This is my 1952 Willys CJ-3A that I named Ruby. It started as a frames-swap and then morphed into a body off first time restoration. MD Juan body kit with about 60+ hours of “tweaking”. Full 7 piece canvas top and seat cushions in matching grey canvas. 12v; L134; T90; D18 (with finned aluminum pan (never seen one). Aluminum Warn summer hubs (not installed yet) PTO and gearbox. It also has the ever rare Hickey Aluminum head. Lockers front and rear with 30 spline one-piece chromoly axles and 11″ brakes on all 4 corners. It was 5 years in the making and I learned so much in the process. Everyone tells me what a great job and beautiful Jeep it is and they give me a thumbs-up. I just say thanks and it makes me feel good that other people appreciate it too.
Kaiser Willys Jeep Life – Matt Betry
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I have a finned aluminum model 18 transfer case pan in my basement. Transdapt used to make them. I never got around to using it. Dave Jones
It looks great. I understand your passion as you rebuilt Ruby, having completed (my 3rd) rebuild (over 50 50 year period). Keep her in shape as a hand down to future generations! If applicable, happy Father’s Day!
Great looker, I think the color is the same as mine once was, is that a Willys color? Also , love to see under her hood.
Stony
In Love the split top. Where did you get this, or did you have it custom made?
Thanks everyone for the kind words. This could not have been possible without MASSIVE amounts of help from everyone at our former shop. The trick is to stay motivated.. that’s the hardest part.
I do have the Hickey aluminum head but NOT installed yet. Also a Bed-Extender that needs a little work and some paint. The on-going tinkering continues…
If Amy or Rachel from KaiserWillys reads these blogs, maybe I can upload more pictures somewhere.?? If not, they know how to get ahold of me and point me in the right direction.
Some quick answers below:
Mike Luna says:
May 3, 2018 at 5:15 pm
What color did you use? —I had a local paint shop (in Northern CA.) match the red I found while tearing down Rigor-Mortis as Terry pointed out. (Seriously, this thing was hammered, but fairly complete) The closest thing to Luzon Red (I think that was the name of the color) I could find.
Terry- Yes, the PTO Ice-cream maker is still on the table as I finally found a PTO shaft that I need to fix then I can look for an old school ice-cream maker
Stay tuned…
Matt
What color did you use?
Great job ! I hope one day soon to find a decent Willy’s, any year, to restore to a military paint scheme
Cheers. Gary
I had the distinct pleasure of working with Matt and friends on this project and lots of other ones we worked on together.
The initial Jeep project name was “Rigor Mortis” as it looked like it was drug up out of San Francisco Bay. Ask him to send pictures of the original Jeep!
Matt has under estimated the hours. It was tons of work and that’s coming from someone who has restored well over 100 WW2 and CJ Jeeps combined.
I still think he needs to put an ice cream maker on the back, power take off unit…but that’s just me.
Good Stuff Matt
Terry
I have my fathers 1952 3A that he purchased new. In the 17 plus years I’ve owned it I’ve restored it . And converted to complete 12 volt system, all new wireing. I love the little thing and it’s a handful to keep it running. Not sure what’s going to happen to it when I pass on, neither of my kids know a spark plug from a spare tire. I do like the fact that you can now get parts for the old guys, back in my days I had to hand fabricate a lot of parts. Good luck with your project.
I watched Matt build this JEEP back to showroom glory and will say it was one of the most thoughtful and skilled restorations I have seen.
It is truly “eye candy”.
Great looking 52 3-A, I need a half top for my 63 Willys CJ-5 where can I find one…
Beautiful,in the process of restoring 46 CJ2A all done except for paint and new clutch.All orig. Except for the motor is 52 Willie L, was told I could look down under carb on block to see what motor it is,is that true.Thank you
Nicely done, for sure. I, also, have a ’52 that has been in my family since new. It needs a complete restoration (it’s all there but has been sitting for 38 years). Hopefully, I can get started on it this year. Again, nice job.
Bob