My Jeep

[radioguy41]

I know I've mentioned my Jeep a few times on the forums and some have asked about it so I thought maybe I'd post up a short thread about it. She was named "Francis" for WWII entertainer Francis Langford. When the wife and I were members of the Mid-Atlantic Air museum in Reading PA we were heavily involved as period reenactors during the annual WWII Weekend show from 1990 to 2003 and represented the 13thAAF of the south pacific. The leading ace of the 13th was Bob Westbrook. His P-38 was named "The Florida Thrush" for Francis Langford and she actually flew with him in it on one flight so I named the Jeep in her honor.

Before (as found in a junk yard).

Average condition.

One of 34 patch panel repairs to the tub.
Before.

After.

Finished product. I did all the work myself (including paint) with some help from
my son to swap the differentials (Hard to lift up both ends by yourself).

[Slim140]

That looks great! Great job on your restoration.

[radioguy41]

Thanks. It was a lot of work but we had a lot of fun and participating in veteran's events was especially rewarding.

[Don McCombs]

Very nice! Was the original data plate still on it when you got it?

[radioguy41]

Yes, the data plate was there.

[Winfield Dave]

Very pretty!

[radioguy41]

Thanks. I had it over in your direction a couple of years ago for a show at Heisler's Dairy.

[Urbish]

Looks fantastic! Here's my 1953 CJ3B. I plan to do a full restoration someday, bit it is mechanically sound and cruises around nicely.

[Lt.Mike]

Spectacular job!
I never would have considered taking on the mess that that jeep was when you got it. The results are amazing.

[ricky racer]

:applause:
Spectacular job!
I never would have considered taking on the mess that that jeep was when you got it. The results are amazing.

[coppersmythe]

:applause:
Spectacular job!
I never would have considered taking on the mess that that jeep was when you got it. The results are amazing.

wow , amazing that is the same vehicle . dedication. you give me a little kick in the pants i need to hit my project hard coppersmythe........................

[Lt.Mike]

:applause:
Spectacular job!
I never would have considered taking on the mess that that jeep was when you got it. The results are amazing.

wow , amazing that is the same vehicle . dedication. you give me a little kick in the pants i need to hit my project hard coppersmythe........................

Got my projects to knuckle down and get done too inspiration always helps motivation.

[Barnyard]

Looks great, but I am curious why you didn't keep the original windshield, windshield frame and grill.

Is the data plate military or civilian?

[radioguy41]

It is a 1950 CJ3A with the factory serial plate. I wanted a military Jeep but they are nearly impossible to find in this area and would have cost me, in similar condition, about 3-4 times as much so I saved this one from the junk yard. Once I made the decision to convert it to a military style it was going to be an all-the-way thing so the civvy windshield had to go. The windshield on the Jeep is a repro CJ2A windshield rather than a true MB windshield. The reason being it looks the same but is 2 inches higher allowing for more headroom and since I'm 6'2" I needed it.

Interesting side story - the Jeep spent it's entire life on a farm so when I crawled underneath the entire chassis was packed with straw and manure. From around the tranny and transfer case alone I filled 3 IBM computer paper boxes with crud. In some cases I had to dig it out with a long screwdriver and hammer. Once the crust was broken it smelled just like what it was.

[Jim Becker]

Did you have to make up your own patch panel to replace the tailgate?