1954: Galen Brown
Galen in Virginia says, "Pretty much was a rust bucket I purchased sight unseen on eBay! Lot of stuff from Carl Walck, Kaiser-Willys, and Willys Overland (replitub). I chose Willys "Transport Yellow" for my color and used NAPA acrylic enamel."
See also a front view and rear view (280K JPEGs) before Galen added the soft top and roll bar, and a photo of the engine (140K JPEG).
1954: Dick Williams
"We found this '54 CJ-3B about 4 years ago sitting in a yard in North Spokane WA. It had only been licensed once and that was on a ranch in Eastern Montana or Wyoming. We believe the odometer was correct with the original miles being only 69,000. The day we went to get it was running and ready to drive home. It looked at the time we picked it up just like a ranch Jeep. Primer paint of a couple of colors, some dents, a number of holes here and there for multiple tops and wiper configurations. It was still 6-volt and single master cylinder for the 9" brakes. Tires and wheels were original Jeep steel wheels with Goodyear Suburbanites mounted on them. Windshield glass was cracked and foggy. I removed the transmission cover to find straw and mud so packed on top of the tranny that it had to be chiseled off.
"The next two winters and a summer we proceeded to make this CJ-3B into our trail driver. 12V electrical was the first item, next was the changing of the brakes to 11" from a donor '70 Wagoneer. With the dual master cylinder from a '85 Cherokee came the pedal assembly and the hydraulic slave and master cylinder for the clutch. We then installed Rancho 2-1/2" springs and shocks. Then came a Power-loc for the rear axle. This required changing the axles to 19 spline to fit the Power-loc carrier. I then designed a roll cage to be installed. The steering has been up-dated to a manual Saginaw box from a '74 Nova with a Chevy tilt column. I have modified the electrical two-speed wipers from a '71 CJ-5 and they are mounted same as the CJ-5. The new seats are from a Chevy Cavalier on custom seat brackets. Two years ago we found a Husky overdrive and that is now installed on the back of the model 18 transfer case. This last Christmas Santa left a Warn winch for me to install.
"We are running 33 x 12.5 Wild Country tires on aluminum wheels with Superwinch locking hubs. We have done a few more little items to make the high hood trailworthy. We have been Jeepin' in our CJ-3B now for about 3 years and it performs very well, even with the Big Boys' Toys." See also more shots from Moab: a rear view (50K JPEG) and a front view (50K JPEG).
In early January 2013, Dick pulled the Jeep out of the garage for a photo in the snow (140K JPEG).
And see Dick with three other high hoods at the 2006 PNW Jamboree in Washington, in CJ-3B's Lined Up for Action.
1954: Chris Reinthaler
Chris ("Copperswilly" on the Bulletin Board) is in Baltimore. He says, "It has many new parts donated from other Jeeps in the past few years since I bought it in 1995. I had to use body and mechanical parts from 1945, 46, 47, 48 and 53 CJ Jeeps. This Jeep was cut up by United Airlines so they could use it as a luggage chute for airplanes. I still have the original ID tag that was on the dash. The number is 100788. It was missing most of the dash and cowl, the right rear fender, the tailgate and passenger seat. I removed the sections of metal I needed from the donor Jeeps and installed them on mine. I came across a '53 CJ-3B tub and after buying it I removed the dash, cowl and firewall in one piece. I installed it in mine and it made my Jeep more complete than it had been since it was new.
"Since I bought this Jeep I've had many problems to deal with. Once when my father and I were working on it, it caught fire and burned up all the wiring. It's been a long road getting it back together and looking they way it's supposed to, but it's been fun."
See Chris with his sons, niece and nephew in the parade (90K JPEG) for baseball opening day 2009, and in the snow (90K JPEG), 2009.
1954: Art Sesso
"I am a surgeon in the Philadelphia area, and I have had a passion for military vehicles since I was in medical school, when I found a 1942 Ford GPW in a local junkyard. I have always had a desire to restore a CJ-3B, but wanted something different from the usual olive drab vehicles. I decided, after catching a glimpse of a 3B in a movie about the U.S. Air Force, to do an Air Force CJ-3B."
1954: Curt Hickman
Curt is in The Dalles, Oregon, and doesn't have the serial number for his 3B, but the engine number 4J44457 would be from 1954. He says, "I've had this Jeep for 15 years or so. Haven't done much to it. It's all stock, original paint, original spark plugs. Was bought by the original ownerin La Grande, Oregon in 1954. Spent much of its life on an eastern Oregon ranch. I bought a Warn overdrive years ago but never got it installed. Mostly just use it to get the paper on weekends. I sure have enjoyed owning it. I also have a 1972 CJ-5 Renegade, a 1978 stock CJ-5 without the roll bar option, a 1979 Silver Aniversary CJ-5 Renegade, and a 1965 Toyota FJ40."
1954: Bjoern Ott
"I live in Germany, more exactly just outside of Munich, in Bavaria. The small town of "Bad Aibling" is well known to many with a U.S. military or intelligence background. Echelon is the keyword here.
"I have owned a CJ-3B, originally Swiss Army, since 2008. The VIN is 454GB216516 and the engine number is 4J136086. She is officially registered as a '55, as she was put into operation that year by the Swiss Army. The engine number seen on the dash plate (100K JPEG) would rather fit a '56 model, according to the Serial Number and Engine Number list. This, and a couple of other details, are hints that she was rebuilt with parts from numerous donors in Switzerland. In 2002 she was imported to Germany.
"The overall trim is rather nice, though not beautiful in every aspect. A few things need to be mended, like the windscreen and the seats. I drive her in summer mostly, and just for fun (110K JPG). However, last December when it got pretty cold, I took her out into the snow (110K JPG) at -16C / 3F. The battery had a hard time, but the engine sprang to life rather nicely at the first turn. It was great fun driving around in the snowy foothills of the Alps."
1954: Dave Petersen
"Bought new by a rancher. Many years later given to his daughter. Her son and daughter started to rebuild the engine and painted the Jeep blue. The kids lost interest and probably left the block and crank at a machine shop. A man came along and bought it from the original rancher's daughter. He sold the Jeep to me. Very good shape and I will try to keep Lil Willy original."
As of late 2009, Dave headed up the Alaska Highway to a new job in Fairbanks. In March 2010, he unloaded Lil Willy from the trailer (200K JPEG), and is sending updates on his travels there.
See Lil Willy's Trip Reports for the stories and photos of Dave and Ruth's trips.
Lil Willy is also included in Everybody Loves a Christmas Parade on The CJ3B Page.
1954: Marc Howland
"I am located in Ft. Worth, Texas, and keep the Jeep most of the year on the hunting property near Quanah, Texas. I have redone most of the mechanical systems, but the body is pretty rough. It is a workhorse for the hunting lease. This is a pic of the Jeep and my grandson. Two of my favorite things."
Marc sent more photos from the 2009 season: in the camp (250K JPEG) and on the trail (70K JPEG).
1954: Dave Jenkins
"Here are a couple pictures of my '54 at the railroad trestle (200K JPEG) over Morrison Run, which empties into the Allegheny River, just east of Warren PA. The road and the stream both run under the trestle.
"After doing some checking with a retired United Refining employee, I found that my Jeep was previously at a regional airport. It had the Ansul fire extinguisher mounted on the back. United bought it from the airport and apparently continued to use it in a fire safety role. I am the third owner after its refinery service. I bought it from Steve Grant of Russell PA."
1954: David Montgomery
"I'm in Redmond, Washington. This is my 1954 CJ-3B that I bought out of Medford, Oregon several years ago. As an owner of a 1952 M38, 1945 MB, and 1946 CJ-2A, I felt it was about time to get a high hood. This inland Jeep was bought off eBay and largely because of its originality. Other than the wheels and tires, it is very much the way it came off the assembly line. Though it needs nothing really and it runs great, I will soon restore it to right off the showroom floor condition (or thereabouts). As with all flatties, this CJ-3B sure receives lots of attention and brings back great memories for many people, as well as myself."
1954: Denis Silva
"My name is Denis Silva, I live in Sao Paulo, Brazil. I have a 1954 CJ-3B which now has a steel roof (90K JPEG) from manufacturer Carraço (120K JPEG), which is an original accessory.
"I am sending some photos of my adventures (90K JPEGs):
1954: Bob Gibson
"Serial number is 29501. Don't know the engine number -- it is a stock F134, as is the Willys except 12V. A brass 2x2 tag has ARS V-394 and A-39917 was with the Jeep -- don't know if this is an engine number. There are two small screw holes on top and bottom. I am in Paso Robles CA, in San Luis Obispo County. I love The CJ3B Page and have downloaded hundreds of pages and used it often."
1954: Carl Peters
Serial number 454GB240049 appears to be pretty well preserved for a '54, probably because it's been wearing a hardtop. It now belongs to Carl Peters in Billings, Montana. See also an interior photo (110K JPEG).
1954: Clint Rushton
"My Dad, Neil 'Pop' Rushton passed away 3 years ago and this was my biggest motivation to revive the old Willys. This was something he always wanted to do but could not afford. I am sure Pop would be pleased with the way it turned out."
See more details and photos of Clint's Flat Fender Restoration in Texas.
1954: Sebastian Lobo-Guerrero
"My name is Sebastian Lobo-Guerrero, and my Jeep is right now in Bogota, Colombia (South America). I am living in Pittsburgh, but my father is taking good care of my Jeep (I hope). It is a red Willys CJ-3B that I restored with my father during the fall of 1994 (we spent almost a year in doing this). Recently back in Bogota I gave my Jeep a complete car wash after many months -- a car that is not often seen because of the dust and mud. Probably is not quite the way a Willys was designed to be... clean and shiny! (50K JPEG).
"I was organizing some old pictures and decided to put together a collage (130K JPEG) -- it shows a picture of my Jeep every 7 years since we bought it until today. I am a true believer that one image is worth more than thousand words. My Jeep is still in Bogota, Colombia, and I am still working in Pittsburgh (trying to go home every 6 months).
Last year I jointed the Flat Fender Club of Butler (close to Pittsburgh) -- it is a nice group of people very passionate about Willys." Sebastian also bought a yellow 1953 3B to drive in the U.S.
See also some of Sebastian's photos of Jeeps in Colombia on The CJ3B Page.
1954: Charles Johnson
"I owned a '53 CJ-3B in high school and would have killed for a resource like The CJ3B Page back then. I always regretted selling it and so bought a '54 a few years ago and am really enjoying it. It is for the most part a stock rig with the only departures being an overdrive and the the previous owner put a 2-1/2 inch lift (Rancho springs and shocks) on it. The problem I am experiencing involves the front end. Both front wheels camber in approximately 2-3 degrees causing some dramatic wear on the front tires. I've read that there is no adjustment for this condition and that the only cause could be a bent axle. My question is, could this be caused by the suspension lift, and if so can anything be done other than going back to the stock suspension? Please find enclosed a picture of me doing a little engine work (100K JPEG) and one out on a trail at Camp Pendleton CA (140K JPEG) -- note the Wrangler stuck in the hole below!"
1954: Brian Leetch
Brian Leetch from Washington state likes to build custom Jeeps, and his brother Rod photographed Brian's blue '54 CJ-3B at the Moab Jeep Safari in 2008, alongside his own red 3B.
Another of Rod's pictures was our Spring 2008 cover photo (100K JPEG). Brian's customized '53 is also featured on The CJ3B Page.
1954: Steve Chabot
"It was to hard to look at The CJ3B Page after selling my 1959 3B. For four years I have been looking for a fair condition 3B and I finally found one in Rome, Maine. This is a 1954, serial number OB54-10871. It is in good shape (see a rear view photo, 180K JPEG) and runs pretty good. I will send along more pictures as I redo it with my two boys (100K JPEG). The oldest has already hit the garage with it. We lost the brakes in the woods and did not realize it. He will remember that for a long time. His eyes were the size of silver dollars. I probably should not have laughed but I couldn't help it."
See a front view photo (150K JPEG) where the oldest threatens to get back at dad for that remark.
1954: Joe Archambeault
In case anybody needed a reminder that winter is on the way, TSgt. Joe Archambeault sent some photos of his mean plowing machine from Clifton Park NY. He says, "It's a 1954 CJ-3B, ID plate number 454GB2 24902, and engine number 4J261099. I have no more info on its history. I traded two snowblowers for it, and it runs and plows snow just fine."
See also a front view photo (90K JPEG).
1954: Dennis Decklever
Dennis now lives in Jacksonville, Illinois, and has two '54 3B's. One is incomplete and in pieces, and he's thinking of turning it into a modified off-road vehicle. The other one seen here "still has not been worked on to be a running vehicle. But it's intact enough (with new seats done like originals) to pull it over to the 2006 Spring Willys Reunion in Springfield and display it. Our club, the Mid-Illinois Jeep Enthusiasts, is into all Jeeps, and we plan on having a club event to go for one day for sure."
1954: Shawn Rarrick
Shawn is in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and says, "The Jeep has been painted to match the original color, with minimal body work needed. There was no rust. The biggest problem is leaks. I purchased the Jeep from the estate of the original owner. It has 14,000 actual miles since it lived in a barn. It is completely original -- it is also packed with mud."
1954: Sergio Arango
Sergio in the coffee country of Colombia says, "We were on a trip in June 2005, and 'he' was standing on the side of the road, with a big sign 'FOR SALE'. OK, now I'm the proud owner of this CJ-3B, named by me 'Marco Aurelio'. You see it just exactly as I bought it. I expect to improve its condition during this year."
See more of Sergio's photos of his Willys on the Farm.
1954: Ulises Olivas
"My name is Ulises Olivas from El Paso, Texas. I have always loved old cars! I recently found this CJ-3B from 1954 for a very good price just a few houses up from my house. The photo of the blue jeep (190K JPEG) is the way I bought it. The man I bought it from is 82 and says he has had it for over thirty years, so I'm assuming he bought it sometime in the 70s. He said he used to use it as his hunting rig for many years but is too old to do any of those things anymore. The man actually did not have it for sale -- we heard from word of mouth he had a 1970 CJ-5 he was selling and when we went to go look at it, he's like 'I'll tell you what I got, this Willys in the back yard, gimme 1200 for both!' I was like, hell yeah! He said the CJ-5 was used for parts for the Willys so it has the CJ-5's rollbar and motor. 'My original Willys engine is still here, only it's in the back of the CJ-5. All you need to do is put her in and she'll run.' He said the old engine was starting to feel weak and it was cheaper for him to buy this entire CJ-5 than to fix the old motor. The tires are newer-style Mickey Thompson 31-inch tires, but the originals were still on the CJ-5!
"Anyway, he said, "Years ago when I parked it, it was running -- the carburetor is probably just bad, because it won't fire anymore." I didn't care if it was running or not -- I took the risk and bought em both! Sure enough, I drained the old gas and threw in a brand new Solex carb and she fired right up! She drives wonderful -- the 4x4 works awesome! It's my first Jeep ever, and man i like it! At the time I actually did not have the funds to purchase the Jeeps, but an old Willys is the only old car my dad has ever wanted. He says old cars are too much of a hassle, he would rather buy em new, but if he was gonna get an old car it would have to be an old Willys Jeep. So I went home and I sold the best guitar I own on eBay, to purchase the Jeep for my dad -- Armando Olivas -- so I guess he's the official owner now! Even though I'll be doing most of the resto work! I remember walking to elementary school as a kid and seeing this old Jeep in this old man's yard. I never thought one day I would end up buying it!"
See also a front view photo (190K JPEG).
1954: Petri Henttula
"I live in Mynämäki, Finland and have enjoyed Jeeps for 10 years. I have owned three fullsizers and one XJ but this is my first CJ. I got excited about CJ-3B's when I test drove a friend's 1955 CJ-3B. I bought my CJ-3B VIN 454GB2-15834H in 2010. It has Volvo's B20 engine (100K JPEG) and 4-speed transmission. I am not sure but I've heard that the adapter might be Swedish-made by a local 4x4 shop whose founder made these adapters, but when he retired the new owner focussed on selling only branded parts.
"The previous owner has painted this in white. Body renovation and engine swap were made in 1988. It has a Bestop vinyl roof (200K JPEG) which has been modified in Finland with additional insulation. I made a few modifications too; I moved the driver's seat (150K JPEG) about 12cm backwards.
"When I bought my CJ the deal also involved a 1943 Willys MBT trailer (120K JPEG), VIN 70-P-72033. The oldest registration entries this trailer has in Finland as late as 1972. It might be some old army surplus goods by NATO from Norway or something. A great combination of vehicles, however. I moved the spare tire carrier from Jeep to trailer, and I moved that jerry can bracket too. I changed the rear trailer lights to older model Volvo BM combine harvester rear lights.
"I'm trying to fix a transfer case oil leak during winter 2012 but let's see if I have time to do that. My '81 Cherokee project needs large rust repairs.
"See also the dashboard (130K JPEG). I have more photos at Photobucket."
1954: Mark Stovner
"I am a member of the Snohomish County (Washington) Search & Rescue, and the team leader of our 4x4 unit. I built the 3B to use on SAR missions and it works great up in the mountains (120K JPEG). This is not my first Jeep; I have owned several CJs over the past 27 years but never a high hood -- this is the one I've always wanted since I was kid. I purchased it in 2007 from a guy in Oregon who had started the project and gathered a lot of the main components already. I did a complete frame-off restoration, and I have now completed the 2.5 year project.
"The engine is a 283 Chevy V8 (120K JPEG), with a Muncie 4-speed, Atlas adapter, Dana 20 T-case, custom C-V drive lines. The axles are late-70s CJ Dana 44 rear and Dana 30 front wide track with disk brakes. Both have lockers with 427 gears. The suspension is spring-under lifted, with a shackle reversal. It has Chevy power steering, Wilwood brakes and hydraulic clutch, Camaro 4-core radiator with electric fan, Painless wiring harness, custom full roll cage and seats, and Warn 8,000 lb winch (80K JPEG).
"The frame rails are original and fully boxed now. The tub and fenders are aftermarket from the Philippines, and I had a buddy of mine do the paint job. We took it to his shop in pieces and all the parts were shot with 3 coats of lacquer top to bottom, then cut and buffed. The color is 1969 Chevy Hugger Orange.
"I have more plans for the project down the road."
1954: Jukka Meriläinen
"I live in Helsinki, Finland. 1954 is the first registration year of my Willys CJ-3B. Finnish registration number is in the frame near bumper: 4J-46880A (engine number?) It has no VIN plate. It has been a show car in American Car Show in Finland year 1987. Then the second owner before me built it in sailing style with wooden panels and black color. It has been green originally. I have done brake and electrical work. The owner before me has done mechanical work. It is very original; major changes are electrical fuel pump, carburetor, changes in fenders and tires. Original engine and transmission are working well. Some oil leaks. I have owned it since 2006."
See also a front view photo (220K JPEG).
1954: Russ Nauceder
"This is my 1954 Willys 3B. As I disassembled it to do some small repairs I found I had big problems. Everything was bad (70K JPEG). I took it down to the frame (70K JPEG) and started from scratch. I purchased another 3B body (ironically he called me as I was selling off the parts I no longer needed and he said he had a body he wasn't going to use -- what are the odds?). Anyway, that body wasn't perfect either, but better. I've modified this greatly -- it wasn't the plan to do all this but I didn't have much to start with. I love how it turned out (60K JPEG). It has a 350 engine, automatic transmission (350 turbo) and is two-wheel drive. I live in Ohio so cruising the 'flat' state is fine with me. The hood and fenders have been extended two inches to make room for the engine. Custom seats added as well. Many more modifications to get it running. There really isn't another one like it anywhere."
1954: Josh Hamlin
Josh in Prineville, Oregon, says, "I bought my 1954 CJ-3B last April, and have slowly been restoring it to original. It is my fifth Jeep. I owned a '53 CJ-3B in the 90's when I was in high school. A 1960 CJ-5, a 1966 CJ-5, a 1956 M-38, and now the 54 CJ-3B. I live on a cattle ranch in Central Oregon, and use the Jeep to hunt and play. We live about ten minutes from the national forest, so we run the Jeep up there to hunt, fish, and camp. This CJ-3B is pretty much original. I found a set of military 16" wheels to use, and put on a set of 600-16 NDT tires. I took the seats out that were in it (they were not original, and had green moss growing on them) and replaced them with boat seats ordered from Cabela's. I took out the homemade roll bar (150K JPEG) and took the homemade tow bar off the front. It came from a family in Eastern Oregon. I don't know the full history past that. My wife, kids, and I love that old Jeep, and so does our dog."
See a newer photo of the family out hunting in the Jeep (300K JPEG).
Return to the index of Jeep CJ-3B Owners and Photos.
You can contact the CJ3B Page to add your CJ-3B to the Owners & Photos pages. -- Derek Redmond
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