DJ build, Start of the assembly

The start of the restoration project.
1956 model, according to VIN--56337 10263
Need a few things, but taking my time on it so that it looks OK when finished.
I will post body pictures at a later date











Set the body on the frame and in the process of fastening to the frame.
Starting to look like a Dispatcher.
Mine is the one set up for the convertible top. At one time had a rear seat.



Didn't get too much done this week. Just had the starter rebuilt.













These are the tail lights included with the parts. I checked the parts book and
it seems that they used these until they introduced the Hall lights.
Any thoughts??

That tub is looking very nice... I assume you have seen this page on the taillights? Are yours marked with a manufacturer name anywhere?

http://www.film.queensu.ca/Cj3b/Dating/Taillights.html

They are marked ALA Stimsonite No. 30.
Parts book shows use of these up to serial #12571, with or without chrome bezel.
The reason I am questioning this is because I found most of a pair of the Hall lights
in the boxes of parts.
It appears they used both types, but may have changed to the Hall style earlier.
I'm going with the ALA lights, as they are in fairly good condition and should
clean up nicely.
Thanks for the compliment on the tub. It did turn out very good.

My final hurdle will be seats, as I did not get anything with the Jeep. I have seen
pictures, but have not seen any in person yet.

Specify your Parts List.

In later years the DJ seats get very complicated.

I have found someone in my area who has a Surrey model.
I am going to track him down and try to take a look at what the seats look like and
take some measurements, along with a few pictures.
The prior owner of mine had bucket seats from a sports car of unknown make, model
or year, so I don't have a starting point at this time, but will persist until I
solve the problem.

When the Surrey model was popular, the beer companies in Reading, PA., each had one.
Sunshine Beer had a pink model, Reading Beer had the blue model. I know the person
who has the blue one. When last seen it was completely original, but that was
about 15 years ago.
A friend of mine had a green one that he drove when he was in high school.
He had bought it from a scrap yard that was using it as a yard car. A few
parts survived, which he gave to me--front and rear axles, steering column.

As to the parts list, I have the CJ parts book, but am not certain of the issue date.
I will check that tomorrow.

DJ's have multiple variables; these variables effecting the seats that were installed.

ALA tailights are correct for all CJ-3B's, CJ-5's, CJ-6's and DJ-3A's until the model year 1957 begins.
An item of trivia interest is that the Spartan model CJ-3B always had chromed bezel trim.
The other CJ and DJ models could be had with either the chrome or the primed bezel trim.

The Hall tailights are not correct for your vintage.

Thanks for the information on the lights.
In the process of assembly I will probably have more questions.
Posting a picture of the instrument cluster.
A little cool to work on it now (no heat in the shop).

Just got the radiator back from the shop.
Lehigh Services in Macungie, PA, did a nice job.
Windshield frame is almost finished. Have to get a new gasket and cowl rubber.
Hopefully it will be warm enough in the shop to continue the assembly.
Someone in the past used a hammer and screwdriver to remove the shifting linkage
from the column, necessitating welding, which was not done well. Also did a number
on the column tube.
Fortunately I have a spare column compliments of a neighbor. I must remove that
wheel, as it is not too good. In the process, I will end up with a few spare parts for
the shifting mechanism. I also got a front and rear axle from him several years
ago, not knowing that someday I would be the owner of a DJ.
I have examined the posting of steering wheel removal from the CJ3B tech article and
have borrowed the necessary tools to perform the job.
After this operation it will be on to the wiring harness.
More pictures as they become available.

Nice work...if you are not too far from Cinncinnati there will be a Spring Midwest Willys Reunion in May and a Fall one in Jefferson City, MO.
Check the website periodically for updates as I have not received the final info to update it yet. http://www.midwestwillysreunion.org/