My Willys 3A and 3B Community
Your Projects => Your CJ-3A Project => Your Modified 3A Project => Topic started by: Avila51Willys on November 20, 2017, 11:16:03 AM
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These are the first photos and what I plan on turning back into a useable road-worthy CJ3A. I pick it up in about a month. I am looking forward to the challenge.
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Wow. The sheet metal looks to be in very nice condition.
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I don't know. To be honest, I think it looks daunting. But, I told my grandfather I was going to resurrect it and paint it Grabber Green. He always had his vehicles painted green.
I don't think it has any bad rust since it has been in the San Joaquin valley for most of it's life span. Spent the last few years with my dad in Arizona. So, I think the rust will be mostly surface.
I just bought an engine to at least get it running. A Chevy 283 small block. That was what was in it. My dad and uncle did some modifications on it back in the early 60s. My dad put on the bumpers and the roll bar. He says my uncle changed out the engine and transmission. I think he is reminiscing as I take on this project.
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Looks like a good place to start. Take lots of pictures of the project. Label the parts and nuts & bolts that go to gather.
Show us us progress.
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Is Kaiser Willys the best place to order parts from? I get my CJ3a in about 10 days but it needs a gas tank. Thanks!
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I have had good luck with Ron Fitzpatrick Jeep Parts.
Best, sure covers lots of areas. They have the parts and shipping from Oregon to Wyoming was quick.
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Great, I'll take a look. Thanks!
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Walcks is a usual go-to source for a lot of the guys here but shipping from Pa can sometimes take a while to the western guys. Same with KW shipping from SC. For certain things, sometimes you'll find a closer vendor (and maybe cheaper) by searching ebay and even Amazon. Worth a shot. For a lot of wear parts, Rock Auto can't be beat on price and they warehouse around the country.
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Thanks! I ordered a lot of stuff. I'm looking forward to putting this beast together. I'll post some pics with the engine in now.
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So, I picked up my 1951 Willy's from my dad's place. Apparently, at some point it had an abundance of modifications. I was not looking at doing a pure rebuild and thank goodness for that. This is what it appears I have inherited:
1. 1984 AMC 20 axles (which the left rear shows signs that one was once broke and the rebuild was shoddy). So, I have new bearings and seals in the machine shop for pressing and replacing.
2. 1984 CJ7 power steering gear. But, the pump is out of a 1985 Chevy truck.
3. Steering column is a tilt wheel out of a 1984 CJ7.
4. Transmission is 1960 Chevy (T10) 4-speed manual. Built by Borg Warner.
5. Standard manual disc brakes from 1984 CJ7. Bendix front caliper.
6. Alternator is 1985 Chevy pick up. 68 amp.
7. Chevy small block 283 from 1960 Chevy C10.
8. Clutch is 10 1/2 inch. Hydraulic clutch assembly from 1960 Ford F100.
I have been shaking down my brother and my dad to find out the nomenclature of the modifications that they made along the way.
Immediate concerns: brakes, axle leak, figuring out the gear ratio, crank shaft pulley, drive shaft no longer fits, new transfer case (T20).
Parts I recently got/ordered: passenger seat, gas tank and associated parts, battery, windshield brackets and thumb bolts, AMC bearing and seal, wheel cylinders, brake shoes.
I have a lead on a rear seat and a T20 transfer case.
Wish me luck.
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Some pictures:
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More pics:
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If anybody has a good transfer case (T20) within 100 miles of San Diego. I would be interested in it. Border Parts has one, but it looks pretty well used. Although, they do warranty their parts for a year.
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Making progress.
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Making progress.
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Look what I found while busting rust.
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The original 4 wheel drive stencil.
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Started Willys today. First time in 20 or so years. Leaking from the oil filter and need a new radiator cap. Still excited though!
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My dad and I got it running.
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My husband is watching in disbelief because this is a Willys in name only. It is truly a Frankenstein of parts and fabrication. My husband has a 1973 Mach 1 Mustang, and while it has some after market parts, it's pretty pure.
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It's a family affair. My daughter is busting rust on the original drivers seat.
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Some more pictures: alternator, radiator, and rust-busted grill, hood, and tailgate. Brakes are complete. The axle has been repaired. The radiator has been mounted (needs to be welded in the future) with bolts. The power steering high pressure hose was a pain. Thanks to the local Napa, the hose was created. The steering gear box is a Saginaw 800 series and is working. Current problem: the alternator is running the engine when the key is off. Any ideas? I replaced the radiator cap...so no leak there now. I have the seats ready for upholstery.
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More pictures.
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It looks great....lots of work but worth it!
I once drove one that had power steering, it had larger tires yet it was a breeze to drive.
Is that a V-6? It ought to have plenty of get-up-and-go!
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It has been a lot of work. Not nearly as much as some of these awesome Willys floating around in the forum. The engine is a V8 from a 1960 Chevelle (283). My dad did that when he was 15 years old. Moved the firewall and everything, which is why most the front is a 55 gallon steel drum remnant. This old jeep has a lot of family character. :) I'm pretty certain my brother put the dent in the front passenger fender. Also, fairly confident that the concaved hood is due to my grandfather using it as a hunting jeep. I have old photos showing an elk strapped to the hood. Thanks for the motivation. I really want to get this thing road-worthy again.
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That's great, I like the "family character".....
My 1955 CJ-5 has dents all over it, and I can tell you which family member is responsible for each one! There is even a small but deep dent that was a result of an accidental discharge of a .22 pistol.....and then there was the time my other brother ran into the back of the parked stock truck....:( Fender, hood, and radiator that time!
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Current problem: the alternator is running the engine when the key is off.
Put a diode in the wire that goes from the ignition switch to the alternator.
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Thanks. I'll give that a try. Starting research now.
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True story: the Willys caught on fire yesterday when I turned it over. It is okay as am I. Good thing I put an extinguisher out there when I started working on this thing. So, now I no longer trust this old engine. I'm going to look into a crate engine. Uhh! Good news: once I get an engine I think I'll be road worthy.