1953: Rusty Friesen
Rusty in New Mexico says, "I bought this 3B in Denver from the back of a used car lot. It was complete but running poorly. I have done a body-off total rebuild. New bearings, seals, gears, floor pans, etc. -- all the usual stuff. I installed 11-inch brakes, and a dual master from a Wagoneer, a Saginaw power steering with a GM tilt column, and a Painless wiring kit. Sandblasted everything and painted it myself. Drivetrain is stock with 12-volt and alternator upgrade. I had wheels made 15 by 7 with 2 in. backspace -- allows me to run 34x9.50 swampers without the tires rubbing the frame.
"I use it for fun. I live on a forest service access road, I have lots of 4 wheeling close by. I use it just like Willys made it for. I hope to have a half top for it soon, and a winch. l live in southern New Mexico near the White Sands National Monument. "
See the wider view (80K JPEG) of where Rusty's Jeep was perched for this 2002 New Year's Day shot.
Rusty was back out in the snow (90K JPEG) in the same area in 2010. He says, "I had the Jeep down for repairs for a long time. I decided I needed a bit more power, so i got a 4.3 Vortec Chev engine, and I already had a SM420. Can of worms -- I had to put hanging pedals in, an in-tank pump for the injected V6, a hydralic clutch, new motor mounts, exhaust, floorboards, and radiator and mounts. Took a long time as I was driving an 18-wheeler and gone weeks at a time. Oh did I mention a wiring harness and a computer to run the engine. Anyway about 2 years I got it running, then the SM420 was popping out of 4th grrrrr. Had to pull it out and rebuid it -- parts were hard to find but I got it fixed.
"Now I'm done changing stuff and I'm just going to drive it and fix what breaks. We are having an El Nino winter -- 4 storms so far. The picture of the Jeep with the tree and the mountain (70K JPEG), that's the same tree as in the CJ3B Page cover photo in 2002 (70K JPEG) but looking north."
But see a Christmas 2010 photo without snow (240K JPEG). Rusty says, "No snow this year -- top down weather."
1953: Glenn Houston
This is CJ-3B Number 9 (serial number 453GB2 10009). Glenn has "restified" (restored and modified) this Jeep, which is probably the oldest surviving CJ-3B, for the 50th anniversary of its manufacture. It will probably be around for at least another 50 years.
For the history of the Jeep and details of the restoration, including the Wilwood brake system, see CJ-3B Number 9.
1953: Alexandre Dias
Alexandre is in Alfenas, Brazil, and has installed a roll bar and one of those deluxe Brazilian soft tops. He says, "This Jeep has seats and transmission from a four-speed Brazilian Jeep model 1976. The rest is original. F-head engine number 4J16127 -- VIN doesn't exist."
See a rear view photo (70K JPEG) for a better look at the soft top and seats.
1953: Jens Buus
This Jeep is apparently a 1953, although how it ended up in South Africa is unknown -- it may have been used by the South African military. Jens plans to restore it as a military vehicle.
See Fifty Years Later for more photos and details on the Jeep, and CJ-3B Restored as M606 for the final result.
1953: Larry May
"The Jeep was completely restored two years ago to stock condition, except I did add the 12-volt generator and added a second tail light on the right side, along with a later 50's signal light controller. Also I used 15" Jeep wheels with radial tires since it handles so much better with the radials. Another change was the 12V electric windshield wipers. The F-head engine, transmission, and differentials were completely rebuilt.
"The 3B joins my other stock (usually converted to 12-volt, added signal lights if not stock, added electric wipers, and 15" Jeep wheels) Jeep collection which consists of a restored 1943 MB, 1948 CJ-2A, 1957 CJ-5, 1958 FC-150, 1966 M151 manufactured by Kaiser Jeep, and a 1952 M38 now under restoration."
See also a rear view photo (140K JPEG) of Larry's Jeep in Post Falls, Idaho.
1953: Dell Kronstedt
"I recently inherited this Jeep from my great aunt who lived on a farm in Sherman County, Oregon. The nearest city would be The Dalles on the Columbia River gorge. It was a farm/hunting Jeep. Mostly all original from what I can tell. It has been sitting in a huge shed for the last 20 years and only driven a couple of times since then. My aunt was 96 Years old when she passed away. I drove down and rented a car dolly to tow it back to my home in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada."
See lots more photos of this Nicely Preserved 1953 CJ-3B.
1953: William Barrow
William in Florida has been working on a 1954 CJ-3B for a while, and recently bought a 1970 Jeepster and this '53: "Very rusty although it looks good in photos. Rebuilt engine with low miles (will idle at 400 rpm without missing), brown rattle can paint over original green. Came with a rusty hard half cab (no doors, doesn't appear homemade). Used for pulling stumps and felling trees at my little piece of the woods.
"Last week I pulled the V-6 from the '54, removed the motor mounts, repaired the frame and replaced the original mounts for the F-head. In a photo of the '54 you can see the faded (but moreso dirty) original green paint on the firewall (60K JPEG). By summer the '54 will be back together and on the road!"
1953: Chuck Watford
"This CJ-3B was a belt loader at one time. (See Airport Jeeps of the 1960's for details on the Jeep's original configuration.) The previous owner had replaced the dash and cowl, the hood, and the right rear fender, after purchasing it at auction from the airport authority. While the body tub was pretty rough, the thing that attracted me to this Jeep was the excellent condition of the frame and running gear (see a photo of the Jeep as I purchased it, 60K JPEG.) The frame is clean and straight, no dirt packing or dents, no rust, even the original front bumper is perfectly straight. All data plates were removed, and the only number I have found is the engine serial number, 4J212320 (from 1958-59 according to the Serial Number and Engine Number List). But since the dash has individual gauges, I assume this Jeep must be an early 1950's model.
"I replaced the wiring (12V), installed M38 seat frames, installed new 7:00 x 16 NDT tires, new radiator core, and paint. Being a member of the MVPA and the owner of a restored M38 Jeep, I just had to restore this one as a Navy Jeep. I experienced a transmission input bearing failure just before our Veteran's Day parade; had hoped to drive it, but had to drive the M38. I pulled a T90/D18 that I had in my parts stash and rebuilt them. I pulled the engine and transmission out of the 3B (40K JPEG), rebuilt the steering drag link, installed a bell crank bearing kit, and cleaned and painted the frame. I installed the rebuilt transmission/transfer case (40K JPEG) with new mounts and new clutch linkage and cross shaft. I am working on the engine now (40K JPEG) -- new oil pump, correct oil pan, front and rear main seals, and new gaskets all over. Also replacing the flywheel (broken teeth), and installing the correct bolts."
1953: Fred Warner
"Restored as stock as I could except paint and tires. Still 6 volt. Canvas summer top by Beachwood Canvas. Pride of Maui, Hawaii! Custom plates read '1953 Wlly' because everyone kept asking me what year it was. Lots of Willys Jeeps and Willys freaks on Maui; my dream is to start a flatfender club here."
1953: Norm Banville
"It has been modified with a 327, lift, new seats. I do not know what rear end it has or much about the drivetrain. I do know the steering is "wild" and will need work. Also looking for any upcoming Willys events or meets.
"I have always wanted a Jeep and this is my first. I chose the 53 because it is a classic and it is 1 year older than myself ! It has a Chevy 327, headers, Holley 600 and electronic ignition and 33 inch tires. So it is a "hot rod" but still a lot of fun off-roading. I just put Rancho 5000 shocks all around and a Sony stereo and new clutch. I plan on converting to power steering. Any help would be appreciated. Still learning a lot about Jeeps and very interested in their history. I live in Orange County, California, and will be going to the desert a lot now, mainly Southern California and maybe Pismo Beach. Always looking out for other flatfenders !"
Continue to 1953 Owners and Photos, Page 5.
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 and to
The CJ-3B Database. -- Derek Redmond
CJ3B Home | Site Map | Updates | Search | Links | Bulletin Board
