1957 DJ3A

[48willys]

Yeah that’s the roller, Willys didn’t really provide a convenient way to lube the roller but I’m thinking something like dry Graphit lube would work without making to much of a mess.

[48willys]

The driver door is coming together, looking more complete with a new skin.

[Rus Curtis]

Yeah that’s the roller, Willys didn’t really provide a convenient way to lube the roller but I’m thinking something like dry Graphit lube would work without making to much of a mess.

I've really gravitated towards white lithium as it stays put and will help waterproof.  I would suspect it would only be messy if inadvertently, your fingers would come in contact with the parts.

Enjoy watching your fabricating skills! 

[48willys]

The door latch has been a decent project all by itself. Being that these are impossible to find new. I had to completely disassemble it to build up the pivot holes , reshape them and straighten the housing.
The original coating was completely gone so I went with a zinc plating on all the parts. The passenger side will have to wait until another day.

[ojgrsoi]

I've been gone awhile and just read through your entire post.  I love the DJ3A and think you are doing a super job in restoring yours.  Your configuration with that top are among my favorites of all Jeeps.  Keep up the great work.

[48willys]

Drivers side window works again.
 Tried something different for the window tracks, instead of buying new window channels/felt. I got some self adhesive felt, cleaned/painted the channels and installed the felt. Hopefully it continues to work well, the beaded window channels used on these are difficult and expensive to source.
The handle is all guess work, the only photos that show them are all fuzzy and only show the outside. I made these from an old piece of stainless, they fit tight enough to stay on pretty well but the plan is to put a little glue on them when installed on the new glass.

[Rus Curtis]

Wow! Nice work.  I know the fabrication route too.

If I understand what I'm seeing, the window is raised with the handle at the top of the glass?  Is there a spring assist to help?

[48willys]

Yeah the handle is used to raise and lower the window. The “lift” as Willys called it, essentially works as a spring balance , a little like a garage door .
It’s a odd choice for a vehicle but Willys found a solution for the windows opening on their own, they added a little wire stop on the inner panel you can turn to lock the window in the up position  .

[48willys]

Working on the passenger door now.
Made and welded in some reinforcements for the roller bolts, replaced the bottom of the frame, made lots of adjustments and started making a new skin. Lots to still do but its looking like a door again.

[48willys]

Put the skin on and got some primer on it.

[Rus Curtis]

Good progress!  It's coming together nicely.

[derekredmond]

Project is looking great.  Thanks for posting!

Derek

[48willys]

A little more progress on the passenger door. The window regulator, door latch and inner panel are repaired and installed. I think I'm finally past the worst of the front doors and can move on to the rear gate now.

[SteveKfl]

Great looking work and updates with pics.  Quite the craftsman.  Question:  Is the window all or nothing with opening, or is there other methods of control besides the hook?  Thanks
SteveK

[48willys]

The way the regulators work is a little like a garage door, a spring balance. So even though the window will stay in any position while the vehicle is stopped, I have a feeling when driving it will creep open or closed depending on what position its closest to.
With the correct window felt it may have had enough friction to stay when new, but the felt I used is loose and  let’s the glass float in the track so that could be part of the issue.
There’s no service information about this type of window regulator that I can find, so there’s some guessing going on