'48 CJ2A #204853, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

I got my spare block back from the machine shop. Cleaned, shot blasted, resleeved back to original bore, crank ground (bearings and rods), hardened valve seats put in, all broken studs removed, 3 x helicoils inserted, block decked, head skimmed.... what else?

This is what I started with...

This is where I am at now...

Crank is in and bearing clearances checked with plastigauge. Happily all check out within spec. I still need to check the rods though...

On other fronts, my home-made seat covers are progressing well...

I'm planning on making zip-on pouches to hang down the front of the seat. Just somewhere to put wallet and cellphone and house keys, seeing as the Willys designers were a bit stingy with personal storage on these vehicles! I also hope to make bigger pouches to attach to the back of the seats too... more on that as the concept evolves...

And finally, photos from the guy doing my painting. Progress is slow, but at least there is progress!

Thanks for checking in! Lots of work still to do on the engine and upholstery, and pretty soon I'll be getting the bodywork back from painting to start the final assembly. Exciting stuff!

Mike

Just read your progress with the jeep. Well done glad you are doing the job properly.

I live just up the road from you and have a cj2a that I went through the same process as you but about 15 years ago.

How do you get on for spares now ? Are there more spares available in south Africa now?

There are a few things I need to purchase and at the moment a lot of the spares I need are not eligible for transfer to Zimbabwe because of sanctions ( can you believe it !) and also forex.

If you come this way drop me a line and maybe we can meet

Keith Humphrey

Harare Zimbabwe

E-mail

kaydeehumphrey@gmail.com

My painter is making good progress and has sent the first pics of Normandy Blue! This is super exciting for me... the first time the final colour has hit this body! Here is the underside of the hood.

The colour looks quite different without the camera flash...

I'm happy regardless - seeing Normandy Blue on this jeep for the first time is a big step forward!

I've also got the home made seat covers back from my friend who helped me make them. I think they look awesome for a home made effort with no pattern.

I still need to find the screw grommets to secure the rear cushion flap to frame, but i'm on it. Hopefully I will find somewhere local today at lunchtime and pic up a handful. The zippers will allow removal of the covers for washing if required. Here is the zipper at the front where I plan to have storage pouches made for wallet, keys, cellphone etc.

I don't have my jeep assembled to make the depth measurement, but this can be made up and easily zipped on later. 

My friend wanted to reinforce the canvas around the attaching holes through the wooden seat pan, and all she had in grey leather was elephant... no kidding! So the grommets are all made from elephant leather - I bet this is the only jeep in the world with elephant leather trim on the seat canvas 

The engine block is finally painted, so I don't have to worry about the block rusting in our humid summers.

Head too....

Man this project is hitting an exciting phase! Not long now before the final re-assembly beings.

Thanks for checking in. More progress as it happens!

Mike

 

...and comments like this keep ME motivated!

 

Thank you for the kind words.

That is going to crazy nice when you get it done....museum quality stuff right there...

congrats on the progress

MikeC

 

Yes, I am really looking forward to driving and using this jeep when it is finished. I still have some work to do in reassembly, but I kinda feel like I am on the home stretch now...

Here is the grill... looking pretty nice in my opinion!

I'm getting excited for the final product! The tub still has some ways to go (that's the cowl that the grill is resting on).

The painter says that he is finished with the windshield inner and outer frame and the grill, which means that if I pick those up I can get glass for the inner frame and assemble everything together, and get the headlight buckets in and start on the grill welting. Would it throw the grill welt pliers program out completely if they made a trip to South Africa? 

Not long to wait now for the fenders and tailgate and body. I really hope I can start the reassembly in the December holidays.