Throwback Thursday: Willys CJ-3A Flat Fender Has Matching Bantam Trailer & Extra Goodies
Powered by a Chevy 350 V8 mated to a Turbo 400 automatic this 1952 Willys CJ-3A flat fender can be driven every day.
“You know. You can’t pass up a flat fender, right?” That is how Trevor Huiskens, owner of WFO Concepts begins this video walkaround of a 1952 Willys CJ-3A. We agree. The classic looks, the simplicity, durability, and capability make a flat fender an enduring legend in the Jeep community. It is not the biggest or the fastest Jeep you can buy, but that is exactly the point. And this particular CJ-3A has a slew of upgrades that makes this one standout from the crowd. Not that you will often see a crowd of flat fender Jeeps, but you get the idea.
This week’s “Throwback Thursday” is all about this custom 1952 Willys CJ-3A. Not only is the Jeep itself a wonderful machine but it has a matching bantam trailer which only adds to the coolness factor. This Jeep is now officially a septuagenarian and as such there are areas that could use some addressing. And every area of this Jeep that could be upgraded has been upgraded. It might not have that new Jeep smell, but you could easily daily drive this little CJ-3A if you wanted to. The full walkaround video was posted on the WFO Concepts YouTube channel. There are a lot of details to cover, so let’s get started.
Powertrain
The CJ-3A originally weighed only about 2,200 pounds but the original 4-cylinder engine only coughed out a little more than 50 horsepower. That is not a recipe for performance. The Jeep you see here was not built for the drag strip by any means. However, it does have a fuel injected Chevy 350 V8 under the hood connected to a Turbo 400 automatic transmission. That should give it more than enough grunt to keep up with modern traffic. There is a Dana 20 transfer case that spins a centered and flanged 44 rear axle and model 30 front axle.
Protection and Recovery
On the front of the Willys CJ-3A is a boxed steel bumper that supports a Warn 8274 winch with 150 feet of cable. On either side of the winch is a classic chrome KC light. Protecting the passengers is a full roll cage. The roll cage also has some speakers mounted to it for some tunes while you are out on the trail. The Jeep does not have any wipers installed so the owner does not plan to drive it in the rain. But the cabin does have some sun protection in the form of a bikini top. The entire rear compartment as well as the bantam trailer is protected with aluminum diamond plate. At the rear of the Jeep is a custom tire rack and jerry can holder. The rear gate no longer opens, but that doesn’t matter as the rear seats were pushed all the way back.
Interior
This Jeep has a feature that is rare on 70-year-old Jeeps. It has air conditioning. Manual air conditioning, courtesy of the vent that opens in the windshield frame, but still, you can count it as AC. The driver can keep an eye on the vitals via a set of classic VDO gauges. The seats are simple vinyl low backs. The shift lever is designed to look like a manual, but you just press the button down and select from PRND21. The center console conceals the CB, and radio head unit.
Other Modifications
The Chevy V8 is a great powerplant but a thirsty one. So, a custom 15-gallon gas tank was installed at the rear to supplement the standard 10-gallon tank. Combined with the 5-gallon jerry can, you can load up with up to 30 gallons of gas. Of course, at the current fuel prices that is going to be a painful fill up. In the way back of course is that matching bantam trailer.
1952 Willys CJ-3A
This is a great Jeep. Clean, honest, and upgraded in all the areas you want. The video below will give you the full scoop on everything that went into this build and made it so special. Fair warning though. It may have you searching the classifieds for a CJ-3A of your own to build.
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