Messages

1

BODY and trim / Re: Tigertop vs Canvas Top for CJ3A

« on: August 16, 2021, 04:58:00 PM »

Thanks for the response, Rus.

2

BODY and trim / Tigertop vs Canvas Top for CJ3A

« on: August 14, 2021, 06:03:05 PM »

I am considering buying a top for my CJ3A, which I park outside.  (Currently, I keep it covered with a semi-fitted cover).  Does anyone have advice on buying a Bestop Tigertop vs a canvas top?  The Tigertop appears to have a cleaner, tighter look, but I worry about the durability.  Will I have to cut the bow pockets off the rear corners of the body to make the Tigertop fit correctly?  It looks like it fastens with snaps rather than straps.

3

"Original"-- Technical Questions, Answers, Observations / Re: My 3B won't hold idle and dies when "hot".

« on: November 09, 2020, 04:14:57 PM »

Sounds like it's running too lean.  Did you try choking it a bit?

4

"Original"-- Technical Questions, Answers, Observations / Re: windshield

« on: October 18, 2020, 11:18:48 PM »

It sounds like it's a windshield frame from a CJ2.

5

"Modifications"-- Technical Questions, Answers, Incites / Re: Irrigation pump on my CJ3A

« on: October 14, 2020, 10:49:18 AM »

I use it for watering the young shade trees that our neighborhood group planted along a local irrigation canal. The mature trees can tap canal seepage, but the young trees need a lot of water in the hot AZ summer. We just broke the record for days at 100-plus degrees in Phoenix:  143 days. It’s a roller pump, so it’s positive displacement, and it is rated at 300 psi or so. It does have a pressure regulator valve.

6

"Modifications"-- Technical Questions, Answers, Incites / Irrigation pump on my CJ3A

« on: October 13, 2020, 05:23:24 PM »

i installed a small PTO pump on my CJ3A for irrigation.  A short video is on YouTube. Here's the link.

https://youtu.be/jPjtCCeV6nM

Thank you Ted Jordan and Herm Tilford for your help in acquiring the parts and your advice for installing the overdrive and PTO.

The pump is a Ferroni MLI25 from AgriSupply.  It's from Italy, but the fittings and PTO shaft are Imperial system.

7

"Original"-- Technical Questions, Answers, Observations / Re: Need advice on achieving PTO/body clearance

« on: October 06, 2020, 11:21:05 PM »

Thanks for all the good advice Oldtime. 

I have temporarily put 0.5" steel spacers between the crossmember and frame.  I think that eventually I'll put in thicker body spacers when I can find some suitable rubber. I don't like the idea of losing even 0.5" of ground clearance.  I'm getting the drive shaft cut down and balanced, and it looks like I'll need some minor exhaust pipe mods to fit it in.  I'm going to use the PTO for a small drawbar-mounted irrigation pump so that my hobby Jeep can start to pay for itself.

8

"Original"-- Technical Questions, Answers, Observations / Re: Need advice on achieving PTO/body clearance

« on: October 03, 2020, 11:31:23 PM »

I believe I have an original tub, but the body spacers may have compressed a bit. 

I put in the PTO and tightened up the crossmember bolts.  Everything works, but the PTO and PTO/OD adapter are pressed tightly against the tunnel and I can hear a bit of tranny whine that I couldn't hear before.  The tub is picking up the sound from the tranny and amplifying it.  I think I am going to try to raise the tub a bit with some thicker spacers. 

The PTO works like a champ and is smooth as silk.  At idle, I can shift it in and out without using the clutch if I am careful (which is probably not an advisable long-term practice).  I pumped about a pint of gear oil in through the shifter hole before final assembly.

9

"Original"-- Technical Questions, Answers, Observations / Re: Need advice on achieving PTO/body clearance

« on: October 03, 2020, 10:05:49 AM »

I've cut the shifter hole and installed the PTO, but one bolt flange on the PTO (upper bolt, driver's side) and the top of the circular flange on the adaptor are going to press against the underside of the tunnel if I tighten the bolts on the crossmember.  I actually cut the hole for the shifter 0.5 inch forward of the shifter boss on the PTO so that the uppermost part of the adaptor flange has clearance and slightly extends through the shifter hole.  The printed instructions that Herm Tilford sent with the OD/PTO adaptor mention a spacer kit, but I haven't found anything on line. 

What do you think will be the consequences of permanently lowering the crossmember by about 0.3-0.4 inch using a spacer?  I can fabricate something easily.

10

"Original"-- Technical Questions, Answers, Observations / Re: Need advice on achieving PTO/body clearance

« on: October 02, 2020, 10:20:57 PM »

Is this a standard Spicer 18H PTO that is being attached direct to the transfer case.
Is this an other wise standard cj3a ?
If not what relative parts were modified ?
Such as overdrive with warn  adapter etc.....

It's a standard Spicer 18H PTO.  I am attaching it to a Saturn OD.  The CJ3A is low mileage and stock, although the previous owner (>11 yrs ago) took the body off to paint it.  Body/frame spacers appear to be 0.25 inch rubber and are in good shape.  The transmission cross member was bolted tightly to the frame with no spacer, and I was able to install the PTO by loosening the four bolts about 0.5 inch.  I have ground about 0.125 off the flange on the PTO and its adaptor, but I still need about 0.375 inch.

11

"Original"-- Technical Questions, Answers, Observations / Need advice on achieving PTO/body clearance

« on: October 02, 2020, 05:03:25 PM »

I am installing a Spicer single-stick PTO in my CJ3A.  I lack about 0.5 inch of clearance between the PTO and the body.  I can achieve the necessary clearance by lowering the transmission crossmember.  Does anyone have advice about the advisability of doing this?  Are there alternatives?  My PTO instructions mention a spacer kit, but I haven't found anything online.

12

"Original"-- Technical Questions, Answers, Observations / Re: Serial Number database-please add your jeep.

« on: September 14, 2020, 04:52:51 PM »

In 1951 the state of California used the engine serial number as the "VIN" for the title. This was very common in many states in the 'good old days'. Since then someone has replaced the original Patent Plate with a reproduction patent plate that was stamped to match the title.

That does seem like the most reasonable explanation.  I couldn't find any on-line vendors that sell that type of Patent Plate, but someone apparently does (or did).  So, it appears that there is no way to find the original, correct, serial number.

13

"Original"-- Technical Questions, Answers, Observations / Re: Serial Number database-please add your jeep.

« on: September 12, 2020, 06:28:46 PM »

I would like to add the serial number of my 1951 CJ3A to the database, but I'm not sure if I know the correct entry.  There is a serial number plate in the engine compartment, installed in the correct location, but the number does not fit with any of the numbers in the database.  The last 6 digits are also copied in the engine block serial number, .

Serial number plate on firewall:  451-GB1 3J101484
Number stamped on engine block:  3J101484

The number from the plate on the firewall has been used as the VIN on the title.  The title is clean and clear.  The vehicle was first registered in California in July 1951, and the title shows that the list price was $421 (?!).  It is now in Arizona.

14

"Original"-- Technical Questions, Answers, Observations / Re: CJ2 VS CJ3A TUB

« on: September 10, 2020, 09:15:59 PM »

Our 64 CJ5 had the pockets for the top bows on the out side corners when it came to us.  I removed them to put aluminum diamond plate corners on.  It had a steel half cab on it at that time.  I do not think this will help you identify your body.  But Jeep bodies still had the pockets in '64.
The book "The Civilian Jeep Model CJ-3A"  By Bob Westerman would be a good source of information for you.

I may have created some confusion. The “pockets” I was referring to are mounted on the outside of the body on the driver’s side and hold the vertical bow pieces in storage. I was not referencing the “sockets” into which the vertical bow pieces are placed to erect the soft top. So my 3A has both “pockets” and “sockets”, like a 2A.

15

"Original"-- Technical Questions, Answers, Observations / Re: CJ2 VS CJ3A TUB

« on: September 10, 2020, 01:37:15 PM »

On the 2A, the horizontal bows fit in clamps under the windshield and the vertical posts go in the pockets, right?  On the 3A, where are the horizontal cross bows stored?