New to Forum and to Jeeps

[Marc]

My name is Marc and I live in Utah.� I've watched (and at times pestered) my neighbor to let me have the old jeep that's been sitting in her horse pasture for the last 15 years.� It's been depressing to watch as it's deteriorated over the years to the point where it's no longer drivable.� Well, the other day she comes over and tells me that I can have it if I'll get it off her property and hands me the title.� She's told me earlier that it's a 1957, but the title/registration says 1949 CJ3A (VIN:35124; Identification Number: 3J35348).� I went over today to look more closely at the jeep and to take some pictures.

I'm a pencil-pusher by day, but am mechanically-minded and have rebuilt engines and transmissions in the past. It looks like this rig has been modified over the years, with some mods more obvious than others (hood, engine).� I think my plan is to restore it to original (nice enough to turn heads, but not show quality) and putter around the foothills near my home.�

I'll post a link to some pictures shortly.  I look forward to learning and participating in the forum!

[Marc]

I'm new to vehicle restoration in general and jeeps specifically. I'm not sure if what I've got is worth restoring.� I've included a link to some pictures and would be interested to hear from others if this will be a worthwhile project:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ljd9me9buovcstx/-qiYDMIUlT

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

[Matto]

Hi Marc, welcome to the forum.
Your Vin# puts it as a late 49 3A.
Great pictures, it looks like your Jeeps had an interesting life up to now.
CJ2A windshield frame, F head motor with a very interesting hood mod. Looks like it was cut from a car hood?
The air cleaner looks like it's from a 2A.
I've never seen that steering wheel before.
Looks like a great project.
Matt

[Bob W]

Looks like the steering wheel, horn and engine may have all come from a Willys Wagon.

Restoration would depend on your motivation. This one is a real project but I've seen much worse.

[garage gnome]

Welcome! Looks like you a handful there!

[3aJeeper]

Glad you're here and I too, sit on the computer all day and wish I was a mechanic.

If only the bottom of my tub looked as good as yours!�

You do have the F-134 engine which is why there is that large hump in the hood. Mine does too. If you want to get it back to an unmodified hood, you can put a Holley model 1904 carb on it (from a '61 Falcon) and it'll leave you about an inch under the hood. That of course assumes that the current engine will run and you want to keep it.�

I took that route since there was no way I was going to be able to replace the engine with the L-134 Go Devil. Double whammy of lack of cash and skill!!

[Forum Master]

Welcome!

[1oldracer]

Hi Marc, Let me add my welcome to the forum.  Looks like you have a great place to start - FREE Willys!!  No Matter how it goes you can't loose.  Nothing about a restoration is beyond your reach.  My advice contribution would be - Keep everything - nuts, bolts, rusted up things you can't identify, etc. etc.  I can't tell you how many times I have looked at a needed part in a catalog and thought - WAIT - I had one of those and I threw it away!! Have fun

[johnrb3b]

Welcome Marc.
Yes your engine and steering wheel are definitely from a Wagon or Truck. No reason not to keep them unless you want to do an "authentic" restoration. If you want to fix it and drive it for fun, then you're good to go.

And as 1oldracer said - don't throw anything away until you know you're done and the piece is of no use to anyone. I've had to buy parts twice that "got away from us" in the rebuild process.

Have fun getting her running.

[athawk11]

I may not be the right person to ask whether a Willys is a good candidate for a restoration.� I think they all deserve a second chance at glory.

Thus...

That is the "PERFECT" Willys for a restoration!!

Welcome to the site.

Tim

[bwtufts]

Welcome to the 3A world Marc! Looks like you've got a good start to a project on your hands. It appears in better shape than mine when I first got it.

I agree with everyone one on keeping everything, even the stuff that appears to be broken. If you don't wind up using it at some point and time it might be a barter/ salable item later. 

Look forward to seeing her as she progresses!

[Marc]

Thanks for the welcome, and for the encouragement!� When I originally looked closely at her condition, and after looking at the beautiful work samples on this site, I wasn't sure if she had any life left in her.� After reading the responses, it looks like I've got a decent project ahead of me.� :-?

I appreciate the help identifying the hodge-podge of parts.� I originally tried to follow the algorithm for figuring out what model year Willys you have and was led astray by the 2-piece windshield, the bump in the hood, and the spark plugs on the side�

Thanks also for the helpful advice to not throw anything away.� Since I'm new to vehicle restoration, I am grateful for the advice that will save grief in the long run as I undertake this new adventure.

Now that Wife is onboard, I have the green light to make room in the garage and start the process.� �

First thing I'm going to do is have my kids help me name her.� Okay, I'm back.� They told me that she is actually a he named TJ (for "The Jeep").�

Next, will be to get it rolling ('cause it's not running).� Like johnrb3b suggested, I'm going to keep the engine and steering wheel.� I'm planning to strip TJ down to the frame and doing what it takes to give TJ new life over the next few years. 

I look forward to participating in the forum!

[johnrb3b]

Hmmmm.
You might want to consider TW - The Willys - since TJ is actually a Jeep model designation. The TJ was the second of the Wrangler line, after the YJ, built from 1997 - 2006 when it was replaced by the JK.

Not that most people will know the difference or care, but it will confuse Jeep people who are in the know.

[Marc]

Hmmmm.
You might want to consider TW - The Willys - since TJ is actually a Jeep model designation. The TJ was the second of the Wrangler line, after the YJ, built from 1997 - 2006 when it was replaced by the JK.

Not that most people will know the difference or care, but it will confuse Jeep people who are in the know.

Excellent point...I had no idea.� I'll take your suggestion and go with TW.� The kids approve, too.� Thanks for the feedback!

[Matto]

Marc,
        Take many pictures of everything from every angle before you take things apart. I store them on a dedicated flash drive. You'd be surprised how handy they might be if you have a "one of a kind" Jeep.