1950's CJ3A "Crispy"

[GlennV]

Hi, as said in my introduction, last year I finally got the chance to buy a CJ3a .. but the overall condition was very poor. It didn't have an engine, no panel was straight and there was rust everywhere ..




A picture of the rear floor, hence the name 'Crispy' ..


Last weekend i finally started deconstruction .. every bolt was seized and snapped right off .. further pictures still to come ..

[GlennV]

Ok, as promised some more photo's of the disassembly ..



I don't know how they did this, but it will be challenge to return it to original ...

[GlennV]

The previous owner has also been a little creative with the dash ..


My first question is the following : On the inside of the bottom of the grill the edge is bent. Is this original ? Should i leave it as is or should i straighten it ?


Thanks,
Glenn

[athawk11]

The bend looks nice, perhaps a factory bend,  but I haven't seen one like that.

You are missing the L-shaped tab.  It was originally where the square rust spot is...just above the bend.  It is a 'connection point' between the grill and the tab sticking off the front of the tubular cross-member on your frame.

[squidtone]

Hi Glenn,
That "bend" in the grille is factory I believe, since my grille has the very same bend. But Athawk is right, you're missing a tab/bracket that fits onto a tab on the crossmember.
I'll be watching for updates! Good luck with your restoration!
Dave

[athawk11]

Hey Dave,
Can you tell what the purpose is for that bend?

Glenn,
Looking a little deeper into your photo, I see the grill sitting behind.  It does have the tab in place for reference.  I was so focused on the bend on the front grill, I didn't even notice it.

[squidtone]

I would guess that the bend exists in order to make clearance for the bolt that goes through the grille tab and into the crossmember tab. With no bend the bolt looks like it would hit that grille flange.
Are you saying Tim that your 3A doesn't have this bend?

GlennV, it looks like the little square rust spot on your grille above the "bend" is where that tab once was....

[athawk11]

Are you saying Tim that your 3A doesn't have this bend?

No bend, but I only have a couple early 3As and a early 2A to look at.� All three are original grills.  I've seen a lot of� Willys, but this bend is pretty hard to see on an assembled Flat Fender.� The bend possibly comes during later production.

These are shots of the 3A grills...

[GlennV]

Hi guys,

thanks for the replies !

athawk11, yes thank you for pointing out the tab. I was so focused on the bend that i missed the tab. 

Also, in my photo the white/ black grill is from my jeep. According to Bob's book i would date my cj3a to April 1950. Therefore it has the radiator attached to the grill.

The second grill in my photo is (i guess) an earlier CJ3a grill with the radiator attached to the chassis (similar to MB).
So i think it could be a later modification to the grill ... maybe someone with a late cj can have a look under the grill to be sure ... otherwise 'the bend' will meet 'the hammer' 

Thanks,
Glenn

[squidtone]

I got a picture of mine...the bend is the same as yours...I'm thinking it must have been added for the 1950 year...

My pic isn't too good, but I think you can make it out...

[athawk11]

It could be a "side mount" radiator vs a "bottom mount" radiator thing too.  There were a mix of both radiator styles offered in 1949. 

I'm just not familiar with the side mount style radiator...and if this bend is the norm for the side mount set up.