1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

Old 311

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by montanacj, May 7, 2017.

  1. May 7, 2017
    montanacj

    montanacj Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2012
    Messages:
    794
    I thought I'd start a build thread for my 1955 Willy's. I bought this jeep 5 or so years ago. The previous owner had passed away and I purchased it from his widow. The jeep had spent its life in Santa Cruz and eventually found its way to Montana. It's got around 33,000 on it and has what appears to be original paint but I don't think this was a 55 color.

    The jeep had sat for two or more years when I got it. I did the usual fluids and drained the gas and it fired up. After a few rounds of fuel filters she runs pretty good. My primary use for this jeep is to drive around town and the occasional mountain road but that's it I don't really "wheel" it per say.

    To my delight I realized after purchasing the jeep that it was a super low production number 311. I have been making a list as I got to know this jeep and it's gonna need somethings that would help it along. For starters the wiring appears to be original. Also the transfer case leaks really bad. Lastly it has a crack on the exhaust manifold. I'll be updating this thread as I move along and get some of these things done. My plan is to pick away it these and keep the jeep running so I can use it.
    IMG_4041.JPG IMG_4059.JPG
     
    jeepstar, melvinm, Hellion and 4 others like this.
  2. May 7, 2017
    montanacj

    montanacj Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2012
    Messages:
    794
  3. May 7, 2017
    montanacj

    montanacj Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2012
    Messages:
    794
    She's got some surface rust but the hat channels and the rest of the body are in good shape and appear original

    IMG_4029.JPG IMG_4027.JPG IMG_4035.JPG
     
  4. May 7, 2017
    montanacj

    montanacj Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2012
    Messages:
    794
    You can barely make out the cracked exhaust manifold on the left


    IMG_4044.JPG
     
    jeepstar and melvinm like this.
  5. May 7, 2017
    montanacj

    montanacj Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2012
    Messages:
    794
    IMG_4036.JPG
    Under the drivers floor there is some issues but it's still solid. It appears the hat channel has been pushed down past the bottom of the rocker



    IMG_4037.JPG
     
    melvinm likes this.
  6. May 7, 2017
    homersdog

    homersdog Tulsa, Ok 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2012
    Messages:
    2,351
    Wow! what a fantastic find! Keep us posted on your progress!

    (y)
     
    montanacj likes this.
  7. May 7, 2017
    montanacj

    montanacj Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2012
    Messages:
    794
    Some shots of the back and the PTO
    IMG_4033.JPG
    Changed the rear diff oil out today
    IMG_4012.JPG
    Looks like it still has the California access sticker in the window and the obligatory NRA sticker
    IMG_4055.JPG
     
    Last edited: Aug 20, 2018
    melvinm likes this.
  8. May 7, 2017
    montanacj

    montanacj Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2012
    Messages:
    794
    Shot of the speedo when I first brought it home

    IMG_0787.JPG
     
  9. May 7, 2017
    montanacj

    montanacj Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2012
    Messages:
    794
    The jeep came with a soft top it looks very old and original.

    IMG_2394.JPG
     
  10. May 8, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2014
    Messages:
    7,540
    Nice.
     
    montanacj likes this.
  11. May 8, 2017
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    That is in awesome condition. Nice score!
     
    montanacj likes this.
  12. May 8, 2017
    montanacj

    montanacj Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2012
    Messages:
    794
    Thanks guys I've been working a lot and finally had a day to wrench on my own stuff so it got me motivated. :beer::flag:
     
  13. May 8, 2017
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

    exploring the...
    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2009
    Messages:
    3,869
    Dose the underside with fluid film and stop the rust dead. A few applications a year will preserve the jeep.
     
    dane71 and montanacj like this.
  14. May 8, 2017
    Oldriginal86

    Oldriginal86 Member

    Pasadena, Md.
    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2014
    Messages:
    589
    That is fine example of an unmolested original. I like it. Good luck with it and enjoy.
     
    montanacj likes this.
  15. May 8, 2017
    rusty

    rusty Well-Known Member

    norfolk,va
    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2006
    Messages:
    1,652
    What a nice looking Jeep.
     
    montanacj likes this.
  16. May 8, 2017
    montanacj

    montanacj Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2012
    Messages:
    794
    Thanks guys she really is a little gem. I threw on the 55 Montana plates a year ago. I found them on eBay a matching set and they are legal here.
     
  17. May 8, 2017
    montanacj

    montanacj Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2012
    Messages:
    794
    I have been spraying the manifold bolts with PB blaster but before I attempt to remove I will also put some kroil on them. I have had really good luck with kroil on rusted stuff. I still have to source a manifold I am going to see if I can find a NOS from dalbellas jeep parts or the like. As you can see there is a piece of the manifold missing.

    IMG_4042.JPG
     
  18. May 9, 2017
    montanacj

    montanacj Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2012
    Messages:
    794
    I found a NOS exhaust manifold at dalbellas they want $135 I see used ones on eBay and the like for @75 but not sure I want to go the used route, I only want to do this job once.
     
  19. May 9, 2017
    ojgrsoi

    ojgrsoi Retired 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Weatherford, TX
    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2002
    Messages:
    2,231
    So true. (y)
     
    montanacj likes this.
  20. May 13, 2017
    montanacj

    montanacj Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2012
    Messages:
    794
    Today I tackled my brake lights. I had installed a new brake light switch when I first got the jeep. This year I noticed they weren't working so I had a really good look around with the voltmeter. I had voltage all the way to the back of the jeep but it stopped at this rats nest.
    IMG_4088.JPG


    It's the left rear so I ended up rewriting that and bingo I had brake lights

    IMG_4122.JPG

    But not so fast now that I have brakes I have both front turn signals on at once when turning right. I dig around and see a long black rubber hose covering bare wires which were rubbing together. It was 3" of bare wire weird someone left this like that. I've been driving it like that forever :D
    IMG_4119.JPG

    After fixing that all lights are working correctly.

    Tools of the trade

    IMG_4120.JPG
     
    Last edited: May 14, 2017
    melvinm, ojgrsoi and dozerjim like this.
New Posts