my 1946 CJ2A build thread

Like most others I assume, this will be a slow process but I may as well get started. My '65 CJ5 will go on the chopping block this weekend since I picked up a project last night that I've been looking for...an early CJ2A. It's Rough (notice the capital R?) There will be lots of pictures and info to follow, but here's a pic to get started:



All I know at the moment is that it's a '46 (serial number is at home). It's missing a few of the big ticket items such as:

inner windshield frame
L134
T90
seats
hood

And a host of other small parts: brake master cylinder, steering wheel, accelerator pedal assy, toolbox lid, etc. This won't be a 100% "every nut and bolt" restoration, but maybe a 85%-90% restoration. Mainly, I just want it all to be there, look nice, and be fun to drive around on Sundays. Now, I'm off to order some manuals...

-WRM

ETA: Here's the link to the photobucket album for this project:
http://s226.photobucket.com/albums/dd178/WRMorrison/Jeep related/1946 CJ2A/

 

hope you got that cheap haha

The body looks really good. If I weren't in the rust belt, my dream paint job would be exactly what you have there.

 

Pretty good for around here; $300. The clean title is worth that alone. Lots of surface rust, and most of the hat channels are pretty much gone. There's also been some sheet metal patching over the years that will need to be corrected (and probably added to), but this was meant to be a long term project. I'll start on the sheet metal once the frame and running gear are done.

-WRM

 

Hey, mine looked much worse than that four or five years ago when I first got her. Now she still is incomplete and not even running yet, but its a project. Good luck! Looking forward to seeing more. My ultimate dream too is an early 2A.

 

Damn I could only dream of getting a flatty that cheap within 600 miles of where I'm at

 

I wish there was more light left in the day after I get home from work...

I was able to clean out the tub a little last night; removed 3 gas tanks (one is a military tank, and the other two look like they either go to this Jeep or an early CJ5; don't know how to tell the difference yet), what's left of the original D18, an intermediate CJ5 tailgate (I think; it says JEEP, not Willys) and a bunch of yard debris from sitting outside for who knows how many years. The floors aren't horrible per se, but will definitely need a lot of attention. I'm not sure whether I want to patch the floors where needed or just replace it all in one swoop. The frame appears to be in really good shape with the exception of the LF frame horn; that will definitely need replaced. Also, upon closer inspection of the tranny tunnel, I found out that the original color (underneath the white, OD, and various other colors) is that beautiful Normandy Blue that I was hoping to find.

There's also quite the mix of taillights on there too; the one on the right has the script FoMoCo, some GINORMOUS light on the left from who knows what, and a crushed lamp below it (maybe the original?). The serial number of the Jeep is 62700; all the data plates match. Also, the tub and tailgate ACM #'s match; 53699. The tailgate is beyond repair (believe it or not, it actually looks worse in person...lol), but I'll remove the ACM stamp, Willys script, footman loops and chain brackets before scrapping it.

I also noticed some kind of heater under the passenger side of the dash...

-WRM

 

Oh, and only one wheel on it is the correct, slotted type. The left rear is a white wagon wheel, and the two fronts look similar to the wheels on my '65 CJ5, but the centers look different (kind of like the Ford wheels of the period).

-WRM

 

That big mouth tank should be worth some money

 

I picked up a '48 CJ2A today for parts, since there's a lot missing on the'46. I haven't gotten it home yet, but snapped a few pics of it all today; seems mostly complete: http://s226.photobucket.com/albums/dd178/WRMorrison/Jeep related/1948 CJ2A/

Anyway, my '46 came with a really nice Harrison heater, and the '48 also came with a heater, but nothing like I've seen before; anybody know what it's from?


Also, I know that the '48 isn't sitting on its original frame. The owner seems to think it's from a GPW, but I think it's probably from an early CJ5. Here's a few pics of the LF frame horn; What do you guys think?



-WRM