Hi Fellow BHPians,
My name is Abhishek & I have recently joined Team-BHP. I acquired a Willys CJ3B jeep 2 weeks back in Bangalore. I have been doing research on jeeps for months now, test driving dozens & finally picking this one. It has the original 1967 Petrol Engine, left hand drive, 3 speed gear box, new tyres & batteries. The jeep, all in all, is one of the best I test drove in the past few months & was moderately priced- giving me the opportunity to restore it the way I wanted.
My aim is to restore it to its original status- albeit in military look. I understand that CJ3B is a civilian jeep by pedigree, but want to give it a military jeep look.
There are a few areas that I needed help, which is the reason why I am reaching out to all of you. I have been reading about the past dozens of threads & I am absolutely amazed by the knowledge & passion that is displayed through these. I must also accept that a majority of basic knowledge that I have been able to gain on jeeps came primarily from reading your threads.
Post picking the jeep, I embarked on the following activity:
1) I firstly started with the paperwork process. The jeep didn't have any insurance, I got that done. I also applied for getting the registration transferred
2) Next, I gave it to a local garage in Bangalore- whom I found through a friend- to get the basic jobs done. This included basic service, oil & filter change, overhaul of steering wheel, brakes & suspension. Some of these were in a deplorable condition, as the jeep hadn't been serviced for more than a year!
3) Third, I started to look out for a real garage, where I could get my next phase of mechanical & electrical work done. I read about Vivek's CJ3B restoration project 3 years back & therefore reached out to Ganesh- who has a garage in BSK.
4) Through Ganesh, I also started interacting with another Ganesh at Pollachi- to source all the military & other decorative fittings.
Currently, I have given the jeep for next phase of mechanical work. Some of the things that I am targeting are
- Putting a 4WD. One of the previous owners had taken it off
- I am also contemplating taking the gas fitting out or deactivated. Currently, the jeep works on a gas kit
- Work needs to be done on differential, gear box, etc
- The jeep currently doesn't have any handbrake
The help that I need is as follows:
1) I need to understand where I can source spares from. Considering I am based out of Bangalore, the option is to go to the local flea market or look at larger markets like Chennai or even in Kerala (don't know if one can get spares there)
2) Secondly, is Pollachi a good place to buy lot of the decorative or body work related spares (Gerry Can, Shovel, Bumperretes, back door, split windscreen with wipers, dials, military lights, gun holder, siren, hood, handbrake, steering wheel with horn, etc). I am also looking at painting the jeep, post sandblasting etc
3) Thirdly, I have read through dozens of pages of thoughts around winches. I want to look at buying one too
4) Once I finish with all of this, I will then seek the more exotic accessories like Antenna, Decontanimator, desert cooling mechanism, radio, siren, original toolkit, etc
5) At this stage I have advised to avoid overhauling the engine- that I should drive the vehicle around to see how it is doing & then take a call.
It will be great if you can guide me about spare parts either within Bangalore or in Chennai. If you can suggest contact points, it will immensely help. I am also going to Delhi in 2 weeks time- can get something from Mayapuri too, if that is the recommendation. I am also looking at getting a few things from the US, considering they may be impossible to get in India. Would like to know if y
Also, if you have specific information about garages who can help me do this effectively, that too will help.
I know many of you have gone through this dozens of times. I am hoping to gain from your knowledge & experience- so please share with me what you can.
Thanks,
Abhishek