Hi from the UK

[PercyUK]

Hi everyone. I have just joined the forum and just hoping that I have placed this introduction in the right place !!. I am the proud owner of a 53 CJ3A that according to the man I got it from was imported to the UK from Texas.
The clock would suggest that it has done about 130,000 miles and I am convinced that it has done everyone of those miles off road !!!. At the moment the gearbox, transfer case and bell are all on the floor waiting a rebuild.
I have rewired it and converted to 12v but there is still plenty to do with amongst other things a stuck dissy although the engine seems to run fine.
 My plan is to get it driving well and leave the body with its 64 year old patina. I anticipate a lot of questions and am looking forward to your help and expertise.

[aboyandhisdog]

Hmmm...I can't tell for sure if you have a 3A there but it does look like they got a little creative with some body mod action.  Must have had a cab on it.  Fine looking project you have there - perfect for cruising those narrow lanes around the countryside. 

[athawk11]

That is a fine looking 3A.  Even the mod is cool...and looks nicely done.  It's always fun to see the Civilian Jeeps show up in exotic lands.

[PercyUK]

Hiya, yes the mod is interesting...I may change it back in due course but it is way down on the "things to do list". I wondered myself if some form of cab was fitted or if the original owner wanted a bit more space when jumping in and out. I'll probably never know but am not too unhappy with it.

[athawk11]

What is the box...just below the wiper motor?

[PercyUK]

Hi, the box appears to be a nice homemade tray, for * and lighters etc. Also attached to the same is an ashtray !!. Cool. It also came with a heater but this has been removed for now as it was in very poor condition and will require a full restoration in due course.

[Kirkski]

Welcome to the group Percy, fine looking machine there. Enjoy

Kirk

[athawk11]

Hi, the box appears to be a nice homemade tray, for * and lighters etc. Also attached to the same is an ashtray !!. Cool.

You Brits crack me up! � .� I know it's a common word for cigarette in the UK. When I was a kid, we called our friends "f*g"...if they were being a dip-excrement.

In this day and age, in the U.S., we're labeled as homophobes if we use the word 'f*g'.� �

Welcome to the world of the PC culture.

Edit: See?� Even our 3A website won't let me use words like f*g and sh*t. � ��

[PercyUK]

Ah ! yes ...sorry.  It's a common term here for cigarettes. I'll have to be careful in future.
I thought you might like to know that I dropped the gearbox in order to rebuild it and when I removed the oil plug water came out !! . It was brown as you might expect.
The transfer case had a cream coloured thick oil which also surprised me as I thought that both shared the same oil. I am expecting some horrors in the gearbox when I finally get the time to disassemble it.

[athawk11]

Don't worry about the words you use.  I find it refreshingly real. 

The transmission and transfer case do share oil, but the oil needs to be at a certain level...or angle for the fluid to move about.  The transmission is more prone to being contaminated with water.  If the shift lever boot and top gasket are worn out, the water sneaks in from the top.

[PercyUK]

Hi again, one quick question that may have been answered elsewhere so please forgive me.

My CJ3A appears stock but clearly sits higher than wartime jeeps. Research would suggest however that they all share the same springs and suspension components.
Is there a reason why the 2�s and 3�s appear to be lifted and the gap between the top of the tyre and the fender is bigger or is this not actually the case  ?.

[1955CJ-5]

Comparing the picture you posted with my jeep when I first got it, they look pretty close as far as ride height.� My jeep has 15" wheels and that may make it look a little different.

I replaced the springs on mine and it sat noticeably higher until it got some miles on it. It's still a little higher than yours though.

Are your wheels 15" or 16"? I would think all military jeeps have 16" wheels..
 
Pretty similar height....although I think the engine was out when this was taken....my springs were in pretty bad shape...

[athawk11]

There are a number of factors which change how they sit.� Some of which 1955CJ-5 mentions.

I believe guys with MBs and GPWs are reluctant to let their old original springs go.� Many in this crowd are set on keeping things as original as they can...regardless of how worn they are.
 
Some CJs were offered with heavy duty spring options. This may have appealed to farmers who attached heavy implements to their CJs.� MBs originally had 8 leafs on the front and 9 leafs on the rear.� This is my Wife's� 3A.� It has new springs.� 10 leafs on the front and 9 leafs on the rear.� It sits pretty proud.
 
Forgot to add: These are 16" x 6.5 wheels and tires.

[PercyUK]

Thanks for the replies.

1955CJ5, I run 16" wheels. The tyres in the photo were 700's and were very old. I have replaced them with some second hand 600x16 NDT for that original look which has increased the apparent tyre and fender gap a little� more. and Athawk11 I have to say you have a fine looking car there.
I have of course looked at a lot of jeep images over the years and it is fair to say that for everyone that sits low there is another that sits a little higher. I will do some measuring when the gearbox is back in, compare it with the original spec, and report back.
Cheers