This is our 1951 CJ-3A which we have used as airport transportation since 1980: I bought it from a rancher up in our mountains near San Diego because we had a lot of parties in our hangar where there was no powder room: the girls always were looking for one but it was on the other side of the airport…thus the Jeep.
The Jeep moved with us up and down the state of California 8 times over 31 years and always lived in a hangar at the airport. It had to be hauled in a moving van because a CJ-3A would be trampled on a California freeway! Then last year it died: one cylinder dead and the old shade tree weld jobs which had repaired the right rear where the spare tire had been wiped off on ranch gates were coming apart. But there was no rust anywhere.
We disassembled it with the help of Kaiser Willys videos….down to the frame which was bead blasted and powder coated along with the axles and wheels. I bought a new steel body from the Philippines and new fenders from Kaiser Willys; the hood and grille were OK and could be de wrinkled. Mike supplied new brake drums, cylinders and pads along with brake lines and master cylinder. The old wheel bearings were perfect!..hard to believe that after 62 years they were OK.
The old engine couldn’t be rebuilt because it had been over boarded beyond limits so I bought an engine from an MB and had that rebuilt with new pistons, bearings etc. and we added new manifolds and water pump etc. The old Carter carburetor was rebuilt…everything was new. We added an alternator and built a custom bracket for it and bought a new high torque stater from Kaiser Willys. It works lots better than the original one…I would highly recommend that to anyone. I also highly recommend the Kaiser Willys complete re wire kit; it’s very complete….only some small mods required to got to 12 volts from the 6 volts it’s built for.
I liked the looks of CJ-2 and MB windshields so I traded my CJ-3A windshield for one from an MB. I got lots and lots of new parts from Kaiser Willys…Mike was very helpful. The only non body old parts which were reused were the radiator and fan and the oil bath air cleaner.
We painted it red…as it has been for 31 years. Some people ask why I didn’t do a military restoration and paint it OD; the girls…some of them now pretty old…demanded that it stay red. Besides, there are two other military Jeeps in hangars close by…the red CJ-3A stands out!
Now, as I hope you can see, the Jeep is pretty much brand new….probably better than it was as it left the factory. The restoration took us about 9 months…with lots of help from Mike and from other airport bums like me who crave getting their hands dirty.
We have a hangar with two potties now so people who come to our hangar parties don’t need the Jeep except for trips to the flight line where they sometimes get their first ride in an open cockpit aerobatic biplane which is in one of the pictures….it’s yellow. It belongs to our son…it’s a 1938 pre WWII German Luftwaffe fighter pilot trainer which has been restored with a modern engine etc….good ride!
Kaiser Willys Jeep Blog Story – Bruce Overson
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Me gusto mucho la forma sencilla pero bonita, como quedo este vehiculo; actualmente estoy restaurando un CJ3B Mod. 54; pero aqui en Colombia es un poco dificil conseguir los repuestos, aunque algunos relojes los he pedido a Kaiser Willys
were is the oil filter ? normally is next to the deep stick, right above the alternator. great job on the RESTORATION. A plus.
Great work that Jeep is beautiful and your “orange” topped dipstick has inspired me to paint mine!
Really looks great. I bought a CJ3B Air Force restore” follow-me” vehicle and am looking forward to using it at the airport on special occasions.
Wow! What a fantastic example of Willy’s pride and workmanship!!! That is one beautiful restoration! WOW!!!
Wow! That is some Willy’s pride and some fantastic work! Bravo!!! GREAT JOB!!!
Nice-nice, looking good….Its take’s pride, time to restore a U.S.A. built
vehicle and enjoy it. Iam doing the same thing restoring our 1947 CJ-2A, its
being a family reuion vehicle for all us to enjoy it.
Great story. I have a similar vehicle, and currently have (I believe) a ground fault. I have been pondering the replacement wiring kit, but was worried it would require a lot of re-work to make it fit. With your report, I will order one very soon. I also like the red, mine is Army green, still and eye catcher, but not in the same manner
Thanks, for the story
I like the way you kept the integrity of the CG3 and didn’t go the military jeep look even though using the military tires and MB windshield. My 1944 MB was definitely a military jeep but its long history thereafter was a working farm jeep, so that’s how it’s being restored –one year this month–but well worth the rebuild time from chassis up. Mine will be dark blue with ivory rims which will compliment its stable mate, 1959 red Kaiser Willys truck. Stay tuned when the pictures are posted on the blog. Jim Hamilton
Restoring Jeeps while hanging out at the airport, and with ladies present. What could be better.
Beautiful 3A. Thanks for sharing.
That’s a real restoration! Great job.