I had a friend that inherited some property and invited us out to see if we wanted anything. While wrapping up, we found this 1946 Willys CJ-2A in it’s own room within one of the barns. Once unveiled I knew I had to have it. My son, David, and I are planning on restoring it to the best of our ability, and he has dreams of driving it to school one of these days. We’ve never welded, or completely dismantled a car before; however, we are jumping into this project full speed. We’ve owned the Jeep for about 5 months so far, and I expect to take the next several years restoring it.
Kaiser Willys Jeep Life – David Walk
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It looks as if this was originally posted in 2018. We are on pin and needles—did they start and finish restoring it.
Great find, hope all goes well, can’t wait to see more when you done.
I had a CJ 2A that I purchase from a friend who had a dealership, very small, had sold it new in 46 to a older gentleman, then the guy moved to NY state, passed away and son bought it back to Grand Rapids, MI, I had planned a ground up restoration , then a renters kid stole the Vin plate , seats, rear tail gate, air cleaner and all tags inside the body, when I found out his dad said he got scared and threw them away, ya right, any one ever find my original vin tag I’ll pay a reward. Some people are just bottom feeders, Vin number is CJ 2A 49309 and may run a national data base check now,.
I have a ’51 cj3a (more leg room) it is now finished and fun to drive. It has a v6 chevy engine and overdrive. Oh yes I also changed the windshield to 1948, I like the split window over the full windshield. Now to get started on my ’48 half cab. The body is straight but whoa lots of patina which I will leave alone, I plan on a stock new interior and a F head engine. I hope to finish in 2024.
SO COOL, i have a 46 and it’s a Blast to drive
So cool! Excellent find…and great Father/Son project. Carry on! 🙂
Congratulations, keep the flame going. Believe me, you’ll forever be talking about the restoration, take pictures and treasure it. A hundred years from now…grand kids will forget everything you own: but will remember that you build a JEEP. Keep it simple and make it run like a champ.
Joe Blas, Jeep 1 on Guam
‘What a great gift to him and project for the two of you. Love that Michigan Yellow, was hoping to see some pics of it finished and what color you choose . Learned to drive at 12 years old on a 46 2A, now have tow pickups, 48,53, two 2A’s a Jeepster and mail delivery I turned into a 2A dune buggy with a V-6 Buick and 400 auto trans in. You need to post a few pictures of you finished project please
Great father and son project! My son and I purchased a ’46 CJ2A in 2006 for $600 as a father/son project, he was 12 at the time. We had never restored or worked on a project like this. 6 years later and two weeks before he graduated high school, he drove it to school. It was one of his and mine most memorial days.
We adore our Willys.
I have been keeping it for him since he joined the USMC after college. He is now a Captain in the USMC and is being stationed on my side of the US coast and he will take possession of the Willys in a few months. I have no doubt he will keep it and pass it on to his son or daughter.
The restoration project was such a bonding for he and I, but more so us to the Willys. We feel like part of us is in this CJ2A.
I wish you much luck with you and your son’s project. Stick with it and you will never regret it. Semper Fi!
wow – a great find !
That is just awesome. It looks like it is all there too !!
Congrats! Taking it to the frame is the way to go. Good luck and happy wrench turning.
They are a blessing and a curse but the time spent with a friend or family member is priceless.
Every time I see my two-and-a-half year-old grandson’s face light up when we “ride jeep” as he says
makes every bloody knuckle worth it.
A truly great find, more importantly is that it will be a father and son project that both of you will take a
great deal of pride in upon completion. The kids in his high school will be green with envy….
You’re going to have a blast with you son restoring the Willys! It took me awhile to complete my CJ2a but taking your time and finishing up in stages is half the fun. Don’t forget you’re going have a lot of support when you need it from the Willys community. Good Adventure!
where could I purcase one like this??????????????????
Congratulation on your find. At first glance at the picture I thought it was the same year as my 43. My 43 has the fuel filler cap under the drivers seat. One of the main reasons I bought mine was to take my grandkids on rides and we have. ENJOY
Love it! I love my 2a. Inherited from my grand(papa). I have steadily been fixing what I can to keep it cruising. Got a historical plate this past year. And she rides in parades often. Flat 4 – for life
My first Jeep was a 2-A, and while they were not fast on the road they always ran. Simply built and reliable!
Dave Jones
Congrats on your find!!!
Some of the earlier comments on photos and baggies are so true. I have had a blast restoring our CJ-2A and can’t wait until it is done, but on the other hand, I am (what my wife calls me – a profectionist) have been taking my time to ensure everything is perfect so that the jeep will be around 70 – 80 years…. Our grandkids are already saying they want it when they grow up… lol.
Enjoy your project, it will be a rewarding one!!! ?
Great find! Take lots and lots of photos before and during disassembly—more than you think from every angle. You will want the history and the record of how it goes back together. Use lots of zip-lock bags and label carefully, especially nuts and bolts. Trust me, you won’t remember where they came from or where they should go unless you bag them carefully! Best of luck to you!
Greetings and congratulations on your find! It appears your Jeep was originally Michigan yellow as is ours. My situation is rather different in that I was with my parents when the bought our 1946 CJ and I still drive it, though carefully, as it earned its keep long ago. My Papa was a country doctor in southern Missouri and many of the roads didn’t even have gravel on them so the Jeep did what he needed.
You’ve chosen the right place for parts and advice and it sure will be good to see your progress.
Best of luck, The Stokes family of Idaho Falls, Idaho