How can I tell the year/type of CJ?

I'm pretty new to this Jeep scene. I traded a car for what I was told was a kit of a 1946 CJ. What I got as I have researched seems totally different. It has a 225 V6 with a T90 tranny. It looks like someone started a frame off and then quit. Are there any ID marks on the frame I should look for. There is no vin or title. Paperwork was started as a home assembled kit car, but now I'm not so sure. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

if you could take a pic of that frame, that would help us to help you
(and save a lot of typing)
there are a lot of differences

 

No problem. I will post them tonight after work. I appreciate the help

 

Welcome from the Motorcity!

One quick check is the V6 motor mounts to the frame. If it looks "factory" and not fabricated angle steel, then you have a late 60's to 71 CJ5 frame. 2A's 3A's 3B's and 5's have very similar looking frames. 2A's look thin and weak (WWII disposable style), 3A is a little beefier with a round tube welded right to left under the radiator. Bodys could be anything which is where it gets interesting. A 46 CJ2 tub will fit a CJ5 with some re-engineering.

 

Here are a couple frame pics posted at: http://ronisbargainbarn.bravehost.com/
Thank you in advance for all your helpful info.

 

Here's what I can tell you:

It looks like a cj5 frame to me. Later than 1957 due to the front shackles. And unless I am seeing things, the steering box looks as if it would mount infront of the front axle. My guess (for what it's worth ) is it's a late 60's early 70's but I could be wrong...

Edit: The hitch set-up on the back is identical to mine. I don't know when they stopped making them like that factory, unless it was added by another owner

 

Based on a few clues, I'll guess between '64 and '69.

Look on top of the frame, passenger side, just above the rear spring hangar. There might be a serial number stamped on there. Might have to take a wire brush to it. Here's a fuzzy pic of what one looks like:

 

Its not a late 70 or 71 model as it has the rear K member for the PTO, it had an underseat fuel tank. The motor mounts look like stock units. Which would make this a 66-69 model possibly a very early 1970 model maybe the first few months of the year.

 

Yup, I think mcruff has it pegged down as close as you can get unless you find a serial number on the frame.

What body came with it?

 

Welcome, looks like agood start.

 

Thanks for the serial number clue. Unfortunately, there is not one there. I've scoured this frame with no luck.

 

It came with what looks like a late 60's body. It has the snorkel hole in the hood and the 60's style windshield. I will take pics and add it to my site.

 

Hey Trent, I just re-read my post and it may have been misleading. I meant to say that the serial number, if it's there, would be towards the front of the Jeep on top of the frame above the rear hanger of the FRONT passenger spring. It'd essentially be directly underneath the battery/firewall line. Hope ya didn't scour the top flange over the rear spring, lol. Sorry if there was any confusion. Hope to see pics!
-Alan

 

Well, I finally got some pics of the body. They are bad though. Check them out on http://ronisbargainbarn.bravehost.com
I appreciate everyones help. I really feel at home here. Does anyone have any horrors about purchasing parts through here?

 

The tub looks like a '70's tub because of the vent on the cowl in front of the windshield. The picture doesn't show the back of the tub, does it have a tailgate or the notches on the exterior side above the rear wheels? If it has a tailgate, but without the notches, I think it dates the tub around '74 or '75. My '69 has a newer tub on it. You might check the attachment points on the tub, measured against the frame, as mine don't match in several areas, and will have to be moved.

Jim

 

The parking lights look '69 and prior, but the pics are dark. Gotta get a flash there . Also nice job on storing the tub...I'm going to do that with mine when I need to have it out of the way! Looks like a Technics head unit on the dash....

 

Well, heres an update. I got the tub up on the frame finally. It has a brake and clutch pedal that goes through the floorboard. How do you mount the master cylinder? I just ordered a manual so maybe I won't sound so Jeep illiterate here shortly. Pics are on http://ronisbargainbarn.bravehost.com

 

Is there a way to date a frame from the serial #? Mine is titled a 59 from the cowl vin #, but the tranny is dated 12/22/54. The frame serial is 271 270

 

Hey, welcome to the club. First the master cylinder. If your going stock and plan to use the stock steering column and setup, your master cylinder will mount on the inside of the frame just forward of firewall inside the "C" channel. There should be holes already predrilled for it. If your not going stock, then S-10 Jimmys and Bronco II's have a good tilt steering with power brakes setup that fits with minor fabrication. As for the frame and body ID. Have to agree with the others on the late 60's notion. But as everyone knows, people swap out everything during their builds. As for the frame, measure it from front to back, and measure where the body mounts are if they look factory. For the body, measure across the windshield and the length of the fenders. Also the depth/setup of the inside of the grill.

As a side note to answer your question earlier, this is a great place for newcomers to get info and to pass along help. If you go back thru the threads, you will see that this website is about helping each other and not making money off each other. I am a newer member myself, and I have been surprised ever since I joined about how much help is out there. No one knows everything, but with a group like this, someone always knows what your looking for.