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Author Topic: 1950 CJ3A  (Read 20516 times)

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Offline Steve

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1950 CJ3A
« on: October 05, 2013, 08:53:20 PM »
Last weekend I started the process of removing the roll bar, diamond plate from the bed, and other bits and pieces.� Soon, I will restore the tub and fenders. I bought the Jeep with an understanding that ran two years ago prior to being parked. There was also a rumor that the engine had been worked on recently.The former owner died so obviously, there was no way to know any history of the Jeep. Fluids looked good and there were no leaks, so I was optimistic that it might run.

Long story short, with little effort and no experience, I got the Jeep running. After a five minute warm-up the engine purrs like a kitten. Hubs work, tranny works in all modes, no funny noises or smoke. Only glitch is that the carb seems a bit cranky, but I figure a bit of running might smooth it out as well. I am feeling lucky...time to buy some lottery tickets!

Now that I know that engine and drive train work, next weekend will start the process of tub removal. From what I have read on this forum so far, the steering wheel promises to be a real joy.� Below is a picture of my maiden voyage.
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1950 CJ3A Mostly Stock

Offline 1955CJ-5

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Re: 1950 CJ3A
« Reply #1 on: October 05, 2013, 09:12:18 PM »
Great looking jeep, and it runs and drives...! Don't bother with the lottery ticket, you have used up all your luck for this week...!

Start soaking that steering wheel hub right now with PB blaster or AeroKroil..I think Aerokroil is the best but it's hard to find..

I used a Harbor Freight 30305 gear puller set to pull my steering wheels. Put a bolt down the inner steering tube and rest the puller against the head...
« Last Edit: October 05, 2013, 09:15:30 PM by 1955CJ-5 »
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1955 CJ-5, A friend for 58 years....1951 CJ-3A, a new addition. 1929 Model A Ford Closed Cab Pickup...

Offline zooke581

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Re: 1950 CJ3A
« Reply #2 on: October 05, 2013, 09:31:34 PM »
A super start.  Most people wish for a starter Jeep in that condition.  Great score.
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Offline SteveW

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Re: 1950 CJ3A
« Reply #3 on: October 09, 2013, 05:20:20 PM »
Boy what a great start. Congrat's.
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1950 CJ3A finished. 1950 CJ3A in pieces. 1947 Bantam T3-C trailer, 1946 Cushman Scooter 50 series

Offline johnrb3b

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Re: 1950 CJ3A
« Reply #4 on: October 10, 2013, 09:19:31 AM »
Looks perfectly good to me as it is.
Why tear it apart.
Just drive it and have loads of fun.
It's lots cheaper that way as well.
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1946 2A - - - 1949 me - older than most of my Jeeps
1954 3B - - - 1957 Wagon - - - 2010 4-door JK
past Jeeps ---> '54 3B - no tub --- '59 3B - no engine
past addiction - VW ---> '69 bus --- '70 camper

Offline Steve

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Re: 1950 CJ3A
« Reply #5 on: October 10, 2013, 12:50:26 PM »
You are correct that things are in pretty good shape and I could just drive it. However, I have the winter to play a bit and there are some things that need attention.

I do not plan on trying to make the jeep a car show specimen, but make it structurally solid and mechanically sound. The work that needs to be done in both regards is pretty minimal when compared to most, so I anticipate that the vehicle will be ready to roll by next spring.
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1950 CJ3A Mostly Stock

Offline Steve

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Taking Apart the Body
« Reply #6 on: October 13, 2013, 12:14:04 AM »
Had a few hours to spend in the shop and started the process of taking apart the body. The bolts all cooperated with a little encouragement from PB Blaster. Hardest part was dealing with the fact that certain things were welded together that should not have been.
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1950 CJ3A Mostly Stock

Offline 1955CJ-5

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Re: 1950 CJ3A
« Reply #7 on: October 13, 2013, 10:21:47 AM »
The front frame rails and the bumper look good....I looked at a number of jeeps where they were pretty beat up and poorly repaired....

And I see you have one of those little brackets that go from the bottom drivers side radiator mount to the fender....my jeep had one and I wondered if it was an add on or factory...looks like it probably is factory....
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1955 CJ-5, A friend for 58 years....1951 CJ-3A, a new addition. 1929 Model A Ford Closed Cab Pickup...

Offline Steve

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Re: 1950 CJ3A
« Reply #8 on: October 13, 2013, 12:58:36 PM »
You have good eyesight to spot that bracket. If there is anything else you want me to post pictures of just let me know.

The frame looks straight and solid throughout. I suspect that this Jeep has spent all of its life in the near-desert conditions of Eastern Oregon. Although I am not an expert, it doesn't look like it had a hard life either banging into things, off roading, etc.� So far, I feel lucky to have stumbled onto this particular one. Only time will tell if my luck holds....

Steve
« Last Edit: October 13, 2013, 12:59:14 PM by marblecreek »
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1950 CJ3A Mostly Stock

Offline Bob W

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Re: 1950 CJ3A
« Reply #9 on: October 13, 2013, 08:05:51 PM »
Quote
And I see you have one of those little brackets that go from the bottom drivers side radiator mount to the fender....my jeep had one and I wondered if it was an add on or factory...looks like it probably is factory....

Initially those brackets were included from the factory with the side mounted radiators but then later on they were eliminated.
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Bob W

Offline 1955CJ-5

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Re: 1950 CJ3A
« Reply #10 on: October 13, 2013, 08:45:54 PM »
Quote
Quote
And I see you have one of those little brackets that go from the bottom drivers side radiator mount to the fender....my jeep had one and I wondered if it was an add on or factory...looks like it probably is factory....

Initially those brackets were included from the factory with the side mounted radiators but then later on they were eliminated.

When I was driving the chassis around I could see that lower left corner of the radiator and grill flexing and vibrating quite a bit.

I'll be sure and put the brace back when I put it together.

I wonder if they changed the radiator design or stiffened the grill some way, it sure looked like the radiator mount could fail where it attaches to the radiator with all that movement.
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1955 CJ-5, A friend for 58 years....1951 CJ-3A, a new addition. 1929 Model A Ford Closed Cab Pickup...

Offline Bob W

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Re: 1950 CJ3A
« Reply #11 on: October 13, 2013, 08:50:41 PM »
The grill design did change, I'm not sure if that's when the bracket was eliminated. Seems like a good point for the change.
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Bob W

Offline 1955CJ-5

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Re: 1950 CJ3A
« Reply #12 on: October 13, 2013, 08:51:04 PM »
Steve,

I've been looking at the pictures again....your jeep looks like it is in excellent condition. The diffs have a little dirt but are not caked with old oil and dirt, and the knuckles look the same...some surface dirt and oil is expected, but you seem to have missed out on the heavily caked on 1/2" thick stuff....and if you managed to remove most of the bolts so far without twisting 3/4" of them in two you are very lucky....

Be sure to take multiple pictures of everything as you take it apart...and put the nuts and bolts and fasteners in well marked baggies.
« Last Edit: October 13, 2013, 08:51:32 PM by 1955CJ-5 »
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1955 CJ-5, A friend for 58 years....1951 CJ-3A, a new addition. 1929 Model A Ford Closed Cab Pickup...

Offline Steve

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Re: 1950 CJ3A
« Reply #13 on: October 13, 2013, 09:52:08 PM »
Lots of baggies for sure. One bolt today proved to be quite challenging and ended up headless and in the frame. There is a pretty good layer of crud near the wheels. Today, I encountered the first unexpected discovery.� Sometime in the past a previous owner had pop riveted sheet metal to the driver and passenger floors. (I am sure that you know where this is headed....) I pulled up the drivers side to discover what is pictured. The good is that the rust does not extend up the floor toward the pedals. The bad is that it extends a bit up the hump at the transmission. I am sure that the riveted patch on the passenger side will also reveal more bad news.
� Given that patch panels appear to be readily available, aside from the expense :-X, a reasonable solution should be at hand.

Steve
« Last Edit: October 13, 2013, 09:55:47 PM by marblecreek »
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1950 CJ3A Mostly Stock

Offline 1955CJ-5

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Re: 1950 CJ3A
« Reply #14 on: October 13, 2013, 10:21:31 PM »
Oh yes! I had a layer pop riveted on top of another rusted out layer that had been buck riveted in over the rusted out original floors!!

Still, your's looks pretty good.....The factory put wood inside the "hat" channels for whatever reason...so they retained moisture and rusted out....

Rather than clutter up your thread with my pictures, you can look here

http://www.cj3apage.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1360037699

And don't hesitate to ask if you have a question...

Randy
« Last Edit: October 13, 2013, 10:25:15 PM by 1955CJ-5 »
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1955 CJ-5, A friend for 58 years....1951 CJ-3A, a new addition. 1929 Model A Ford Closed Cab Pickup...
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