CJ3A serial number?

1945 - 196*, Willys CJ series, questions, discussions, regarding anything related to the post war jeep.®
Post Reply
AgusWernli
G-Corporal
G-Corporal
Posts: 27
Joined: Thu Sep 10, 2020 7:08 am
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

CJ3A serial number?

Post by AgusWernli » Tue Mar 16, 2021 6:27 pm

Hello there,

I am trying to buy a CJ3A, a dude offer me this one with this serial number? I dont know if the plate is original or not. All plates that i see on internet say willys overland but this one doesnt.
The pictures are on the following link:
https://imgur.com/a/uVUTx3H

Is it a real cj3a? Or is fake cj3a? Thanks!


Bruce W
G-Colonel
G-Colonel
Posts: 1684
Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2003 4:45 pm
Location: Northeast Colorado

Re: CJ3A serial number?

Post by Bruce W » Tue Mar 16, 2021 7:16 pm

The frame tag, and indeed the frame itself, shown in the first picture is a CJ2-A unit. Some sort of non-stock shackle bracket has been bolted on, as well as the tow hook.
The firewall tag may be a CJ3A tag. The serial number prefix (5733A) should indicate the year of production but I'm not familiar with how to read it. When Kaiser Motors took over Willys in the early '50s, the name was changed to Willys Motors.
There's a LOT of modificatin' goin' on here, look out! Open-knuckle front axle with disc brakes, looks like a full-floating axle of some kind in the rear. The grille on the floor behind the jeep is a CJ3B.
Unless I saw something here that I really needed or wanted, I would RUN AWAY! Just my $.02.
BW
G Trp 2nd Sqdrn 3d Armored Cavalry Ft. Lewis 1970-71. 43GPW(Sarge?) 47CJ2A(Teddy) 47CJ2A(Rusty) 47CJ2A(Zak) 48CJ2A(Lefty) 48CJ2A(Uncle Linden) 53CJ3B(Bulldog) 88XJ(Pluto) NE CO

AgusWernli
G-Corporal
G-Corporal
Posts: 27
Joined: Thu Sep 10, 2020 7:08 am
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Re: CJ3A serial number?

Post by AgusWernli » Tue Mar 16, 2021 7:25 pm

So its not a real cj3a. I am trying to find this model due to i love it, but in my country its a difficult task because there are not many. Thanks Bruce for your advice!

AgusWernli
G-Corporal
G-Corporal
Posts: 27
Joined: Thu Sep 10, 2020 7:08 am
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Re: CJ3A serial number?

Post by AgusWernli » Tue Mar 16, 2021 7:29 pm

Bruce, sorry for bothering u again. Can you tell me if this other jeep is a cj3a?

https://imgur.com/a/iSGMwxi

I know it has modifications, but i really want to know if it is a cj3a. Thanks! The owner doesnt know what is the date plate, so i think it hasnt one.

Steve Webb
G-General
G-General
Posts: 16666
Joined: Fri Jan 17, 2003 3:40 pm
Location: Fort Myers, Florida

Re: CJ3A serial number?

Post by Steve Webb » Wed Mar 17, 2021 3:04 am

No 3a's had a frame tag. 2nd jeep doesn't have a 3a windshield. Looks like a parking brake handle between seats which is not a 3a. Body with the crease on side and those little skirts at back wheels all weird. The tag on firewall might help and serial number on engine boss behind water pump might help. Never mind it s doesn't have a 3a engine either look at fan behind grill.
Stand for the Flag, Kneel for the Cross Psalm 55; 9-11

Bruce W
G-Colonel
G-Colonel
Posts: 1684
Joined: Thu Mar 13, 2003 4:45 pm
Location: Northeast Colorado

Re: CJ3A serial number?

Post by Bruce W » Wed Mar 17, 2021 9:34 am

Hard to tell. Possibly a 3A at one time.
Channel iron bumpers both ends.
Saginaw steering.
Channel iron or square tube frame horns.
M series taillights.
Shift lever odd and too far back.
Electric fan.

I’ve seen enough. Someone might like it but I’d walk away.
BW
G Trp 2nd Sqdrn 3d Armored Cavalry Ft. Lewis 1970-71. 43GPW(Sarge?) 47CJ2A(Teddy) 47CJ2A(Rusty) 47CJ2A(Zak) 48CJ2A(Lefty) 48CJ2A(Uncle Linden) 53CJ3B(Bulldog) 88XJ(Pluto) NE CO

athawk11
G-Sergeant First Class
G-Sergeant First Class
Posts: 90
Joined: Thu Jun 02, 2011 4:47 am
Location: Arvada, Colorado

Re: CJ3A serial number?

Post by athawk11 » Thu Mar 18, 2021 9:04 am

I'm with Bruce W on these "3As". If you are wanting a CJ3A that is close to original, neither of these Jeeps are a good representation of a CJ3A.

Note: I think the Patent Plate on the first Jeep is for a CJ3B.

Edit for info: Agus, what country are you in?

Rus Curtis
G-Second Lieutenant
G-Second Lieutenant
Posts: 503
Joined: Wed Apr 05, 2006 3:51 am
Location: Alabama

Re: CJ3A serial number?

Post by Rus Curtis » Fri Mar 19, 2021 6:09 am

athawk11 wrote:
Thu Mar 18, 2021 9:04 am
...Note: I think the Patent Plate on the first Jeep is for a CJ3B...
As best I can tell digging into numbers on the CJ3B Page, that tag appears to have a DJ-3A number.

From this data sheet (author admits some errors may exist):

https://cj3b.info/WOfigures.html

Scroll down to 1957 numbers, I find this:

DJ-3A 56337 12512 13305 794


Another article confirms the 56XXX prefix for DJ's:
https://cj3b.info/Siblings/Dispatcher.html

Looking at multiple links and lists, all I could find for the CJ-3B were numbers starting with 57XXX.
Rus Curtis
'54 CJ-3B
T3-C

AgusWernli
G-Corporal
G-Corporal
Posts: 27
Joined: Thu Sep 10, 2020 7:08 am
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Re: CJ3A serial number?

Post by AgusWernli » Sun Apr 04, 2021 4:17 pm

athawk11 wrote:
Thu Mar 18, 2021 9:04 am
I'm with Bruce W on these "3As". If you are wanting a CJ3A that is close to original, neither of these Jeeps are a good representation of a CJ3A.

Note: I think the Patent Plate on the first Jeep is for a CJ3B.

Edit for info: Agus, what country are you in?
Sorry for replying too late. I am from Argentina where 3as are really rare. There are more gpw, mbs and 2as. I really want a 3a because i love the m38, however there are only 2 m38s in Argentina. So, its a really nono due to the price. Maybe more than 40k bucks.

I saw your post of how you converted your 3a into something near a m38. I really love your job. Somedays ago i found this jeep, the owner is asking 15k. Its full restored.

https://imgur.com/a/3PWNvXQ

If i bought it, i would only repaint it in strata blue and maybe change the ignition switch to a m38 switch.


Post Reply

Return to “CJ Technical Knowledge Base”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 41 guests