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CJ5 Body, running gear on CJ2a Frame?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by freepowder, Nov 8, 2007.

  1. Nov 8, 2007
    freepowder

    freepowder New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2007
    Messages:
    3
    Ok, I have a '47 CJ2A frame with what looks like pretty trashed running gear and engine and CJ 5 Tub mounted on it. I also have a '59 CJ5 with a badly bent frame and tub but servicable running gear.

    Will the CJ5 engine, tranny, t-case and axles, fenders and grill all bolt on to the 2A frame without undue stress, hate and discontent?

    Is the frame and running gear worth anything alone? I've seen some old threads that say no, but how about in today's market? It appears to be be straight and functional.

    Thanks
     
  2. Nov 9, 2007
    dunedog71

    dunedog71 Flat Fenders Forever

    Centreville Michigan
    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2007
    Messages:
    22
    The 2A frame is 3 inches shorter in the rear and I think 4 inches longer in the front. Fronts not a problem but the rear may. I'm doing the same thing in reverse, a 1947 CJ-2A body on a 1955 CJ-5 frame. Jeepfreak has done it too and tells me the rear is not a problem but you should take some careful measurements first. I'm planing on making the rear of mine look like the bumper on a newer jeep XJ, YJ, whatever they call them and mounting a spare tire carrier to it so it won't look out of place.
    Any thing is possible if your a good fabricator.
    Jeff
     
  3. Nov 9, 2007
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    Yes, the CJ-5 body/frame is longer than the flat fenders, and I think you'd have to do a lot of work to make it fit. The usual approach is to put the flat-fendered body on a CJ-5 frame. There's an article on the CJ-3B page about this. http://www.film.queensu.ca/CJ3B/Tech/FrameCJ5.html CJ-5 frames are more available because the CJ-5 is newer/less desirable than any of the flat fender Jeeps.

    If you have a nice 2A chassis, I'd suggest you bite the bullet and buy a repro tub, or fix up a rusty 2A tub, or search for a good 2A tub in the souhwest. Or sell the 2A chassis and look for a CJ-5 donor.

    It's helpful to put your location in your sig or header.

    hth!
     
  4. Nov 10, 2007
    dunedog71

    dunedog71 Flat Fenders Forever

    Centreville Michigan
    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2007
    Messages:
    22
    If you live in rust country and your frame is in good condition you should have no problem selling it or trading it for a CJ-5 Frame.
    Jeff
     
  5. Nov 10, 2007
    Sledgehammer

    Sledgehammer Sure, I'll try it

    Ellery, Il
    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2006
    Messages:
    341
    I'm not questioning anyone else's post but my best friend and I put a 47' 2A body on a 69' CJ5 frame and all the body bolts dropped into the factory holes on the 5 frame. I would never have believed it without seeing it.
     
  6. Nov 10, 2007
    jd7

    jd7 Sponsor

    Nacogdoches,Texas
    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2004
    Messages:
    1,745
    I've put a early body on a later frame a coupla time things align up amazingly well as I have said here before. You do have to do something in the back and the front frame rails are longer but nothing to difficult.
    Now I had a friend co the other way and put a M38 body on a 2A frame again nothing to difficult. The frame rails are too short in the back but I made somextentions out of a rusted twisted up frame that I had and he was able to use the stock rear crossmember. The front frame rails are shorter but not a real problem unless you want to put a winch on it. I think you'd even be able to convert to a saginaw systen if wanted. Once again the mounting holes line up amazingly well going either way. IIRC not all line up but just about all.....
     
  7. Nov 10, 2007
    jd7

    jd7 Sponsor

    Nacogdoches,Texas
    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2004
    Messages:
    1,745
    ....:rofl:meant to have typed M38A1 instead of M38 didn't catch until too long past edit time....
     
    Last edited: Nov 10, 2007
  8. Nov 10, 2007
    dunedog71

    dunedog71 Flat Fenders Forever

    Centreville Michigan
    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2007
    Messages:
    22
    I set the two frames side by side and measured the heck out of them, three inches on the rear, you can cut off two easy, and the front is no concern because the grill still sets in the original place. That is if your putting a flat fendered body on a CJ-5 frame.
    Jeff
     
  9. Nov 10, 2007
    jeepfreak81

    jeepfreak81 When in Doubt, Pedal out!

    Owosso, MI
    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2006
    Messages:
    690
    Sounds like he wants a CJ5 body on a 2A frame though. He will have to extend the rear frame rails probably and I would also venture a guess he would need to move the rear shackle mounts and run the longer CJ5 springs in the rear at the very least. The CJ5 has a 1" longer wheelbase.

    I am not positive what you would have to do up front, but moving mounts may be a possibility for the springs. Axles are direct swaps for one another, as is the t-case and tranny.

    What motor does the CJ5 have? F-head you will have to body lift/cut a hole in the hood/different carb or some combination of those. V6 will fit right in there if you do it right.

    The CJ2A frame is much lighter duty then the Cj5 frame. This is the reason I moved my 2A body over to the CJ5 frame -- that and it already had the V6 in it rather then swapping over all those mounts.

    FWIW My buddy just got about $250 (cash + parts+ for my old Cj2A frame I traded him, and I kept the Data tags. He also had cut all the mounts off I believe.

    Putting a flatty body on a CJ5 frame is a cakewalk. I didn't use the original mounts, but moved them to better work for what I was doing.
     
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