CJ3A RESTORATION

I bought this jeep when I lived in Rhode Island, and dragged it, in pieces in the back of a rented truck, across the country when I moved to California in 2002.

A few years ago, tired of tripping over its parts, I decided to bring it back to life. Here, in pictures, is the jeep's renovation.

After much cleaning and wirebrushing, the frame was ready to be coated with a rust converter. I have used these products for years, and yes, they do work.

And then the primer ...

Followed by several coats of black chassis paint

The drawbar is attached ...

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Next up were the axles. Oh, what a joy it is to spend hours bashing away at decades of built-up grease and mud.

Eventually all the grime was removed, and the differentials removed and cleaned. The bearings were all shot, and were replaced, as were the seals.

More painting ...

The front axle is now in place, sitting on the rebuilt springs. The springs had three or four broken leaves. A local spring shop made up replacements, and I put them all back together and mounted them on the frame

And on to the brakes ...

Cleaning up the brake parts and the free-wheeling hubs

The T-90 transmission, together with the Spicer transfer case, and Warn overdrive, all rebuilt with new bearings and seals, is installed. Incidentally, I used a sealed bearing for the front output shaft of the tranny, in the hope that by doing so I will avoid the usual oil leak into the bellhousing, and then onto someone's driveway.

The rear axle now in, brake lines installed, and it is starting to look a bit like a jeep.

And on to the motor ....

Crank reground,

Rebored, new valves, guides and seats, Deck skimmed, head skimmed.

The motor installed

Awaiting the arrival of a new radiator

This old 6V generator had been kicking around the shop for years. The brushes and commutator were in fine shape - all it needed was blowing out with compressed air and a coat of paint.

And then it was on to the body. It was a mess - a rectangular hole had been made on the passenger side to access the toolbox, and a crude door had been installed. Both rear quarters were shot, and the front passenger floor was riddled with rust. The rear floor and wheelhouses were battered - it looked like rocks had been dropped from a great height sometime in the jeep's past, but the metalwork was sold. I ended up buying a new floor for the passenger side, hat channel for both sides, partial rear quarters - repair patches, really. - and tail light panels, all purchased from Classic Enterprises, and am very happy with the quality. My welding skills are rudimentary, but happily my good friend Craig Danielson came to the rescue and over the course of a few weekends fitted the new parts, welded up holes, and made the tub entire again.

The passenger side floor - it looks repairable but was paper thin, and the decision was made to replace it.

A close-up of the passenger side floor side floor.

The "access door" to the tool box

Repairing the access hole cut in the passenger side panel and the rotted parts of the tool box sides have been cut out

The same repair shot from the inside.

New floor installed and holes being patched

Craig did a beautiful job of repairing the tool box sides ... shown here before the welds were ground down.

Both rear quarters has been damaged over the years and poorly repaired with pop-riveted patches and bondo, as also were the tail light panels.

Passenger side rear quarter under repair

Adding the tail light panel

And then the repair patch

Prepping the driver's side

Tail light panel goes in

A repair patch was installed on the passenger side.

A rectangular hole had been cut in the dash for a radio. It is now filled in.

And the paint starts to go on. At last!

And now for the top coat.

The tub is hoisted up and over the floor. That sheet of plywood, by the way, covers a mechanics pit, which was an unexpected bouns when we bought this house many years ago.

The rear end of the jeep inches closer to the hoisted tub....

Nearly there.

The Harrison heater was reassembled and installed. And a word of warning. Installing this is a real pain in the ass.

Linkbelt Capstan Winch

The engine compartment - finished and running.

Top bows on, measurements taken, and the top was ordered from GI Store in Delhi, India.

And a very nice top it is too!

All that remains is to fit the doors.