#Willys serial number identification serial numbers#
#Willys serial number identification series#

Your information may not match the figures below, for several possible reasons: If you own a surviving CJ-3B, adding your VIN to our list can help verify the correct figures.

Where Are the CJ-3Bs? plots the location of surviving CJ-3Bs on a map of the United States.

Surviving CJ-3B Jeeps includes Jeeps and their owners in order of serial number, with some analysis of their significance.

#Willys serial number identification serial numbers#

Kaiser CJ-3B Serial Number Questions has a more detailed comparison of the production figures and serial numbers we have.Missing or duplicate numbers for some years throw their accuracy into question. Ackerson, show smaller totals in the 1950s. Note: VIN's published in the Standard Catalog of 4X4's by Robert C. Their VIN's for the early 1960s are clearly in error as they repeat some of the same numbers from the late 1950s. They also include the 1954 OB Serial Numbers which appear on approximately the first 2,600 1954 CJ-3Bs, but which are not mentioned by Mr.

Figures published by the former Willys Club, which also appear in summary form in Sessler's Illustrated Jeep Buyer's Guide, generally correspond to Young's records.

The biggest differences are the much smaller total in 1961, and the larger totals in 1953-54, especially if an additional figure for units produced in late 1952 is included. A variation of these figures was published by Arch Brown in Jeep: The Unstoppable Legend.

Production totals compiled by American Motors in 1977 and published on by Jim Allen (see CJ-3B Production Figures from AMC, 1977) are in a separate column here.

These appear to be accurate, and come from documents belongings to a collector in Michigan.

Kaiser Jeep records showing a monthly listing of 1960-1967 Serial Numbers.

I have produced the CJ-3B figures below, by combining those Norton Young records with information from three other sources: Information SourcesĬharlie Weaver transcribed a set of Willys-Overland Production Figures for 1945-61 handwritten by Willys employee Norton Young, and these figures are likely the most accurate available for those years. Mid-1960's numbers with prefix 8105 are interpreted in 1960-1967 Serial Numbers. All 4WD).įor more details from this document, see 1954 OB Serial Numbers. Fourth number represents the engine type (4. The 57348 prefix which was used starting in 1955 has the following meaning, according to Service Bulletin 328 dated October 18, 1956, provided by Todd Paisley and titled 'Identification of Willys Vehicles':įirst two digits 57 represent the Universal Jeep line. (It was produced before the final CJ-3A which had VIN 453GB1 20617.)

#Willys serial number identification series#

Fourth number indicates series in any one model year.įor example, the first 1953 CJ-3B, with VIN 453GB2 10001, was part of the second series of 'GB' Universal Jeeps in that year. First letter indicates basic chassis model. Bill Norris found the document and provides this information from it:įirst number indicates the number of cylinders. Willys Service Bulletin 52-79 dated Decemexplains the meaning of the serial number prefixes Willys used from Novemthrough 1954, such as 453GB2. See some photos of Stamped Numbers on CJ-3B Frames. Look on the top side of the frame rail right at the front of the body tub. The numbers on the frame are difficult to find without sandblasting. In some cases at least, the VIN is also stamped on the frame. Reproduction plates in various styles are available from. See also the plate from CJ-3B number 12 in 1953, and a 1965 Kaiser plate. The CJ-3B serial number (VIN) is found on a plate under the hood on the right side of the firewall.

Our list of Surviving CJ-3B Jeeps includes Jeeps and their owners in order of serial number. Sorry I can't narrow it down any further than that.Īll of the able information is assuming the body is mostly original, anything swapped in (like front fenders), will throw off the diagnosis.Serial Numbers and Production Figures on If it is a 2 piece design, then it's a '70, if it's a 1 piece, then it's a late '70 or '71.

If you do have front fender marker lights, then we know it's a '70-'71 CJ-5, and you need to look at the rear axle. So, if you have no front marker lights, we can conclude it is a '66-'69 CJ-5. If you have front marker lights on the fenders, they came in '70. If not, it tells us nothing as they were an option. If you have a roll bar and electric oil and amp gauges, they debuted in '69, so we can narrow it down further. Therefore we can conclude it is a '66-'71 CJ-5. Also, we know that the first 225 V-6 debuted in '66, and Kaiser ended their era in '70, but the lineup didn't change until '71. Unfortunately, the records weren't kept the best in those days (60's), so the best I can do is come up with a range of years.īased on the data you have given we know Kaiser didn't put their name on jeeps until '63, before that they kept the Willy's name. It's a CJ-5, open body (no top), left hand drive, 4WD, with the 225 V-6 engine.