1957 DJ3A

[48willys]

I've started digging out the rust in the passenger corner. Looks like I'll have to make a new rear panel and a patch for the corner.

[48willys]

Progress on the corner. Tried my sheet metal shrinker and stretcher on the corner/ wheel arch and got some nice results. Hopefully a few more hours and this side will be done.

[Rus Curtis]

Wow!  That looks nice!

[48willys]

Just about done with the corner. I almost left the spare tire brace out, but at the last minute decided to make one and weld it in. Its highly unlikely I'll ever use it, but it seemed ridiculous to be in this deep and not put it back right.

[48willys]

Thought I'd take a break from body work and work on the seats.
The seat adjusters cleaned up pretty good, they needed new rollers but otherwise the rust was minimal.
I think these frames are quite a bit different than the originals, the width was about 2 inches wider and the back angle and hight is probably going to need adjustment.
I'm only going off pictures I've found and just kinda eyeing the whole thing, so the whole process is a little slow.

[SteveKfl]

I may be wrong since I don't have a DJ with sliding doors, but those rear wheel wells look "modified" and "flattened vertically" on the front edge to give more rearward sitting capability.  I had to modify my Dispatcher to accommodate my 6'4" height.  If... "you" need or want more leg room, it looks like you could position your seat-frame further back on the seat-sliders to give you maximum leg room... IF... that is needed for "you"?  Maybe the factory modified the "hardtop models" for "easier entry and adjustable driver positions".  Does anyone with "Hard Top model" experience have any clues or thoughts about this?  Thanks!  Always something "new" to learn about these Willys... especially the rarer Djs.
 
Pics attached are of my Dispatcher original wells for comparison.

[48willys]

Thanks, yeah the wheel wells seem to be exclusively modified for the sliding door models. The junk body I have also has the same modification so I’m confident it’s a factory done.
I’m definitely going to get them as far back as I can and I need to get the frame lower on the adjusters, I’m 5‘6 and it felt a little tight with 3“ of padding on the frame. I’m sure the column being an inch shorter than my cj2a is a contributing factor to the lack of room. I think originally the seat frame must have only had maybe 4 degrees of backwards tilt on the base and something like 70 degrees on the back.
Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be many people with one of these models still in its original configuration that I can ask for measurements.

[48willys]

Been working on these seats for way to long. In my mind it looked easy but I've basically cut these wagon seats completely apart and put them back together. So the driver's seat was 2 inches to wide, the back was 3 inches to tall, the back angle needed adjustment and the mounting brackets had to be reworked. The passenger seat has really been a challenge because it needed 3-3/4" added, a new hinge and feet , and because the back tubes were rusted through, a new back.
I think its finally getting close though, just a few things to finish on the passenger seat and it should be done.

[48willys]

Some more holes filled in. Fortunately I was able to salvage a brace from a cj2a fender to replace the rusted one.

[48willys]

Also picked up an spare axle and rims.

[SteveKfl]

Nice score!  Rims look in great shape.  I wonder if the ratio is the 4.56:1 or the "rare" 4.10:1?  Hopefully those very hard to find drums are in great shape as well.

[48willys]

Nice score!  Rims look in great shape.  I wonder if the ratio is the 4.56:1 or the "rare" 4.10:1?  Hopefully those very hard to find drums are in great shape as well.

The tag says it’s a 4.56 but that’s probably what is under the DJ anyway(tag is gone). This axle is a Dana 27 and the one under the DJ is a Dana 23, but from what I understand the drums and axle shafts should interchange. Fortunately the drums/hubs and the axle shafts look to be in good condition, I grabbed it up because one hub had been run loose and wobbled out the axle and hub so it was pretty fortunate to find one locally.
The rims were a nice added bonus, they’re a little different design than what’s on the DJ but still the same size so if I want a spare it’ll work out nice.

[48willys]

More body work done. Almost done with the back, just need to make a new body mount and install it.
Also took one top apart to evaluate how many good parts there are, lots of rust so its definitely going to be a challenge.

[SteveKfl]

It is shaping up nicely and showing your efforts.  Good Job!

[48willys]

I’ve gotten enough done on the body tub that I want to fit the top now, just in case something needs to be reworked or adjusted.
There’s lots of work to be done, so far most of the holes do not line up with body and I’m expecting few of the holes will match when I mount the fiberglass top. It’s almost like Willys set the top on the Jeep and then drilled the holes wherever they needed them, out of two tops few parts have the holes drilled in the same places.
Most of the individual parts have rust and damage, so I’m having to cut parts out and make repairs.