My Willys CJ3B

S@~+#0$# · 25th December 2008, 00:44

My dream of owning a Left Hand Drive Short chassis jeep finally came true

. I now possess a 1955 Willys CJ3B. It is a 3B with the original Petrol Engine, 3 + 1 Gearbox & 4x4 intact. The jeep has a lot of original stuff like Willys Stamped radiator grill, bonnet and Tailgate (folding downwards type).

I will be documenting my repairs, upgrades and restoration on this thread. So, I seek your valuable inputs.

I’ll let the pictures do the talking

Continued....

Steeroid · 25th December 2008, 00:48

Ooooooooooooooooooooh!

What a beauty!

Way to go, namesake!

S@~+#0$# · 25th December 2008, 00:50

I would like to thank a few t-bhpians who helped me a lot during my sojourn and also have been constantly helping me in getting my jeep to shape:
Raghavendra(Pavan Kadam): for being a great buddy, hearing me out patiently for the last 6 months, giving me leads about Jeeps on sale, accompanying me on many Jeep inspections, for helping me sort out the initial niggling issues with the Jeep, towing the Jeep 18 kms when the vehicle had carburetor issues, for helping me in getting the Jeep to its current state and lots more
UBS(Uday Bhan Singh): for guiding me during the last three months in my quest for a jeep, for giving me pieces of valuable information about how a 1955 Jeep should be. He has also offered to help me with some rare spare parts.
Jammy(MM440): for letting me buy this jeep off him. Jammy wanted to do this Jeep up himself since it was a rare find. He only let me have it after being totally convinced that I would restore and take good care of the jeep.
Arka(ex670c) and Mahendra(Nitrous): for guiding me when I had found another Willys a few months ago.
Shahnawaz(khan_sultan): for his constant interactions via PM/phone during my search, for encouraging me to accompany the jeepers on an OTR. This really helped me understand whether I really wanted a Jeep or was it just another passing fancy. I knew for sure that I really wanted a jeep.

I would also like to thank T-bhp and the CJ3B Page for helping me learn and understand the Jeep better

S@~+#0$# · 25th December 2008, 00:55

Some interesting facts about my Cj3B:
1) Has the original “willys” stamped radiator grille, bonnet and tailgate(dropping type)
2) Has the original data plates/instruction plates
3) Has the cover for the sealed beams (I need to look for LHD sealed beams)
4) Has a small differential(Dana 25) in the front and large one in the rear(Dana 44) while the ratio is the same. Don’t know much about this apart from what UBS and Jammy told me
5) Has the steel foldable glass frame (it is aluminium these days)

Here is how the Jeep looked like when I bought it:

Parm · 25th December 2008, 00:55

now thats straight out of a Bollywood movie....police in LHD willys jeep chasing bad guys..

congrats on the rare find and hope you do justice to it by restoring it!

cheers:

S@~+#0$# · 25th December 2008, 00:58

I intend to restore this Jeep as a civilian CJ3B, as close to original as practical. Here is how a 1955 Willys CJ3B should look like. The plan is to do a ground up restoration in about six months to one year’s time. So currently, my focus is on understanding and enjoying the jeep, improving the overall safety(making it streetlegal) and reliability, collecting of spares.

Some of things that I have already done are:
1) Changed all fluids (oils, water)
2) Removed the rag top and underlying cage-like structure
3) Removed the rear seats (side facing)
4) Painted the interiors dark blue as the interior was painted in metallic green while the exterior was dark blue
5) An overcoat of the existing color
6) Wheels have been painted white
7) Cleaned the Petrol Tank (had a lot of rust)
8) Fitted the stephney on the RHS
9) Replaced all four shock-absorbers with brand new ones and reset the leaf springs
10) Carburetor tune up

Some things I have planned in the interim are:
1) Change Fenders as they are incorrect(I will be getting them shortly)
2) Fuel Cap and nozzle are incorrect (already found one)
3) Get a set of good 16” rims and 6.00 X 16 ndms tyres
4) Get new battery and also get the entire wiring done up
5) Lambda Free wheeling hubs (already bought them, will be fitted soon)
6) Search for original Tool Box (originally found below passenger seat)
7) Get new seats done in 1 + 1 configuration in front and front facing rear seat (seat frames to be designed like in original, passenger seat to fold to allow ingress to rear seat
8) Foldable Scissor top (I love the look of the 3B with its windshield folded, so will use the top only in bad weather)
9) Search/Fabricate Fan Shroud as it is missing
10) Get Radiator serviced\replaced if required
11) 3 Meters are original (2 are not working, so needs restoration). Search for other two meters
12) Get a set of period horns like Jalwa fitted inside the engine bay (need your help in finding one)
13) Get a pair of 6” classic KC Daylights fitted on the front bumper
14) Get number plates done in classic style. Karl, I need your help in getting this done
15) Get wooden blocks made to support folded windshield. Currently, the jeep has rubber door stoppers

16) I bought a pair of classic “Yosemite Sam” mudflaps from the US even before I bought a 4x4. Will be putting these. Here is a picture of these mudflaps on RedMM340’s jeep.

I need your valuable inputs, please keep them coming

Parm · 25th December 2008, 01:21

its a big problem to import spare parts to restore any kind of vehicle in india. specially the when importing parts from yankee land, that too to restore a military jeep!

cheers:

S@~+#0$# · 25th December 2008, 01:30

Some Random pictures:

Pic 1: Raghavendra towing my Jeep with his Beetle (for 18 kms) when we had issues with fuelling because of rust flakes entering carburetor. I was more worried about Raghavendra's bumper than my Jeep

. Seeing me so paranoid about his Beetle's butterfly bumper, he went home and got his Tata Safari to tow.

Pic 2 & 3: Top being removed

Pic 4: Tailgate before painting

Pic 5: Painting of interiors

SirAlec · 25th December 2008, 01:42

WHat is that sign!! 'NO SIGNAL' means.

Parm · 25th December 2008, 01:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirAlec

WHat is that sign!! 'NO SIGNAL' means.

BTW Please! Please! I commented before, and reported million times, OK! not million but atleast hundred times.
Please have some courtesy of rotating the images before posting. Its a pain to turn either the head or laptop to view it.
I hope its not to much to ask.

that sign actually means "No Hand Signal"! cause the driver is sitting on the left side of the vehicle and in india the normal side of sitting is on the right side of the vehicle. so thats why the sign....

cheers:

S@~+#0$# · 25th December 2008, 02:04

Thanks Steer and Parm for your kind words

Quote:

Originally Posted by SirAlec

WHat is that sign!! 'NO SIGNAL' means.

This sign was already there when I got the vehicle. I will remove it when I visit the garage next. The tailgate and the bonnet has not yet been painted with an 'overcoat' yet. After the overcoat, I will be painting "4-Wheel Drive" in white using a stencil I found on the CJ3B page.

The sign 'No Signal' is a word of caution to the vehicle behind you that there will be no hand signal as the driver is seated on the LHS. This was a common sign on Left Hand Drive vehicles in the pre-turn signal/indicator era.

S@~+#0$# · 25th December 2008, 02:22

Some more random pictures:

Pic 1: 5 Meter dashboard - standard in WW-II, Cj2As and Cj3As but rare on CJ3Bs

Pic 2: Data/Instructions Placard

Pic 3: Front Diff (Dana 25)

Pic 4: Rear Diff (Dana 44)

Parm · 25th December 2008, 02:30

thanx for the photos. jeep restoration is a slow and stressfull process, so you have to take it easy with this baby of yours!

cheers:

bluestraveller · 25th December 2008, 03:02

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attach...b-dsc05184.jpg

Are you sure the speedometer is original? Didn't WILLYS come with a large speedometer with temp and fuel gauges within it?

Nice jeep. I'm hoping a new colored paint is also part of the restoration

S@~+#0$# · 25th December 2008, 07:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parm

thanx for the photos. jeep restoration is a slow and stressfull process, so you have to take it easy with this baby of yours!

Thanks Dude, will do. It will be one learning experience.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluestraveller

Are you sure the speedometer is original? Didn't WILLYS come with a large speedometer with temp and fuel gauges within it?

The speedometer size is original for a 55 Willys, but the meter has been replaced with a 'Yenkay' unit. The larger Speedo started appearing in 1956.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluestraveller

Nice jeep. I'm hoping a new colored paint is also part of the restoration

Definitely is. The paint job is more than 6 months away, until then it will remain "police jeep" blue

.

Picture 1: I always liked this sand colored 3B in the below pic (found elsewhere on the forum). However, my 3B will not have any military fittings

Picture 2: Another color that has caught my fancy is the "Treebark Brown Poly" below. Source: Here on the CJ3B Page.

25th December 2008, 00:44	#1
S@~+#0$# BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 700 Thanked: 42 Times View My Garage	My Willys CJ3B My dream of owning a Left Hand Drive Short chassis jeep finally came true. I now possess a 1955 Willys CJ3B. It is a 3B with the original Petrol Engine, 3 + 1 Gearbox & 4x4 intact. The jeep has a lot of original stuff like Willys Stamped radiator grill, bonnet and Tailgate (folding downwards type). I will be documenting my repairs, upgrades and restoration on this thread. So, I seek your valuable inputs. I’ll let the pictures do the talking Continued.... Attached Thumbnails Last edited by S@~+#0$# : 25th December 2008 at 00:46.
	() Thanks

25th December 2008, 00:48	#2
Steeroid Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: N.A Posts: 7,046 Thanked: 2,751 Times	Ooooooooooooooooooooh! What a beauty! Way to go, namesake!
	() Thanks

25th December 2008, 00:50	#3
S@~+#0$# BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 700 Thanked: 42 Times View My Garage	I would like to thank a few t-bhpians who helped me a lot during my sojourn and also have been constantly helping me in getting my jeep to shape: Raghavendra(Pavan Kadam): for being a great buddy, hearing me out patiently for the last 6 months, giving me leads about Jeeps on sale, accompanying me on many Jeep inspections, for helping me sort out the initial niggling issues with the Jeep, towing the Jeep 18 kms when the vehicle had carburetor issues, for helping me in getting the Jeep to its current state and lots more UBS(Uday Bhan Singh): for guiding me during the last three months in my quest for a jeep, for giving me pieces of valuable information about how a 1955 Jeep should be. He has also offered to help me with some rare spare parts. Jammy(MM440): for letting me buy this jeep off him. Jammy wanted to do this Jeep up himself since it was a rare find. He only let me have it after being totally convinced that I would restore and take good care of the jeep. Arka(ex670c) and Mahendra(Nitrous): for guiding me when I had found another Willys a few months ago. Shahnawaz(khan_sultan): for his constant interactions via PM/phone during my search, for encouraging me to accompany the jeepers on an OTR. This really helped me understand whether I really wanted a Jeep or was it just another passing fancy. I knew for sure that I really wanted a jeep. I would also like to thank T-bhp and the CJ3B Page for helping me learn and understand the Jeep better Last edited by S@~+#0$# : 25th December 2008 at 01:07.
	(1) Thanks

25th December 2008, 00:55	#4
S@~+#0$# BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 700 Thanked: 42 Times View My Garage	Some interesting facts about my Cj3B: 1) Has the original “willys” stamped radiator grille, bonnet and tailgate(dropping type) 2) Has the original data plates/instruction plates 3) Has the cover for the sealed beams (I need to look for LHD sealed beams) 4) Has a small differential(Dana 25) in the front and large one in the rear(Dana 44) while the ratio is the same. Don’t know much about this apart from what UBS and Jammy told me 5) Has the steel foldable glass frame (it is aluminium these days) Here is how the Jeep looked like when I bought it: Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

25th December 2008, 00:55	#5
Parm Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: in a Toyota! Posts: 2,753 Thanked: 890 Times	now thats straight out of a Bollywood movie....police in LHD willys jeep chasing bad guys.. congrats on the rare find and hope you do justice to it by restoring it! cheers:
	() Thanks

25th December 2008, 00:58	#6
S@~+#0$# BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 700 Thanked: 42 Times View My Garage	I intend to restore this Jeep as a civilian CJ3B, as close to original as practical. Here is how a 1955 Willys CJ3B should look like. The plan is to do a ground up restoration in about six months to one year’s time. So currently, my focus is on understanding and enjoying the jeep, improving the overall safety(making it streetlegal) and reliability, collecting of spares. Some of things that I have already done are: 1) Changed all fluids (oils, water) 2) Removed the rag top and underlying cage-like structure 3) Removed the rear seats (side facing) 4) Painted the interiors dark blue as the interior was painted in metallic green while the exterior was dark blue 5) An overcoat of the existing color 6) Wheels have been painted white 7) Cleaned the Petrol Tank (had a lot of rust) 8) Fitted the stephney on the RHS 9) Replaced all four shock-absorbers with brand new ones and reset the leaf springs 10) Carburetor tune up Some things I have planned in the interim are: 1) Change Fenders as they are incorrect(I will be getting them shortly) 2) Fuel Cap and nozzle are incorrect (already found one) 3) Get a set of good 16” rims and 6.00 X 16 ndms tyres 4) Get new battery and also get the entire wiring done up 5) Lambda Free wheeling hubs (already bought them, will be fitted soon) 6) Search for original Tool Box (originally found below passenger seat) 7) Get new seats done in 1 + 1 configuration in front and front facing rear seat (seat frames to be designed like in original, passenger seat to fold to allow ingress to rear seat 8) Foldable Scissor top (I love the look of the 3B with its windshield folded, so will use the top only in bad weather) 9) Search/Fabricate Fan Shroud as it is missing 10) Get Radiator serviced\replaced if required 11) 3 Meters are original (2 are not working, so needs restoration). Search for other two meters 12) Get a set of period horns like Jalwa fitted inside the engine bay (need your help in finding one) 13) Get a pair of 6” classic KC Daylights fitted on the front bumper 14) Get number plates done in classic style. Karl, I need your help in getting this done 15) Get wooden blocks made to support folded windshield. Currently, the jeep has rubber door stoppers 16) I bought a pair of classic “Yosemite Sam” mudflaps from the US even before I bought a 4x4. Will be putting these. Here is a picture of these mudflaps on RedMM340’s jeep. I need your valuable inputs, please keep them coming Last edited by S@~+#0$# : 25th December 2008 at 01:08.
	() Thanks

25th December 2008, 01:21	#7
Parm Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: in a Toyota! Posts: 2,753 Thanked: 890 Times	its a big problem to import spare parts to restore any kind of vehicle in india. specially the when importing parts from yankee land, that too to restore a military jeep! cheers:
	() Thanks

25th December 2008, 01:30	#8
S@~+#0$# BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 700 Thanked: 42 Times View My Garage	Some Random pictures: Pic 1: Raghavendra towing my Jeep with his Beetle (for 18 kms) when we had issues with fuelling because of rust flakes entering carburetor. I was more worried about Raghavendra's bumper than my Jeep . Seeing me so paranoid about his Beetle's butterfly bumper, he went home and got his Tata Safari to tow. Pic 2 & 3: Top being removed Pic 4: Tailgate before painting Pic 5: Painting of interiors Attached Thumbnails Attached Images Last edited by Jaggu : 25th December 2008 at 13:32.
	() Thanks

25th December 2008, 01:42	#9
SirAlec Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: zxc Posts: 3,393 Thanked: 726 Times	WHat is that sign!! 'NO SIGNAL' means. Last edited by Jaggu : 25th December 2008 at 13:32. Reason: done rotating the pic
	() Thanks

25th December 2008, 02:22	#12
S@~+#0$# BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 700 Thanked: 42 Times View My Garage	Some more random pictures: Pic 1: 5 Meter dashboard - standard in WW-II, Cj2As and Cj3As but rare on CJ3Bs Pic 2: Data/Instructions Placard Pic 3: Front Diff (Dana 25) Pic 4: Rear Diff (Dana 44) Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

25th December 2008, 02:30	#13
Parm Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: in a Toyota! Posts: 2,753 Thanked: 890 Times	thanx for the photos. jeep restoration is a slow and stressfull process, so you have to take it easy with this baby of yours! cheers:
	() Thanks

25th December 2008, 03:02	#14
bluestraveller BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ Posts: 117 Thanked: 5 Times View My Garage	http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attach...b-dsc05184.jpg Are you sure the speedometer is original? Didn't WILLYS come with a large speedometer with temp and fuel gauges within it? Nice jeep. I'm hoping a new colored paint is also part of the restoration Last edited by bluestraveller : 25th December 2008 at 03:04.
	() Thanks

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