My new rig is an absolute basket case that was destined either for a mercy killing or a parting out on Craigslist. But the previous owner, Charlie, had a sentimental attachment to it and couldn't handle the idea of parting it out. He had driven it in high school while working for the original owner on that guy's farm up in Visalia and had hoped to restore it after the original owner passed away. But he ran into a problem. He's 6'6" and 275. So he had to let it go, but he wanted it to go to a good owner that would put it back together and enjoy it, which I will indeed do with Kim and the kids.
I'm taking up the cause of resurrection, but it's too far gone to be a beauty queen. It's a 1951 CJ3A, serial number 451-GB1 37063. But I got a whole lot more than I need.
My parts haul:
* The frame is strong. I've been under and around it looking for cracks and I'm quite happy so far. Charlie was constructing some 3" body lift blocks, but I'll be dropping it down to stock height with new stock urethane body mounts. As I said before, I want this to have minimal lift with the 32s. I may have to go with a 1" body lift, but we'll see.
* Stock axles are in good shape with 11" rotors front and rear.
* Saginaw steering, but I will have to double check the way it was mounted.
* Two tubs--the other is a CJ2A (i think based on the top mounting points on the outside of the tub) that is just a few hat channels from becoming Fred Flintsone's four wheeler.
* Two window frames, both from CJ2As. One looks quite good. The other has some extra metal pieces welded on it (accommodate theme among my parts cache). I like the fold out window feature of the 2A, so this was a welcome surprise.
* Five fenders, one set matching the CJ2A tub, one pair from another rig entirely, and one that matches the CJ3A.
* Three hoods--from the same three rigs as the fenders. One of them weighs an absolute ton because someone in its past gave it a second skin on its underside. This is the good one.
* Three grilles, one with nice headlight bezels and blinkers that came from the CJ2A tub.
* Three gas tanks--two stock and one that fits above the rear axle.
* A honey comb radiator that I think may work with the engine that's in it.
* Speaking of which, it came with a Ford Windsor 260 V8 (I wish it was a 289). The shade tree welder who "installed" the mounts made them beefy enough, but I'm not sure I like how boogered up they are.
* Massive leaf springs front (9 leaves) and rear (13 leaves--military?). They look like the ones I've seen on a M38A1 I was considering. I'm concerned they will make it ride like the rear axle is bolted to the frame directly. I may have to ditch them for a 2.5-3" Rancho lift kit.
* Warn Overdrive that shifts cleanly behind the Dana 18 transfer case.
* In front of that, I've got a T90 that I might open and and look at, paying close attention to the second gear syncros. Look at all those lovely shifters, two for the Dana 18, one for the Warn, one for the T90.
* Front and rear seats. Don't think the rear is stock, but it fits between the fender wells.
* The CJ3A tub is hacked in a few areas. First, the tool box under the passenger seat is gone, with new metal stitched in (see tub shot above).
* Beat up tailgate. The 2A tub had a thick sheet of steel welded across its back. I want the tailgate.
All in all, it's going to give me ample opportunity to learn the fundamentals of metal working: cutting, grinding, welding, shaping, and so on.
I know some aren't fans of making these classic rigs into wheelers, but that's why I found a rough one (well, a rough pair) that would never qualify for a restoration. It would cost less just to buy all new parts than to fix this thing and make it look good.
In the end, the front half will be a CJ2A, the tub and below a CJ3A, moved along by one of the whimpier Ford V8s out there that will still be way more powerful than the stock four cylinder.
It'll never be done, but it will always be fun.
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