RI Willys

[Kirkski]

Spring of 2013 I inherited a 1952 CJ-3A from my cousin. My Uncle worked for a wealthy man (Mr. Jones) as his Farm manager in Rhode Island. Mr. Jones had my Uncle and another employee pick the Jeep up from a friend of his in update New York in the winter 1954. They drove it to Rhode Island where Mr. Jones used it when he visited his farm. In 1962 Mr. Jones passed away and his widow gave the Jeep to my Uncle.

When I was about 11/12 my cousin and I picked up the Jeep at a camp on the farm. He pulled it with another Jeep used on the farm and I steered the thing in tow. I had the time of my life.

My cousin drove the Jeep on and off until the early 1980's. During which he did a Bubba rattle can paint job. About 1981 he then parked it in a barn, and a few years ago the engine would not turn over. So, he removed the head and the oil pan (just to make sure it really got stuck I guess). Sadly watching it sit he finally gave it to me.

The Jeep has an addition of a high back seating area, and a flattened passenger floor. It appears that this was altered at the Factory to the best of my knowledge. This made for a "U" shaped seating area in the back. The wheel wells were extended as well, and a basket added where the tailgate would be.

I am anxious to get the Jeep functional...

 

[AnthonyJ124]

Way cool. The story is even cooler. Hopefully you'll have the time of your life again when you get it running.

I've always love those old 3-a jeeps.

 

[lostmind]

Nice gift , enjoy

 

[Kirkski]

Another pic of the day I got it home for some reason I cannot load more than one pic at a time with my ipad

 

[BigDaveZJ]

That is awesome. I would get it running and driving well, but leave the appearance as is.

 

[SteveCh]

From the photos it appears the body is in good shape. I had a '50 Willy's Overland. Original Franklin. I was still able to find parts such as valve keepers and etc. Really tough-built machines.

 

[Kirkski]

AnthonyJ124 - thanks I am having the time of my life working on it believe me. As time and money allow anyway. As for getting it running I am hoping end of this year

lostmind - Thank you

BigDaveZJ - A huge problem with these machines is the hat channel support structure. Willys-Overland used wood to keep it from compressing. Over the years the wood rots out and along with it the steel. I was hoping to do the minimal and get it going, but it's turned into a full blown restoration.. Stay tuned

SteveCH - With regards to the body and the above response it is in very good shape considering its age. The mechanicals however rusted solid, thankfully plenty of suppliers out there for parts!

 

[56FordGuy]

I love the old flatfenders, I had two CJ2As and a CJ3B. They're great little Jeeps, good luck with yours.

Can you post a picture or two of the rear seating area?

 

[Strouty]

This project is so much better with all the history behind it! Looking forward to seeing some pictures of the process.

 

[Kirkski]

56FordGuy - Believe it or not but I really don't have any good pics of the back area. I am not home now so I can't take any

In the attached you can kind of make out the longer seat etc. I am told this was used as a "Hunting Limo". The rich hunters sat in back and the driver drove them to the fields for bird hunting. Game was tossed in the back.

In my previous pic you'll see the passenger floor was also "leveled", and the entry lowered. To make getting in and out easier, there was no seat installed on the right side.

Strouty - I aim to please

 

[Strouty]

Kirkski, what are the plans for it? Are you changing things or keeping stock components?

 

[Mark in Indiana]

Congratulations on your Willys. They are easy to work on. Looks like yours has a lot of potential, along with its history for you.
I had a 1945 CJ2A for 24 years. Life changes made me choose to sell it.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

That's great! Keep us posted.

Tommy

 

[Kirkski]

Strouty - I plan on keeping it the way it is with new paint. With the exception of the front floor, I really want a passenger seat so I removed that floor panel already

Mark In Indiana - To bad about the CJ-2A, I hope the same never happens to me. My intentions are never to sell it at this point especially since it's the first vehicle I ever "drove"

 

[Kirkski]

I soaked the engine with PB Blaster and no dice, stuck hard. My local machine shop got it apart

 

[Kirkski]

Out it came and now to strip down

 

[Erampu]

I think it's an early Popemobile.

Good luck with your project. It's a nice one and unique.

 

[Kirkski]

Erampu - Ha, I can see that for sure. Thanks I am enjoying it!

 

[justanengineer]

Awesome jeep, looking forward to updates.

 

[SweetD]

From one RI'er to another - awesome project and good luck! Also, nice yellow tool cabinet there in your last pic!



Dave

 

[Kirkski]

SweetD - Thanks, here are some more, the day the orange box was here I was working with my Snap On dealer potentially looking to go with an Epic. I did not like the Epic because the shallow drawers are a lot shallower than the KRL.

I still would like to get a KRL top box instead of the hutch though...

 

[jb3]

Extremely cool jeep!


Seems to me its ready for the Bristol july 4th parade with that high rear seat

 

[Strouty]

I dig the color, you are in a situation like me, we both have odd color boxes (cranberry) so resale can be tricky on just part of it. I may be looking at a new box in the next month, the dealer says he has a special truck that comes through for a few days and I can configure the drawers any way I want for free. I am reverse of most guys, I want more shallow drawers.

 

[Kirkski]

jb3 - I hope so!

Strouty - I love the color yellow, I originally owned the doublewide with the top box, and just had to go with the triple wide and the hutch. I wish I had the other back now. Box is big, but the the ability to hold more tools is lost. Nice having a lock able work surface though.

Oh, and as for the shallow drawers, I don't mind them. But, on the Epic, if you have sockets in the plastic trays and put them in a shallow drawer, when you close the drawer the sockets will rub. If I remember right they are a full 3/8" shallower...

I have attempted a trade in, for a triple wide and top box, but as you elude to, the resale is not really there. So no harm done, I will keep it I guess. Every once in a whole I throw it on eBay to see if there are any bites.

 

[Kirkski]

And here is the day I added chrome lower forks to my brother-in-laws bike - 2010 Ultra Classic

 

[Strouty]

Kirkski, I am glad you mentioned the drawer depth, that would make me shy away from an epiq too. I am still toying with the idea of just ordering the drawers that I need. I just figure no one will ever buy the old ones because of the color. Just the drawers will set me back about $2k and then I am sure they will not "match". I will see what he would offer for a trade and basically look at a new 1023 with drawers the way I want them. I may even change color, I am partial to blue these days.

 

[Kirkski]

Getting down there...

 

[Strouty]

It really doesn't look that bad! I was worried it was going to have more holes in it.

 

[Zeke]

I have a '44 GPW. Not stock but not a mud bogger or rock climber either. It's actually my wife's. Her dad owned it originally. I'd sell the thing in a heartbeat but that ain't gonna happen. Hasn't run in 2 years. Every day that situation gets worse.

 

[Kirkski]

Body off, rear cross member changed out. They must have tried to pull something with it

 

[Mike007]

Cool project. Wish I had the time.

 

[coby65]

Body looks good!

these frames were designed with some flex in them so check for cracks.

 

[coby65]

I have a '44 GPW. Not stock but not a mud bogger or rock climber either. It's actually my wife's. Her dad owned it originally. I'd sell the thing in a heartbeat but that ain't gonna happen. Hasn't run in 2 years. Every day that situation gets worse.

A restored GPW makes a really cool parade vehicle!

 

[ScottsRX]

Very cool project, I'll be watching closely.

 

[landlord30]

If you dont already have good sources for parts, Walck's and Mid-west Willys are 2 good ones.

I'm working on a 49 pickup i have right now.

 

[Kirkski]

Strouty Loving this project, has a few challenges. Overall frame and body in decent shape

Zeke get that GPW going!

Mike007 I hear that no time here either. But my Uncle is 90 and I am trying to get it running to take him on a ride! The old farm is still in there, plan on driving around that with him.

Coby65 Frame is solid no cracks, no extra welds etc, clean example

ScottsRX Keep looking I need the push

landlord30 Walcks is already on speed dial, great folks and quality parts

 

[Strouty]

That was quick! Looks great.

 

[fm2176]

I have a '44 GPW. Not stock but not a mud bogger or rock climber either. It's actually my wife's. Her dad owned it originally. I'd sell the thing in a heartbeat but that ain't gonna happen. Hasn't run in 2 years. Every day that situation gets worse.

I had a '60 DJ3 (2wd "Dispatcher" best known for the Surrey Gala version). Bought it and it ran. Let it sit for a couple of years and it didn't run. I held onto it for a few more years and even pulled it down to Louisiana. Finally sold it to a guy who really wanted a project and he called me the following weekend to tell me it was running. A little know-how and some motivation works wonders! That and my '78 F250 taught me that project vehicles will have to wait until I retire. Too many moves, and always lacking either time or money...funny how that works, isn't it?

 

[Kirkski]

That was quick! Looks great.

Strouty Not so fast I'm binging Garage Journal up to speed on work that I have already done. This has been almost two years... Ugh...

 

[Zeke]

I didn't say it doesn't run, I said it hasn't run. Probably needs fluids changed. Battery is on a tender.

Kirkski, look inside those body stiffeners under the floor. They have wood strips in them!