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| 3A/3B; difference | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Sep 10 2012, 09:27 AM (899 Views) | |
| bob in NC | Sep 10 2012, 09:27 AM Post #1 |
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been seeing a lot of cj3a's on ewillys lately. the basic only difference between one and a cj3b is the b has the bigger engine and taller hood. that is the main difference? |
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| Daryl | Sep 10 2012, 11:15 AM Post #2 |
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Just the 4" spacer on the cowl to raise the hood height for the f-head. Obviously hundreds of other small changes but cosmetically just the hood and grill and a shorter windshield frame. |
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Lotsa Jeeps, and a few extra parts In Bonney Lake, Washington Always willing to look at a Jeep for you BEFORE you buy it to check it out. | |
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| oldtime | Sep 10 2012, 11:19 AM Post #3 |
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Bottom line is that the Civilian Jeep (CJ) was introduced in late 1945 and it was promoted as a universal design. Hence the initial advertisement..... WILLYS introduces the UNIVERSAL ! The model CJ-2A began in mass production in late 1945. The truth is that the original universal Jeep design was for ever in a constant state of change that we call progression. Each and every vintage year introduces new upgrades and changes. Why W/O decided to identify the 3A as a new model in 1949 remains somewhat of a mystery to me. After all the only readily notable difference was the change of the windshield frame. But it was their product and they had the right to call it whatever they wanted. By 1953 another change of the body design was mandated to fit the re-vamped 134 engine. So another new model was born. The infamous CJ-3B. From its very beginnings the CJ-3B had many other significant changes as compared to its predicessor. And many more changes were yet to follow. Not all changes were actual progression. This implies that at least some of the changes did actually decrease the jeeps attributes. The CJ-3B itself was highly succsessful as a no frills version of the universal. The CJ-5 design really could not be touted as being superior since the drivetrain was virtually identicle. It is no mystery to me that the CJ-3B gave way to allow the introduction of the D-225 into the CJ-5, series. The timing is blatantly obvious. The CJ-3B ceased U.S. production in early 1965 while the CJ-5 gained D-225 availability later that same year. In my mind I am convinced that the 3B lost its very existance to help promote the D-225 engine. Looking back one can see how even a few of the MB and GPW parts were never improved upon. Those particular component parts are of enduring and timeless quality. It is here where we begin to recognize the ultimate TRANS MODEL UNIVERSAL. A Universal jeep that remains part early design and part late design. CJ-3A vs CJ-3B is merely a short duration comparison of the universal design. The exact production changes for those two models alone are actually quite extensive in full detail. The production changes from 1941 -1985 are nearly exhaustive. |
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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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| Duffer | Sep 10 2012, 12:45 PM Post #4 |
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One of the more significant differences other than the F head was the rear axle. The 49's and perhaps some of the 50 3A's were still getting Dana 41 rear axles rather than the D44. |
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John, SW Montana 55 CJ 3B, transmake, fiberglass/aluminum tub/hood/fenders, 381 sbc, AGE M22W trans, "super" D18/Teralows & Warn OD, D44/ARB/Dutchman front & full float D44/Powrloc rear axles-4.10's, Holbrook springs, 4 wheel power discs, Saginaw PS, Warn 8274 68 CJ5, stock 225, T86AA, D18w/ Warn OD, D27A & stock D44 (heavy duty housing)-4.88's, 11" brakes, stock Ross box, Belleview 6000 (a close to stock vehicle, including the Whitco top) | |
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| Bob_webber | Sep 10 2012, 04:39 PM Post #5 |
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also the dash on a 3a has a cut out for the steering column to pass through, on the 3b the column simply mounts at the bottom of the dash. this is the only way i could determine that my body was that of a 3b, someone had previously cut my cowl to make it into a 3a, then back to a 3b but the wrong height. bob, if your mind works like mine i think you might be tempted to make a 3a body into a 3b. if that is the case i would advise you that it is not worth it, the sheer amount of cutting grinding welding and beating to fix the po's mistake on my jeep was a very daunting task. :lol: but not everybody's mind works like mine (that is a good thing) |
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53 3b, early cj5 frame (hurricane),2.43 ratio t case 26 tooth with 1 1/4" case (my own creation), late 60's c5 ross steering box, all range od, parts from a welder generator, and parts from about 9 different jeeps and counting. my every last penny and ounce of patients creates what we call the FrAnken B, the jeep that never was bob, north east Ohio | |
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| 63owner | Sep 11 2012, 07:40 AM Post #6 |
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Bob Webber, I hope it's worth it because that's what I'm planning to do with a 64 DJ3A with the standard Jeep body style. At some point, I'll remove the firewall, cowl, spacers and dash from my 63 3B with the rotted tub and transfer it to the DJ tub. I'm thinking that in 63 and 64 there wasn't a lot of difference in the two. I have never done this before but I've seen pictures of it done. I may be in over my head though. If there is some huge difference that i'm not thinking about, please chime in before I proceed any further with my project. |
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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_webber | Sep 11 2012, 11:23 AM Post #7 |
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63 owner, it will be much easier because you have a good 3b cowl and firewall. since you have 3b parts it should go pretty smooth, i was referring to adding metal to a 3a cowl to make it into a 3b. granted it still is a bunch of work, but having a good firewall would make all the difference in the world.
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53 3b, early cj5 frame (hurricane),2.43 ratio t case 26 tooth with 1 1/4" case (my own creation), late 60's c5 ross steering box, all range od, parts from a welder generator, and parts from about 9 different jeeps and counting. my every last penny and ounce of patients creates what we call the FrAnken B, the jeep that never was bob, north east Ohio | |
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| 63owner | Sep 11 2012, 11:35 AM Post #8 |
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I'm hoping it goes smooth. After searching a bit in the past, I couldn't find anyone that makes an aftermarket 3B firewall. I've been trying to find a used cowl, firewall, spacers and dash from a late 3B to finish my DJ tub completely before I do the swap, but so far no luck. I was hoping to have my 3B on the road right up to the day of the tub swap but that's not looking very likely. |
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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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3:41 AM Jul 11