My Willys 3A and 3B Community

3A, 3B, DJ Technical Knowledge Base => "Original"-- Technical Questions, Answers, Observations => Topic started by: Robert Robustelli on May 04, 2021, 11:59:22 AM

Title: frame vin number
Post by: Robert Robustelli on May 04, 2021, 11:59:22 AM

good afternoon . i am trying to locate the serial/vin number on the frame.  i looked on the front frame portion on both sides from the fire wall foward all the way out to the front bumper.
its a 1953 cj3b. any help would be appreciated. i have seen where there was a time when they outsourced frames without numbers

Title: Re: frame vin number
Post by: Chuck W. on May 04, 2021, 01:33:39 PM

This article on the CJ3B page may help: https://www.cj3b.info/SerialNos/SerialNosFrame.html

Title: Re: frame vin number
Post by: Rus Curtis on May 04, 2021, 01:37:24 PM

Robert,
Welcome.

Chuck's link will help.  You may be looking too far forward.  Also, even if you're looking right at it, there may be too much crud buildup to see it (happened to me).  Concentrate on the right frame rail.

There may also be a second stamping near the rear spring hanger.  Is your tub on or off?

Title: Re: frame vin number
Post by: Robert Robustelli on May 04, 2021, 07:53:37 PM

Tub is on

Title: Re: frame vin number
Post by: Rus Curtis on May 04, 2021, 09:37:52 PM

Re-reading your post, if you started at the firewall (almost at the toe-board gusset) then I'm wrong, that's back far enough to start looking.  It shouldn't be any farther than the battery tray.  Try to concentrate right over the rear pivot for the right front spring.  See the examples on the link above (follow the links labeled "photo showing a larger area" on some as they help place where to look) .

FWIW, I sanded my frame but couldn't see the numbers.  I never put a disk to it with a power tool though.   The sand blasting was what finally uncovered the numbers.

It sounds like your serial tag on the firewall might be missing.