1957 DJ3A

[SteveKfl]

Congrats!  That's a fancy "box-spring" seat you've got there.  :-)  I loved hearing the purr of your ride.  Thanks for sharing!  Happy Holidays!

[48willys]

Pulled the fuel tank out today and other than a couple large dents its pretty good condition. If there aren't any holes, I think a good cleaning and pop some of the dents out it should be fine.
 I don't know why someone welded a jack mount on the back, but they should be proud of their welds. It took a lot of grinding to get it off without damaging the rear cross member.

[Mark W.]

You will find that if the Vacuum can is working the jeep will drive much better with a vacuum advance distributor. Sadly new vacuum cans are either very expensive or near impossible to find. I run an IAT-4405 Vacuum advance dizzy on my 2A.

[48willys]

Yeah, fortunately the can seems to be working. Being set up more like a car it will be interesting to see how it drives compared to the cj2a. This Distributor is a IGW-4185. I haven’t really done much with it except clean the points, but one thing that concerns me is when running the top of the distributor looks like it wobbles, almost like the shaft could be bent.

[BillT]

Could be worn shaft bushings. A common problem or the wrong cap for the distributor.

[48willys]

Could be worn shaft bushings. A common problem or the wrong cap for the distributor.

It could be the bushings or the cap. A distributor rebuild is in the list of things needing to be done, I’ll check the shaft and everything while it’s apart. The engine wasn’t installed in the Jeep and the carb was snapped off, so I’m guessing a damaged distributor isn’t out of the question.

[48willys]

My neighbor had some wagon seats he gave me. I think if I shorten the backs a little they will look stock.

[48willys]

Some progress on body work.
I also took these sliders off the parts tub, they line up with the holes in the floor so I'm pretty sure they're correct for this hard top model.

[SteveKfl]

Interesting.  The first I have heard of "sliders" being used, but helpful for multiple drivers of various heights.  My '62 DJ3A, not a "hardtop model", did not have "sliders".

[48willys]

Interesting.  The first I have heard of "sliders" being used, but helpful for multiple drivers of various heights.  My '62 DJ3A, not a "hardtop model", did not have "sliders".

I think it was a something they did for the Hardtop model, because every photo I find of the other DJ models the seats have little feet that rest directly on the floor. I have a couple period photos saved of the hardtop jeeps that you can see the slider and release arm.

[48willys]

Almost done with the passenger floor. Fortunately this junk tub has some good bits to cut out, the doorway braces are solid halfway up so I'm able to graft them into my tub.

[48willys]

Basically finished with the driver's side,only one small part on the outside that needs to be attached for the door slide/ sill plate. It will probably need a little body filler to smooth out the welds in the sides, but otherwise I'm pretty happy with how nice it looks.

[SteveKfl]

It is shaping up nicelt.  "YOUR HAPPINESS" is most important.  I'm glad to see another DJ being "saved and enjoyed".  Thanks for sharing your efforts and results.

[48willys]

Thanks for the kind words.
I found a nice high quality period photo that shows the seat sliders in use. I’m not sure if it was something Willys did custom or if it was something added later into production, but the parts list doesn’t list any. It also shows the Dispatcher decal fairly well too.
I’m not sure if the photo is copyrighted so I’ll just leave a link to the Library website where it is.
https://aadl.org/taxonomy/term/39134?page=1

[SteveKfl]

Not only does the slider add adjustment for different driver heights, but it looks like the installation of them tilts the seat back to allow "sitting IN the seat" as opposed to "sitting on a bench", for better driver comfort and control.