Another new jeep on the site

[Howitser]

Hi, �

Happy New Year to all. �I've finally gotten around to something I've wanted since the early 60's...A Jeep project. According to the old gent �who owned it it is a 48 CJ-3A with a early 50's CJ-5 body. It runs and drives thought the brakes are virtually non existant. �has a hard top and can you say �Tub Rust? �From reading threads here I imagine this will qualify for "Frankenjeep" status. Anyhow I got it for a song and am looking forward to the project. �My plan is to make it a regular driver, no serious resotration. �I will probably do a body off cleaning and rebuild of necessary items, upgrading where possible. �If in fact it is a 3A frame (it has the lil devil engine) I may replace the bod with a flat fender...decisions to be made as the job goes. �There is a ton of work as it has sat for years, only plowing the driveway occasionally. �Eviction of mice will be first order before I put it in the building. �I am looking forward to brainstorming with all you tech heads and hopefully I can be some help to someone also. �My first question...to determine the serial #, and therefore age of the frame, �I've read it will be on the left frame horn. �Because of rust, a starting point will be helpful. �Is the # on the wheel (outside) or engine (inside) side of the horn? �Fore or aft of the axle? On a plate ( there is none I can see right now) or stamped into the frame.

It is my pleasure and have a safe one, �Howie

[Carls_jeep]

Happy New Year to you too and happy Jeeping also. I have an everyday driver '51 CJ3 Jeep and it will get any needed repairs and body parts as time goes by. I hope you can find an original body to put on yours rather than a reproduction body. I think the engines are called Go Devil.

Yeah, what ever you do get rid of the mice.

[Bob W]

Welcome Howie,

There are no serial numbers on a CJ-3A frame. The only vehicle serial number location is on the patent plate that was screwed to the firewall near the air filter. If your Jeep still has the original engine the engine serial number can be used to determine an approximate date. Please post some photos!!!

[rocketeer]

Hello and welcome.

There may be some confusion on the frame and serial number. The CJ3A began production in 1949. A 1948 frame would be a CJ2A frame. Early CJ2A's did have a number plate on the LF frame horn but it was dropped early on and gone before 1948.

Pics of the frame horns and the inside of one of the frame side channels, alongside the tranny, may help in identifying what you have.

Larry

[Howitser]

Thanks for the info. As stated, the age and such is reported by the good ol codger who owned it...for a long long time and that doesn't jive with the title either.  I know there  is an engine number and any body plate would have gone with the rotten ol body I imagine.....Hey, Maybe he has that rotting somewhere on the farm? I'll post some pics when I get it home.  Thanks for the help and welcome.

[Howitser]

I rolled by the jeep this after and got some numbers. �The Go Devil engine number is �3J 75664. �It has a cj5 body and the "Willys Overland" plate on the fire wall, drivers side, has a serial number of �GBI 23424. �The frame has the one sided, "U" shaped, shackles on the front springs. It also has "Warn" locking hubs on it. �Does this open a can o'worms?

[Bob W]

Looks like you have a 1951 CJ-3A. There should be a 451 before the GB1 23424 on the serial number plate. They must have transferred the CJ-3A plate over to the CJ-5 body. Engine 3J75664 fits right in with vehicle 451-GB1 23424. Please post some photos!

[Howitser]

Thanks Bob,  A 51,eh...well thats cool that was my birthyear too.  I'll take another look this after when I can get over to the Jeep. I'll get a few shots IF i remember to take the camera.  Good to know he kept the original plate, it wasn't mentioned.  It'll be nice to move it to a new flat fender body if I get one along the way.

[Howitser]

Hi Bob,

Now I have photos for ya, but I can't figger out how to attach them here.  I click the "insert image" thing but it doesn't help much.  I can fix just about anything, but these dern 'puters burn me butt!!!!!  Any help?