1955: CJ5 Jeep

1955 Jeep CJ Description:

I purchased this jeep ten years ago from a gentleman in Colorado that built this rock climber. I completely had the body redone to match my alma mater. I have only driven this vehicle less than 200 miles. It has been stored in a garage. I need to sell it because I have had six back surgeries in one year, and it is hard for me to get in and out of this jeep to drive.
Listed below is the story of the jeep and all additional information as told by the gentleman I bought it from:
I managed to spend just over $18000. I started off with a 1955 CJ5, the first year of the round fenders. The body had just been done by an accomplished body man, great because I don't do bodywork. I bought a frame from a 71 CJ5, removed all the suspension hangars, clutch linkage and motor mounts. The frame was then sandblasted, boxed in areas and painted with POR15 paint. I stayed with leaf springs, and decided to do a spring over with a reverse shackle. I made suspension hangers that are attached to the side of the frame, not the bottom. This was done to greatly improve stability. To increase stability even more, I used Dana 44 rear end from a Grand Wagoneer, (6 inches wider than the stock CJ5 differential). For the front I used a sidetrack Dana 30 from an 86 CJ.
The drive train, I grew up in the 60s and 70s, I cut my teeth on a V8 and I just love the sound and stupid power. I wanted fuel injection, no more running the carbureted engine at 2000 rpms tp keep it from dying at high elevation or at an angle. I found a 5.3 V8 2nd generation Chevrolet Vortec engine from a 2000 Silverado with 32200 miles on it. I also managed to keep the alternator and powersteering pump on the serpentine belt. I purchased a reprogrammed computer and wiring harness from Howell. The computer was reprogrammed to run the engine on it's own with no input from the transmission or speed sensors. The O2 sensors were installed into the headers to complete the closed maintenance free system. The computer sits in the glove box away from heat and water.
The engine is rated at 295hp from the factory, plus the gain from advance adapter ceramic headers and air intake. The cooling is from a Ron Davis Racing aluminum radiator with flex-lite dual electric fans run by a pro comp yellow top battery.
The transmission is T18 from a 2 wheel drive 1979 Ford F150. It has a 1st gear ratio of 6.32 to one, this gives you a crawl ratio of 6.32 X 2.46 X 4.27= 66.38 to one, awesome in the rocks! The transmission and transfer case were rebuilt and attached with advance adapters pieces. I used a model 18 transfer case to use the power take off port for a 25% reduction Warn/Saturn overdrive. This puts the engine around 2200 rpms at 70 MPH. I get around 20-22 mpg on the highway, probably because the Jeep is so light.
The differentials, I love what lockers do on the trail. But to keep the manners on the road acceptable, I chose to use selectable lockers, Ox lockers for the front and rear. You can engage these front and or rear and use at any speed, (helpful in the sand). I used disk brakes front and rear, because I don't always make it up what I pointed at, its nice to have good brakes coming back down too. The winch helps here sometimes!
The interior has all new seats, a fully padded roll cage, Autometer gauges, a Cadilac steering columne that tilts and telescopes. The steering is all new including a novice steering shaft, a brand new power steering box for a Grand Wagoneer, even new tie rods and tie ros ends. The clutch and brake pedals and all linkage was replaced with new parts using a 1983 CJ. I have bought most interior comforts such as sun shades, dash pads and a dome light.
Most everything is new, or rebuilt. Please look at the list of items/improvements to see the additional work accomplished. I did most of the work, but I let professionals do the welding, and rebuilding of the drive train. I know what back lash is, just don't know how to set it.
Basically it's a Jeep. The gas gauge has stopped working 6 months ago. (The float became disconnected.) The autometer alt gauge does not work. Its a Jeep and will mark where its been. (I use synthetic gear lube you could reconnect the transmission and transfer case if you want it to stop completely.) I also have soft top with doors but no snaps in body since the body was redone.
Here is a list of what the Jeep has,
1955 Jeep CJ5
1955 BODY, 1979 Chevrolet Artic white, HerculinerAluminum rocker and corner guards, entry guardsStainless grill cover, 1953 Buick exhaust ports Seats, Front, Pro Comp black buckets Rear, Pro Comp black fold and tumble rear seat Seatbelts, 2-Point racingCJ Flares, 1976 CJ Mirrors, 1974 CJ driver and passenger Side steps, 1978 CJ License Plate holder, 2000 TJ Lights, Rear, brake/turn signal 2000 TJ Front turn signal, 1971 CJ
PERFORMANCE
Engine, 2000 Chevrolet Vortec 5.3Howell computer and wire harness Advance Adapter ceramic headersMagna flow, 11"oval mufflersK&N Air filter Ron Davis Racing aluminum radiatorRadiator reservoir, 1982
Flex-Lite dual electric cooling fans Battery, Pro Comp yellow top deep cycleGas Tank/skid plate, 15 gallon 1983 CJ Acell electric fuel pumpAluminum and stainless gas line
Transmission, Ford T- 18 6.32/1Frame, 1971 CJ,sandblasted, POR15 paint Full rollcage, padded, chicken bars for rear Dash, 1955 CJ with 1974 CJ dashpad Speedometer, 1974 CJ Gauges, Autometer, Oil/Temp/Alt Tachometer, Autometer Chicken bar, 1984 CJ Laredo Plastic repo glove box, holds engine computer Steering, power Cadillac 1982 steering column, tilt & telescoping Steering box, 1984 CJ Power steering pump, 2000 Chevrolet Steering brace Steering spacer/adapter, 1972 Jeep Commando Novack lower steering shaft Brakes, master cylinder, 1982 CJ Delco line lock/adjuster for rear brakes Windshield, 1975 CJ, (electric wipers on bottom) Sun shades, 1975 CJ Bumpers, Front, 1984 CJ Laredo Smitty-Bilt grill guard Pro Comp 12000 lbs hooks Rear, Genuine Steel with receiver, d-rings Tire Carrier, Valley Industries solid mount Winch, 8000 lbs Mile Marker electric 1/4 inch plate mount Roller fairlead
Center-Force Clutch 1974 CJ Clutch/brake pedal hanger Transfer Case, Dana/spicer model 18Warn/Saturn overdrive, 25% reductionDifferentials,Front, Dana 30 sidetrack, 1986 CJ Disk brakes, stainless lines Ox locker 4.27 ratio Genuine Gears Pro Comp steering stabilizer Rear, Dana 44, 1979 WagoneerDisk brakes, stainless lines Ox Locker4.27 ratio Genuine gears
Tires, wheels 35 X 12,50 15 Pro Comp All-Terrains 15 X 8, Aluminum Outlaws
Suspension, Outboard, hangars on side of frame Reverse shackle Springover Skyjacker springs, 4.0 " lift Pro Comp 3000 shocks Storage, Ammo boxes in rear fenderwells