JEEP CJ3B Restoration
"Willy" joined our family in July 2020. Stay tuned as he gets a new lease on life with restoration close to something approaching his 1953 splendor - not to showroom condition, but drivable on the road and fresh coat of green (not drab, sorry, but glossy). Willy is in agreeable condition, rust free chassis, working original 2.2l engine, and starts and drives. There have been modifications and some rather rough body repairs over the years, much of which will be reversed. The whole restoration is being filmed, but I don't think we find time for editing into a series before late 2021.
Late Winter/early Spring has seen a slow start to the restoration. My main concern has been to identify and correct major defects and wear in the brakes, suspension, and all those little things that require ready access to the engine compartment. So at the same time I have stripped away the front panels and restored them, and cleaned up and sprayed the firewall. I have replaced the brake master cylinder, fan belt, hoses, oil filter and so forth and pretty soon should have the front end of the vehicle back together and tidy. Then I will start on the driver's side of the firewall. This way, separating the vehicle into 2 separate zones, I can keep focused and see my progress.
Mid September 2020 a box of jeep parts arrived, the first of what I expect to be several such events. Clink on the link picture for video of my delight at unboxing and explaining the various parts and their uses. Sorry for all the wobble in the video, the camera was standing on the table and I didn't realize how much I was shaking things. Click on the image for the video.
It is now May 2021. A lot has happened since last Spring and as you can see Willy has come a long way, although we are not there yet. There has been a big interruption due to sale of the property where the restoration was being done and it will be some months yet before we have a new workshop to resume things. On the list still: the carby needs a rebuild, and the transfer box is not letting my select low range, so there is some work ahead. But he has lights, a rebuilt steeing box and original steering wheel, seats, and the brakes kinda work, so we can drive, just not on the road yet.