[AVR]

My dad owned one when I was too young to make sense of it. Nevertheless, its been deeply-etched in my childhood memories of camping and weekend trips. Over the years, petrol got costlier and the thought of owning one receded into the background.

Circa 2010, while visiting a family friend's place in Gujarat, happened to chance upon his 1970 CJ3 sitting in all the splendor possible of a sunbath that lasted ~15 years!

Got talking about my Jeep and then he asked me to bring this Jeep back to life! Ahem!

So what do I know about the Hurricane? That it runs on petrol. That it has a fan following few vehicles of this vintage enjoy. That Gogi Singh's CJ3 would saunter along the obstacles that a diesel 540 screamed/shouted/wailed its way out (EXAMM 2010).

Took it up as a challenge. As we go along the way, I get to learn about the famous Hurricane-CJ3B and one piece of history comes back to life!

Almost a year later, I managed to put it on a truck and get it to Ahmedabad. I unfortunately don't own it but only get to drive it!

Some original pics of where it has been parked for the last 15 years!









Work in progress:





Look at that filter!


Years of sunbathing include a lot of rains and somehow we had water creep into the engine.






The engine was taken apart:


This required a lot of parts to be sourced. Luckily, Soumya aka genesis came to the rescue and pointed me to Indian Motors in Mumbai.
Following parts were required:
1) Pistons and rings - Available in standard, +10, +20, +30 and +40 oversized.
2) Gasket Kit
3) Camshaft Gear - 56 Teeth (Fibre)
4) Timing Seal
5) Water Pump
6) New Tyres
7) Alternator-based setup to replace Dynamo setup
8 ) Miscellaneous parts.

Except 6, 7 & 8 all parts were sourced from Indian, The standard pistons from Indian Motors would have required a sleeve and in a conversation with Jeep Guru UBS Sir, I was advised against using sleeves. Hence the search began for oversized pistons.

A shop in Ahmedabad was selling +40 oversized but they would have resulted in lesser scope for rebuilds in the future so finally had to ask UBS Sir to source them from Kolkata. I found +20 oversized pistons and one fine day a parcel came home which restarted the engine rebuild process!

Finally, this week we were able to get the engine built and it was started yesterday. Phew!

[GTO]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to the 4x4 Section. Thanks for sharing!

[fazalaliadil]

Aditya,

3B on Hurricane, sounds like music from heaven.

That was one huge build, from where do you get this patience ?
We are lucky to have this networking in Jeepers here, who are ever helpful.

Now, the body needs to be done up i guess..the worst part and time consuming.

All the best.
Regards,

[wanderer4x4]

Kudos to you for saving this classic from becoming scrap and taking pains to restore it despite not owning it as of now. That is the Jeeper spirit on display.

Do keep us posted on further developments.

[svsantosh]

While you had access to the chassis area without the engine you should have got the old surface rust removed and painted her. But its not too late, you can do it even now.

PS - It doesnt get more original than this! OE paint from company eh? Looks fabulous, just like out of a hindi flick, wasnt it a jeep in 'meri sapno ki rani...' song?

[AVR]

Originally Posted by fazalaliadil

Aditya,
That was one huge build, from where do you get this patience ?
We are lucky to have this networking in Jeepers here, who are ever helpful.
Now, the body needs to be done up i guess..the worst part and time consuming.

My own 540 and its mods helped me develop patience. It does get on my nerves though.
The Jeeper network is an awesome thing as it stands today. People have been very helpful in sourcing as well as in guiding me especially because I have never driven a Petrol Jeep yet/before.
The body/chassis is currently being scrapped and will be ready for the paint job by end of this week. The color we are planning is going to be like the one in the pic below which I found on the Internet/tbhp/don't remember:

Originally Posted by svsantosh

While you had access to the chassis area without the engine you should have got the old surface rust removed and painted her. But its not too late, you can do it even now.

PS - It doesnt get more original than this! OE paint from company eh? Looks fabulous, just like out of a hindi flick, wasnt it a jeep in 'meri sapno ki rani...' song?

You are right about the rust being removed but not the body has been taken off and scrubbed so should be fresh and new in a week's time! Its the original shade but I don't like it and somehow the color in the pic above should be way more appealing!

[AVR]

Body work in progress as of today. Next week I get to drive a petrol Jeep for the first time!

[AVR]

So the first pic after a few coats of paint is here!





This will remain Matt and its slightly lighter than the olive green that used to be originally used in the war models.

Things still pending are:
1) Final coat of paint
2) Electrical wiring
3) Seats

Stay tuned!

[m_upreti]

Originally Posted by AVR

So the first pic after a few coats of paint is here!

Lovely, I have been dreaming of a real Jeep like this since long (with the real embossed logo on the hood).

Would be follwing you closely as this beauty shapes up.

[JeepCaptain]

Originally Posted by AVR

This will remain Matt and its slightly lighter than the olive green that used to be originally used in the war models.

Things still pending are:
1) Final coat of paint
2) Electrical wiring
3) Seats
Stay tuned!

Yes, Tuning & Waiting!!

Adi, Good Luck with the Build!

My CJ3B Petrol resto is still moving at a snail pace. Almost 2 years and still not out of garage. .

[nithinnarayanan]

Hey Adi Good luck for the Rebuild!

Did you replace the Body mounts and the Bolts ?

[AVR]

Originally Posted by nithinnarayanan

Hey Adi Good luck for the Rebuild!

Did you replace the Body mounts and the Bolts ?

Thanks Nithin,

Yes have changed the body mounts and bolts.

[AVR]

Quick update:
Do you know Hurricane water-pumps can be life threatening? Yes. Read on.

A new water pump ordered from Mumbai thankfully due to Genesis' help in pointing us to the right shop was finally installed. The first time the engine was started and being run it started off beautifully and I was very excited and just peeping into the engine bay. Never had any exposure to Petrol Jeeps since I started understanding them. Anyways, after about 20 minutes of the engine settling down to a more-or-less rhythmic heartbeat, I am still looking inside the bay and the radiator fan comes flying out. Thankfully, the hosepipe at the top stopped it from hitting me in the face!

Phew! When someone said a Petrol Jeep can be a killer, I didn't know this is what it meant

Any case, after getting the pump repaired, and putting in a new radiator (MM540 type) required thanks to the flying fan it was put back in and engine was finally roused.

One thing about Jeep restorations that is always true is that timelines are never honored.

Early May 2012 is when I had thought a week's work left and its beyond mid-June and still the mechanic only says "1-2 din ka kaam hain Aditya Bhai". I don't know why I have been foolish to actually expect it to happen that fast. Its the same guy who promised me my 14B conversion a week before EXAMM 2011 and actually gave it to me 45 days after EXAMM was done with. No doubt Eddy is awesome with his work but he has no guilt whatsoever about running late on timelines.

Anyways enough of the rant.
Here are some updated pics from yesterday evening.
- Painting is complete except for a few touchups.
- Windscreen was being put up right after I took these pics
- Spare-tire on side needs to be put up
- Hood needs to be designed. Still not sure about what design to go ahead with. Suggestions invited
- Tying up some loose ends here and there.

Nevertheless, nothing beats the excitement of bringing a classic back to life! Can't wait to use it in a few days!

Cheers,
Adi

[DHABHAR.BEHRAM]

Dear AVR - hello after a very long time. I can observe that the process you have used to bring back this vehicle to shape is quite robust and people are doing things properly, which is good, at least the photographs indicate likewise. I don't like the choice of color but I guess this is a personal decision. So, did you drive it yet?

A CJ3B with 5.38 axle ratio and 4WD is the best that you can drive. It is a mountain goat. You will be amazed at the lack of fuss with which you will overcome all obstacles, once you leave tarmac. Enjoy!

My dream is CJ3B but LHD only, not yet realized.

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

[AVR]

Originally Posted by DHABHAR.BEHRAM

Dear AVR - hello after a very long time. I can observe that the process you have used to bring back this vehicle to shape is quite robust and people are doing things properly, which is good, at least the photographs indicate likewise. I don't like the choice of color but I guess this is a personal decision. So, did you drive it yet?

A CJ3B with 5.38 axle ratio and 4WD is the best that you can drive. It is a mountain goat. You will be amazed at the lack of fuss with which you will overcome all obstacles, once you leave tarmac. Enjoy!

My dream is CJ3B but LHD only, not yet realized.

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

Thanks Mr. Behram. My mechanic Edison is a pretty sharp guy. Have driven it a few times but largely on tarmac as we can't find a front propeller shaft for the Jeep. But from the little I drove my first petrol jeep, driving a Jeep without creating a racket is a good feeling

Update on issues/progress:
1) Body paint job has not been up to the mark so will get it done again
2) Using the wrong exhaust (DI Jeep) is surely not a bright idea. Looking out for a new one. Any other vehicle from which I can use the exhaust?
3) Clutch pressure plate is not in good shape. Worked fine for the first 2-3 days of driving but now while starting from standstill there are major shudders and jerks. Changing from 2nd to 3rd is smooth though. What could be the reason? Am thinking of changing the clutch plate and pressure plate.
4) Don't know how someone (my mechanic) can do that but there are two buttons for the same horn: 1) Steering center and 2) special knob fitted on front dashboard plate. Just don't understand how people can be careless enough to not check before doing some work.