Hello members,
thanks for letting me joining your community,
It was time for me to join as I developed over the last five years a passion for the (low hood) flat fenders.
The growing dilemma was which one should I drive? The original MB with its sensitive drivetrain? The smart and comfortable CJ3A? The �best of flat fenders� M38 with its fording capability?
The only way I found to solve it is to go for all of them with three restoration projects: a 1973 VIASA CJ-3B (Spanish production with diesel engine) that I will convert into MB-look, a 1952 Willys M38 (former Pakistan Military Aid Program) and finally a 1952 Willys CJ-3A (former Belgian Army).
The configuration of the Belgian CJ-3A is something special. I understand those jeeps were produced in 1952 as CKD kits and shipped to Belgium where they were built together and adapted for 24v ignition system. Unlike the M38, the equipment were not fording capable. There is no tailgate, just a welded rear panel like on MBs and GPWs that supports spare wheel and jerrycan carriers.. Top-bow is similar to MBs, rear seat to M38. You can find a lot of period pictures on the web with the search �belgisch leger cj3a�
The engine was kept by the previous owner, but it was anyway a MB engine.
So I will install the engine from my 38 which is based on a replacement block from the sixties..
I found a head with casting #800376 and undrilled bypass, so both will run as a DJ3A or a late replacement CJ3A engine.
The rear axle is a DANA41 but should be a DANA44, so either the Belgian Army got cheaper compatible replacement axle, or Willys got rid of the old axles in those CKD kits. I have seen both Dana41 or Dana44 on those Belgian CJ3As.
Here in France, 80% of the Willys M38 for sale are in fact former Belgian army CJ3As. People are confused by the military top and equipment (black-out, tub handles�). Only very few civilian CJ3A were imported by Hotchkiss before Hotchkiss started to build the CJ3B (named JH101). The market was anyway saturated with surplus MB jeeps left over after WWII.
So, my task for the CJ3A is to give it a civil body and look. I will use the rear part of a decent JH101 tub I found last year with top bow supports, rear tail gate and rear seat attachment on the floor.
The only parts missing for now are the rear seat (but MD Juan can make one for me), canvas top, mirrors, rims, horn, Willys scripted hood and a windshield glass.
For now it looks very sad, as it had a difficult history, but there is in fact very few rusted areas, most damages are cracks or dents.
Cheers!
