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| new guy from SOCAL | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Aug 3 2011, 11:43 PM (1,312 Views) | |
| socal | Aug 3 2011, 11:43 PM Post #1 |
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Hello every one . i just picked up a 1953 cj3b last week out side of tucson az and now trying to learn as much info as i can about it. i'm mostly into rods and customs but i dig the old jeeps also and now i finally found one that i could afford. i picked this one up for $850 and she is pretty solid. the only real problem is i have a leak in my radiator and i cant find anybody who knows how to fix it in my area. do you guys know anybody who makes new ones. or can i change it out for a different one from another model or year? also is it pretty common for the driver side springs to get week and make the jeep lean to one side? here are some pics of it when i got it and after i got it home and started a scrub down with comet and a used green pad ![]()
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| elawson | Aug 4 2011, 12:31 AM Post #2 |
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Any radiator shop should be able to take care of just about anything that might have happened to the radiator. For the rare occasions where the radiator is just too badly damaged to repair, the parts suppliers listed on this site should be able to supply you with a new radiator. To get to the parts page from the main page, choose "Site Map", then "CJ3B Specs and Tech Tips". Then scroll down to the "Parts" section. My two Jeeps listed to the drivers side. One set of springs was re-arched and the other one got new springs. Both Jeeps are now sitting within 3/4 inch of level. If you scroll down past the parts link on the "CJ3B Specs and Tech Tips page" you will find, under Group 27, a section talking about this problem. By the way, where are you? It looks so ***GREEN**** :-) Eric near Phoenix, Arizona, USA |
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| socal | Aug 4 2011, 01:02 AM Post #3 |
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thanks for the info now i dont feel so bad with lean to the driver side. still i would like to fix it . maybe i'll try the tips before i replace the springs. yeah i seen the new ones but their way out of my budget right now. i'm in riverside, ca. the radiator shops around here are a joke so i'm gonna have to try out of my area cause i would like to just repair it. |
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| P8106jr | Aug 4 2011, 05:50 AM Post #4 |
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I have a friend whom just bought a new one from Vintage Jeep parts in Beasley Texas foe $435.00 Good luck, you found the right place to help you get her rebuilt |
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Jamie Powers 1963 CJ3B 1947 Bantam Trailer 1973 CJ5 Houston TX | |
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| 63owner | Aug 4 2011, 07:39 AM Post #5 |
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Looks like a very good one for that price. The folks on here are incredible. Very, very helpful about all things 3B. I extract way more information from this board than I am able to give, but as I slowly restore my 63, maybe one day I'll be able to lend some help to others. Welcome. |
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"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." Dr. Seuss Western Kentucky 63 Cj3b, F-134, original top 64 DJ3a parts vehicle 1948 CJ2A Late 1940s Spen Model S trailer | |
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| Bob | Aug 4 2011, 07:57 AM Post #6 |
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Welcome...your jeep looks pretty good for the money. I'd find yourself a radiator shop that has been in business for 50 years and has a bunch of old guys working there. Try going to a car cruise in and asking the folks there where they would take it. |
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Bob 1953 CJ3B 1965(?) CJ5 1949 Jeepster 1947 Cj2A 2004 Kubota l3400 | |
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| jeepdan | Aug 4 2011, 08:03 AM Post #7 |
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Welcome, very nice find! Only a rugged vehicle like a "jeep" can benefit from a good scrub with Comet
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Dan Walton Jr. Wheeling, WV 1964 U.S. Army CJ3B ( pride and joy) 1967 Kaiser Jeep M715 (my newest pride and joy) 2016 Jeep Wrangler JKU- Black Bear Edition (daily driver) 91 Grand Wagoneer (in storage) Two 56 Willys pickups (one, restoration started, never finished) 1966 M416 1/4 Ton trailer | |
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| Larry (TX) | Aug 4 2011, 09:24 AM Post #8 |
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I'll add a welcome to you also, all the way from the deep southeast on the Texas Gulfcoast where we're getting triple digit temperatures now on a daily basis and no rainfall whatsoever; (it's not so green around these parts). Looks like you found yourself a nice one to start with and you can't hardly beat the price you paid for a running 3B. I too favor the early 3B's and my first and second's were both '53 models, as well as the one I have today - guess I just prefer the old style 5 gauge dash for whatever reason, ha! For whatever reason, there's just something about the original honeycomb style radiators that many radiator shop's don't/won't to work with, so I've been told by at least two local longtime shop owners. Regarding your front springs, open up your hood and take a long view at where the engine is situated in the compartment, noting that it obviously doesn't sit in the middle of the frame, but off center to the left and that 4 cylinder hunk of cast iron is heavier than it may appear to be. An old die-hard jeep owner and long time jeep mechanic suggested a "fix' for left leaning jeeps (don't know, but perhaps sadly, they're all Democrats at heart), and since using that old fellow's suggestion for many years now, I've found that it works near perfect every time; (read on). Remove your front springs and locate a shop that specializes in leaf spring repairs; (usually large or highway 18 wheeler type truck undercarriage repair shops found in the Yellow Pages). Take your springs to said shop and have them re-arched, but have the left spring re-arched at least 1 1/2" more than the right side. When reinstalled under the jeep, the left side may sit just a bit higher than the right at first, but will eventually pretty much even out. You may want to have all four re-arched, and possibly have an extra leaf added, depending on what condition they're in presently, however, the more leafs added to springs, the less comfortable ride you'll get. Most importantly also I've discovered over years of doing this is to is to re-install the springs with all new mounting hardware and new shocks. Best of luck to you on your new project! |
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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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| oldtime | Aug 4 2011, 11:00 AM Post #9 |
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Welcome to the CJ-3B Bulletin Board ! Your 3B looks to have VG potential. If its correct the 3B rear back seat alone is potentially worth half the price you gave. |
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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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| Doug | Aug 4 2011, 06:55 PM Post #10 |
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Welcome to the site! Seems like you got a real good deal on your jeep. It looks real solid. |
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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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| socal | Aug 4 2011, 08:58 PM Post #11 |
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thanks for the welcomes. i had a shop local that had a old timer that could fix anything i brought him but he retired and his son walked away from it rather then keeping it going. i recently found another guy who knew his stuff but now he got a contract deal repairing Caterpillar radiators and has now time for the little guys now. i got a lead on another shop out of town so i am gonna run it down there and see what they say. as for the springs i guess i should of been more detailed on that it has a very slight lean when its parked. its just when you get in it it looks like a 400 pound guy is in it the was it leans to the driver side. is that normal or do i need to re-arch the springs. i haven't tried replacing the shocks yet to see if that helps. i was thinking of installing some bilstein shocks cause they rides so smooth on my driver when i take it out on the dirt roads. yeah all my brothers friends back in tucson are pretty pissed cause they didnt get to buy it. he sent them pics but nobody wanted to jump on it and at the time the guy wanted $1,000 for it. then he called and said he would take $850 for it. he called me and i said tell him i'm on my way from Cal to come get it. me and my dad had been cleaning up our yard and had that amount in a cash box just all the scrap metal we turned it so it really didnt cost us nothing other then gas. i'm gonna take it back to tucson in oct to go dear hunting with my brother heres the pic the guy sent us from his phone. so i bought it off that. i'm gonna redo the seats next after i get my radiator fixed. u do my own upholstery so maybe i can do a how to for this site if that ok ![]() hers some more pics of it at my house ![]() ![]() ![]()
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| Larry (TX) | Aug 4 2011, 09:18 PM Post #12 |
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Unless you actually weigh 400 pounds, no it isn't normal for the jeep to sag that much when you get in it if the springs are set up right, and adding new shocks will not change the situation. Get the springs on it re-arched as I suggested above and they should last you a very long time. Hope you luck out with a radiator repair, but I wouldn't hold my breath since it's most likely an early style. |
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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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| socal | Aug 4 2011, 09:32 PM Post #13 |
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thanks larry i'm gonna stop at a shop that works on spring tomorrow after work and see if they can help me |
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| Bob | Aug 5 2011, 06:51 AM Post #14 |
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Looks like you have some other cool stuff back there, I see an old cub cadet and is that a Hudson in the background? |
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Bob 1953 CJ3B 1965(?) CJ5 1949 Jeepster 1947 Cj2A 2004 Kubota l3400 | |
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| oldtime | Aug 5 2011, 09:36 AM Post #15 |
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Ive had a few jeeps in my day and none of them ever leaned. But then I didn't get out my plumb bob for the inspection either. Myself I would never have jeep leaf springs re-arched. To me its risking that some psuedo-metalurgist will ruin the spring temper. You may be better off swapping LH for RH (depending on pivot thread condition) |
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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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