New cj3a !

[Dinesh]

My efforts to fill up the blanks of missing cj3as in my stable (read 1949 and 1951) started in May 2023.
With good and complete cj3a becoming rarer to find, the chances seemed bleak until I came across a post on social media about a low hood Jeep on offer in October 2023.
Scrolling through the pics,I could see a butchered Jeep with a hurricane on sale.
Closer inspection revealed it could be a cj3a with no guesses on the year.

I decided to take the plunge and picked her up only to recieve her with surprise that she did carry a data plate under layers of paint and heat protection padding on the firewall.
 The dataplate was recovered and revealed it to be 1949 cj3a with sn Cj3a 266**.
A wierd tail gate and a worse looking windshield.

[Dinesh]

Next step was to get her running as the hurricane was fitted with a carb from a Suzuki omnivan to accommodate the low hood.
I changed the carb to an old solex which was used on another devil. Poured some engine oil through the plugs and waited for 3 days.
The engine fired and drove well.i had to use a wooden block to avoid the hood from hitting the changed carb on the hurricane.
With plans to use the hurricane on an upcoming dj6 project, we replaced it with a restored devil and she was ready to visit the body shop for corrections.
It took 7 months for the body work to be completed and some original parts to be procured.
The mechanicals were done up next and the Jeep running in mechanically restored condition got us to October 2024.
Next job was to get her painted and get all those small parts in place.

[Dinesh]

The body was removed from the chassis and paint process started as usual.
I selected Normandy blue for the 1949 cj3a as it was the correct one for that year and also in remembrance of my 1948 cj2a which I had to let go from my garage.

[Dinesh]

With the rainy season at its peak during this time in India we were prepared to take on the rains just in case we needed.
The climate was ideal for painting and just in time for the final paint coat the rain god played havoc.
Heavy rains coming out of no where put us in a fix and we had to shift the tub back into the garage in the make shift paint booth.
Rest went well and we could finish her up on the paint that day. All parts occupied the prime space at home in the office, bed room and eventually the wash room was also not spared.
Smaller parts were taken up with the chassis and mechanicals the next day and the paint job went uneventful.
The body parts were assembled as time permitted and finally we were ready for electricals.

[Dinesh]

It was just fitting in parts next as I usually collect all parts before I start with the restoration project.
The passenger side NACO arrived just in time and we could complete the electrical work.

[Dinesh]

Final round of fine art was next. The 4wd script on the tail gate, highlighting the Willys emboss on the hood and tail gate was next and was done by myself as usual. The best part of personal effort put into to any Jeep is this.
 I use a stencil for the 4wd script and free hand for the highlighting the hood and tail gate.
I would be happy to get suggestions on improvisation from all friends here.

I shall post further updates either in past or present tense as I proceed owing to my work schedule.
Regards
Dinesh

[Bob W]

Looking good!!! Thanks for sharing.

[Rus Curtis]

Wow!  Fantastic!  Especially moving your jeep into the house!

[SteveKfl]

Excellent pictured progress.  Thanks for sharing.  You have a sincere interest and resourcefulness to restoring Willys Jeeps.  A very "accepting" household too.
 
I'd like to see sometime a pic of your whole collection of models, if you don't mind.  That should be interesting.
 
Not that you need any help, but I have found for me, using a sponge brush vs a bristle brush works good on embossed lettering with just one flat stroke.
 
Keep up the excellent work and shares of your journey!
 
 

[Dinesh]

Thanks friends.
My primary interest was in 1953 cj3as or may be cj3as in general. In pursuit of cj3a jeeps I managed to add on other models too.
Mostly low hood flat fenders in my collection.
My garage includes 3 gpws 2* 1942,44,1943 mb, 2*1948 cj2a,2 *1964 dj3as, cj3as from 1949 to 1953, 1961 cj3b,1959 cj5,1968 dj6, 1961 willys pickup truck and a 1964 willys pickup truck,2012 Mahindra Thar.
I have restored all these jeeps with original parts sourced from USA over the years and tried to get them to as  stock condition as possible.
But the pick of the lot anytime would be the cj3as and dj3as.
Willys community on USA have been of great help in all my restorations.
Thanks and best wishes.
Dinesh

[SteveKfl]

That must be one BIG garage.  Thanks for sharing, and your interests in Willys.

[Dinesh]

So finally had some time to spare to complete the 1949 cj3a. All small details and the missing parts got back on the Jeep.
A fast clean up and here are the pictures.