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New Purchase...thoughts?
Topic Started: Sep 30 2009, 06:25 PM (1,389 Views)
jfccac
Member
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New member here.

Here's my latest purchase...a '54 CJ3B.

It runs and drives(smokes a bit)

brakes - no go (no fluid in master cylinder)

Body OK

Interior pretty good..

paid $600 with a spare (not shown)

Questions are:

Where should I start as far a getting her up to speed?

Any thoughts on the price (did I pay too much)


http://img35.imageshack.us/i/jeep1z.jpg/]Posted Image[/URL] [IMG]http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/jeep1z.jpg/1/w640.png
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bob in NC
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it would seem you paid about the right price. i have been driving my 61 3b around the farm with no brakes for a year now. be careful. i drove into a ditch the other day but it wasn't too deep and in low gear it went in and then up without throwing me out. i was lucky.
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1954cj3b
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looks just like mine when I got mine 6 years ago Posted Image
depends on your budget and what you want to do total restore to original or like mine total restore with modernized upgrades
I got tons of eng parts and rebuilt eng for sale and other stuff if need anything
I M doing 4.3 v6 sm465 trans dana18 transfercase
and body armor ect
Posted Image Posted Image

everyone has there own style restore but we all love these old gems so if need help as us we all give good pointers and know these toys inside out
3b'ers do it on all 4's
Posted Image
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1954cj3b
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and yes Posted Image
look forward to seeing your progress and lots of picts
john Posted Image
3b'ers do it on all 4's
Posted Image
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oldtime
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MODERATOR
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jfccac,
Welcome aboard the train.
This bulletin board is the ELITE 3B EXPRESS.

You can't hardly go wrong at $600 per jeep.

Suggestion # 1 Are your front and rear tires the same diameter? Measure them.
Suggestion # 2 Inspect the entire Braking system then make repairs as needed.
Suggestion # 3 Inspect the steering system and make adjustments/repairs.

Then you can get your Willys up to SPEED.
Currently building my final F-134 powered 3B .
Rock Crawler using factory parts from the Willys Motors era (1953-1963)

http://s4.zetaboards.com/CJ3B_Bulletin_Board/topic/30228766/1/#new
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jfccac
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thanx for the welcome guys.

I should have it home this weekend.

Looking forward to poking around and learning about the beast.

here's my other 'toy'

Posted Image
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jeeper50
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ol' skool jeeper jeff
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Welcome to the high hood world, great price by the way. I'd get the brakes working so you can stop the jeep. Then it's pretty much a blank canvas for your artistic ability.

Nice looking big brother you have there for your 3B.
In the land of the blind... the one eyed man is king
Texan at heart, Georgian by paycheck

'53 CJ3B, F134, 12v alternator, lockrights, Hot-Spark electronic module,11"self energizing brakes, Belleview winch, Beachwood summertop, OD color, built to honor all Veterans of this great country


Kayaks- Hobie Revo 13, Hobie Outback 12' both ready for the salt...
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John J
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It's a honey for the money. Seriously, at $600 you can't go wrong and makes a great little brother for your deuce and a half.

I'd loose the plow. It looks like one of my Dad's deals. He is notorious for such things.

Need to put a couple of hood latches on it. At some point you're going to get out of impulse power and into warp drive. You don't want the hood coming up and surprising you.

Getting the brakes taken care of is next.

Regardless of how much work you are planning, you ought to change the oil in the engine, transmission, transfer case, front and rear axle, air filter (assuming it still has the original oil bath type) and see what's left in the steering knuckles.

I'd also use 30 weight Rotella T in the engine. I know it is usually used in diesels, but it has additives that aren't in regular brands of oil anymore.

John J

1958 CJ3B




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ParadigmCrime
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I think 600 is more than fair for her, also nice top!

I have no top on mine, and I live in the colorado rockies!

I guess it depends on your project, Id say get the brakes working, and do a full engine rebuild (if you plan on keeping the engine).

Give the ole engine a bath too (I got mine acid bathed), use a compressor and blow out all the rust and clean every knook and cranny.. dont forget to paint the engine something nice! :)

is it 6volt? Id upgrade to 12volt if it is. Mine is a '54 and it was originally 6volt, but has been upgraded to 12volt.

If you arnt going for a total original restoration, upgrade anything else you feel like. Ive upgraded my starter, and axed the old air cleaner system.
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Bob
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Bob
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I don't think $600 is too bad at all, the plow looks like the door off someone's house!
Bob
1953 CJ3B
1965(?) CJ5
1949 Jeepster
1947 Cj2A
2004 Kubota l3400
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jyotin
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600 dollars is not a bad price at all. If the snow plow is functional at all then it becomes a real bargain.

Now, did you pay too much??

The correct answer is "not yet".

If you are concerned about cost you need to make it functional and stop there. Any improvement beyond that could easily change your bargain into a "paid too much" situation.

Now, if you don't care about cost, then the sky is the limit!

j

It's just my luck that something good is going to happen to me today.
54 - 3B - down on the farm
67 - cj6 - former state of Alabama vehicle
?? - cj5 T98a - made from spare parts - Ford tractor blue
?? - cj5 T98a - made from spare parts - Jeep green
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Larry (TX)
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jfc,

I'd buy 'em all day long at that price, but down this way, vintage jeeps, regardless of CJ designation and condition, usually go for bigger bucks.

You'll really like this website once you start on your restoration of the 3B. There's tons of expert technical advice, parts sources and just about everything you'll ever need while working on the project. People here are also the friendliest you could ever find.

Looks to me (from the photo of the deuce) that if you're not already a member of MVPA, you should join them. I bought five deuces from surplus back when I was fire marshal and emergency management coordinator of this city and those trucks were awsome in every respect, (we used them for high water rescue vehicles during floods).

Larry S., Pres. - Bluebonnet Military Motor Pool (www.bmmp.org)
MVPA #20158
Larry Steed
Pearland, Texas
'53 Willys CJ3B
'52 Willys M38
'86 Chevy M1009 CUCV (K5 4x4 Military Blazer)
M100 1/4 ton jeep trailer
M416 1/4 ton jeep trailer (2 ea.)
M101 CDN 1/4 ton jeep trailer
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jfccac
Member
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Thanx for the vote of confidence.

Looking forward to getting it home and tearing into it.


Thanx for the tips guys...
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Doug
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Meridian, Idaho
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Welcome to the site! Nice looking rig you have there. I'd agree that you got it at a really good price. Mine was in similar condition and I paid twice that price.

1963 CJ3B - F134 Hurricane, T-90C, D-18, 5.38s, Overdrive, 938YF, 12V alternator
1969 CJ5 - Dauntless V6, T-14, D-18
2004 TW 200
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surprised_one
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mine was terrible and i also paid double that for mine but in Canada everything is double hehehe
1963 cj3b
1978 cj7
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The M38/M38A1/M606 Preservation Group has a forum.
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