UPDATE: **SOLD**
I include this jeep as it’s a rare example, in my opinion, of a DJ-3A with a tailgate. I’ve heard these existed, but hadn’t had picture proof until I saw this one. The thing that clued me in was the large speedometer. Once I saw that, I went back and read the description.
“For Sale is my 1955-1964 DJ3A/CJ2A/CJ3A combo Jeep that I use on my Farm for general weekly transportation over the last several years. Jeep is stored inside my barn at all times on my farm. If you are looking for a show vehicle with matching numbers this is not the ride for you. However, if you are looking for a good solid original Willys flat fender Jeep driver for general use, read on. All body parts except the tool box are original Willys manufacture. Body tub, fenders, hood, tailgate, and front grill are original DJ3A that have had a paint job using Mil Standard Sherwin Williams OD CARC paint. Body tub is solid as the DJ3A had a full hard top which protected it from the normal weather related rust experienced by most soft top Willys vehicles…..”
Dave,
I know this jeep. Interesting to just now find it on your site. It definitely is a DJ3A, actually a 1956 model, but it is on a CJ2A chassis. This is now the second one I’ve seen in person.
Greg
Cool .. thanks for the update on this jeep.
– Dave
Dave,
It’s been awhile since I contacted you through the site here. I’ll try to keep it short, but a few years have passed since I commented on this post. I’ve owned this particular DJ3A for some time now. I wasn’t looking to acquire it due to it being a DJ, instead simply due to proximity and general condition. I was really just looking for a flat fender to play with. As it turns out, it became a huge pass time and hobby. Your site here along with vernco.com became a significant motivator to my progress. I can and will share updates as you desire; meanwhile suffice to say that I have practically revamped this entire jeep while almost entirely maintaining the character as purchased. In other words, I did not restore it visually. All upgrades have been in performance and durability areas. Thanks so much for the inspiration associated with your site and many followers.
Hey Greg, Thanks for the update. Please help us by getting the VIN # into our Production / Survivor List. It is on the right outside firewall tag and will be similar to my early 1956 DJ3A, Miss Willy, VIN # 56337-10488. We’d like updated pix and also check your right frame rail by the front body mount, as many DJ’s when converted to 4WD, the frame was not changed, just housings added. These were strange and scarce Willys Products. We’re trying to document all we can no matter whether stock or not, junk or fully restored. If you don’t want your VIN out and about, just send to Dave. He’ll get it to Colin and I. We only use it for research.
Glennstin,
Same prefix as above, 11588. I’m pretty sure the body is the only part that made it onto my chassis, so the frame # is long lost. The jeep is actually titled as a 1957 based on how the previous owner listed it on the Bill of Sale; however, I personally think it may be a ’56 based on the vin. Perhaps you can clarify my assumption. With exception of the dash, instrument cluster, and parking brake handle, there is no other DJ features to distinguish this from a CJ.
I had another DJ in the early 80’s that also had a tailgate and standard CJ style side openings. It had not been converted to 4WD, still had the column shift and lower windshield when I got it.
What’s quite interesting to me at least, is a couple of coincidences. I’ve only owned two jeeps in my life and never specifically sought a DJ, yet these two are the ones that found me. Additionally, each purchase was separated by 25 years but each came from within 50 miles of the other (mid-east Alabama) when independently found. Perhaps they served together as fleet vehicles or such in their past. I just thought it interesting. My first one is long gone.
greg
Hi Greg, YEP!!! There’s a new VIN for us to play with. The 1956 VIN’s went from 56337-10001 to 56337-12510 for a total production run of 2510 units. Your VIN makes it a 1956 build, but with Willys vehicles we frequently find they were titled when they were first sold, so the 1957 may be real. Get us more pix to tell you more. The fuel filler should have been by right tail light.
Hi Greg, Glenn and Dave,
More pictures would be helpful to give us more idea of what your Jeep has in the way of DJ, Cj2 and Cj3a parts on it. The dash is definitely DJ, but it looks like it has a CJ gas tank under the front seat and the CJ tool box under the passenger seat. Most DJs had a fresh air grille for the heater( whether or not it had a heater) located just in front of the passenger door opening, and the fuel fill neck was located just above the right taillight and the gas tank at the very back between the frame rails. As such, DJs did not have the rear bracing above the rearmost crossmember since there was no room for it with the gas tank in place. DJs had the last five digits of their serial number stamped on the right frame rail ahead of the front body brace. Like Glenn says,any DJs were converted to 4wd by simply bolting the front axle to the DJ frame and adding the transmission and transfer case. The transmission and transfer case shift levers fit in the transmission hump openings with the sheet metal covers from a CJ.
Thanks for sending the serial number. I will add it to our data base. If you can get a photo of the serial number plate, that would be good.
Colin
Greg is working on it. He’s putting together an update that I can share with readers 🙂
Glenn, Colin, Dave,
Yep, I’ll try to hammer out a collection of thoughts and forward several pictures to Dave (hopefully this week). The DJ purists may take exception to what the jeep is today, but the 4wd conversion was completed prior to me acquiring it, and all I’ve done is continue to make improvements to suit my purposes. Purposes/modifications I might add include keeping it somewhat true to character appearance as a jeeper might have done in the late sixties but with modern and tried and true upgrades.
I’m confident the body is a DJ3a, no question about that. Yes, it does have the fuel filler neck on the right rear, and I added the 10 gallon tank back under the rear to increase my overall capacity. When I got the jeep it only had the tank beneath the drivers seat. The previous owner had added this tank (and the passenger side toolbox) as well as the body opening for the filler neck. Having said that, I did section the tank under the seat which minimized it’s capacity to 6 gallons. I did this after notching the rear wheel wells, moving the seats back 3″, all to increase leg/foot room. Worked out pretty good.
I also looked diligently for evidence of the typical fresh air intake on the passenger kick panel area to no avail. I just don’t think it ever had that opening. Nor did it have a factory heater (the heater hose knock-outs are still on the firewall, never knocked out). I did however add an aftermarket heater myself.
Again, I’ll try to get some additional notes and photos to Dave throughout the week.
Thanks for your interest,
Greg