1949 Willys Jeep CJ-3A - Survivor (solid driver, overdrive)

1949 Willys for sale in Andover, New Hampshire, United States

Item location: Andover, New Hampshire, United States
Make: Willys
Year: 1949
Mileage: 48713
VIN: 31149
Color: Red
Number of cylinders: 4
Transmission: Manual
Drive type: 4WD
Options: 4-Wheel Drive
Vehicle Title: Clean
Want to buy? Contact seller!

Description for Willys 1949

You are bidding on a used driver quality Willys Jeep CJ-3A; I love this jeep, but selling all my CJ-3A parts and vehicles as I have way too many projects at this point. This is a great "drive-it-like-it-is" rig. Starts, runs, drives, and stops exactly as it should; even the parking brake works (could use some adjustment though to hold on a hill...). It's not perfect, won't win any concours, but a solid driver. Most of the work you usually have to do when you drag home an old jeep has been done. It's been driven on the road as well having seen off-roading adventures at the NH Trail Ride and Rausch Creek PA. Used but not abused as they say. Tough to find solid non-rotted originals like this in New England.


The Saturn overdrive allows easy cruising speeds of 55 mph (or better?). The original 3A motor was pulled previously and replaced with a fresher MB motor out of a genset.


Work done since 2016:


New wheel bearings, king pin bearings, tie rod ends, drag link kit, bell crank kit

T90 transmission completely rebuilt with NOS 2nd gear synchro assembly and Nachi bearings

D18 transfer case completely disassembled and rebuilt

New Saturn overdrive installed

Original engine swapped for a lower hour MB stamped motor from a PE-95 gen-set

Starter rebuilt

Generator freshened up and mated with new voltage regulator

Flywheel resurfaced

New ring gear

New pilot bushing

New clutch, carrier, throwout bearing & clutch cross shaft seal & spring kit

New coil

New spark plugs & wires

New thermostat

New valve cover gasket and PCV valve

New spicer u-joints

Carter carburetor and glass bowl fuel filter rebuilt

New fuel tank, fuel pump, & sending unit, and all new fuel lines

New oil lines

New intake manifold

New Walck's wiring harness

New Walck's exclusive leaf springs

New exhaust system

New shocks

New 6V battery, disconnect switch, and battery cables

New windshield glass, gasket; including gasket where frame meets body

(5) New Firestone NDT's in correct 6.00X16 size, mounted on 5 original sand blasted and painted rims


Body Tub: Tub is solid but it's a patchwork of panels, filler, and quick paint jobs. It's rugged and very usable and looks fine from a distance; NOT a rot box. Will last as is for many years.


Windshield: Original windshield was damaged and an original was sourced from another jeep; could stand to be painted as it's in primer now and not perfect. The vent is broken, however I have a repop I will include.


Frame: Excellent, no major damage or issues found.


Drivetrain: Overall excellent, however oil pump leaks and there is an exhaust tick which appears to be at the manifold


What is needs for attention:

  • Exhaust leak which appears to be near the manifold area

  • Oil pump is leaking
  • Brake lights stopped working (I purchased some parts such as a new stop light switch, etc but haven't got around to replacing; parts are included)

  • Directional switch never really worked (grounding issue on the column I think)
  • I don't think the gas gauge is reading accurately
  • New windshield vent needs to be installed

This is an honestly represented jeep CJ-3A which I hope finds a good home. Please know what you are buying, it is not perfect but it's a solid survivor, and remember that you are buying a 70 year old vehicle; and like all old vehicles, it does need occasional tinkering, etc. Vehicle is now physically located in Andover, NH, however I have a clear MA title in my name along with a copy of the registration. Thanks for looking.


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