1955 Willys CJ5: 51 Years Parked...First Drive

Video Description

We pulled a 1955 Willys CJ-5 out of a Wyoming barn after 51 years parked. In this episode we button up the engine, swap to a 12-volt one-wire alternator, fix a stubborn oil-pressure prime, drop the front clip, chase a radiator leak, tweak the carb, and—if it’ll hold together—drive it to lunch. Along the way we talk CJ-5 vs M38A1 differences, set toe-in, sort the brakes, and rack up our first real miles. It isn’t perfect yet (carb stumble, tiny trans seep), but this little Jeep runs, charges, and cruises. We have a complete build series on this jeep, click on the playlist here, https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbdveHlgP0_Da-5JY7JebYr3T_Ge9-tsq&si=BsJ-SXJFy61Uykmv For early access to add free videos and members only videos be sure to check out our Patreon page. This helps us keep doing what we are doing! patreon.com/CCEQUIP 00:00 Cold open & shop banter 00:15 Project recap — ’55 Willys CJ-5 barn find 00:47 What’s left to finish today 01:24 Parts run & plan (water neck, alternator, misc.) 01:59 Seats, manifolds, distributor & plug-wire routing 02:59 Welding & fab comedy hour 03:45 Flywheel, clutch, and bellhousing setup 05:37 Aligning the clutch (yes, with wood) 06:50 Button-up and engine hoist time 08:46 Transmission mated — dropping the engine in 10:00 First crank attempts (no coolant, just a test) 11:06 Troubleshooting: slow 6-volt starter on 12v 12:27 Fuel up, loose connection found 13:22 First fire! 14:09 No oil pressure scare → priming the pump 15:02 Verified oil pressure — quick run test 16:03 Charging & oil pressure confirmed 16:32 End of Friday push; plan to finish Monday 17:21 Monday — crew back, pedals, wiring, front clip 18:04 Headlights to 12-volt, tidy-up & toe-in 19:44 Front clip set — it’s looking like a Jeep 21:46 Bulbs, detailing, and Pap’s patina magic 22:21 Cooling system filled; radiator gets attention 23:35 Registration from 1973 — history find 24:46 First full warm-up and fan clearance fix 26:13 Cooling leak & quick braze repair 27:42 First yard drive — transmission checks out 29:38 New exhaust & brake adjustment 30:25 Second drive — shifting and smiles 31:59 Fuel stop & shop shenanigans 33:12 Mud hole antics (because why not) 34:08 Road test — hills, lights, and gauges 35:15 10+ miles logged — lunch run success 36:11 Post-drive inspection at the lot 37:30 What’s next: carb rebuild, tiny trans leak, horn switch 38:15 CJ-5 vs M38A1 quick differences 39:22 Final tidy-ups & takeaways 40:03 Subscribe / merch note & series wrap 40:23 Bonus: family drive & closing laughs C&C Equipment stickers and merchandise can be found here https://ccsurplusparts.com/collections/c-c-merchandise Get yourself a pair of Brunt boots like we wear Use code CCE10 at checkout! https://bruntworkwear.com/CCE10 Thanks for watching #Willys #CJ5 #BarnFind #WillItRun #Restoration #OldIron #Jeep Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CandCEquipment/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ccequipment Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@c_cequipment Website https://www.ccsurplus.com/default.htm Email [email protected]