First time poster, long time stalker! I have thoroughly enjoyed reviewing all of the posts on the various pages and amazed at the information that is available and to what detail! Figured it was time to join for two reasons... one to ask some of my own question (bunch of those) and to hopefully offer what little knowledge I have gained with my project with the hopes of helping someone else.
First off... who am I?? Since 1981 I have always had at least one 1969 Camaro in the garage/shop (paid $150 for the first one and it ran). I currently still own the second one (bought in '82)... and unfortunately it is in pieces. To say that I am a Camaro nut is an understatement. Another flashback... since my earliest conversations with my father and his talks about running around in the deserts of California and Arizona during college, hunting for rocks/fossils, in a flat fendered Jeep, and his desire to get one. He even came up with a cool name for it... his "Corpsvet". He has never owned one. Okay... the GP sitting outside the barn for 20 years in extremely rough condition, inoperable, does not count,
Fast forward to 2014... I found a 1953 CJ3A Jeep in eastern Oregon, an old Navy Jeep with the plaque and "story" (that is for another discussion). Camaro guy knowing enough about Jeeps to be dangerous went out and took the Jeep for a spin. Drove fine... little tired, and didn't leak oil per the PO. That should have been my first sign of problems. Bought the 3A and trailered it back home with the intent of giving it a tune up, change fluids and surprise my Dad. The fact that I still have it and that it is down to a bare frame should be a good indication that things did not go to plan. Lack of leaks were attributable to the lack of oil... rear diff was BONE dry... bearings and gears toast. Clutch was well lubricated. Hat channels rotted out... and the story goes on. Work and three kids in college have slowed the project down but it is now picking up speed. 95% of the body rust has been cut out and replaced with new metal. Wrapping up the motor rebuild. Tranny, transfer, case, PTO, and overdrive are in the transmission shop (hoping to speed up schedule without totally annihilating the budget. Frame was sandblasted last weekend and I have found three cracks that I welded up.
What is the plan?... trying to get it as close to what it looked like during its life with the Navy. Dad has never had a really nice car to show off and that is the plan... something he can put around town with and have fun... hoping that he does not have to work on it
I am hoping I can burn some vacation time to get this together in time for the Veteran's Day parade... but work may make that a challenge
Picture is what it looked like just off the trailer... anyone want a MB windshield? Will post a better picture if I can find one of the Jeep.
Looking forward to more discussions about my project and what I really do have (not sure it really is a 53 as tagged). Thank you!
