My Willys 3A and 3B Community
How To Join => Once You've Joined => Topic started by: squidtone on October 07, 2014, 10:27:38 PM
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Hi,
I've been lurking here for quite a few years, and I even posted a bit some years ago. But I've been busy with stuff, and only now getting into restoring a pretty tough shape 1950 CJ3A.
Ever since I started to drive, I've always loved Jeeps. I remember riding on the school bus and seeing (and liking) the Scramblers in the very early 80's. In 1989 I bought one, and I really loved it. It was a slug however, so I swapped in a Ford 302. In those pre-internet days Novak was an awesome resource to help me out with that swap.
(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r183/squidtone/CJ3a%20story/scram1.jpg) (http://s144.photobucket.com/user/squidtone/media/CJ3a%20story/scram1.jpg.html)
Around that time I also bought a GTO. I drove it for a while but then parked it for over 20 years! About 9 years ago I started a restoration on it. I did everything myself in my garage, even the paint. This is what kept me for so long from the CJ3a (which I acquired early on in the GTO resto)....however, I did learn a ton about metal work and general bodywork.
(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r183/squidtone/CJ3a%20story/GTOsandblastsidesmall.jpg) (http://s144.photobucket.com/user/squidtone/media/CJ3a%20story/GTOsandblastsidesmall.jpg.html)
(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r183/squidtone/CJ3a%20story/IMG_6466.jpg) (http://s144.photobucket.com/user/squidtone/media/CJ3a%20story/IMG_6466.jpg.html)
(continued next thread)
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Despite the preoccupation with the GTO, I managed to have some Jeeps around, and in fact I bought a new 2003 Wrangler Rubicon. I was a bit hasty in buying it because they were only supposed to be making 8000 of them. The one I got was made in October of 2002, the first batch. As many of you know, one Jeep is not enough, and it so happens I saved a couple "Jeeps" from a trip to the boneyard. I got both Jeeps for a dollar, and sold off one, which was a postal, for a hundred bucks. The other was the '50 CJ. This is how I found it:
(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r183/squidtone/CJ3a%20story/freejeep005.jpg) (http://s144.photobucket.com/user/squidtone/media/CJ3a%20story/freejeep005.jpg.html) (they did clean off the tree litter when I went up to look at them)
It's pretty stock, although it was modified to be a gas station rig. It had a heater, Koenig "supertop", and Western plow. Otherwise, it's just a rusted out CJ.
(http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r183/squidtone/CJ3a%20story/jeepsurvey10.jpg) (http://s144.photobucket.com/user/squidtone/media/CJ3a%20story/jeepsurvey10.jpg.html)
The engine was filled with water so I got another engine a few years ago, and now that the GTO is pretty much done, I intend to get busy with this CJ. I'm going to pull it out from my backyard and take it apart, and see about rebuilding the tub. Seeing some amazing body tub rebuilds has inspired me. I think I will start a thread in the project section if nobody minds pretty slow updates. But I really enjoy rebuild threads, so I hope mine will make a good addition.
So I still have to really learn alot about Willys, but it'll be fun. I appreciate all the help I've already gotten on this site. Thanks!
Dave
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You've got skills my friend. Very nice work.
Tim
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No one minds slow and infrequent updates. We all realize that life interferes with Jeep restoration. ;)
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Welcome! Nice pics....we love pics
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Welcome from Rhode Island, what part of CT are you from?
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Hello Kirkski, Thanks for the hello from RI.
I am in Granby, right on the MA line with Southwick MA (the "key" that hangs between the MA/CT border). A fair distance from Rhode Island.
I do notice there a lots of folks from New England though...
I hope to start a post in the "projects" forum in a few days....I'm getting close to pulling my Jeep from out back and start demolition.
Dave