;47 Willys CJ2A

[Mike S]

I have a 1947 Willys CJ2A - pretty much stock except it is sprung over, and has a Warn rear full floating kit and locking hubs all around for flat towing. I use it for bird hunting and pottering around trails in the back country.

I am considering two directions -- one is to return it to stock trim, except for the FF rear end and hubs, paint it, re-upholster, and call it good. This would be a classic old hunting Jeep.

The other direction is to put Saginaw steering, and maybe an engine and tranny with more grunt, leave the lift, set it up for high steer and perhaps power steering. This would be an old, more tricked out Jeep with more power.

What would you do?

 

[Mace]

I would make it a better driver.

You have already modified it.

Throw a V6 in it and hold on..

 

[2badfjs]

trick it mike.

sweet jeep.

 

[JJS]

Do the Buick odd-fire V6 with duals. More power and awesome sound. Of course, since it's a hunting rig, install quiet mufflers.

 

[knorrena]

If you are interested I have a few left overs from my heep. I have all the parts to do a disc brake conversion (front only). Includes outers, spindles, hubs, mc,..., everything but the rotors. Its already boxed and ready to ship.

Karl

 

[ar2stp48]

Considering the use you describe, I would say go the resto route. The old jeeps are a classic.

I have had a '50 CJ3A, '44 MB, and a '42 Ford.

 

[beaufort-fj60]

mike... just thought I'd add an old pic. That's my mother and uncle on my grandfathers shop truck.

 

[Mike S]

mike... just thought I'd add an old pic. That's my mother and uncle on my grandfathers shop truck.

Thanks for the ideas and advice, Thanks for the cool old picture.

I think I'm going to stay close to stock and do mostly functional mods. I will run 16" rims with old stle pizza cutter tires and put a safari style canvas roof on it. I'll replace the rusty bed, pound out some small dents, and paint it.

Damn thing is just too cool not to keep and drive around.

Mike S

 

[beaufort-fj60]

you're lucky to have one... I've been looking for a one is semi original shape.

 

[Fast Eddy]

I think I'm going to stay close to stock

Damn thing is just too cool not to keep and drive around.

Good.

I learned to drive in this exact vehicle when I was 11. It's sitting in G'ma's garage. We have two of them, both one owner, 60 years old. One has 3-on-the-tree, one is on the floor.

I took a look at the other one last year with an eye to restoring it. It's pretty rough. It spent it's life as a farm vehicle and it shows. At least they both run.

What I remember most about them are the sounds of the flat 4 and the squeaky clutch.

 

[TheJackRabbit]

Since there are not that mamy of them around, I would leave it as stock as possible.

I face the same dilema with my 1942 Chevy truck. Do I keep the 235 or go with a small block V-8. It is tempting to have more power!

 

[phishincruisin]

I'm semi-restoring a '49 3A for my boss. Rebuilding the flat 4, sandblasting the body and doing a lot of rust work. I say make it stock. Thats the look we are going for and i think its a good one.

 

[066wally]

I vote for the stock look, upgrade to larger drum brakes in the rear and disks in the front, some sort of steering upgrade with either a manual or power saginaw setup.
I did the brake upgrade on my '52 M38A1 and wish I had done the steering upgrade also. Otherwise it is mostly stock.

 

[cbmontgo]

I had a '46 2A and a '53 3B high-hood. They are some really awesome little rigs. The Hurricane 4 is a stout yet simple little motor.

 

[cruiser88]

stock

 

[tlcruiser66]

Stock, not a fan of heeps but, just can't stand to see something that old hacked up.

Kevin

 

[Spud]

Stock...It will still be capable of doing what you are doing with it and less work for you.

Find another something to build for power.