This 1949 Willys CJ-3A has been in the family for 63 years and is recently back up and running thanks in great part to Kaiser Willys Auto Supply. My Great Grandparents purchased the Jeep in 1951 and used it for work on the farm and in the Wallowa Mountains of Northeastern Oregon. In the late 70’s it was retired to a barn where it became a home to many generations of mice. In 1996 I talked my Great Grandmom into selling me the old Willys Jeep. After dragging it around the country with me for 17 years, I had finally saved up enough money to start on the restoration. The past two years have been spent removing oil / farm dirt (ended up being a wonderful preservative) and rebuilding everything from the frame on up. My wife continually complained of me “smelling like Jeep” after working on it. I left as much original as possible (flathead four, 6v, etc.) including the original paint, which in my opinion looks great (it’s an old farm Jeep, it should look like an old farm Jeep). Now that everything is nearly complete, it’s been awakened from its 30+ year slumber and is back doing what it was intended to do….. work and play.
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I obviously don’t look at my own post much….to busy looking at all the other great blogs. My S/N is 26525 and I imagine it came with farm tires but not for certain. All the old pictures I have of it show something other than NDT’s. I put the Super Traxion on it and it looks and performs great. A little frame rub when turning but that’s ok. Good luck on the project. In regards to the post before, I don’t know if there is a way to submit additional pictures (for the turn signal).
I’m in process of doing the same with my 49 CJ-3A. It was my father in-law’s. S/N:36869 with PTO. My last license is 1978. What is you S/N? I think mine is Lutzen Red. Do you remember if the original had farm tires. I think mine did.
Butch
Do you have picks of your light /turnsignal conversion for the 2a
Ok. To convert marker lights to turn signals, your basically going to be building a new light assembly unit. Don’t let this scare you, it’s easier than you think. Buy the following: 4 8-32 x 1 1/2″ bolts and nuts, 2 Van Camps Beans (small can, diameter should be just over 2 1/2″), 2 1154 6v (1157 if 12v) bulbs, 2 lamp sockets for 1154/1157 bulbs (the metal ones with the metal tabs). #1 Remove old marker light assembly, but keep lens and beauty ring. #2 Use a step drill bit to make a big enough hole in the grill for the 1154 bulb to fit thru. #3 Eat the beans! (that’s the best part) #4 Cut the top of the can off so all you have left is 1 1/4″ measured from the bottom of the can. #5 Cut a hole (use step drill bit) in the center of the bottom of the can big enough to fit the metal tabs of the lamp socket thru, but not so big that the backing ring fits thru. #6 insert the lamp socket into the can, but do not flatten out the tabs at this time (wires to the outside of can, socket towards inside of can). #7 insert the bulb into the socket/can combo and verify bulb protrusion out thru the front of the grill (hold assembly to backside of grill so bulb sticks out the front). For my grill, I trimmed down the can to 1″ which let my bulb stick out (of the grill) a little further without getting too close to the back of the lens. Adjust this dimension as you see fit. #8 Once your happy with step #7, remove the bulb and socket from the can and drill two small holes in the bottom of the can (near the outer edge, 180 degrees apart) for the retaining bolts. #9 Paint the outside of the can black. #10 Sand the sharp edge of the can (where you cut off the top) to remove the paint and sand the back side of the grill where the sharp edge of the can will make contact with the grill. This is necessary as the housing of the socket/can will need to ground to the frame. #11 Install the socket back into the can, but this time flatten out the tabs on the inside of the can. The can should now be pretty secure sandwhiched between the tabs and the backing ring. #12 Secure the lens, beauty ring and new light assembly with the 2 8-32 bolts and nuts. Trim the bolts down if you think they are too long, I did. #13 Hook up the two wires as appropriate (one to the turn signal and one to the marker light). #14 Repeat for other side. This worked for me and I hope it works for all of you. I’m sure this is one of many ways to make turn signals out of your marker lights. In regards to the rag top……maybe this summer. Good luck to you all on all your projects. Can’t wait to see them on this site!
Hey Bro, the only thing I havn’t seen on the on the jeep thus far is the rag top for it. I remember we were up at the McBride cabin when you were able to find either the doors for it or the top itself. Is it in your plans to restore the top as well?
John,
How did you convert the marker lights into blinkers. I need to do this on my ’47 CJ. Your jeep reminds me of mine. Thanks for sharing.
Great jeep and story, love how you kept it as original as possable, enjoy it.
Thanks everyone for the great comments. I really had a good time rebuilding the Jeep and it’s even better when you can do it with friends and family, everyone gets into it. Doing a lot of the work also forces you to be a little innovative. If anyone is interested in how to turn your marker lights into turn signals easily (without changing out the lens), let me know. It’s really easy, cheap (like $15), and you get a small meal out of it :). The tires are Super Traxion 6.5×16. Great tire and surprisingly not much road noise. Little frame rub up front when you turn hard (adjustable) and so far hasn’t rubbed in the back. It will rip off your muffler bracket if you get into a position where you flex the suspension a bit. But like all old Jeeps, nothing you can’t fix with a beer can and a bungee chord (trust me).
Great jeep. What size tires are those?
Great story and fantastic jeep. I am impressed with how long it has been in your family. Great job
Well done!! Enjoy it!! Nice jeep! 🙂
Wonderful looking CJ. I am working on a 47 2a and love the look of those tires. What type/size are they? Do they fully fit inside the rear wheel wells, and do they rub at all? I have been looking for a more modern looking, slightly larger military looking tire and these are just perfect. There are some really nice MTs and such but they are way too big.
Thanks and wonderful job!
What an awesome jeep!!! That’s really cool you decided to keep the “farm jeep” look too!! Everything about your 3a is awesome and I can really appreciate the originaly with the original paint motor and 6 volt system!! Thanks for sharing your photos.
Dear Sir,
Your 3-A reminds me of my 2-A that I put a 3-A windshield on. Mine was even the same color as yours. It was my first car, and it lasted me until the frame rusted out. The most fun I ever had on and off road.
Sincwerely,
Dave Jones
,
It is awesome that your family kept the jeep and stored it and now you have restored it.
I am currently restoring (with a little professional help) a 1952 M-38 to original specifications.
My step dad’s first vehicle was a 1947 CJ-2A. I wish he had kept his jeep.
Mike
Great looking Jeep. My ’49, originally was that color, someone painted it black long before I acquired it. It’s slowly coming back to life. I really like the look of your over-sized tires.
Happy Jeep-ing.
I’ve heard there is clear paint that can be applied, intended for vehicles with this kind of patina, that goes on clear and unseen (kinda like frosted tape, I guess) so you can preserve patina such as this. Your original paint will not fade or peel beyond when this new coating is applied. Check at the paint stores.
Great story. I too have a CJ3A (’52) that has been in my family for 60+ years. Recently I brought it home (1,050 mile trip) and plan a restoration in the Spring. It is all original and I hope to keep it, mostly, that way. I learned to drive in this Jeep when I was a kid.
Great story and great looking jeep.
I would never paint it, no way to ever get that look back. A lot of folks would pay good money to be able to get that kind of look.