1948 CJ-2A "resto-mod" build.

[336wheeler]

It's been about 4 or 5 years since I've built anything, but I picked up this CJ-2A not too long ago. A nice barn find, it has the original 134 F-head, T-90, and Dana 18 case all in good condition. I got it home, got it running, then started taking it apart! The hat channels on the underside of the tub have rust, as do the rockers and some pin holes in the back of the tub, but it's slowly getting fixed some way or another.



I got some aircraft stripper and started going to work. The PO painted it the factory green with yellow wheels, but the tub says different. It was originally red. I'm looking to go back to red.



Both the driver and passenger steps were pretty cancerous, so I went ahead and snipped them out:



I decided I want to use wagoneer springs in the rear in SOA configuration, and a 3-link with coils in the front. I picked up some Rubicon coils for the front and started cleaning off the frame.



Went up to ECGS and picked up a set of factory FJ40 axles. These axles are perfect for the build. A nice width that won't look goofy wide, great strength with a 9.5" ring gear, and the rear has the offset diff to match the Dana 18.





The brackets for the front and rear suspension will be coming in the mail soon. Stay tuned. I've got the FJ40 axles stripped down and bracket-less now, just no pics. There will be pics to come. For the curious, I want to keep as much body, frame, and drivetrain as the build allows while having a nicely built flattie that can be a driver or wheeler.

 

[amcjeepman]

I want a 2A or 3A so bad.

 

[Black Bear]

That has the F-134 in it? I thought that didnt come out till later and the earlier ones had the L-134 flat head motor.

Are you going to keep the front drums?

Great build keep the progress coming.

 

[336wheeler]

Oh good catch. You're right. It is an L-head motor. As for the front drums - no.

Probably do something like this... in a few paychecks...$$$

http://man-a-fre.com/parts_accessories/FrontDiscBrakeConversionKits.htm

I'm also looking to do the TeraLow 3.15 kit in the Dana 18. Maybe some 5.29s in the R&Ps with spartan lockers and chromo shafts. An NP435 with the 7:1 1st gear too. In due time.

 

[336wheeler]

I also plan on getting a Bestop Tiger Top for it. Should be pretty slick. All it takes is money, right? Ha

 

[ghost]

Seems like a fairly solid old rig. Sad to see it changed.

 

[Black Bear]

Oh good catch. You're right. It is an L-head motor. As for the front drums - no.

Probably do something like this... in a few paychecks...$$$

http://man-a-fre.com/parts_accessories/FrontDiscBrakeConversionKits.htm

I'm also looking to do the TeraLow 3.15 kit in the Dana 18. Maybe some 5.29s in the R&Ps with spartan lockers and chromo shafts. An NP435 with the 7:1 1st gear too. In due time.

Are you going to find a late model 18 case for the tera low gears? I have a friend with a low hood (cj3a i think) that was looking to do the same but we read that the earlier cases done support the larger gears. Im curious to see what you have in mind.

 

[336wheeler]

The pictures from when I picked it up are probably a little misleading. The paint looks good from 30 feet, but there was more body filler on the passenger side than was worth saving. Same goes for the rockers, etc. I'm all for original restorations, but it would be prohibitively expensive for me at this point to do a full restore like it would need. I'm hoping the work I'm doing will preserve it more than anything, while making it usable.

Black Bear - also correct on the Dana 18 front. Pre '55 cases won't accept the gears. Still up in the air about what my plan is with that. If I can find the right transmission, I won't need the t-case gears as bad (and then I'd do axle gears in lieu of case gears). The NP435 is essentially like having a doubler as far as gearing is concerned.

 

[StretchASU]

Lookin sweet man. Can't wait to get down there and check it out one weekend when we are all actually in town at the same time. haha.

 

[Paul]

Badass! Keep the pics coming, i am a jeep freak you know.

 

[ord.sgt.26NC]

what did you do with the front end?

 

[336wheeler]

Nothing yet other than cutting the spring brackets off and trimming the fenders. I cut the step off and cut the back part of the flat fender at an angle.

Got some ssssprangggs on tonight:





.... that driver side jerry can holder needs some bolts

 

[thecj3man]

Black Bear - also correct on the Dana 18 front. Pre '55 cases won't accept the gears. Still up in the air about what my plan is with that. If I can find the right transmission, I won't need the t-case gears as bad (and then I'd do axle gears in lieu of case gears). The NP435 is essentially like having a doubler as far as gearing is concerned.

If you can find a T-98 from a m38 or a CJ-5 it can be a bolt in affair. I got one a few years ago for my 50 model 3A. I got the driveshafts, skid plate, and everything else to make it work. It took a little cutting on the floor, but nothing extreme.

 

[336wheeler]

Cj3man - that's awesome info. Looked on Novak's site and saw its a 6.4:1 low. Badass. That would give me about a 65:1 with a stock Dana 18 and the 4.10s in the cruiser axles. Getting to a more acceptable ratio now.

 

[cj777]

Awesome build. I have always wants a CJ-2a. I will definitely be watching your progress

 

[Chuckman]

get hold of HCORE4x4 on here as he has old willys parts stacked up like cordwood
hes sure to have the cases you need

 

[justjeepin86]

I would love to have one in that kind of shape. I would be keeping it stock though. You do seem to be keeping it fairly stock though.

 

[336wheeler]

 

[336wheeler]

Happened to have some down time today so I got some work done. Got the radius arm front burned in except for the panhard bar. I'll need more heims/brackets for that endeavor. All brackets are from Ruffstuff by the way. Wheelbase ended up at 94". Looking at 8" pushed out in the front; 6" pushed out in the back.

 

[cjgolfer7]

Nice work! Looking forward to following the progress of this build.. I've been on the hunt for a willys for a while.

 

[paradisePWoffrd]

what springs are you going with?

 

[336wheeler]

The springs on there currently are factory rubicon coils. I am going to play around with stock coils and it should drop about 1.5".

 

[paradisePWoffrd]

If you can find some JK coils, they are typically progressive rate and give a nice ride.

 

[336wheeler]

I can probably round up some JK coils.

Did some fender trimming, then put the seat back in so I could sit in it :

 

[336wheeler]

Its looking like I will be running a 38-40" tire.