Thought I would finally post a few pictures of the old 55 to offer some encouragement to anybody else restoring one. It has taken two years to get to this point and I almost gave up on it.
I found it locally much to my amazement and it was the typical situation of a PO that had a lot of great ideas that didn't exactly work out. Of course a lot of parts had been removed and were in boxes which was a real challenge since I had never seen a 55 before. When I took the transmission hump off, you couldn't even tell where the engine, transmission, transfer case started or stopped. It was one solid block of mud with a few linkages sticking out. I had bitten off more than I had originally planned.
This vehicle has had at least 4 owners before me and no one did much to help it mechanically. I do have to say that I was very lucky when it came to the body and frame. Almost no rust. There were a few spots that needed cleaned up but no repairs. Eventually I gave up trying to make things work and simply tore it all apart. Frame over here, body over there, wiring harness in the corner and hundreds of parts everywhere else. Everything covered in mud, grease, or 40 years of dust.
Everything was cleaned, sanded or sandblasted, primed and painted. Even soda blasted the insides of the doors to get everything clean. Couldn't afford to get a "professional" painter involved because I knew what it was going to cost to get it running again. I did it all in the backyard myself. Used Kirker acrylic enamel and I am very happy with how it turned out. Some people may not like Kirker because it is cheaper but it really worked well for me and the end result looks good. Since I was doing it, everything got painted. Even behind the dash.
Mechanically, the vehicle was a nightmare. I honestly believe all of the brake cylinders were the originals. There was no saving any of them. Somebody had changed the oil seals on the pinions but didn't bother getting the pre-load right so the shims were shredded with little bits hanging out of the bearings in the rear differential. Yep, new bearing. Clutch cylinder, clutch master, brake master, you name it, it was worn out. It did get lucky with the engine cylinders though. They looked great and didn't need a thing.
Once I got it rolling again I was so disgusted with it that it got parked for a few months while I thought about selling it. Originally I had wanted to go diesel with a 5 speed. Also wanted to go back to the rims with hubcaps. My budget had been completely blown so all of that was out the window. I finally realized I needed to be happy with what I had. A rock solid vehicle that I can easily get another 40 years out of. You can't buy that these days. Keeping it was the right choice and every time I get it out it seems to do even better as things settle back in place. Might not be the fastest thing on the road but it's going to still be on the road long after this modern stuff is in the scrap yard.
Anyway, that's my story and hopefully it encourages somebody to keep at it and not give. Also a big thanks to everybody on MUD. Not sure I could have done it without all the info post on the forum. In fact I know I couldn't have done it.
I found it locally much to my amazement and it was the typical situation of a PO that had a lot of great ideas that didn't exactly work out. Of course a lot of parts had been removed and were in boxes which was a real challenge since I had never seen a 55 before. When I took the transmission hump off, you couldn't even tell where the engine, transmission, transfer case started or stopped. It was one solid block of mud with a few linkages sticking out. I had bitten off more than I had originally planned.
This vehicle has had at least 4 owners before me and no one did much to help it mechanically. I do have to say that I was very lucky when it came to the body and frame. Almost no rust. There were a few spots that needed cleaned up but no repairs. Eventually I gave up trying to make things work and simply tore it all apart. Frame over here, body over there, wiring harness in the corner and hundreds of parts everywhere else. Everything covered in mud, grease, or 40 years of dust.
Everything was cleaned, sanded or sandblasted, primed and painted. Even soda blasted the insides of the doors to get everything clean. Couldn't afford to get a "professional" painter involved because I knew what it was going to cost to get it running again. I did it all in the backyard myself. Used Kirker acrylic enamel and I am very happy with how it turned out. Some people may not like Kirker because it is cheaper but it really worked well for me and the end result looks good. Since I was doing it, everything got painted. Even behind the dash.
Mechanically, the vehicle was a nightmare. I honestly believe all of the brake cylinders were the originals. There was no saving any of them. Somebody had changed the oil seals on the pinions but didn't bother getting the pre-load right so the shims were shredded with little bits hanging out of the bearings in the rear differential. Yep, new bearing. Clutch cylinder, clutch master, brake master, you name it, it was worn out. It did get lucky with the engine cylinders though. They looked great and didn't need a thing.
Once I got it rolling again I was so disgusted with it that it got parked for a few months while I thought about selling it. Originally I had wanted to go diesel with a 5 speed. Also wanted to go back to the rims with hubcaps. My budget had been completely blown so all of that was out the window. I finally realized I needed to be happy with what I had. A rock solid vehicle that I can easily get another 40 years out of. You can't buy that these days. Keeping it was the right choice and every time I get it out it seems to do even better as things settle back in place. Might not be the fastest thing on the road but it's going to still be on the road long after this modern stuff is in the scrap yard.
Anyway, that's my story and hopefully it encourages somebody to keep at it and not give. Also a big thanks to everybody on MUD. Not sure I could have done it without all the info post on the forum. In fact I know I couldn't have done it.
So purdy. I'm actually going to steal your pictures onto my computer for referance when I'm trying to figure out what things should look like that mine don't anymore! ha ha. Very awesome job, thank you for sharing.
It's an early 72.
