CJ3a

[gr8dain]

So my wife has some memories in a family friend’s 1949 3a. He is ready to sell it and has offered it to us since he knows we will enjoy it like it should be enjoyed.

I have looked online and seen a range of prices asked. I am going to look at it myself in person in a few weeks.

What should I look for when I inspect it? He has told me about it and the one spot of rust it had on the body. He had the engine rebuilt.

I don’t want to lowball him, and I don’t want to over pay either. He told me what he wants for it and it is under $10. Thoughts? By the way, it runs, drives and has a clean title.

 

[Torxhead]

Do you really need to consider that offer?

 

[gr8dain]

No. I am getting it. But I want to be fair to him and me

Also, i am looking for advice on what to look for specifically when I see it in person. I do not know the early ones as well as the 80s CJs

 

[gert]

Sure looks clean, I am aware of rust in hat channels do to the wood in them from factory also cracked frames


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[gr8dain]

Sure looks clean, I am aware of rust in hat channels do to the wood in them from factory also cracked frames


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Thanks

 

[gert]

I really like this guy, he does lots of sheet metal work on the older CJs and MBs, his camera work is not the best but he is very talented metal worker


https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTHDVml1xugLuj0oi384tEQ


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[Belizean]

Looks like a nice fun jeep to get, and good shape

 

[gr8dain]

Looks like a nice fun jeep to get, and good shape

Yes it does. I am going to go see it in person in a few weeks. My wife saw it a couple of months ago. Se took a lot of pics and a couple of videos of it running.

 

[Posi]

It's missing a few things like the hood blocks, wipers, driver side mirror, and spare tire carrier from what I can see of it.
I would inspect where the side tire mount was located. Some folks do it right but most just add plastic filler.
Test drive, get the rpms up in second gear then let off the gas without shifting, see if it pops out of gear. T-90 's can have an issue popping out of 2nd gear.
Check the inside of frame horns for cracks, and tub hat channels.

Hope this helps.

 

[gr8dain]

It's missing a few things like the hood blocks, wipers, driver side mirror, and spare tire carrier from what I can see of it.
I would inspect where the side tire mount was located. Some folks do it right but most just add plastic filler.
Test drive, get the rpms up in second gear then let off the gas without shifting, see if it pops out of gear. T-90 's can have an issue popping out of 2nd gear.
Check the inside of frame horns for cracks, and tub hat channels.

Hope this helps.

Thank you very much. I had not even noticed the blocks and wipers.

 

[duffer]

Rust pron areas: hat channels as posted above, tool box bottom, sills adjacent to the drains, and the rear cross member where the reinforcement piece is sandwiched on the inside.

3A frames are pretty much identical to the 3B and not much different than CJ5 's. All are much stronger than 2A's and the GPW/MB's. Check around the spring hangers for cracks and also where the front cross member under the radiator connects to the frame rails.

The Willys obviously has a paint job and again, as noted above, the tire carrier holes are filled. That leads me to believe there could easily be bondo elsewhere. and that will impact the value. When you look at it, bring a magnet and use it on those rust prone areas.

If the tub is indeed solid and it runs, turns, and stops like it's supposed to, I wouldn't think 4 grand is to much, even missing a few parts.

 

[gr8dain]

Thank you for that input. It helps a lot.

 

[Posi]

What drives up the price is folks who pay 10k or more for Jeeps worth half the price.
More times then not its a seller's market for Jeeps in the spring and summer seasons.