cj3A progress (picture heavy!! 27 pics)

Very nice.

I have the same lift and I just cleaned up the driveshaft yoke a bit with the grinder and it works fine.

 

Hay Canuck,
That thing looks great!!! I've been way to swamped at work to even think about put'n a tool on any of mine this hole summer. I've got to get my house in order and work on mine- your kill'n me with your progress. I have to make it a point to come down and see it soon. How long untill it's road worthy?
Saw you in the Flat fender tour blog ( http://willystrip.wordpress.com/ ),that sounded like quite an experience for those guys, it was great that you could put them up while they were in town.
Talk to you soon, lilwilly

 

Hey LilWilly,

Only a couple of weeks at most until it's driving around the neighborhood. Since the last photos I've sandblasted the seat frames and pans, detailed the willys embossments with black paint. Got the lights in and wired up to the terminal block, sealed the gas tank for a second time after it required some persuasion to fit, and hooked up the park brake cable and lever.

The short list is as follows:
-wiring (not quite sure how the wired from headlight switch wire to the dimmer switch)
-Install gas tank
-Paint seat frames
-make seat covers (wife )
-Grind out rear drive shaft flange for more room
-Install 3 degree rear axle shims
-Drop skid plate 1/2"
-Change all the oils
-Register and insurance
-Enjoy the odd looks from my neighbors because they think I'm crazy weird

Anything else is so minor as to not mention.


Paul and Evan from the Flat Fender Tour were awesome. I was happy to put them up just to get a look at their rigs and compare notes. I personally think their crazy to take those old Jeeps on the I-55 I was pretty impressed by the Buick odd fire. When the rpm was backed off it would still keep turning under 100rpm
A very cool trip. If I was still 20 I'd be all about it.

Maybe I'll make it to one of those meetings once this project is done....

 

This might be the last post for this build I think. It's as good as done.

Wiring is in. It was futile to try to reproduce what was there so I just read it from the schematic as best I could and made up the rest. It all works so that's what counts I guess.

Installed gas tank. Had an issue with a blocked feed line that I eventually resolved.
Blasted and Painted seat frames and pans.
My wife made seat covers for the drivers seat and the upper part of the passenger. I need to either find springs for the passenger bottom or use foam so she can finish the bottom cover. She did a fantastic job in my opinion. and it only took her an hour!

Ground out rear drive shaft companion flange for more room. It still doesn't quite reach but I've got a hold of a couple of 3 degree shims that once in should make the connection.
Along the same lines I dropped the skid plate 1/2"

I finally managed to get the oil cannister open and changed the oil. Changed oil in the trans and xfer case.
She's registered and insured and I'm gradually widening my comfort zone distance from home as I get to know the Jeep. Man it feel great to drive it around the neighborhood.

Tigertop installed. I wasn't sure what your supposed to do about the wood block for the spare tire and the soft top. I just put the soft top over it so I have to loosen my spare tire if I want to take the top off.

On with the poser pics

 

AWESOME!

Now get out and :driving:

 

What an inspiration for all of us! My 3B body looks like your 3A, lots of PA rust to deal with. Where did you get your 7.50s? They look great! I swapped my generator over for a 6v alternator charges the battery way better. Now I'm not near as worried about being standed with a dead battery.

Once again, what an awesome 3A you have there!

 

They are Firestones from Vintage Tire.
Click Me
I was quite happy with them.

Is changing to an alternator as simple as eliminating the regulator and swapping out the generator?
I didn't realize there were 6V alternators about. I figured my only upgrade route was to 12V.

So far with the new battery I've had no starting issues. Of course were not into any cold weather yet.

 

Here's a link to my conversion-http://earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58556I got about $80 into it so far, bought a 6v alt conversion off ebay for $17, remanded alt from Oriellys for $35, mount bracket for $18

 

Well done!!

 

Bravo! :tea:

I love to see a new project start but it seems to be a much less common occurrence that we get to see one come to fruition!

Let us know how it runs, where you take it!

 

Unreal job! I haven't been on here for awhile, but I was following your build from the beginning, and am surprised to see how well it all turned out. Your metal working skills are unreal, happy for you man.

 

Really, really nice work.

 

Thanks Guys, unfortunately I've missed most of the good driving weather for the Chicago area until April or so. I don't think I'll be getting many miles on it until the summer. In the mean time I fabbed up a 2pc crank start. I figured with a 6v system I'll feel more secure if I know I can crank it by hand. Basicly 1/2" black pipe for the most part. I tested it out from a cold start and it worked great.
I made it 2 pc so I can have a snug fit through the bumper and also so it will fit in the toolbox.




After the new year I'm on to a new project. I've had this one for 2 years sitting under tarp and am pretty excited about finally getting to put it together.

CJ7 frame already cleaned up and POR15ed with 2.5" OME springs and MORE shackle reversal.


Sahara YJ tub that was in a fire, no rust. I've been saving roll bar pieces from different Jeeps so what you see is the roll bar mocked up.


This will all go together with my old CJ7 which is in the process of being stripped down as the frame and body were done. The axles will go in it SOA. WT Dana20 4.10 with Aussie locker and a Model 20 one piece shafts and Aussie locker. I have a 4.0 with all the fuel injection equipt to go in as well.

The nice thing about this project is that I already have 95% of the parts and I don't have to fix any rust.

 

nice!