1949 Willys CJ3A #13655

This may be a slow transformation…and perhaps a refurbishment verses an all out restoration.  

This Willys is for my wife Rachel.  She wants a ‘Thrasher’.  Definition:  A fairly correct Willys she can take to the market, or the mountains, and not have to worry about scratching the paint.  

Her demands are few.   She wants it to be painted a very pale yellow…and she wants one of those yellow Smiley Face tire covers.  So, when you all start thinking I’ve lost my mind, this is why.

Here it is…









My wife calls it ‘Whitey’.  Well, I guess the wheels are kind of white.

1949 Willys CJ3A #13655  Entry 3…

Maiden voyage.

https://youtu.be/-GDt8J8eENw


Now that I can move her around, it’s time to see what I can do to make it safe…and pale yellow.  

The floors are a disaster.    (See the photos in the last entry) I hooked up with a local Willys guy named Wally.  He had a full front floor panel that he is willing to sell.  (We are negotiating the price)  I may be able to do something with a new floor panel.  I consider it the “spine” of the Willys tub.  If you have the spine, you at least have a starting point.

Time to find out what condition the rest of the panels are in.  I want to offer a tip…A really quick and easy way to remove all the bondo from your tub…Air hammer with a chisel attachment.

Photo of the Willys after all the bondo has been removed.  See it all over the concrete?




I’ve easily removed 30 lbs of the stuff.  There are some pretty rough areas on the side panels, but surprisingly, very manageable regarding rust through.  It’s just been beat to crap.

Other sheet metal parts like the fenders, windshield and grille, look to be fairly easy to repair.   The hood is questionable.  I’ve decided to start with the tub.  

Decision time  New tub?  Repair the existing?  18 gauge steel for the repairs, or 16 gauge repairs?  Stay tuned.      

Nate,

Thanks for taking a look.

This is the first fuel pump of this style that I've seen on a 3A.  I'm enclined to think it's not original.  I posted the photo in hope that someone would comment on it.  I know you've been working on gathering information about the engine bolt ons.  I figure you'll have an answer before I do.

Tim

athawk11 wrote on 04/02/13 at 23:13:07:



The '49s are funny. Some have 2A engines, some don't. Willys was just using up the old 2A stuff that would fit. Does this one have the brass foot with a 2A engine? Hard to tell from you pic. Are your hood blocks off centered too? The ones on my '49 are because that is how the 2A hoods were.

Can you take a picture of the inside of the pump with the to off it? I'd be curious to see what the inside looks like. I'm not an expert in the bolt on engine parts, though I do try to play one on tv.  

BTW, a glass bowl is correct for a '49. That is what mine had on it originally.

Hey, check this out....



These are just a few of the bondo chunks I knocked off.  I don't want to offend anyone here. Quite frankly, I'm all for using body filler to smooth out a dimple or 'slight' depression, but seriously, these chunks are a 1/2" thick.  

Just thought you guys would get a kick out of it.

Tim

Yeah, I'd say bubba did some work to that jeep!

I've seen bondo like that. Kind of funny the stuff bubba does to make his jeeps look nice.   

Here's another "You might be a Jeeper if...." :

"When preparing your wife's ride, even though it may end up as a bit of a salad with a yellow smiley face, you decide that authenticity trumps safety and immediately remove her roll bar."  

Good thread Tim. I enjoyed the 2A journal and am glad to see the 3A sequel.

Can't agree with you more Tim! Roll bars on flattys just doesn't look right.