David EilersDecember 31, 2015

1953 CJ-3B Tucson, AZ $7900

UPDATE: Still Available

(10/27/2015) Looks solid. Has a replacement tub.

"Buick V6 Turbo 350 trans automatic, Warn overdrive, 5.38 33Detroit lockers, Dana 44, Beard super seats, full cage. 8000lb Warn winch, 33inch 12.50 -15inch bead locks."

http://tucson.craigslist.org/cto/5376945783.html

7 Comments

MikeOctober 27, 2015 at 4:08 PM
Why do the CJ3B replacement tubs have the tool indents? I understand having it for the military models, but why the civilian 3B?
David EilersOctober 27, 2015 at 6:16 PM
Mike: To the best of my knowledge, these replacement tubs came out of the Philippines and were made by the founder of MD Juan, Maximino D. Juan. Maximino's grandson Rommel explained to me that the only body they had to design the body stamps was from an M-38. Over time customers began requesting civilian bodies like the 3B, they didn't feel it prudent to construct a new body stamp without the tool indents. So, the 3A and 3B bodies included tool indents. Once customers began caring more about the originality of the bodies and MD Juan began to understand the nuances of the individual jeep bodies, the company worked to improve what they made.
Desert JimOctober 27, 2015 at 9:43 PM
This is a nice, capable Jeep. I have wheeled with him in the mountains east of Tucson.
MikeOctober 28, 2015 at 3:09 PM
Thank you Dave, that explains it perfectly.
LewDecember 31, 2015 at 3:29 PM
For the seemingly uninformed, why is a replacement body worth noting if its a good body? Seems like it would be nice to have a completely rust-free, patch-free body. Thx.
David EilersDecember 31, 2015 at 6:01 PM
Lew, For educational purposes. People ask often about the tool indents on the sides of CJ-3Bs and other non-M-38s. I would have issue with repro bodies myself, unless I were purchasing a jeep that was supposed to have the original body. - Dave
LewJanuary 1, 2016 at 5:42 PM
Thanks Dave. I assume you meant "... would have NO issue...". What I do not know is whether the top of the line Philipino bodies are as well made as what the factory would have quickly and efficiently produced. Being they were utility bodies from the beginning, and not designed to win beauty contests, I dont know how the two different-source bodies compare for quality, metal thickness, etc.