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| My New DJ3A Convertible; S/N 56337 22354 | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jan 10 2015, 09:29 PM (2,725 Views) | |
| PapaC | Jan 10 2015, 09:29 PM Post #1 |
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Papac
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Recently Glen pointed out to me there was a new convertibe find in Texas. A little rusty but complete with top bows, door frames, all five rims, rod retaining brackets, plenty enough to get my attention. The poor thing 'almost' got cut up to make a hot rod or rat rod out of. Thankfully his intervention stopped that dead in its tracks. After some thinking I KNEW I couldn't afford it. But what I did have.....was some hot rod parts!!! A 78 camero parked in my pasture for almost 20 years. Pretty rough but complete and with a eldebrock intake and carburetor that I had put on it years ago. Never wrecked. Another 78 cameo z28 with not much left other than a heavy duty factory front end and its original limited slip rear axle. Throwing that stuff in got the DJ down to where I could afford it!!! The car is now on a car hauler behind my truck. The front end and limited slip rear axle and springs is in the bed of the same truck. It's been quite a week recovering this stuff from a muddy pasture and getting it ready to travel. If you don't believe it you try hauling that stuff out of the backside of a muddy pasture with flats and the wheels locked up and then getting it onto a car hauling trailer. It didn't help ANY that the Z28 had a big ole pine tree growing through it where the motor and hood used to be!! Tomorrow morning we leave for Lovelady Texas. Bobby, that's his name, will be getting a handful and more of hot rod parts to do with as he will and some cash And I'll be bringing back another DJ of my dreams!! YOU might not think it looks like much but all I see is pure gold!!
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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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| F Bill | Jan 11 2015, 12:14 AM Post #2 |
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Jeep discovery and aquisition specialist
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Any chance I could get you to take a bunch of pics of that Ford he has for sale?My buddy is in love with it..... I think he found it surfing Craigs or the 'bay... I remember the rear bedless fenders and the big tires. Can't wait to see that limited slip axle in your hands! I have yet to see one with all mine. |
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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 | Jan 11 2015, 06:39 AM Post #3 |
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Papac
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We're pulling out for Texas any minute. I'll be glad to take pics of the truck. The z28 factory limited slip rear end won't be in my hands much longer, it goes with the trade. I hate to see it go but in 30 yrs I'v never had a use for it until now to trade. It's 'probably' worth more than I'm getting out of it but no need of it just continuing to set in that pasture unused. It even has a aluninum tag on it that says use fluid comparable with limited slip gears only. |
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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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| Joe Friday | Jan 11 2015, 02:03 PM Post #4 |
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I think Bill was referring to the Limited slip for the DJ you were getting, not the Camaro axle that was leaving |
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| colin | Jan 11 2015, 07:25 PM Post #5 |
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Charles- I have already got your new DJ3A listed(under the now former owner's name) so I will change that to you right now. More photos when you get back. Safe Trip and good Luck! |
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| PapaC | Jan 11 2015, 11:13 PM Post #6 |
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Papac
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I already tried to write this post with a report three times but my phone keeps freezing up and then I lose what I'v written. Too tired to try again but im sorry, Bill, I didn't mean to infer that the DJ was limited slip, that was just the camero. Also a LOT went wrong today so it was after dark and still raining and I couldn't get decent pics of the truck, or the DJ. Me, I pretty much think God stepped in and helped us out of a jam more than once. We're finally just now settled in with the DJ in my possession and in a motel 'somewhere' in Texas. If y'all will give me a chance to get some rest I'll report back.....on both the really really good......and the really kind of bad and ugly. About that I'm not worried to much though because to me.....the really really good waaaay outweighs the really bad and ugly. That and I see a couple of things about those top bows I wasn't expecting to see and under that consideration probably couldn't ever have duplicated them correctly without having a good pattern in hand I'll 'try' to get some pictures tomorrow. Tonight im just to tired. Goodnight everybody!! |
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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 | Jan 12 2015, 09:25 AM Post #7 |
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Papac
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My wife just fell and broke her arm. We're in Crockett Texas. Prayers needed. |
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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 | Jan 12 2015, 11:17 AM Post #8 |
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Papac
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I gotta say the lord doesn't always make it easy but if we trust he is with us. Her arm is only mildly fractiond and we just left the hospital. She's hurting but is gonna be ok. Trying to get home and on the road again |
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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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| glennstin | Jan 12 2015, 12:12 PM Post #9 |
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This sequence of events just reinforces the importance of 0ur Willys Sites, and in this case, especially Dave Eilers eWillys Site. This derelict DJ3A showed up suddenly in a Craig's List search, Dave picked it up, and I chased it because it was previously unlisted in our DJ3A Production / Survivor List. In discussions with the owner, his plan was to cut it into a street rod. My pleading about it being one of only a handful of DJ3A Convertibles left on the planet hit a nerve and the seller decided to go another direction with his plans. Colin and I got PapaC into the fray, and we all know what he's been thru trying to save his DJ3A Convertible right here on this site. The monetary bleeding in any restoration is always way past expectations, and I'm sure his decision to pursue this project was a tough pill to swallow. But here he is, far from his Northern Mississippi home, with hard luck following, but by golly that DJ3A is CAPTURED. Now, PapaC, just keep on keepin' on, telling us your story right here on Derek's Site. You are a gem! |
| 1963 CJ3B, 1962 Surrey Project, 1961 DJ3A, 1956 DJ3A, 1953 CJ3A Farm Jeep, 1949 Jeepster, 1948 Station Wagon Project, Al-Toy Model Jeeps, Willys Special Equipment Galore, Willys History and Literature. WILLYS BLOOD Runs in My VEINS. | |
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| SteveK | Jan 12 2015, 02:40 PM Post #10 |
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Hey Charles, Are you sure you didn't break Debra's arm 'twisting it' to convince her that you needed another convertible project? :-) Seriously tho, that is an unfortunate situation, and I'm sure she will be able to tell you just how many bumps there were on the way home if she is in pain. May you be BLESSED with GOD's speed and protection for the remainder of the trip, and her speedy recovery. Hey Glenn, any idea how many of ALL Dj3As were produced, compared to the total that you and Colin know still exist? I'm guessing the individual 'model production numbers' are unknown. Are 'postals' kept separate? Just curious. Thanks to Derek and ALL contributors, this site is priceless!!!! |
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SteveK 62 Dispatcher South Florida | |
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| glennstin | Jan 12 2015, 03:29 PM Post #11 |
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The highest S/N I have listed is 24684 and we started at 10,001, so the answer is just short of 15,000 total DJ3A units built from late 1955 to early 1965 when DJ5 production started. There is no breakdown on models and accessories on the 56337 prefix, but when Kaiser instituted their nomenclature numbers for 1964 models, 8201, 8202, 8203,8204 and 8205 we can sort models somewhat. Very few of the 82XX numbers exist today, (I have about 10). I don't have a total right here now, but I bet Colin has a total existing today. My guess would be about 150 DJ3A S/N exist today but that includes such things as very rough parts cars, many converted to 4X4, ID plates removed from junks, old titles, registrations, and I even have an owners manual with numbers. Whatever the condition we still want to add them to the list. |
| 1963 CJ3B, 1962 Surrey Project, 1961 DJ3A, 1956 DJ3A, 1953 CJ3A Farm Jeep, 1949 Jeepster, 1948 Station Wagon Project, Al-Toy Model Jeeps, Willys Special Equipment Galore, Willys History and Literature. WILLYS BLOOD Runs in My VEINS. | |
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| PapaC | Jan 13 2015, 12:54 AM Post #12 |
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Papac
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Thanks Steve, made me smile when I needed too and much appreciated The trip started bad, went bad, and ended with ANOTHER blowout 10 miles from our house and getting home. This time it was on the truck but now we're finally home safe and sound enough to be extremely thankful.
That makes me feel better too Glen. I hereby declare DJ3A's an endangered species, or Willys's as the case may be. It seems like it's up to people like us to make sure they don't go completely extinct and to try to document their many various and true forms as best as we can. There's quite a few negatives this old rusty jeep has, some pretty hurtful that I'll go into later. That being said, nothing that can't be overcome and in the end it is in my opinion going to prove invaluable as a research vehicle. There's a couple of things that I was really looking for and truly wanted to see and a couple of things that surprised even me. More later Charles |
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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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| F Bill | Jan 13 2015, 12:13 PM Post #13 |
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Jeep discovery and aquisition specialist
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I'm glad to hear you made it home....Sounds like you need a rest after that adventure. Drooling in anticipation of DJ pics...and more info about the prize. |
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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 | Jan 13 2015, 02:34 PM Post #14 |
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Papac
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Bill, it's been a minute since you crawled under your jeeps and made that post huh? It's been haunting me ever since I was in Memphis and had to be in too big a hurry to check out a couple of things. Because I believe that before we can consider specific details to be RECOGNIZED as FACTS by OTHERS there HAS to be at least TWO ..... .........VERIFIABLE but SEPARATE examples to COMPARE...... As I KNEW my spring packs on my 56 were not original this is.... besides the top bows the one thing I MOST wanted verification of.... and found on the rusty yard art TEXAS CONVERTIBLE I just brought home. ![]() What does this tell ME? These three leaf spring packs, unlike springs on ANY other DJ surely tells us and proves once and for all...... Of course along with the SOLID BACK PANEL TUB with NO welded on TOP BOW BRACKETS like on the Surreys..... and other tell tail signs we've mentioned and will go over again...... In my opinion proof positive reinforcement that a Willys DJ3A convertible HAD to have started out its life at the WILLYS factory itself and NOT just as a WILLIS DEALER OPTION. Now. If we could just magically go through Williys orders and find out how many 3 spring spring packs they used we could narrow this thing down!! |
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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 | Jan 13 2015, 03:11 PM Post #15 |
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Papac
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Ok. Before I crawl out in this cold damp weather I'll go over some of the good and the bad and awful and what I plan to eventually do about it. The good. All side panels, back panel, fuel tank, HOOD, dash, cowl, steps, and I believe the frame just covered with extreme surface rust but still are extremely solid, straight, and salvageable. I spent quite a bit of time pecking on them to verify. The rusty top bows are both salvagable, and will be excellent for making patterns. AND they came with a super duper bonus that I wasn't expecting. Inside flat sheet metal...main front floors, bed floor, and top of inside back fenders non salvagable. Luckily I know a pretty good welder etc. Original 3J motor BUT....may not be salvagable. One of the spark plugs guts is completely rusted loose from the head and probable water damage inside. The oil filter is missing and has been bypassed. Guess you can't always be lucky after all. Wrong front bumper but I'v made one before already, sooner or later I'll just do it again Back bumper some damage and bad repair but salvagable Luckily my Ohio trip netted me an extra near complete 3j motor and a bunch of 12v stuff from my fla trip and other purchase make this ok under the circumstances. Almost every thing else is stil on it, and appears original right down to the nuts and bolts. As I said before it's an EXCELLENT research vehicle and I KNOW I have the skills needed to bring it back to life given enough time. Most DJ specific parts I'll need I have been 'sort' of quietly acquiring over the past year or so. Mostly by accident thrown in with other purchases and already have in hand except for the replacement sheet metal inside floor and fender well panels I'll need. Well, that's the jist of the good, the bad, and the ugly. More to come as I have time to do a complete forensic analysis.
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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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