About Willys Vehicles - CJ-3A

About Willys Jeep CJ-3A

History and Technical Specs

(1949-1953) Willys CJ-3A

Production Total: 131,843

Illustration - CJ-3A

CJ-3A Illustration

Willys-Overland introduced the CJ-3A model in 1949 to replace the CJ-2A, possibly due to a "slump" in CJ-2A sales, bringing with it a few reasonable minor interior updates with regard to comfort and drivability. The CJ-3A was part of the Universal CJ series, a model intended for agricultural and industrial applications in the civilian market, an area in which Willys-Overland felt it would be a good fit, as the CJ employed the same “utilitarian” features that gave the MB model great success in WWII. Even so, Willys-Overland realized the value of driver comfort, even in a “work” vehicles such as the CJ. Updates in the new CJ-3A, while relatively minor, included increased leg room, leakproof connection features for the canvas top and front side of each door, thicker cushions and more headroom, and the addition of 2-3/8” to the overall height (with windshield up). The rear wheel well was shortened and the driver’s seat was moved toward the rear of the vehicle, shortening the deck.

A one-piece windshield was also introduced, with an improved vacuum-type windshield wiper for greater road visibility, and a windshield ventilator for the circulation of fresh air. The suspension was a notable improvement, as the vehicle was still being used for various agricultural applications. The marketing of this model was mostly done solely within the farm journals, as internally, Willys-Overland hotly debated the idea of entering the passenger car market, which was largely dominated at the time by Ford and GM. As these debates continued to rage, in 1953, the CJ-3B model was introduced, overshadowing the last few months of CJ-3A production (which were simultaneous with the production of the first CJ-3Bs). With the CJ-3B came several distinct updates to the CJ series, including the new F-Head Hurricane Engine and a higher hood.

Service Guides and Documents:

CJ-3A Data Sheet 1 - Document provided courtesy of Michael Scoggins
CJ-3A Data Sheet 2 - Document provided courtesy of Michael Scoggins
Gulf Service Sheet (1945-1964) - Document provided courtesy of Michael Scoggins
Jeep Dipstick Guide - Document provided courtesy of Michael Scoggins

(Read more about the Universal CJ Series - See CJ-3B History)

CJ-3A Photos

Andrew Adams - 1953 CJ-3A

Andrew Adams - 1953 CJ-3A

Kindra Beck - 1950 CJ-3A

Kindra Beck - 1950 CJ-3A

Brad Patton - 1949 CJ-3A

Brad Patton - 1949 CJ-3A

Brad Cooper - 1952 CJ-3A

Brad Cooper - 1952 CJ-3A

Glen Heitman - 1949 CJ-3A

Glen Heitman - 1949 CJ-3A

For more photos of these and other Willys Jeep Models, visit our Willys Jeep Blog Customer Photo Album!

CJ-3A Specs

Weight:
(Gross): 3500 lb (1,587,5 kg.)
(Shipping): 2100 lb. (957,1 kg.)
(Curb): 2205 lb. (1000,2 kg.)
Length (overall): 129 3/4” (3,29 m.)
Width (overall): 68 24/32” (174,7 cm.)
Height (overall): 66 3/4” (170 cm.)
Ground Clearance: 8 3/4” (22,2 cm.)
Tread (front and rear): 48 1/4” (122,5 cm.)
Fuel Capacity: 10 1/2 Gal. (40 ltr.)
Transmission: T-90
Transfer Case: Dana 18
Front Axle: Dana 25
Rear Axle: Dana 44
Wheelbase: 80” (203 cm.)
Other: 1 Piece Windshield with center vent, Tailgate

CJ-3A Engines:

Engine: 4-134 L Head Motor (All Years)
Engine Type: L4-134 “Go-Devil”
Number of Cylinders: 4
Cubic-In. Displacement: 134.22 CID (2199.53 cc)
Horsepower: 60 hp (45 kW) @ 4000 rpm
Torque: 105 ft-lb. (142 N-m) @2000 rpm
Compression Ratio: 6:48:1
Valvetrain: L-head

CJ-3A Paint Colors

Paint Colors Offered by Willys-Overland from 1948-49*

"Willys

Autumn Brown Poly
DQE-20305-DAL*

"Willys

Black
DQE-9000-DAL*

"Willys

Clear Maple
DQE-20243-DAL*

"Willys

Emerald Green
DQE-40530-DAL*

"Willys

Fiesta Yellow
DQE-80365-DAL*

"Willys

Harbor Blue Poly
DQE-10083-DAL*

"Willys

Luzon Red
DQE-70028-DAL*

"Willys

Mahogany Brown
DQE-20422-DAL*

"Willys

Michigan Yellow
DQE-80232-DAL*

"Willys

Normandy Blue
DQE-10277-DAL*

"Willys

Pacific Blue Poly
DQE-10516-DAL*

"Willys

Pine Green Poly
DQE-40414-DAL*

"Willys

Potomac Gray
DQE-30604-DAL*

"Willys

Shasta Green
DQE-40603-DAL*

"Willys

Sportsmans Green Poly
DQE-40642-DAL*

"Willys

Tunisian Red
DQE-50127-DAL*

"Willys

Universal Beige
DQE-80364-DAL*

Paint Colors Offered by Willys-Overland from 1950-51*

"Willys

Beach Sand
DQE-20664-DAL*

"Willys

Bermuda Blue
DQE-10432-DAL*

"Willys

Black
DQE-9000-DAL*

"Willys

Campus Red
DQE-70342-DAL*

"Willys

Canyon Glow
DQE-50232-DAL*

"Willys

Cherokee Red Poly
DQE-50258-DAL*

"Willys

Chesapeake Gray
DQE-30746-DAL*

"Willys

Copper Bronze Poly
DQE-20699-DAL*

"Willys

Cyprus Green Poly
DQE-40978-DAL*

"Willys

Desert Beige
DQE-20202-DAL*

"Willys

Hampshire Green Poly
DQE-40579-DAL*

"Willys

Horizon Blue<br<DQE-10794-DAL*

"Willys

Mediterranean Blue Poly
DQE-10450-DAL*

"Willys

Midnight Cloud Poly
DQE-30382-DAL*

"Willys

Nassau Cream
DQE-90486-DAL*

"Willys

Shadow Gray Poly
DQE-30293-DAL*

"Willys

Surf Gray Poly
DQE-30639-DAL*

Paint Colors Offered by Willys-Overland in 1952*

"Willys

Bamboo Ivory
DQE-80198-DAL*

"Willys

Black
DQE-9000-DAL*

"Willys

Duchess Gray
DQE-30370-DAL*

"Willys

Hatteras Green Gray
DQE-30301-DAL*

"Willys

Inverness Green Poly
DQE-40400-DAL*

"Willys

Oxford Gray Poly
DQE-31019-DAL*

"Willys

Riviera Gray
DQE-30003-DAL*

"Willys

Smoked Ruby
DQE-50257-DAL*

"Willys

Suntan Poly
DQE-20353-DAL*

Paint Colors Offered by Willys-Overland in 1953*

"Willys

Admiral Blue Poly
DQE-10945-DAL*

"Willys

Cadet Gray Poly
DQE-31055-DAL*

"Willys

Coronado Sand
DQE-89638-DAL*

"Willys

Hermosa Red
DQE-70187-DAL*

"Willys

Jasper Green
DQE-41289-DAL*

"Willys

Pacific Blue
DQE-11064-DAL*

"Willys

Princeton Black
DQE-9000-DAL*

"Willys

Raven Black
DQE-9000-DAL*

"Willys

Saber Rouge
DQE-50330-DAL*

"Willys

Swan Gray
DQE-31046-DAL*

"Willys

Willow Green Poly
DQE-41296-DAL*

"Willys

Woodstock Green Poly
DQE-41290-DAL*

See All - Paint Colors Offered by Willys-Overland from 1946-1963

Kaiser Willys cannot guarantee 100% accuracy of the colors or paint codes presented in this guide. When selecting a color for your vehicle, use the codes above as a starting point or reference, and work with your local paint supplier to find a color that works best for your budget and intent. There are several paint suppliers such as Auto Color Library, or Sherwin Williams, who may be able to cross-reference some of the older paint codes for you to find a more current formula, or if you are able to pull a painted piece off of your restoration project, they may be able to scan the color for you in the store to find a close match.