As of late I believed I would check out my 1954 Willys CJ-3B, a automotive I purchased for what I believed was once a smoking sizzling value ($5,900), and which I deliberate to make use of as a part of my upcoming marriage ceremony (in. not up to two months). . However as of late I spotted a couple of bubbles within the paint, and – determined to stay the rust from spreading too some distance – I hit the bubbles with a flathead screwdriver. What they printed was once very painful. To be transparent, I am the use of “spoilers” loosely right here, as a result of this has were given to be Global’s First Downside, however you perverts know what I imply. Figuring out that what was once considered a supercar is anyone else’s pottery – extra of a cool animated film than an actual automotive – is a little bit tough.
It began once I spotted the paint peeling at the driving force’s aspect. As an car rust professional, I do know complete neatly that ignoring this will likely simplest result in extra issues, so I made up our minds to boil it down:
And I selected a little bit extra:
And extra:
Oh boy, what’s all this?!
No!
And now I’ve this large bite lacking from my entrance fender:
The worst phase is that I spotted any other bubble within the again, above one of the most wheel wells:
I selected a little bit bit, and it was once very large:
And there was once extra within the nook: Take a look at how the huge bite at the left aspect of the picture has uncovered rust under:
Talking of rust, do you spot the rear valence band at the left and proper aspect of this pintle?
Let’s glance again:
Take a look at the ones rust holes, simply stuffed with dust! Oh no. So I grabbed the magnet and did what I will have to have completed at the broker direction, and you’ll be able to see the consequences above. In some spaces – particularly on best of the entire again panels – the knee is ready an inch thick. By the way, the interior of those panels – which I checked out sooner than I purchased them – regarded effective, so I anticipated the paper-thin external to be simply as just right. Above all, I might have anticipated a protecting coat to proper minor defects. And but, this factor is extra a Jeep-like automotive than a Jeep itself. And I do know, some would say “do not be disturbed about it,” however it is not possible. My buddy Brandon purchased a WWII Jeep that was once damaged within the knee, too, he could not get it out, he after all made up our minds to switch the entire frame as a result of the horrible form of the steel beneath. There is something a couple of automotive with a wheelbase that, to me, simply makes the auto stand out. It feels, to me, like a large rip-off. It does not make sense, I do know. The Jeep seems to be nice, and can almost certainly force rather well. However this is a topic of opinion; I need my Jeep to be steel just like the Jeep gods supposed. Now could be the time to come to a decision. Ignoring the problem does now not occur, so I will have to get started repairing the panels? I will be able to purchase new aspect panels, entrance panels, and rear valence for approximately $1,250 general:
Or will have to I purchase a complete frame tube for two times as a lot ($2,500 shipped) after which a complete Jeep… have a mint one. mint mint mint Mint is more likely to have an opportunity to rust at some point in California.
Or do I simply let Willy move to anyone who does not care, and simply purchase a pleasant $12,000 CJ-3B to save lots of me time, since I am getting married quickly? Or do I simply say good-bye to all CJ-3Bs and move with the trusty YJ as my marriage ceremony telephone? It is probably not the most productive, visually, nevertheless it shines:
On the other hand, this was once a rookie transfer on my phase. I might have introduced a magnet to the primary inspection. California is also a rustic that rust forgot, however Willys Jeeps are other. D’oh! Footage of restore panels / bath: Kaiser Willys
