1957 DJ3A

[48willys]

Finished the side panels. Had to graft parts of the rail from the other top into it and swap the uncut panels to the rebuilt frame, but all the rust has been fixed and we can move onto the next component

[SteveKfl]

It's taking shape quickly.  How's that outside side mounted spare location going to work with sliding doors?  Keep up the good work, and thanks for sharing your progress.

[48willys]

It's taking shape quickly.  How's that outside side mounted spare location going to work with sliding doors?  Keep up the good work, and thanks for sharing your progress.

Thanks. Yeah the outside spare doesn’t work with the sliding doors. Supposedly Willy’s didn’t offer a spare tire  for this version of the Dispatcher, so they just filled the holes with bolts. Putting all the supports and holes back in it doesn’t really do anything, I just wanted it to be as close to right as I can get it.

[SteveKfl]

Here's one pic of where someone decided to keep their spare.  I at some point saw one spare mounted on the roof outside saving the cargo area space for usage, but no pic of that.  I've never understood why the spare is on the passenger side blocking view more than it would behind the driver on the left, already a blind spot.  Maybe to put extra weight over the rear tire, or towards the curb's side when changing a tire?  I don't know.  Maybe the "inside view" will give you some "insight" towards the top's finished look too.  Maybe you'll enjoy the other pics of a brochure I have too!

[48willys]

That’s good idea for a spare, may try doing something like that in the future.
The brochure is cool, I need to get one like that to display with the jeep if I take it to shows.

[48willys]

Time to fit the fiberglass. Its going to be an learning experience, I've never worked on fiberglass before so I'm learning as I go. Washed it really good with dish soap and a scrubber pad, I guess pressure washing fiberglass isn't to good for it especially when the gloss coat is basically gone.Still a few spots with pine tar stuck to it that will need more cleaning but its a good start. The inside looks good, just need to clean that paint off.

[48willys]

Passenger seat is done. Wasn't sure how the originals were made, so went with a wooden block for the rest, it also keeps the seat centered between the driver's seat and fender.

[48willys]

Looking more complete tonight. Bolted the fiberglass down and finished the rear corners.

[SteveKfl]

I have to admit I haven't spent much time focused on the Hardtop model before.  That said I was surprised to see yours with the back top's corner sticking out beyond the body. So I checked my pic collections and found three factory examples verifying your accuracy.  I attached those pics here for your review.  Thanks for sharing your progress.

[48willys]

Yeah the rear corners are different from most hard tops, the skin hooks on the rear door frame and is pulled around and bolted to the side. I don’t really know why they decided to do that, maybe so the corner can be removed for repairs without disassembly of the top or it could be a way to compensate for body variations.
Thanks for sharing those.
 I found one of those advertisements with the blue jeep, made a photo copy to display with the jeep if I take it to a show.

[48willys]

Progress has slowed down since the weather has improved. But I'm still getting a little time to pick at it. Finished bending and cutting out the door threshold plates. The tracks are slowly getting straightened out in the shop press and hopefully will get welded back to the top soon.

[48willys]

Progress has slowed for the summer, but I did find a nice set of fenders and a correct tailgate.

[SteveKfl]

Nice score.  I love the swing down tag assembly.  It's going well for you.  Thanks for sharing your progress.

[48willys]

The doors are going to be a big job. I have the driver's door stripped to the frame and I think the first thing to do is get it to slide without binding. The first thing I've noticed with all these doors is the captured nut for the top rollers are always twisted/ mutilated and the rollers aren't parallel with the door frame, causing the the rollers to bind in the track. It may be a little overkill but this is what I came up with, it will get welded in from both sides and hopefully prevent the step bolts from coming out of square with the door frame.

[Rus Curtis]

So that grooved part at the top of the bolt is the roller?  I presume the track or roller has to be lubricated somehow.