Original

[Andrew]

Dashboard: Attached is a photo of the dashboard (instruments panel) on my 'mystery" Jeep. What Jeep models/years used this layout where the four gauges are above the speedometer instead of surrounding it?
                  Sorry, no photo. I have it saved where I can put it as an attachment to an email, but do not know how to include it in a posting here.How do I do that?

[Rus Curtis]

To post an image, there are two ways. 

If you use a 3rd party host, i.e. Flickr, then you open the picture you want, copy the url (sometimes there's a link/ share button somewhere on the display with the image).  Open a post to add text and your image.  Just above the box where you type your text, there's a list of buttons to change/ enhance your post. Click the icon that looks like a photo (second from left on second row on my screen) or type (img) (/img) - NOTE: don't use parentheses but instead use [] [] brackets.  This is the command to post that image you want.  Then paste the link you copied in the middle.  Then preview it to see if it shows.

The second method is to look below the box you type your text in and you'll see a blue + , with the explanation, "Attachments and other options."  Scroll down to "Attach:" and click on the "Choose File" box.  Follow the prompts to select and post.

[Mark W.]

If I am getting what your saying no CJ used a gauge layout with 4 smaller gauges above the speedo. They went from 4 surrounding the speedo to a single large cluster with the smaller gauges incorporated into the large round single gauge.

[Rus Curtis]

As Mark stated, the layout for early jeeps were all the same and then later switched to the single cluster (which early DJ/Surrey's used also).

The Service Manual, Section T, fig 314, shows the CJ-3A (same for CJ-2A and early CJ-3B).  There are also multiple figures showing the single cluster type.

[Andrew]

Might the 4 instrument gauges above the speedomerer layout be from Jeep Trucks or Sta.Wagons? Other things on the dashboard, parking brake rod/handle, starter push rod w/ball, choke knob,key switch all seem to be in their CJ expected places. It was advertised as a mystery Jeep when I bought it,so maybe this is part of the mystery. The motor in it is a mid 1948 2T truck motor, but the frame is 80 inch w/b. The only Jeep body parts on it are the steering column/wheel and headlight buckets.All the body panels are custom fabrications,although the front grille panel is a factory stamping repurposed from something, again another mystery. A 1of1.

[Rus Curtis]

It sounds like there may have been a "bubba" in the ownership chain.  Modifications are very common. 

Look under the instrument panel to see if any welding/patching have happened. 

And figure out the picture thing.  We want to see this!

[Andrew]

A correction to reply #4: My error on which body panels are original Jeep. The dashboard and the top & side panel one piece assembly between the hood and door openings seems to be original Jeep. There were several unused small holes in the dashboard which have been filled-in and not showing in the photo. I have numbered each of the items showing in the photo: most are obvious , but #3 is a switch for the siren relay and #5 is the push/pull rod for the starter.

[Rus Curtis]

That looks like a very clean modification.  I wouldn't mind seeing a wider view of this instrument panel.  It's got a lot going on.

[Andrew]

Hopefully, a better picture of the 'mystery' instruments panel. 1. Choke. 2. Temp. 3.  Siren Relay  4. Dashboard light  5. Push rod for Starter 
6. Amps  7.Hour Meter (replacing Fuel Gauge)  8.Handbrake pull rod  9.Speedometer/odometer  10.Oil Pressure  11.Key switch.

Fuel gauge relocated due to relocated fuel tank & different type sending unit.

[Rus Curtis]

Andrew,
Still the same image, but the labeling helps to understand and does confirm/correct some guessing.  I'm a bit reluctant now to assume this is a Bubba job, i.e. a Previous Owner did all this on his own.

Another idea is this may actually be a purpose-built vehicle but for what I'm not sure.  The "Hour Meter" and "Siren Relay" are not what most jeeps have.  I've also never seen a pushrod for the starter that passes through the instrument panel (I wonder if that linkage was created to make room on the floor for other equipment).

It's hard to say with just this image.  It's cropped and only shows this small area on the instrument panel.  Do you have any other images?  A wide shot of the entire jeep (front, side, rear/ entire interior? The serial number plate?  Does it actually have a siren?  Is the engine an L-head 134?  Is there a serial number on the boss above the water pump?

[Andrew]

Rus & Others: This is in reply to reply # 9:
The hour meter replaces the original fuel gauge, since the relocated fuel tank takes a different type sending unit.
The siren switch was on it when I acquired the Jeep. Therefore, I assume at one time it must have had an electric siren, but absent when I acquired it.It did come with a hand crank siren on the right rear light post, which is now on an engine in Florida that needed one. It now has an electric siren again.
My entire Jeep can be seen on: Do a google search for fire jeeps in Minnesota, go to Fire Jeeps on cj3b.info, Fire Service Jeeps, go to fire jeeps in Minnesota,go to mystery jeep which will be the firest one shown. There may be a less involved way to access this, but if so I can't find it.
Serial number plate,left frame horn: Plate missing  nor number stamped in frame.
Motor serial number: 2T16505 which is a pickup truck motor not original to my CJ 80" chassis.
This vehicle was assembled by a one-armed mechanic in middle Minnesota prior to 1960, with his niece providing the extra arm when needed. So, no wonder it was advertised as a 'mystery Jeep' and for sure is a one-of-one.

[Rus Curtis]

Ah... So the possibility that this is a fire jeep sounds plausible.  That makes sense.  And it's on the 3B Page?  Sounds like you've got some history on it already.  The one-armed mechanic part is too good to leave out.