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Author Topic: '54 cj3b project  (Read 2244 times)

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Offline Cheapsnake

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'54 cj3b project
« on: June 11, 2023, 06:52:20 PM »
New to cj3b's, but not to old Jeeps. I rebuilt a '46 cj2a a couple years ago and now this little sweetie comes along. Picked her up a couple weeks ago and, despite her obvious "cosmetic" shortcomings, she had good bones.  A fairly solid frame, an engine that starts right up and idles smoothly and a workable drivetrain makes it a valid project for me. On the downside, the tub is totally gone...Totally. Oh yeah, no brakes at all. It was used as a snowplow so who needs brakes?  A lot of creative sheetmetal work was holding everything together.
I'm looking forward to pulling her apart over the next few weeks so stay tuned.
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Offline Rus Curtis

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Re: '54 cj3b project
« Reply #1 on: June 11, 2023, 07:21:32 PM »
Welcome!  Looks like you'll get to use your skills on this one!  Looking forward to your progress!
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'54 CJ-3B "Green Gruntt"
Bantam T3-C

Offline SteveKfl

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Re: '54 cj3b project
« Reply #2 on: June 12, 2023, 07:51:05 AM »
Yes, welcome, and it looks a goo story in the making.  Have FUN!
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My Concept Roadster
62 DJ3A Dispatcher Half Top

Offline Cheapsnake

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Re: '54 cj3b project
« Reply #3 on: June 13, 2023, 04:15:22 PM »
Spent the day removing the snowplow and "ballast" in the bed, probably a good 6 or 7 hundred pounds worth. Amazing what those little engines can power. Hydraulics appear to be in good shape if anyone is interested.
« Last Edit: June 13, 2023, 04:25:55 PM by Cheapsnake »
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Offline Chuck W.

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Re: '54 cj3b project
« Reply #4 on: June 13, 2023, 08:12:51 PM »
Looks like quite a project! What are your plans for the body? I am sure you are aware that Classic Enterprises makes high quality body panels for your jeep. I have used several of them and can say they really well made and correct. Good luck and please keep us updated!
https://www.classicent.com/jeep/
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1964 CJ3B  "Shelby Joy"
1952 M38 w/M100 trailer
1966 M274A2

Offline Cheapsnake

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Re: '54 cj3b project
« Reply #5 on: June 14, 2023, 08:25:27 AM »
Thanks Chuck, it's becoming more of a project all the time. I checked out classic and they have a good selection of body parts, but I need the ENTIRE tub just to get to the point of adding body parts. Fortunately, I've got a lead on a used tub in Wyoming, just have to get it here.  If that comes through THEN I can start adding body parts.
Actually, the fenders and hood may be salvageable with some creative welding and bondo.
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Offline Rus Curtis

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Re: '54 cj3b project
« Reply #6 on: June 14, 2023, 09:16:33 AM »
A lot of the times the radiator guard (grill) stays intact.  Even the cowl/instrument panel survive.  Hopefully, yours is useable. 

Are you planning to collect all the rivets in a jar?

I have a mix of CE parts, MD Juan parts and NOS parts.  Avoid my mistake and fit your body parts to the frame BEFORE welding to ensure your splicing has the correct dimensions.
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'54 CJ-3B "Green Gruntt"
Bantam T3-C

Offline Cheapsnake

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Re: '54 cj3b project
« Reply #7 on: June 14, 2023, 11:02:51 AM »
The grill is in pretty good shape, definitely saveable, the cowl not so much. Instrument npanel is in very good shape, just have to figure out how to unweld it from the body.

Haven't run into any rivets so far, just a bunch of frozen nuts and bolts. Out of all the fasteners on this thing, I was able to actually unscrew a small handful.  The rust were either cut or twisted off.  Disassembling one of these things is a bit of a walk back in history.  Almost every bolted connection is made with a bolt and nut, versus a welded or captured nut or threaded hole.  This means attaching something to the firewall required one person on each side to thread and tighten a bolt. Labor was cheap and plentiful in 1954.
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Offline Cheapsnake

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Re: '54 cj3b project
« Reply #8 on: July 02, 2023, 07:32:59 PM »
OK, got her down to a bare frame. Shouldn't be a surprise, but I found a couple patches of bad rust. I cut it out back to solid metal and all will be well once it's been welded up.
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