I need your help!!!

Hey guys I am going to pic up my new project this weekend. It just so happens to be a 1963 willys jeep.Now I have no way to tell what type it is just that the ad said it was a 63 willys and that he wanted 700 for it. Well I talked him down to 500 and told him that I would pick it up this weekend. Well I started like I always do for a project and started looking around for up grades and parts, well that is where I ran in to a major road block because I have no idea if it is a cj2a or cj3a or cj3b or a m series. So I have come to you guys to see if you can help, I have looked all over the net to find help on this and have hit walls on the info Im looking for. It doesnt help that this will be my first jeep after a life time of hot rods and mud trucks. I did purchase and read my first issue of jp magazine to day so I guess its a start. Any help yall can give will be appreciated. Thanks.  

http://www.vintagejeepparts.com/jeep_identification.asp

Sounds like a 3b or m38a1. Flat fender its a 3b rounded fenders m38a1...if its a military jeep cj5 (1st gen) if its a civilian.  I believe this is correct. The web site will clear it up.  
When you're finished....you're done

If it has flat fenders, it's a CJ-3B.
For more info go here:
   http://www.jeeptech.com/models/cj-3b.htm

If it has round fenders, it's a CJ-5
For more info go here:
   http://www.jeeptech.com/models/cj-5.htm  

ftgiles:
If it has flat fenders, it's a CJ-3B.
For more info go here:
   http://www.jeeptech.com/models/cj-3b.htm

If it has round fenders, it's a CJ-5
For more info go here:
   http://www.jeeptech.com/models/cj-5.htm

Could be a m38a1. Got one. Has the round fenders like the 5. If its military. Please correct me if i am wrong.  
When you're finished....you're done

The CJ-5 came out in '55. The M38A1 went out after '57. So, for two years there was a military and civilian with round fenders. So, in '63 only the CJ-5 had round fenders.  

... or after looking at the Jeep's DaVinci Code in the March 2009's JP Magazine...

Starting in '55 if it has a 101" wheel base instead of an 81" wheelbase and round fenders, it's a CJ-6. Or '53-'57 could be a M170 military version CJ-6 with round fenders.  

Thanks for the info guys. I go saturday to pick it up so I can figure it out when I get it home  

nice find!  
"WHEN IN DOUBT TACH IT OUT!"

ftgiles:
The CJ-5 came out in '55. The M38A1 went out after '57. So, for two years there was a military and civilian with round fenders. So, in '63 only the CJ-5 had round fenders.

CJ5 ('55 - '75)  &  M38A1 ('51 - '71) Windshield width 59", round fender Jeep, one piece windshield, no factory door hinges, windshield retainer welded on vehicle, windshield at 90° angle to hood. CJ6 ('55 -'75) Same basic vehicle as an early model CJ5 except with an extended rear body rub.

CJ3B ('53 - '64) Windshield height 22 1/2", hood height 10 1/2" (fender to top of hood), one piece windshield, has tailgate, bottom mounted windshield wipers, side mounted tire carrier (factory).

This came off Vintage Jeep Parts web site.

M38 and cj3a went out in '53.

My m38a1 was manufactured after '57  
When you're finished....you're done

So where is Hazel and Cappa? They should be able to clear it up because I certainly don't know. This is just the info I could scrounge, some from this month's JP.  

I just read something that said the M38A1 was built for the U.S. military until '57 and until '71 for export to foreign governments.  

hey jeepnut and ftgiles thanks for the input. I found some thing about measureing the height from the top of the finder to the top of the hood, and how tall the wind shield is but at the same time I find that a lot of guys swaped wind shields so I guess that wont work. The guy said some thing about it having a v6 in it. I dont know. Once I get it home Ill let yall know what it looks like. Im hoping it is a cj3b or a cj5.  

Im not 100% sure myself. Going off what others have told me. Don't know if there is really a way to know for sure. I've read about it and done some searches, but who knows. Cant believe everything you read on the web.  
When you're finished....you're done

thats for sure. I do appreciate the help. I will take pics and notes as the build goes on and see about posting them up in readers rides. I just cant wait to get it home and start.Talk to yall later.  

hey guys. didnt get it home yesterday.It had two flat tires and a lot of parts, all I had was a tow dolly. But next weekend Ill have a trailer to haul it with. Found out that it is a cj5 a it came from west by god virgina. Its along way from home considering I found it in ocala florida but thats ok Ill only be the second owner of the jeep. Ill try and get some pics of it up. It aint pretty but itll do until Im done with it. Agin thanks to jeepnut and ftgiles for the help.