrPolecat]

I don't really know what I am talking about (and I'm not an experienced Jeeper either, more of an old/junk motorcycle guy), but I think it really all comes down to what you want and what your budget is. If you swap in a more powerful engine, I anticipate you'd have to upgrade a bunch of other stuff, too, to be able to deal with the added power/speed, and it'll get mighty expensive.

Personally, I like to keep old stuff stock, but if you've never driven something with drums in the front, well.... They don't exactly stop on a dime. And you only get one good stop out of them until they cool down again. Gotta drive a little more conservatively, or dump a bunch of money into discs.

If it's in as good a shape as you say, well me I'd keep it reasonably stock and get a cheap very-used YJ or later CJ7 or a Cherokee or something if I wanted something to trick out for some kind of extreme wheeling to roll over and tear up and hydrolock in the river and stuff.

But it's your jeep. Do whatever you want with it.

 

[Greywalker83]

Well I don't want to go extreme with it by any means. I was thinking of upgrading more for safety sakes. That and from what I've been told the stock engine ran on leaded gas so I'd either need to use an additive each time I fill up or convert the engine somehow and I figured at that point I might as well just put in something new. But that's why I'm here to learn.

 

[MrPolecat]

I put a little 2-stroke oil in the gas of my old bikes that have soft valve seats. Have been with the Jeep, too, though I read that the Hurricane doesn't really need it. Don't know about the L134 "Go Devil" . There are probably threads on here about it. Seems to make the gas last longer when they sit for a long time, too. The 2-banger oil I mean.

Like I said, I don't really know what I am doing, but I think the main thing you have to worry about with old stuff is ethanol. It eats up rubber gaskets in the fuel system. Gotta either find a station that sells it without, or rebuild the carb and fuel pump with Viton gaskets and fuel lines that will stand up the the alcohol.

 

[mstar]

Great project either way you go. Can you post some pics of what your working on.We love pictures here. If you go stock and do a few safety upgrades this is a no harm no foul type of thing with most jeep guys . Good luck, mike

 

[GARGOYLEJEEPER]

If you are all original there is a tag on the frame, drivers side front frame rail, near the front bumper, on the outside. Another set of numbers on the tub on the front support to the frame and matching numbers on the tailgate passenger side on the side. All should match what is on the title (if all original).
To restore means fixing what you have to new condition. If your Grandfather is still alive he would love to see it back in original form, I know from experience. More than likely it was green, if you put a newer engine in you will break parts with the stock drive train, so then you have to up grade it also, Dauntless Buick 225 V6 was the first good engine Jeep used, as for unleaded your engine will run on anything. Most of my customers either fixed the brakes or put 11" off a newer CJ5 that has e-brake, and removed the drum on the Transfer Case . Get new shocks (original type), tires, belts, hoses, etc.. all that is part of a restoration & I would fix what you have.
My 1948 CJ2a was modded, then I modded it and now am having a hard time putting it back towards stock, because it will never be original, but a resto-mod, it is not as valuable. All my three numbers are now different since I was rear ended and broke the frame & body, wishing I would of repaired instead of replaced.
Get it running and do everything in stages so it is always running and you don`t loose interest or a frame off where you tare it all apart if you can afford it.
I hope I helped and this is not to long.

 

[Tsblue83]

Thanks for letting me know. I figured it would be best to stick with original on the restoration. At least as much so as possible. I'll see if I can find the numbers on it. I can post pics later as well. It's currently not running and just sitting in my garage. Also in case anyone noticed I'm posting under a different name. I tried logging in and couldn't. I'm not sure why but I tried the reset password option a few times but never got the email to reset it. I checked my spam folders too and nothing and I was going to try to email the forums for help but when I clicked on the link it said the email was disabled by the moderators. So I made another account. If anyone can help me fix that that would be great.