1947 CJ2a - bigdaddy's Jeep therapy

I've lurked and posted a bit around here long enough, I figured I should post up a real progress thread.

My rig is a 1947 Cj2a that I picked up here in socal. It's an AZ rig originally, and is covered in a nice patina of white, red and Yellow.

This is what she looked like the day I picked her up.



The original color is Michigan yellow, judging from the color under the ID tags in the engine compartment.

It came complete with a nice pair of front seats and I also got a center seat which I'm not convinced was a factory option. Aftermarket, or custom made, maybe?



Came with a factory L134, but its a boat anchor, so I scoured the interwebs for a replacement and stumbled upon a local, running f134 for a small bit of coin and snatched it up the next day.

I slung out the original motor, set it aside, did a complete clutch job with resurfaced flywheel, new clutch, pressure plate, throwout bearing, fork and clutch cable.

I also completely refreshed the fuel system with a new tank, sender, fuel lines and fresh fuel.

Fast forward to a week ago and she pulled herself out of my garage for the first time.



I have many, many little things to do including

-Plumbing and pressure testing original L134 radiator
-Finishing 12v conversion (alternator, new wiring, new light bulbs)
-installing disc brake conversion (very similar to Metcalf's setup)

-installing low-profile carb (1904/1908 falcon carb)
-finish up driver side motor mount to accommodate f-head mounting plate
-fab battery tie-down
-re-install tank tie-down
-refinish/repaint a bunch of small hardware pieces
-finish up custom throttle linkage.
-refresh all fluids
-re-pack all bearings and re-grease axle swivels
-etc, etc....haha. you know how it is.



Thanks for the wealth of data and discussion on this site. It's really helped clarify the direction I want to take my Jeep. This is definitely going to stay a CJ2a, but restomod is my focus. I want disc brakes, but I'm not willing to sacrifice the look of the stock rims, I want a 12v system, but you won't be able to see any modern equipment at a casual glance. I want LED lighting for trail use, but I'm going to tuck it up and out of the way, so it doesn't ruin the period look.

I have a background in theatre, so I'm used to using lies, deceit, and misdirection to hide modern tech to tell a time specific story. :)

Edited by bigdaddy13 - 20 June 2017 at 2:55pm

Thanks! And for sure, that is one benefit to the arid region we live in. Rust is not a huge factor.

Also, a lot of the mods the LRDG made to their rigs are somwwhat relevant in the socal deserts. "Yes dear, this purchase should be filed under safety-related". Yes, i know i already have 4 jerry cans...

mbullism wrote: Using only that information, I would have guessed political sciences  - consensus in a name is key, especially with daughters, -glad to see you didn't leave installing the bottle opener to the end, lol... put that sucker to work early, I say, -glad to hear you're not cutting the hood... Looking forward to following along... x2 on we in the northeast being jealous of sheet metal from certain other parts of the world

haha...yeah, that bottle opener was THE first mod I completed.

Yup, hood will be intact, though I understand I have to remove the seam above the carb itself, to make the air horn fit, but I figure I can just gently spot weld some reinforcement in that area.

Question: what do you think the grill is off to the right of my dash?

Unkamonkey wrote: I think it is a table speaker from an old Sebring juke box.

Ok, that's pretty cool. I'm not sure I know exactly what that is, though?

So it's a speaker, presumably for a radio system, but from a table-top jukebox? As in, one of those small jukeboxes that sat on a table a 50's diner?

Actually, it might be Seburg?

rocnroll wrote: Studebaker......

That certainly could be, I knew the S reminded me of something.

Will do! Thanks for the link.

Edited by bigdaddy13 - 11 Feb. 2017 at 3:42am

I like the patina look, but honestly, the ketchup and mustard look was always a bit too bright for me. I'm more interested in a muted look with highlights. I found a budget paint that mimics picket grey fairly well. I'm thinking of a deep red for the wheels with black brackets, tailgate chains and hood hold-downs.