1956 CJ5 Build

**Ia2003** · 01-05-2012, 06:01 PM

So I finally have a rolling chassis! Additionally, I installed the rubber brake hoses on the front wheel cylinders. I am struggling with the steel brake lines this weekend.

**Ia2003** · 01-06-2012, 11:16 PM

I installed the brake lines today. Having never bent and flared brake lines before, it was a lot of trial and error. I had to rip out the front brake lines and start over after I realized my flares were not perfect, causing massive leaks at the fittings. So the brakes finally work. It may not be pretty, but it was my first attempt.

**Ia2003** · 01-08-2012, 08:36 PM

Made progress with the installation of steering components today. The only remaining steering items to install are the steering box and shaft. Also started installing clutch items. The engine is being rebuilt right now. I estimate I will drop the engine and transmission back into the frame by early to mid February.

**Ia2003** · 01-16-2012, 05:19 PM

Front Bumper installed. Rear bumper is next.

**Ia2003** · 01-28-2012, 07:25 PM

I finally removed the engine from the garage and loaded it up into my truck. I dropped it off at the machine shop for the rebuild. I should get it back in about three weeks.

**Ia2003** · 01-28-2012, 07:31 PM

I painted the shocks and steering stabilizer orange with POR-15's Hard Nose paint to match the engine/transmission.

**jasonc** · 01-30-2012, 12:08 AM

Nice, very nice:)

**Ia2003** · 02-04-2012, 03:57 PM

I installed the rear crossmember today. It still needs a final coat of POR-15. I bolted on the steering box in preparation to install the steering column this week. Also, I bled the brakes and they work perfectly. Still waiting on the engine to come back from the machine shop.

**Ia2003** · 02-04-2012, 04:02 PM

Also, I removed the old glass, weather seals, and wiper motor from the windshield frame.

**Ia2003** · 02-05-2012, 08:15 PM

New steering column and worm gear installed. Will finish up the steering box tomorrow.

**Ia2003** · 02-06-2012, 08:46 PM

I completed the steering installation today. Getting the 22 ball bearings into the Ross steering box was an absolutely miserable task. It took about 2 hours of trial and error before I finally got it right. The upside is that now the steering is tighter than ever before, with no slop at all.

**Ia2003** · 02-26-2012, 09:06 PM

Additional photos. Engine rebuild will be complete this week. Pictures to follow.

**duckkillerclyde** · 03-01-2012, 01:52 AM

really nice job so far.

**56cj5** · 03-01-2012, 02:00 AM

Man that looks great. I wish I had the time and cash flow for my 56. Mine is a few steps behind yours but has been at a stand still for a couple years

**Ia2003** · 03-01-2012, 07:15 AM

Thanks guys. Its been 5 months since i started the disassembly. I wish i had more time to work on it. I get an odd weekend here and there. Progress has been slow recently. I have been waiting over a month for the machine shop to finish work on the engine, but we should see major progress quickly once i get the engine back on saturday.

**Ia2003** · 03-03-2012, 10:50 AM

F Head engine finally rebuilt! Will be spending the weekend attaching clutch, bell housing and transmission. Cylinders were rebored and all the guts replaced. Its as good as new.

**Ia2003** · 03-03-2012, 07:53 PM

So I installed the fly wheel and attempted to drop the engine into the frame. However, the engine mounts no longer line up. What's up with that. It seems the engine mount on the drivers side is now too narrow to line up. How could they have moved? Any solutions for this? Thanks in advance.

-Ian