Why the overlapping years of production for Willys CJ5 and CJ3B?

Glenn · Jan 22, 2015

PeteL said: ↑

That might be a clue to then overseas market for the 3B style.
Most of the world is accustomed to much smaller vehicles than we are. A CJ5 is a relatively large vehicle in most countries.
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Good point. Even though the wheelbase is only 1" shorter the vehicle is most definitely a bit smaller.

uncamonkey · Jan 22, 2015

Glenn said: ↑

I'm glad you mentioned this because I have been wanting to make comparisons of my 3B MD Juan body with someone with an original 3B. I took some measurements and came up with some interesting numbers. These are comparisons between my MD Juan 3B and original CJ5.

They both have hardtops, Koenig on the 3B and Kelly on the 5.

The CJ5 body is approximately 5" longer from grill to back of body.
The length of the side panels of both hardtops is 37 3/4". I found that somewhat interesting.
The 3B body width is 57". The CJ5 total body width is 59 1/4" which of course includes the step down part. Not including the step down is 57 3/8".
The room in the front seating area is about the same between the 2 vehicles. Of course the floor area is a different matter due to the design.
The length of the flat part of the rear wheel well is 32" 3B and 34 3/4" for the 5.
Width between wheel wells on both vehicles is approximately 36".

I hadn't measured it before but it seemed to me to be less room in the back of the 3B and this confirms it is shorter in the back.

The body that came off of the 3B was original but was too far gone to be worth salvaging. I made some initial measurements of it when I got the repro. body for comparison but didn't write them down, I just remember thinking the new body seemed close enough.

I am interested in seeing how an original body compares to mine, mainly the width and the wheel well length. I think those would be 2 key measurements.
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What measurements do you need? I have 2 here. 1 running (61) and 1 in pieces(62).
57 to 57 3/8 across the body. What part of the wheel wells do you want a measurement for, top or bottom?

Glenn · Jan 22, 2015

uncamonkey said: ↑

What measurements do you need? I have 2 here. 1 running (61) and 1 in pieces(62).
57 to 57 3/8 across the body. What part of the wheel wells do you want a measurement for, top or bottom?
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Inside of the back of tub, the flat/seat part of the wheel well/wheel housing. I'm really just curious as to how close MD Juan got the dimensions. I know they couldn't have been far off, if any at all, otherwise tops wouldn't fit well. For the body width I measured at the top of the curve for the door opening.

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Why the overlapping years of production for Willys CJ5 and CJ3B?

Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

uncamonkey Member

Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

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Why the overlapping years of production for Willys CJ5 and CJ3B?

Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

uncamonkey Member

Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

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