My 1946 CJ2A # J152298 Stealth Maggot

I am finally starting a build thread as today I officially joined the rolling chassis club. I disconnected everything and pulled the remains of the front clip of my body. I then pulled the grill. I spilled the Ross bearings when I opened the top of the steering box  
I think I am going to pull the drivetrain, and axels to flip the frame and get it into the shape I want it to be in. 
My master plan is not a restoration. This Jeep is just a fun vehicle. I plan on getting a MB-2A style tub from D&L Bensinger. I plan on reusing my original trashed fenders, hood, grill and CJ-3A windshield (with bullet hole).

Edited by bosshoff - 23 Jan. 2017 at 3:26pm

Looks like a great platform to start your adventure. Good luck and I'll be looking for progress photos.

Factory boxing? Please look at my rear inner frame rails. I know the picture is pretty busy. Ignore the C channel intermediate crossmember, and the lack of the rear crossmember and V bracket. I have been removing the horrible farmer boxing, and exposing the original frame underneath. Does this inner boxing look like it came from the factory?  I am trying to figure out what I have, and to get it back into some condition.  My current intention is to remove all of the bad bubba metal, and then have all of the welds redone.  If the boxing is messed up, I will probably replace it with a more appropriate gauge metal (11-12 gauge) than the 1/4-3/8" plate farmer bob the stick welder used.  Thanks.

Edited by bosshoff - 02 Feb. 2017 at 2:27pm

So my inner boxing of the rear frame looks to be original Willys factory boxing.  It is pretty mangled up.  I am going to have to decide whether I remove and replace it with new metal, or if I simply just reweld the top and bottoms front to back with nice new clean welds.

Thanks Wadoyado, exactly what I was looking for.

Wadoyado, I cut that home made cross member out.  No worries.  Mine will look just like yours when completed.

My brother bought a M38 with a clean title and there was no dash plates or a place on the frame with a number. I pointed out the place behind the passenger seat for the other plate that didn't match anything. It was time to walk away and just look up at the sky while you whistled.
My old MB had a matching frame number but no LEO ever crawled under there to check it out. I suspect that they didn't even know where it was.

Okay, I think I have figured out a few things. Walks lists the same V bracket for the MB, CJ2A-3A, etc. They mention that the part may need to be modified for use with a CJ-2A. I missed that little lovely, and frankly, that sucks.

It also looks like the boxing I have is factory. I was having my doubts, but remember, this is my only Willys. I have no other access to another to compare to, other than you guys.
   I am going to go ahead and attach the frame outrigger body brackets to the outside of the frame rails.

Back to the pintle V-bracket, how did YOU modify yours to work? I am replacing the intermediate crossmember (IC) also, so I am considering trimming away the frame boxing to insert the IC into the channel section of the rear frame. I may leave the V-bracket as is and also sandwich it into the channel section of the frame. Once in place, I can then always go back and replace the rear boxing.

You know, a lot of this would be easier if the parts I've ordered from various vendors wouldn't take two (2) weeks to process and ship.

Who knew I hated hole saws so much!  The first Lenox brand one i used drilled 4.5 holes throught the 3/16" plate before getting too dull to cut (2.0" diameter holes).  Then I went through two (2) milwaukee brand and one Kobalt brand, and they did not make it through the metal!  I gave up and dropped the plate off with a local tool and die buddy who will either drill or CNC the holes for me.  anyhow, here is where I am at.  The frame is cracked in the rear almost 100%.  The top strapping is in tack.  I moved the jack stands to in front of the leaf spring pivot, so the frame won't fold in.  I bolted the plate to the drivers side.  Once I get the passenger side back I will do the same.  Then off to the welder.  I think I will have him MIG the frame back together at the seam, and then I will install the plate I made, and have him weld the perimeter of the plate, as well as the lightning circles to really lock it up.  Here are some pics.


Edited by bosshoff - 28 Feb. 2017 at 3:39pm