Theodore a 51 3a project

[cbauer]

Here are my pics of the work yesterday!

[cbauer]

I didn't get pics of the extension but will this evening for you.
I took it apart for storage, very interesting design.

[cbauer]

Those little butt end clamps from Harbor Freight are absolutely essential for this type of work, I was using magnets which would work ok but these little guys align and flush the piece your tacking in. They come in a pack of 8 and was $7.99, can't beat that with a stick!

[cbauer]

Hey Hawk, here are the pics of the extend-O-bed, I did assembled it to weld up some misc. holes but for a reproduction it is like brand-new, it will make a cool add to the Jeep.

[athawk11]

That extension looks unused.  Very nice score.  Do you think this Willys will be ready this fall?

[athawk11]

The other thing that caught my eye...the "flash rust" on your new steel. We are pretty lucky in Colorado. If the steel is stored indoors, that doesn't happen here. 

[cbauer]

It came with the braces and the tail gate hinges but no tailgate. I placed it on my extra tub and the fit was spot on. It has one flaws to the left vertical side (short on some metal) but overall well made.

[cbauer]

That metal is about 5-6 years old and sat in my shop with no doors on it so it would get humid and wet inside. It was the left over sheet metal I used for my dads 66 tux. Everything is getting sandblasted so I'm not worried about it. if I had doors on the shop I wouldn't have bird poo all over dads Jeep either, but that should be solved shortly.

[cbauer]

Hawk, that's my goal is to complete Teddy and make it to the CFCT at the Thirsty Dirt Ranch in 2017! I have been cleaning, fixing and collecting all the parts for the last several years in anticipation of the rebuild, So all that needs to be done is body and engine rebuild.
It is much easier and faster putting together a completely cleaned up and bolt on ready parts in my experience. I should have the body ready for blasting by the end of Jan.- mid Feb.
That gives me all of the summer to finish the motor and assemble Teddy.
When Dad and I were at the FCT the 66 Tux ran very rough, so we changed out the V6 dauntless intake to a two barrel carb and it really like what we did. Also discovered that Dad had the wrong dist. cover which made the timing crappy now the Tux really purrs for an odd fire (very cool sounding motor).

[cbauer]

I'm not going for a perfect original recreation of a 51 CJ3A and I'm not to anal about perfection but body work will be very correct to original just because I like to make it look good so most of my time is to make it as good as I can make it.

[cbauer]

Weird, I posted some pics on a post and they just disappeared!
Oh well here are some pics of the work I did finished up the rear tub work and here are some pics for your viewing pleasure.

[athawk11]

That is weird.  I remember seeing those photos before too.

I remember seeing the Tuxedo Park at the Fall Colors last year.  Very nice rig.

[cbauer]

Well, it's been awhile life, liberty and the persuit of happiness kinda got in my way plus that enevitable wall we redo'ers of antique keeps. I've been working on some small parts like a $15.00 spartan turn signal rehabbed. Been waiting to get the motor block to the machinist and s.tart that process.
My buddy picked up a nice M38A1 that took away from some of teddys face time so we could get it running and stopping. Brought back my youth since that was what I drove all through high school.
Teddys body is really coming together, I should have it ready for the blaster in about two days of work. Picked up a nice spare net tire 7.00x16. My tires are 750x16 but will still look just fine hanging on the side of the jeep.
I'm still looking for a better hitch mine was bent and it would take some major work to straighten it out plus cost more than buying a use one!

[cbauer]

Once again I have come to post my progress. Well not much has happened but I have picked up a few parts. I bought a supersonic head for the motor rebuild paid $150.00 shipped to Texas from Rhode Island, man I�m happier than a deplorable after election night! Now I�ll have supersonic power and speed[ch129315]. Started cleaning up on the tub and found tons of bondo covering many oh *crap moments from Teddy�s past life. There will be many hammer and dolly nights to get it presentable. Need to weld up the last of the body parts before I turn it over and place t on the frame to align the hat channels and weld them on as well.
I�m looking into diy nickel plating my parts and seems to be doable with little effort and expense. I�ll let the word know how my wizardry and chemistry experiments turn out.

[cbauer]

I did a little DIY home Nickel Plating, I think I need some more practice and work on my spell formula for a good plating, but I think it will be good for the type of parts I'm doing. I may switch to the zink and see how that works for the parts as well.