We had a long but enjoyable day yesterday. We picked up the DJ-3A, #56337 10538. Naturally, it will needed more work than it showed, partly because whomever owned it before Lloyd beat the thing up. But, the engine spins, the column-shift transmission shifts. and it’s got plenty of original parts to make it work the trip.
We also had a great time viewing Lloyd’s creations, which I’ll feature on Wednesday, and had a great evening with Robin, who shared his collection of jeeps with us.
Yes, that front grille was pushed inward, I have some ideas for pulling it back out again.
The color isn’t quite right on this, but this is pretty close to what it should look like. I don’t believe mine came with the chrome front bumper.
lay the grill, front side down, on a rug on cement (remove lights first)…place a piece of wood 4″x 4″ cut the width of the grill on the back side…gently ‘massage’ with a maul…don’t ask me how i know this…good luck !
Great project. Excited to see more pics
Craig,
So what you are saying is Rusty just needs a massage? Oh my Lord, I thought I had a jeep not some Olympic athlete. Should I try cupping, too? (all the vogue this year in Rio http://www.cnn.com/videos/health/2016/08/14/rio-olympic-athletes-cupping-dr-sanjay-gupta-mann-intv.cnn)
– Dave
Nice. Is the windshield with it?
Well Dave and Ann, You have captured the 538th DJ3A built in late 1955, a first edition 1956 which likely has a speedometer ending in 8. My wrecked Miss Willy is just 40 units before yours, 56337-10488. It’s going to be fun as you sort out your new project. Who knows, maybe Miss Willy’s parts can help. Just down the road from me is stored DJ3A 56337-10679 owned by a CT. guy, and right in my basement is 56337-10715, a parts DJ3A I bought in CT. to help Miss Willy. We have plenty of examples to get you straight. The greatest thing I see here is you have it chained on your trailer. Now the sorting out can commence.
Love that paint color. Will it stay the same ?
How fun. Looks fairly complete. Chain one end of the jeep to a tree, use a com along strapped to another tree and maybe a 4×4 inside and ease that grille back into place.
Bill: Yes, the windshield is with it. However, one of the arms is severely cracked, so repairs will be necessary. It also has the vacuum windshield wiper.
Allan: That color is called Pine Tint (based on what I can tell from the color charts http://www.kaiserwillys.com/willys_overland_paint_colors). Yes, any repaints will adhere to that color, but initially, due to areas with surface rust, dings, cracks, dents, and sloppy weld repairs, I’ll have to figure out a short term paint strategy. I’ve added a photo of how this should look with the top (no top at the moment).
Glenn,
It does have a speedometer ending in “8”. The rest of the speedometer looks good, but the needle is gone. So, some rebuilding of that will be necessary.
I figured out what the strange metal structure under neath the frame was. One look at it and I realized it was the transmission cross member. The old owners must have trashed/bent the old one. Have a tranny cross member any where? Good news. I do have the original parking brake, but the cable snapped in half. I have a bunch of photos I’m readying for tomorrow.
– Dave
Just loaded more photos. Have to wait for engine photos until later this evening.
http://www.ewillys.com/2016/09/06/rusty-photos/
good thing you cleaned out the garage. looks like biskit will have a friend.
Looks like a nice project Dave and Ann! And Dave you did an awesome job cleaning and organizing your parents garage.Biscuit should be happy with his new pal!