1953 CJ3B, Mine as teenager, my father sold the farm it was on and I never looked back...But he saved it and stored it in a stored it for 17 years... I could not beleive it when i found out 6 months ago...

Not sure what to do...Engine is appears seized from sitting...and the tub is in bad shape...needs fenders and a lot of sheetmetal, lots of other stuff as well....

My father bought it in the 70s to plow his gas station...I learned how to drive it as a teenager and went mud bogging with it in North Carolina...Now it is back in NJ...Can I save her?

It isn't rusted that bad! Pull the plugs and dump some atf down the cylinders and let it sit for a day or two and see if it frees it up. I have seen a couple of engines brought back to life that way. Neat half cab

Thanks....the front fenders are gone and I have yet to look at the frame..that is today....I will try the atf. Thanks

Glad to see that the carburetor was well covered even if the can did eventually rust out.
Koenig half cabs were frequently installed on Jeeps that were used as service station plows and back in the 50's and 60's.
The half cab visability is good with standard windows and excellent with large windows of the deluxe 1/2 cab.

I see MB/GPW cast iron clutch/brake pedal pads.

If the frame is sound, you CAN save her.
After seeing some of the work guys on this forum have done, almost any Willys can be saved. You may need pieces from another one, you may need welding help, whatever. Save it. There aren't that many left.
My buddy John, who bought the remains of a '54 and a '59 from me, is turning them into one working 3B. He bought a welder from Harbor Freight and is teaching himself body work. He's surprised that it's not that hard. You can do it.

Thanks for the encouragement... later today I am heading over to look at the sparks and to start my get running shopping list..

Where and when in NC did you go mudding? We might have been stuck in the same hole back then. :D

Weldon NC literally next to I95,

Update, engine was seized from sitting and after working at it with penetrating oil and a breaker bar, we cant seem to free it up...The project is now in doubt, most of it was depending on getting it running.

I saved a flat head willys motor from going to the scrap yard,, used almost a gal of WD40 ,, each day i would move it 1/4 of a turn with a braker bar then move it back & then forward again,, & that motor is still running to day...In my freinds Cj2a ...

And when it comes to sheet metal work just remimber its all flat ,,,I would use 16 ga material ,,& some Bondo ,, It will look great!!!!

According to my father movement is Zero....I am going to check it myself Monday or Tuesday...I have been working forced overtime so I have not had time.

don't give up on her, if you get an inch you can take it a mile. even if the engine does not pan out there are plenty of other ones out there. just take your time and don't rush it if you get movement, because if you go too fast you could risk breaking a ring. just think of the story you will have to tell when you get it up and running. B)

Don't give up -- the sentimental value is worth the extra elbow grease.

I love the transmission shift handle - those little personal touches on a family rig is what really makes the connection when you drive it!

Thanks for the Encouragement..I hope I can get over to the jeep tomorrow...

You might check the dipstick and under the valve cover for condensation. If it has some it is a sure sign of water in the oil. Crack the drain plug and see how much water is settled out of the oil. That will give you a little clue of the significance of your internal problem. If it has any water, and you do get it to bar over, get fresh oil in there before it is cranked over much.
You can do a lot of sheet metal repair to salvage your original tub. I replaced most of the floor on my 58, 3B. It will either make a decent body man out of you, or you'll go find a replacement tub!! I decided to buy new front fenders, because the originals were rusted out at the rolled part of the edges. The sheet metal on mine was rolled around a wire that made it real difficult to salvage.
Don't give up!

Things to do while we work on getting engine free?

tires? all 4 are shot and flat...anyone know where to get some cheap tires?