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DJ3A DISPATCHER CONVERTIBLE; RESEARCH THREAD
Topic Started: Dec 6 2013, 05:39 PM (10,291 Views)
PapaC
Papac
[ *   *   *   *   *  ]
I find these side fasteners intriguing and definitely not footman loops like I might have though from my holes .

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In his album Bill asks if this bracket is the holy grail or a best-top one.
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It's the only picture he's got that bothers me. Picture wise the rusted patina compared to the other brackets. Of course that could be an illusion to me. I would LOVE confirmation.



Charles Tate....North Mississippi

1956 WILLYS DJ3A Convertible
Doing ground up nuts and bolt restoration by almost entirely reconditioning original used or a few NOS DJ3A parts.

1962 WILLYS DJ3A Convertible. (For research and parts only)
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PapaC
Papac
[ *   *   *   *   *  ]
The best view I've seen yet from the back of one. Simply Awsome!

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And a perfect shot of the inside back panel!!

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More of Bills photos. Wear Bar for the door latch

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Charles Tate....North Mississippi

1956 WILLYS DJ3A Convertible
Doing ground up nuts and bolt restoration by almost entirely reconditioning original used or a few NOS DJ3A parts.

1962 WILLYS DJ3A Convertible. (For research and parts only)
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PapaC
Papac
[ *   *   *   *   *  ]
Vacumn wiper hose attachment

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Last one for tonight.

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What's that little silver handle looking thing that's hanging down.???
Charles Tate....North Mississippi

1956 WILLYS DJ3A Convertible
Doing ground up nuts and bolt restoration by almost entirely reconditioning original used or a few NOS DJ3A parts.

1962 WILLYS DJ3A Convertible. (For research and parts only)
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SteveK
Member
[ *   *   *   *   *  ]
Well that sure helped. GREAT pics. I think the gray handle is the remains of an antenna.

The side hooks are the same I saw in the fuzzy pic of the grayish conv link recently posted. Also on that same one, and the green one posted too, the irregular pattern of the windshield snaps seem consistent also.

I can only see one hole in the pivot bracket, and the fact that it doesn't fit to the existing 2 holes there, makes me want to think it is not the original pivot. That and the seemingly inconsistent quality and gauge of the material of the pivot for the era and typical durability of factory stuff.

I'm also confused why there would be both door canvas channel, AND twist snaps for the door canvas. How could you thread the edge and also have the material inside the channel to meet with the fasteners?

The channel also appears farther away from the windshield frame than mine, as it has enough room for the nuts to the twist fasteners, indicating it may be supposed to be like that, OR...is it to fit a replacement type kit (like the pivot)? However, When I looked at replacement tops, I don't even remember anyone offering a 'convertible' kit. Maybe that was what they meant by "custom tops available". The questions and saga continues...

One thing is for sure. We don't know how many were produced, but it sure seems obvious not very many, if any, (since nobody has come up with an original factory restoration/confirmation yet, unless the green one is), that very, very few made it thru time. PapaC, maybe a call to Hagerty insurance, or one of the other classic car insurers, could shed some light on the rarity and/or value of a restored convertible for you. I know Hagerty offers 'parts finding' as one of their perks. A good challenge for them.

An original restoration project worth the skills and effort of PapaC. Looks like you are going to have to shorten my old doors PapaC, to make it 'original' like. No pressure, but now the Willys World is counting on you for the iconic restoration of the 'convertible'. Better you than me. Go for it.
SteveK
62 Dispatcher
South Florida
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F Bill
Jeep discovery and aquisition specialist
[ *   *   *   *   *  ]
I know what you mean about the patina on the bracket...the BOLTs match the tub however. What is weird is that is on the V6 modified 4WD convertible I bought solely for the bumpers.

If you look at your tub where that bracket would be, do you have two large holes and two smaller prepunched marked spots that look like they also might be planned holes?

The silver thing is a broken two stud mount antenna. Note there are screws in the pattern of a mirror bracket above it....Did the 3B have these holes too??

I posted a wanted ad on the Willys tech want ad board to see if there are any original convertibles out there...Hopefully someone has one. I have heard of one NOS convertible top existing in the Northwest but don't know if it still even exists....or if there was any hardware..
59 convertible 15933 needs drivetrain
60 convertible 17052 has a V6 and 4WD
60 Surrey 17509 went thru Katrina and looks it.
60 Surrey 17918 started it all...Toyota axle, BW
Wrecked Surrey Tub with fenders and grille
56 tub, from 11826
And a couple parts DJ's with no ID left.
All my jeeps are projects....only runner is my
DJ with doors..
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PapaC
Papac
[ *   *   *   *   *  ]
The last day or two has been, thanks to Steve and Bill almost overwhelming. To suspect something is one thing. Proof and confirmation though, I don't have words to express.

It was Steve who made the statement to me MONTHS ago that a convertible was....the rarest of the rare. To think, I once almost welded up the holes in my windshield.

Bill, I'm certainly glad you bought those 'parts' cars. Without them I still wouldn't know and actually seeing, well....amazing!

My forth post on this forum I described my DJ as a "plain jane convertible with a short windshield and holes for snaps. Later I decided it must be common sense fasteners, mostly because of the period. Little did I know that my obvious lack of knowledge would eventually make me look harder trying to decipher the clues. I won't call mine a plain jane anymore but I will try to do it justice as I continue my quest to breath into it new life.....with old or period replacement parts.

Bill, if you find that top, or any part of the brackets or bows for sale I'm interested. With what I know now how could I not be because it would make my life sooo much easier!!!

It's too late for me to look back now and I'll try to do this thing justice. I also hope more of these start turning up and people will recognize them for what they are....and what they could be.

Later I'll post some pictures of my bracket holes. For now, I just want to think and dream of riding in my sporty convertible jeep with the top folded back and the wind in my face!!
Charles Tate....North Mississippi

1956 WILLYS DJ3A Convertible
Doing ground up nuts and bolt restoration by almost entirely reconditioning original used or a few NOS DJ3A parts.

1962 WILLYS DJ3A Convertible. (For research and parts only)
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PapaC
Papac
[ *   *   *   *   *  ]
Here's my striker plate and top bow bracket holes .


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Here's F Bills

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Here's my windshield door hanger channel. It is spot welded on.

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F Bills

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Charles Tate....North Mississippi

1956 WILLYS DJ3A Convertible
Doing ground up nuts and bolt restoration by almost entirely reconditioning original used or a few NOS DJ3A parts.

1962 WILLYS DJ3A Convertible. (For research and parts only)
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PapaC
Papac
[ *   *   *   *   *  ]
And here's my holes in the front

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F. Bills

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Charles Tate....North Mississippi

1956 WILLYS DJ3A Convertible
Doing ground up nuts and bolt restoration by almost entirely reconditioning original used or a few NOS DJ3A parts.

1962 WILLYS DJ3A Convertible. (For research and parts only)
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PapaC
Papac
[ *   *   *   *   *  ]
My front is set up more like this....without the extra turn fasteners

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I do have a non extension mirror arm exactly like that one that I got from Steve. It came with a round mirror head on it (that either needs new glass or replaced)
Charles Tate....North Mississippi

1956 WILLYS DJ3A Convertible
Doing ground up nuts and bolt restoration by almost entirely reconditioning original used or a few NOS DJ3A parts.

1962 WILLYS DJ3A Convertible. (For research and parts only)
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PapaC
Papac
[ *   *   *   *   *  ]
Posted Image

Bill noted in his album that there were no top bow sockets ever even installed on his convertibles, same as mine. In the beginning ....that alone was enough to drive me crazy!!
Charles Tate....North Mississippi

1956 WILLYS DJ3A Convertible
Doing ground up nuts and bolt restoration by almost entirely reconditioning original used or a few NOS DJ3A parts.

1962 WILLYS DJ3A Convertible. (For research and parts only)
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F Bill
Jeep discovery and aquisition specialist
[ *   *   *   *   *  ]
I'm pretty sure those extra turn fasteners on the one are not factory. You have the more correct setup I think. Do you have holes in the top channel on the windshield for those inside mounted turn fasteners that are on mine? I have a feeling they are also extras.

Interesting the bow bracket holes are only the forward set and the ones my bracket are in are not drilled out yet.

I agree the mirror should be round. The square mirror was probably added to get a wee bit more visibility but all that weight hanging on one arm might have been hard to keep still.
59 convertible 15933 needs drivetrain
60 convertible 17052 has a V6 and 4WD
60 Surrey 17509 went thru Katrina and looks it.
60 Surrey 17918 started it all...Toyota axle, BW
Wrecked Surrey Tub with fenders and grille
56 tub, from 11826
And a couple parts DJ's with no ID left.
All my jeeps are projects....only runner is my
DJ with doors..
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PapaC
Papac
[ *   *   *   *   *  ]
I just went and checked again. No holes in or around that piece of channel for turn fasteners. Also I'm missing the bracket with the hole in it for the top. You can tell where mine has been ripped out or knocked off. Luckily those small pieces don't look that hard to replicate.

Charles Tate....North Mississippi

1956 WILLYS DJ3A Convertible
Doing ground up nuts and bolt restoration by almost entirely reconditioning original used or a few NOS DJ3A parts.

1962 WILLYS DJ3A Convertible. (For research and parts only)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
PapaC
Papac
[ *   *   *   *   *  ]
Ok. If the day comes I have to actually strip down and re-fabricate these doors for my short windshield convertible I'm going to CRY !!!

REAL TEARS because these are full top canvass DJ3A doors.


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Charles Tate....North Mississippi

1956 WILLYS DJ3A Convertible
Doing ground up nuts and bolt restoration by almost entirely reconditioning original used or a few NOS DJ3A parts.

1962 WILLYS DJ3A Convertible. (For research and parts only)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
F Bill
Jeep discovery and aquisition specialist
[ *   *   *   *   *  ]
Now wait a minute....you can weld, and you have sewing skills, right? Make new ones using those as a guide!! You might have to steal the door handles, however. Unless we find a source. I sent Dave Eilers a message about this thread and I think he might be posting about the Convertible top information search soon.
59 convertible 15933 needs drivetrain
60 convertible 17052 has a V6 and 4WD
60 Surrey 17509 went thru Katrina and looks it.
60 Surrey 17918 started it all...Toyota axle, BW
Wrecked Surrey Tub with fenders and grille
56 tub, from 11826
And a couple parts DJ's with no ID left.
All my jeeps are projects....only runner is my
DJ with doors..
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
PapaC
Papac
[ *   *   *   *   *  ]
Don't worry, I just wouldn't have the heart to do it. But they will be excellent to use as a pattern for how the metal frame is shaped and put together. And yes, I might have to scavenge the hardware but even that would be a shame in my mind.


I emailed Dave too when I started referencing so many of his pictures. E Willys is an amazing site. He also told me to message Bruce but I've been procrastinating and haven't done it yet.
Charles Tate....North Mississippi

1956 WILLYS DJ3A Convertible
Doing ground up nuts and bolt restoration by almost entirely reconditioning original used or a few NOS DJ3A parts.

1962 WILLYS DJ3A Convertible. (For research and parts only)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
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