"Ian's CJ-5 Page "

Kaiser CJ-5 Jeep Universal Restoration Page

Welcome to my web page documenting the ongoing restoration of my 1966 Kaiser CJ-5 Jeep. My intention is to restore this Jeep to as close to stock as possible. The power plant is an F4-134 (Hurricane) with a three-speed gear box and twin-stick transfer case.

These photos were taken the day I towed her home. I thought it might be safer to remove the plywood cab prior to moving the beast to avoid having to pick it up from the side of the road. When I first saw it for sale in a farmer’s field I couldn't figure out which model it was because of the retro fitted grille and hood. This jeep has spent the last 20 years in and around hunt camps in the Ottawa Valley and North Western Ontario. The "tub" (body) was in extremely good shape considering it has weathered many Canadian winters and the drive train appears to have been well maintained. This early CJ-5 was assembled in Canada in April 1966 (originally with a V-6 engine) at the Willys plant in Windsor, Ontario from components manufactured in the Toledo Ohio plant. I have recently found more about one of the previous owner who had installed a V-8 powerplant (replaced with a F-4 134 some time later) and grafted a grille and hood parts from a '60 Jeep wagon on to it about 25 years ago. It was a struggle deciding whether to restore the original style grille or rebuild the cool looking fabrication it had when I bought it, but in the end the stock look won out.

I'm now starting the fifth year with this project & I'm sure those of you that have stopped by this page more than once have wondered if you'll ever see any progress on this old Jeep. To date, the old wheel rims have been painstakingly sand blasted & repainted, the new ND military tires have been mounted (Thanks to Jim Fraser Tires in Arnprior, Ontario). I have finally installed the new dual master brake cylinder and new 11" brake drum kits (to replace the stock & inadequate 9" drums) on both axles. Replacement fenders from a 1967 m38 A-1 have been fitted, the rusted out rear cross-member has been replaced, new shock absorbers, a new heavier front bumper mounted and new seals installed in the transfer-case. As always, many thanks to the countless people I've met, who enjoy a similar interest in these great old vehicles and are always ready to share technical information, experiences or resources for those elusive original replacement parts.

Check back from time to time for progress updates.

Last updated November 8, 2009
effects@ianworks.ca