Jeep FJ-3, FJ-6, FJ-8 FJ-9 Fleetvan
The forgotten Jeep - Few remember the Jeep of
deliveries past in the Jeep models FJ-3, FJ-3A, FJ-6 and FJ-6A Fleetvan.
Most FJ Fleetvans are gone making them a rare sight, especially in
a restored or running state.
FJ-3 and FJ-3A Fleetvan
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FJ-6 Jeep Fleetvan above & below
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| The Jeep FJ-3 Fleetvan was a compact delivery van manufactured by Willys
Motors and Kaiser-Jeep from 1961 to 1965. (FJ-3 Fleetvan
pictured to the right). The FJ Fleetvan was
based on the DJ-3A Dispatcher, but equipped with the F-134 Hurricane
engine. Two models of the FJ-3 were available, the FJ-3 and the longer FJ-3A. It
came standard with the familiar Borg-Warner T-90 three-speed manual
transmission. A Borg-Warner automatic was offered as an option.
Right-hand-drive FJ-3s were made for the U.S. Postal Service. Most of
these had horizontal grille slats in contrast to the seven vertical
slats found on standard Jeep models.
 The FJ-3 Fleetvan was produced first as the FJ-3
right-hand-drive postal delivery vehicle. The FJ-3 was only 135
inches long and shorter than the 154 inch long FJ-3A, but was both
the FJ-3 and FJ-3A were rated for 1000 pound payload. FJ-3
Fleetvans are identifiable by its horizontal grille slots and RHD.
The FJ-3A had an additional 19 inches of rear overhang, with an
overall length of 154 inches on an 81-inch wheelbase. While
the FJ-3 and FJ-3A may appear to be a large vehicle, it was
actually quite compact as you can see in by the Jeep vehicle
wheelbase comparison below (Willys brochure). |
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Jeep FJ-3/FJ-3A |
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Manufacturer |
Willys Motors
Kaiser-Jeep |
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Also called |
Fleetvan |
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Production |
1961-65 |
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Assembly |
Toledo, Ohio |
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Successor |
FJ-6 |
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Class |
Compact van |
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Engine(s) |
F4-134 Hurricane |
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Wheelbase |
81 in |
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Length |
135 in (FJ-3)
154 in (FJ-3A) |
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Width |
64.7 in |
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Height |
90.1 in |
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U.S. Postal FJ-3 |
FJ-3 Delivery Van |
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1961 Jeep Willys Fleetvan FJ-3A
folder brochure
It includes several pictures and specifications
including information on the 'Jeep' 4-Cylinder F-Head
"Hurricane" Engine. It measures to 8.5" x 3.75" folded and
17 x 8 unfolded with print on both sides. Found on
EBay.
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FJ-6 and FJ-6A Fleetvan
An FJ-6 model was introduced in 1965 for postal use.
The FJ-6 was built on a CJ-6 chassis and was equipped with the F-134
Hurricane engine. Two models of the FJ-6 were available, the FJ-6 and the longer FJ-6A. It
came standard with the familiar Borg-Warner T-90 three-speed manual
transmission. A Borg-Warner automatic was offered as an option. The FJ
Fleetvans were 2 wheel drive and came equipped with a Dana 44 rear axle. The driver of the FJ-3 and FJ-6 Fleetvans
could drive sitting or standing up.
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1964 FJ-6 |
1964 FJ-6 |
1964 FJ-6 |
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 FJ-8,
FJ-8A, FJ-8C and FJ-9 Fleetvan
On April 1, 1971, AM General Corporation was
incorporated as a wholly owned subsidiary of the American Motors
Corporation and separate from the Jeep Corporation. This move was
initiated to give independent status to AM General to fulfill the
special transportation requirements of the U.S. Government and
pursue further diversification.
In 1975 the FJ-8 3/4-ton series and FJ-9 1-ton
series Postal Service vans ultimately replaced FJ-6. In all,
35,000 3/4-ton and 4,000 1-ton vans were delivered to the U.S. Postal
Service and other commercial users.
These step vans have become a staple of
independent ice cream companies. But there are still quite a few
out there on mail routes.
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FJ-8 3/4-ton series
Postal Service van |
FJ-9 1-ton series
Postal Service van |
Jeep Fleetvan Production -
1961-1975
Fleetvan Models
- FJ-3
- FJ-3A
- FJ-6
- FJ-6A
- FJ-8
- FJ-8A
- FJ-8C
- FJ-9
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Wheelbase comparison, Lower-right FJ-3A Fleetvan
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1961 Jeep Fleetvan FJ3A Delivery Truck Brochure (click
for a larger image) |
The set of photos below are from the "Images in Time" collection at
the Toledo Lucas County Public Library capturing the details of an
FJ-3A.
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U.S. Mail FJ-3 |
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U.S. Mail FJ-3 |
U.S. Mail FJ-3 |
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The photos below were of a FJ-6 Fleetvan that was restored to a very
clean condition spotted in the Lancaster PA area in 2007.
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This
is a 1961 Willys Fleetvan. They were once used by the
postal service for local delivery of the mail. The
driver stands to operate the vehicle so he/ she can lean
out and put the mail in a curbside box. I remember these
from my own childhood. Ours will enjoy a street rod
style build, with a narrowed Ford 9", 350/350, Heidt's
front end, Chassis Engineering leaf springs in the rear,
and of course, the Omni steering rack from RJay's.
The little truck is being built by my high school
students in a course called Integrated Metals Tech,
which is basically a hot rod class. |
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Funding for the project is coming from me since I'll own
the finished car. We've got the car completely
disassembled at this point, the body has been media
blasted, the frame is sandblasted and wearing the leaf
springs. The rear end is out at Currie Enterprises being
narrowed, and we're cutting out our boxing plates and
doing some patch panels to replace a relatively small
amount of rust along the lower panels. We'll be chopping
the top a whopping 14" by removing the side panels and
fabricating new sheet metal to replace them. A number of
our local shops and individuals have been very helpful
to us by offering to come in and do workshops on body
work and suspension, and eventually painting. If you're
in the market for some shifter knobs for your shop, just
let me know. - Regards, Bruce
www.koolknobs.com |
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| 1961 Willys FJ-3A Fleet Van
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1961 Willys FJ3. 4 cyl. 138 cubic
inch "Hurricane" partnered with a Borg Warner T90
automatic transmission. The "Beast" just finished a 2+
year rebuild. All rusted thru exterior panels were
removed and replaced with Stainless Steel prior to a
full paint. All the interior panels were removed, sand
blasted, sealed, painted, and reassembled. After the
body was finished I started work on the machine
itself. It has rebuilt brake and master cylinders. New
brake shoes (and a second complete set) and emergency
brake cable. New plugs, wires, points, condenser,
battery and cables, etc.... Rebuilt Carter carb and
valves have been adjusted. It also has new tail
lights, signals, signal lever, and new wiring to them.
New tires and wheels.
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| 1964 Willys FJ-3A Fleet Van
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Owner: Bryan K. - Heres a pic of my 1964 Willys Jeep
Fleetvan, cant find these on the road every day. runs
and drives great. Original motor & trans, putting disk
brakes on it know, rears complete cost 350.00, need to
complete front Very Rare 1964 Willys FJ-3A.
Noted as one of the most
unsuccessful Willys, the Fleet Vans were based on a
two-wheel drive DJ-3A Dispatcher and were mainly
produced for the U.S. Postal Service.
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| 1962 Willys FJ-3A Fleet Van
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This Jeep FJ-3 Fleetvan was seen on EBay and sold for
$5101. The Jeep FJ-3 Fleetvan was a compact delivery
van manufactured by Willys Motors and Kaiser-Jeep from
1961 to 1965. This FJ-3 is equipped with the F-134
Hurricane engine. Borg-Warner T-90 three-speed manual
transmission. The FJ-3 is only 135 inches long and is
rated for 1000 pound payload. This FJ-3A was
sold out of Central Valley NY.
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FJ-6 Jeep Fleetvan above,
FJ-3 Jeep Fleetvan below
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More information on the FJs can be found on
Derek Redmon's CJ-3B web site.
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