New to CJ3A but not to Jeeps from Tennessee!

[Trish]

Greetings everyone! I am very excited to finally join this forum AND have a jeep!
My husband, Dave, bought me this jeep for my birthday present this month. It is in very good condition but we (read Dave, with me watching and holding tools), are trying to do maintenance and needed service to restore it as close to original as possible. He, of course, said "I bought you this jeep cause I know you always wanted one."� My comment was "Whatever" and "Well, this better be put on our life insurance and in our will cause I can see where it is going already."
We found the CJ3A site and it has been invaluable for the research we have done on this jeep. We look forward to many more years of enjoyment and meeting fellow lovers of the old jeeps. Thanks for everyone's help and knowledge in this project!

[Kirkski]

Welcome, sweet Jeep!

[Trish]

Thanks! We are excited that we found this one and got a great deal too. We have put a few new seals on it, changed all the fluids, and are putting a top on it so we can use it more. We also found a trailer that use to have a military generator on it that is very lightweight that we are going to restore.

[1955CJ-5]

Nice jeep! It looks like you have an M-38 tailgate with the re-enforced areas for a gas can and spare tire. That is a nice upgrade...Thanks for the pictures...we love pictures!

[athawk11]

Nice Willys!

It has some M-38 and CJ3A characteristics.� I'm thinking you might have an early reproduction MD Juan tub.�

Welcome to the 3A.�

Tim

[Trish]

Yeah we are still sorting out what was installed and replaced. We are just happy to have a good place to start.

[BMIC]

Welcome Trish and Dave, thanks for posting the pictures. They are all different in small ways...

[Quebec Jeep]

Welcome! Nice looking jeep.

[Trish]

I just took it in to be serviced and the mechanic said it was the best he has seen for its age. (I think he just wants more of our business.)
The only problem he found was the steering and he fixed that for me. Now we're off to a great start learning how to do it ourselves. Read: me holding the tools and my husband doing the work.  [smiley=happy.gif]

[Ryan_M]

That is a nice looking Willys. It would be interesting to determine the origin of that tub. Kind of a mixed bag of features but a great looking rig.

What was wrong with the steering? And what did your guy to to correct it? Get yourself a service manual, pay attention to the great advice on this forum, and there isn't anything you won't be able to fix yourself.

Welcome to the 3A page.

[Trish]

The jeep was restored 2 owners ago, about ten years back. My understanding it was an older gentleman that loved his jeep and saved as much as he could and repaired it with what he had on hand. We are happy with it now but will always go with original 3A parts as we do replacements. I know a CJ3A did not have a glove compartment and this one does.
I pick the jeep tomorrow and will find out what all was done. We do have manuals and have printed off things from the forum as we find things we want to change. We are not afraid of asking for help or trying to tackle a new project. We appreciate everyone that has extended a hand of welcome!

[Trish]

What was wrong with the steering? And what did your guy to to correct it?
Welcome to the 3A page.

The shop manager, Scott, said when they put it up on the rack, they found all the bolts on the steering joints were loose and that caused them to twist and buckle when the wheel was turned. They replaced the boots on the rods also and greased all connections. It is like night and day better on driving! You don't have to move the steering more than 1-2 inches before you get a response from the wheels.
We also purchased a "Tightsteer" from Walck's and they installed that also. Scott said as tight as the steering was, the jeep didn't need it but it couldn't hurt, that it would keep the sector shaft sideways to keep the sector shaft�s pins engaged in the cam.
We also put on new Monroe shocks as the two on the driver side were bad. They also adjusted the brakes. We are going to install a new emergency brake (already have the parts).
Our next project is getting a full top for the jeep. Any recommendations?

[Trish]

Check out our new project under non jeep projects!

[Ryan_M]

I'm always curious when a Willys goes to the "shop" as to how a mechanic will deal with it. Yours seems OK with keeping things original. All too often you would hear something along the lines of "...well your problem is this old steering design. If we replace this crappy stock set-up with a new power steering system that'll fix it!"

Looks like your guy was able to stick to the original script and make it work. Good stuff.

[aboyandhisdog]

Hi Trish,
You asked about tops.� Best top makes a full top - but not cheap at about $900+.� JC Whitney sells them, last I knew, and others no doubt.� If you have� the m38 bow, you can buy canvas and have an auto upholsterer make a canopy for it, or whatever you're looking for.� I made a flat awning type top for my m38 which I am very happy with.� As I recall, the canvas from Beechwood Canvas cost about $150 and to have it made was maybe $175 at a local upholstry shop.� But the coldest temps I drive in are only 40 or so, so don't really have a need for a full top or heater.� Above that and an awning is plenty.� Have fun!