Posted by: Daniel
« on: March 04, 2016, 06:36:00 PM »
Hi all. Just became the proud owner of a 1951 CJ3A, it's an old family friend that has been floating around my family for the last 40 years. My father had a 1949 3A when I was a kid, and we used that Jeep to explore the Gold Country, rediscovering abandoned mines and hidden fishing holes. That little open top with its Go Devil never failed us, and instilled in me a fondness for these little workhorses.
My rust bucket is complete, and was last started in 2011. But rather than just dumping some fresh fuel and a battery in it and cranking it up, I'm choosing a more methodical approach: all fluids replaced including differentials, tranny and transfer case, all new brake components (master and all wheel cylinders and shoes),rebuild carburetor, and a tune up kit plus fresh fuel and oil filters. That and a fresh packing of grease on the wheel bearings oughta get me rolling. The fuel tank may need replacing, maybe just sealing it might work too. But my main goal is to get it going with as many of the original parts as possible, I'm not concerned right now with looks.
My town, Modesto, has a rich history 50s era cars. George Lucas grew up here, and the movie American Graffiti was based on his recollection of life in the Central Valley during the last days of high school. That tradition continues every year the first weekend that school let's out. My goal is to be up and running by then, I believe it's late May this year. I'll post my progress.
The same weekend I brought the CJ home, I also picked up a 1994 Grand Cherokee Limited for a song, had a bad NP249 transfer case, I'm replacing it with a 242. But that's for another forum. Hope I can juggle both projects simultaneously.
Looking forward to picking some brains here.
