FJ Research Archives

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Automatic Transmission in DJ-3As, DJs and Others(?)

• CATEGORIES: DJ-3A, Features, FJ This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Dave asked me about the type of adapter used on DJ-3As and FJs to connect an automatic transmission (which may have been the Borg Warner model 12 according to David Sapp mentioned in his comment to this post, though I have no documented evidence of this, but it should be out there somewhere). Essentially, a adapter plate is bolted to the back of an L-head/F-head engine, to which the transmission bell housing attaches.

After some searching, Dave spotted the adapter in an FJ supplement book. Here are the pics.

fj-auto-transmission-plate2-lores fj-auto-transmission-plate1-lores

Meanwhile, a discussion from 2012 on the topic of DJ-3A automatic transmissions yielded these pics showing a BW transmission connected to an L-head with a similar looking plate.

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automatic-transmission-dj3a-2

As for the rare shifter that’s been captured in some pics, this pic is the best I have (from a DJ-3A automatic). It confirms Barry Goodwin’s comment on another post that the transmission lacked a “Park” feature. Instead, the driver would put it in neutral when parking (and I assume pull the parking brake).

dj3a-automatic-transmission-shifter

If anyone has a document that confirms it was the M-12 BW transmission that was used, or has more pics or is aware of other useful discussions on this topic, please let me know. There isn’t much info about these setups on the web.

FYI: Based on my research, it appears the Willys Aero cars of the 1950s used a GM Hydramatic rather than a BW transmission.

 
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1965 FJ-6A Port Orchard, WA **Status Unknown**

• CATEGORIES: FJ This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **Status Unknown** Was $4500.

(03/02/2022) Nate’s uncle has this FJ-6A for sale.

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“This van spent its early life in Honduras as a diving instructor van, then made it’s way to WA where it has been since the mid ‘70’s. Actual mileage is unknown. It does not have an engine but is currently set up for a 327 Chevy v8 and a Chevy automatic transmission. It comes with what is believed to be the original manual 3-speed transmission. It also comes with a 4×4 Jeep transmission though it doesn’t have the 4×4 axles. As seen in the photos, some of the glass is broken. The body is in decent shape and it in good structural condition. The front grill also comes with it.”

 
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Train Car of FJ-3s on Pinterest

• CATEGORIES: Features, FJ, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Blaine spotted this photo of a rail car full of FJ-3 USPS Fleetvans.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/862087553655918001/

fj3-rail-car

 
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1961 FJ-3 Red Oak, TX (or CA?) $14,000

• CATEGORIES: FJ This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: This has been listed in California and Texas. I’m not sure exactly where it is located.

Doesn’t run.

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/d/red-oak-1961-jeep-fj3-fleetvan-postal/7443760644.html

or

https://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cto/d/red-oak-1961-jeep-fj3-fleetvan-postal/7443765482.html

1961-fj3-redoak-ca1 1961-fj3-redoak-ca2 1961-fj3-redoak-ca3 1961-fj3-redoak-ca4

“Selling this completely original 1961 Jeep FJ3 Fleetvan postal truck.
It’s all there original and untampered with from 1961. It has the original vin plate on the dash. Original motor and trans and all the original glass. You can still see the postal letters and numbers on the sides.

It has an amazing patina and great restoration candidate.

These are the rare unicorns of the step van world. These don’t come up for sale often, if they do they sell quick.

Currently not running. No title, Bill of sale only. “

 
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1960 FJ-3 Postal Jeep Brochure

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features, FJ This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

I snagged this rare postal jeep FJ-3 brochure off of ebay; It is rare enough that I didn’t know these existed! One thing that caught my eye was the Civil Defense sticker. I off handedly mentioned it to Ann and she quickly found the reason for the sticker. From this page at the USPS website:

Each year from 1954 to 1961, civil defense authorities coordinated a drill called Operation Alert.6 Cities across the country conducted civil defense exercises on the same day. Postal participation in Operation Alert 1956 was described in a West Virginia newspaper:

A civil defense drill was held Tuesday afternoon in the Beckley Post Office. This drill was one of a series of simultaneous drills held in 38 key postal installations of the Washington Region….
These training drills are required by the government since keeping the mails moving plays an important part in the communications system that must be maintained during national emergencies. Four feder- al trucks operated by the Beckley Post Office have been designated Civil Defense units, and bear that insignia.

Including the four vehicles at the Beckley Post Office, 25,000 postal trucks were designated as emergency civil defense vehicles and fitted with Civil Defense de- cals in 1956. It was believed that “postal trucks would be valuable as emergency ambulances, rescue vehicles, and for local emergency transportation in the event of an enemy attack.”

Starting in 1956, many postal vehicles bore decals indicating their potential use as ambulances, rescue vehicles, and for other transportation during emergencies.

In December 1964, the Civil Defense Program was expanded to include even the smallest postal-owned motor vehicles, the three-wheeled Mailsters. Vehicle maintenance facilities provided Civil Defense decals so that each of these smaller deliver could be identified. Civil Defense decals were required on postal-owned vehicles until March 1971.

Now for the brochure:

1960-fj3-postal-jeep-brochure1-lores 1960-fj3-postal-jeep-brochure2-lores

 
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FJ-3 Fleetvan Plastic Model $20.04

• CATEGORIES: Features, FJ, Models This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Blaine and Michael pointed out that this is a program to print these yourselves (3D printer). 

While looking for something else, I happened upon this model of a FJ-3 Fleetvan. It appears legit, but I can’t say for sure.

https://www.shapeways.com/product/S7NPSJHE4/ho-scale-jeep-fj-3-postal-delivery-fleetvan

fj3-fleetvan-plastic-toy

 
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1965 FJ-6A Silver Springs, NV **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: FJ This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** was $8000

Runs, drives, needs brakes.

“1965 Jeep FJ-6 Fleetvan. Made for the US Post Office. RHD All original Starts, runs, drives – off a gas can. Will need brake work amongst other things. Transmission shifts smooth. Glass is good for the most part. Rear door rolls up and down smoothly Clean title”

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Continue reading

 
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1963 FJ-6 Kent, WA $11,000

• CATEGORIES: FJ This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This is still a project.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1882751678556071

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“1963 keep fleetvan fj6a for sale $11,000 obo. Lots of recent work. Still a project but very close to a daily driver. Needs rear main seal on engine replaced, I bought the good neoprene one but haven’t had it installed and timing dialed in. Needs the rest door plywood replaced. Vent on roof leaks and needs resealed. Some of the things I have done are new drums, shoes, springs, cylinders on brakes. New fuel tank, float, lines, carb. New battery, heater core, heat ducts, heater valve, belts and hoses. Tranny rebuilt. New alternator, guages.”

 
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1961 FJ-3 Fleetvan Richboro, PA $5000

• CATEGORIES: FJ This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Still available.

(09/01/2021) This seller is parting out this FJ-3.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/297468578816063

“1961 Willys Jeep Fleetvan FJ3. No it does not run and drive. It’s rusty. It’s a project. I do not need to sell it, just reducing project inventory. Clean PA title”

fleetvan-parts-pa

 
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1962 FJ-3 Canby, OR $25,000

• CATEGORIES: FJ This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Appears to be in good, but not perfect shape.  Thanks to Blaine for spotting it.

https://portland.craigslist.org/clc/cto/d/aurora-1962-jeep-willys-fleetvan/7403643498.html

1962-fj3-canby-or01 1962-fj3-canby-or0 1962-fj3-canby-or1 1962-fj3-canby-or2 31962-fj3-canby-or3 1962-fj3-canby-or4

“1962 Jeep Willys Fleetvan
This cute little delivery van started it’s life in 1962 working for the Post Office as a mail route delivery van. It is on a Jeep chassis, with a Jeep 4-cylinder engine and automatic transmission and 4.11 rear end. It is right hand drive and has a roll up door in the rear – both very handy for delivery purposes. The running gear is good and the body is almost perfect, no dings or dents. 1 small rust spot! The paint is called Torrid Teal!!!! Inside is in good shape. These are incredibly rare and turn A LOT of heads when driving around. $5800 in recent repairs to the motor, battery, radiator, exhaust, and brakes make this thing run like a charm. The top speed tops out around 45 mph, so you’re not breaking any land speed records. There aren’t many of these produced, and even fewer of them left. If the ad is up, it is still for sale.”

 
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2 1966 FJ-6s Bessemer, MI $2000

• CATEGORIES: FJ This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Mike spotted this good price. These are hard to find this cheaply.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/552521756080688

“1966 Jeep Mail trucks · Truck · Driven 8,000 miles Not running no titles early 50s dodge cab also trades considered message or text 906 285 1438”

1966-fj6s-mi1 1966-fj6s-mi2 1966-fj6s-mi3 1966-fj6s-mi4

 
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1962 FJ-3 Wenatchee, WA **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: FJ This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $10,000.

Blaine spotted this FJ-3 Fleetvan.

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“Willys FJ3 for sale. These cute little vans were made to deliver mail. Very rare. I have read that only 1824 were made in 1962. They were designed to be driven standing up as the gas “pedal” is a horizontal push instead of up and down. It does have a seat. The 4 cylinder/automatic transmission combination is very fuel efficient. This one runs and the transmission shifts. The fuel tank was pulled, cleaned and painted. The body is in great shape with no rust. The previous owner tried to put in LED lights and made a mess of the wiring. The brake master cylinder, (a common part) needs replaced. One of the windows has some cracks. The wood back door is a roll up design and the wood is rotted and in need of replacement. We got it for an ice cream truck for my wife’s ice cream business. She got hired at Costco, so it never was put on the road. The paperwork is a Vermont bill of sale. This is sufficient to get a title. We also have an original owners manual, which is extremely rare. With a little tlc, someone can have an extremely rare, cute little van.”

 
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1965 FJ-6 Eugene, OR **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: FJ • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $15,000.

Outside looks great, but the inside isn’t as polished as I thought it would be. Still, a refurbished FJ-6 isn’t easy to find.

1965-fj6-salem-or01 1965-fj6-salem-or0 1965-fj6-salem-or1 1965-fj6-salem-or2 1965-fj6-salem-or3 1965-fj6-salem-or6

“Very small very unique 1965 willys fj6 ice cream truck conversion. Truck was taken down to bare metal, roof raised 12 in, professionally primered and then wrapped. It has a Chevy 250 inline 6 with a 2-speed powerglide transmission. Although it is good for maneuvering and is street legal it is not comfortable to drive. It has a class 3 kitchen in it which includes a single basin and hand washing with hot and cold pressurized water. A 3500 watt inverter with 4 deep cell batteries so it can run off the grid. It has Bluetooth speakers and Bluetooth receiver. With a slide top freezer and a mini deep freeze. It is currently registered and licensed in Marion county as a class 3 truck. Business is not for sale just the truck. Name and logo must be removed. Would work perfectly for a shave ice vehicle, tap truck, cupcake, ice cream, hot dogs, concessions. I’m reducing my fleet to one truck, and a second brick and mortar”

 
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1961 FJ-3 Fleet Van Philadelphia, PA (Parting Out)

• CATEGORIES: FJ This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Steve shared this one. The seller indicates they are parting it out, but it also has a price of $5000.

https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/pts/d/richboro-1961-jeep-fj3-fleetvan-engine/7345781077.html

“Complete part out of FJ3 FLEETVAN
Call with needs”

1961-fj3-fleetvan-philly-pa2 1961-fj3-fleetvan-philly-pa

 
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1965 FJ-6 Fleet Van Denver, CO $12,000

• CATEGORIES: FJ This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Price dropped to $12,000.

(10/30/2020) This isn’t running at the moment.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/687405578491428

“I have a very cool and rare Jeep Willys Fleet Van for sale. These vehicles went into production in the sixties for the use by the USPS. The van was bought to fix up and then COVID. It did start and run, but it has been sitting for several months and does not start now. It has an airbag suspension system that works and raises and lowers the vehicle. This is van will turn heads everywhere you go. Just needs some love. Let me know if you have any questions.”

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1962 FJ-3 Nashville, TN $3500 (**SCAM**)

• CATEGORIES: FJ • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Brandon confirmed this was a scam.

The photo included in this craigslsit ad shows an FJ from a different ad with an email address from “Carla” added. This proved to be a scam, as the same gmail can be seen in some other ads (as this google search shows).

“Unrestored 1962 Jeep Fleetvan FJ-3.
Ran when parked, but it’s complete and comes with a clean title.
$3,500 or will consider reasonable offer.”

carla17harper-fj3-ad

 

 
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1961 Fleet Van FJ-3A Brochures

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features, FJ This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This FJ-3A brochure Form No. 61-05.

1961-05-fj3a-brochure1-lores 1961-05-fj3a-brochure2-lores

====================

Originally published October 31, 2015: This is an interesting FJ-3A brochure. It is Form No. 61-14. The ladder holder is something I haven’t seen anywhere.

“Here I have a 1961 single sheet advertisement issued by Willys for the Willys Jeep Fleetvan. There is some wear along the top and some light creasing (See Scans) but it still displays very nicely.”

1961-jeepvan-fj3-brochure2

1961-jeepvan-fj3-brochure1

 
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1965 FJ-6(?) Chassis Andover, OH **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: FJ This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $450.

Not sure how much value is here, but you don’t get to see an FJ chassis too often. I’m not sure if this is a FJ-6 or FJ-8.

“This is a 1965 Jeep fleet van chassis. Everything is there but the cab, wiring and the steering column (but the gear box is still there. The frame is in gorgeous shape, the motor is free but doesn’t run and the trans and front and rear ends are free. Its a automatic transmission and is 2wd. It was an old mail truck so it is set up for right handed steer. Great project machine. No title will write bill of sale”

1965-fj6-chassis-andover-oh0 1965-fj6-chassis-andover-oh1 1965-fj6-chassis-andover-oh2 1965-fj6-chassis-andover-oh3 1965-fj6-chassis-andover-oh4

 
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Hallmark’s Sesame Street FJ-3 Ornament $19.95 (and more)

• CATEGORIES: Features, FJ This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Jesse shared this FJ-3 ornament information. Last year, I posted about Sesame Street’s use of an FJ-3 as Cookie Monster’s Foodie Truck. What I didn’t know was that Jesse sold an FJ-3 that was renovated into real Cookie Monster Foodie Truck that is now at Disney World in Orlando, Florida. But, it doesn’t serve food. Instead, it is a kids interactive challenge (there’s an online version at PBS):

cookie-monster-foodie-truck-challenge-disney

Cookie Monster food truck interactive spot. (photo by @bioreconstruct from this website).

Here’s another one:

cookie-monster-foodie-truck-challenge-disney2

When you momma and poppa frogs hop in line for food, let the tadpoles play at the nearby foodie truck challenge. Help Cookie Monster and Gonger prepare delicious meals by following along with the video instructions and pressing the correct buttons for the right ingredients! Photo Credit: Undercover Tourist.

As for the ornament, you can order it here: https://www.hallmark.com/ornaments/keepsake-ornaments/sesame-street-cookie-monsters-foodie-truck-ornament-with-sound-1999QXI2734.html

fj3-hallmark-ornament1 fj3-hallmark-ornament2 fj3-hallmark-ornament3

And, if you don’t want an ornament, you can buy a kids FJ-3 Cookie Monster Food Truck at Target for $14.99:

https://www.target.com/p/sesame-street-cookie-monster-39-s-foodie-truck/-/A-76614704

cookie-monster-food-truck-target2 cookie-monster-food-truck-target

Or, for only $6.99, you can purchase a Cookie Monster Board book:

cookie-monster-food-truck-book

 
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1962 FJ-3 **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: FJ This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $12,500.

A ran-when-parked FJ, but looks solid. This appeared in the Los Angeles area Craigslist, but the map shows it in Alexandria, while the plates are from Wyoming.

“Unrestored 1962 Jeep Fleetvan FJ-3.
Ran when parked, but it’s complete and comes with a clean title.
$12,500 or will consider reasonable offer.”

1962-fj3-la-01 1962-fj3-la-0 1962-fj3-la-1 1962-fj3-la-2

Continue reading

 
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1963 FJ-3 Campbell, CA **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: FJ This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $7500.

It does not run.

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Year? FJ-3 Guthrie, OK **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: FJ This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $5000.

Jared shared this non-running FJ.

“1961-65 Willy’s Jeep Fleetvan. Pretty rare. Has 4 cylinder overhead valve motor auto trans. At this time I have no title. Not running. $5000 or best offer. Would make great advertising van or great Hotrod”

year-fj3-guthrie-ok2 year-fj3-guthrie-ok3 year-fj3-guthrie-ok4

 
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1963 FJ-3 San Luis Obispo, CA $25,000

• CATEGORIES: FJ, Jeep Rods This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

No description provided.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/3122154951172993/

1963-fj3-sanluisobispo-ca1 1963-fj3-sanluisobispo-ca2

 
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FJ-3s Make Their Arrival

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features, FJ, Old Images, Old News Articles This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

The arrival of the FJ-3s made the newspapers in a variety of states. This first article appeared in the February 02, 1961, issue of the Bridgeport Post out of Connecticut:

1961-02-25-The-Bridgeport-Post-CT-postoffice-fjs2-lores

February 02, 1961, The Bridgeport Post, Bridgeport, CT.

Clipping from The Bridgeport Post - Newspapers.com

February 02, 1961, The Bridgeport Post, Bridgeport, CT.

This next article appeared in the October 04, 1961, issue of the Owensboro, Kentucky, Messenger and Inquirer.

1961-10-04-messenger-inquirer-owensboro-ky-fjs-arrive-lores

October 04, 1961, The Messenger and Inquirer, Owensboro, Kentucky,

The Mitchell, South Dakota, Post Office may have only purchased one FJ, but it still made the paper:

FJ-3 Fleet Van

November 11, 1961, The Daily Republic, Mitchell, SD.

Here’s an add for the followup model, the FJ-3A .It appeared in The Lawton Constitution out of Oklahoma on January 07, 1962.

1952-01-07-The-Lawton-Constitution-OK-FJ3-arrives-lores

This is the more common version of the FJ-3A ad published across the country:

FJ-3A

December 20, 1961, Arizona Daily Star, Tucson, AZ.

 

 
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1967 FJ-6 San Leandro, CA **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: FJ • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $10,000.

It could use some love, but looks solid.

“Kaiser Jeep FleetVan Ice Cream truck. Runs and drives. Straight 6 cylinder. Smokes a little and would recommend towing for long distances. Coker whitewalls. Cold plate freezer. Very unique and conversation starter. No heater and wipers are gone. Nice project with some rust here and there. Great business opportunity or promotional piece? I am located in the Bay Area California. Salvaged Title.”

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