I bought a ’48 Willys CJ-2A in the late 80’s for use on our orchard in Boyertown, PA. After a moderate body off restoration, I used it in the orchard for general running around and to hold an air compressor for pruning. My brothers and sisters all beat around the 100-acre orchard having fun learning manual transmission and having fun. After building a house on top of the property, with a ½ mile driveway, I mounted a snow plow with manual hydraulic pump. Obviously, it is cold, so I bought a Bestop top with doors. Even got the heater to work. We ended the orchard production in 2002 and the CJ-2A sat in our barn for over 15 years.
our intention is more country roads than gravel pits)
Fast forward to 2019. My son David is attending Embry-Riddle in Daytona, Florida. Being next door to the Speedway, David found interest in cars and desired to learn as much as he could about the mechanics of cars. He wanted to learn manual transmission, so I figured the Willys might be the place to learn. So, as a Summer project, we pulled the Willys out of the barn and got it to run. Not too hard, I had done a full motor restoration early in its life on the farm. First order of business was to put new tires all around. I never put new tires on, so who knows how old they were, but dry rot had taken its toll. Now with new tires we could get it rolling. Upon the first start, we found the fuel float was sticking and it sprayed fuel all around. Lesson One, rebuild the carburetor.
As I got it rolling down the drive, I pumped the brakes and found not so much. So, we began a brake job. We quickly determined all the cylinders were corroded and leaking. Kaiser Willys Auto Parts provided us with everything we needed. A complete replacement of the brake system was accomplished. We added new shocks to try and get it to sit straight. I had replaced the leaf springs earlier. Needless to say, we were eligible for a lot of free shipping and Mike at Kaiser Willys filled many orders which we had within 2-3 days each. A great supply house and we got a lot of good information from their website and catalog.
David replaced the foam in the seats so this old man could be comfortable. Then came the gas tank. Mothball rule number one, drain the fuel, was not followed when I put it away and the fuel was bad. We drained it and decided to acid wash. Wow, it worked great – except for the pin hole we created and found pretty soon after we reinstalled it. I could have soldered it, but figured there would be more to follow so we opted for a new tank.
We power washed it to get layers of old grease off. The 30-year-old paint did not look that bad, so we decided that would be left for Phase II. Right now, we have fun driving it on country roads. David’s girlfriend Abbey has a ’17 Jeep. We take them on Off road parks abound in our area and they have fun.
70 years difference, but much is still the same.
Willys Jeep Life Story – Greg Unger
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Great story about the ICONIC 2A.
Great story about the ICONIC 2A.
Great job,,looks just like mine that I’ve had for 50 years, mine is barn stored and a renters kid stole a perfect tail gate and seats,, registration tab off the fire wall and even had the guts to say he got scared and threw in in a dumpster..Now have the replacements parts,,although not new well look great when I do a complete restoration on it..
Did you fix any rust or redue the body??
Great job and article
Great job,,looks just like mine that I’ve had for 50 years, mine is barn stored and a renters kid stole a perfect tail gate and seats,, registration tab off the fire wall and even had the guts to say he got scared and threw in in a dumpster..Now have the replacements parts,,although not new well look great when I do a complete restoration on it..
Did you fix any rust or redue the body??
Great job and article
Very nice. Dave has discovered that Old Jeeps are Chick Magnets!
Very nice. Dave has discovered that Old Jeeps are Chick Magnets!
Great looking Jeep. I also have a 1948 CJ2A.
Put new tires, wheels, shocks & brakes on it this summer.
Great looking Jeep. I also have a 1948 CJ2A.
Put new tires, wheels, shocks & brakes on it this summer.
Great life event and lessons for an entry family and that’s the best part. Your jeep is nice as is I would never paint it just clear over it’s history. Maybe every dent or scratch as a memory.
Great life event and lessons for an entry family and that’s the best part. Your jeep is nice as is I would never paint it just clear over it’s history. Maybe every dent or scratch as a memory.
“We take them on Off road parks abound in our area and they have fun.” I’m also in SE PA, what offroad parks are you referring? I only know of two. If you ever want to go wheeling, hit me up 🙂
“We take them on Off road parks abound in our area and they have fun.” I’m also in SE PA, what offroad parks are you referring? I only know of two. If you ever want to go wheeling, hit me up 🙂
Tengo un Jeep Willys 64 llevo 3 años restaurando lo.
Tengo un Jeep Willys 64 llevo 3 años restaurando lo.
I would like to suggest that when you store a vehicle like that you use synthetic brake fluid as it does not tend to clump up like the petroleum fluids. Also if you want to put the arch back in the springs it is time consuming, but if you disassemble them and lay each leaf over a piece of 6″ channel iron, hit it with a sledge hammer avoiding the canter bolt hole you will put the arch back into them. You really should not need new springs if the existing ones are not cracked or broken. Always be sure to adjust the brake eccentrics in the correct and spacing. While they usually are 9x 1 3/4″drum brakes they will do the job.
Dave & Sasha.
Greetings and congratulations on your dedication to your legend vehicle and your excellent work! When I was three I was with my parents when they bought our 1946 CJ-2A and I am still driving it!! I’m 81 and falling apart but the dogs and I manage to get in “Jeep” and in nice weather have fantastic outings and there is no top so I make sure the weather is right for me. Jeep is totally stock with the original engine and still 6 Volts. My Mother taught me to drive in it and I taught my son to drive in it so there is a lot family history. Failing health is giving me a rough go, but I intend to get some old photos together and submit them as you have done.
Again, congratulations with your upkeep of your Jeep and thanks so much for keeping it stock.
Joe Stokes, Idaho Falls, Idaho
Very nice, the body looks fine, actually great if the body has no really bad issues, rust wise or braces rusting through or gaping holes, I wouldn’t change a thing.
SO FAR I HAVE REBUILT THE FRAME, AXELS, BRAKE LINES, ITS LITERALLY A NEW ROLLING CHASSY. IM ON THE TRANSFER CASE NOW. MY BODY IS REALLY ROUGH IT WAS AN OLD FIRE JEEP CJ2A. I CANT WAIT TO GET TO WHERE YOUR AT NOW
great story, I bought a 45 Willys from my neighbor it had set under shelter for a long time he used to drive it on fishing trips was supposed to run but engine would not turn by hand, to get it moved to my house I had to remove the brake drums and free up the shoes that were stuck to the drums. When I get started, I will replace the brakes and most likely rebuild the engine I am going to do a frame off restoration but not change it from its original mechanical systems leave it stock. Hopefully I will have it done when I get started within a few years. It is a ford.
Nice effort. ERAU is a great aero school (Bias here)
Nice job bringing her back to life. All the important things are functional and safe. I like the original body and paint. I have a similar Jeep that has been in the family since 1972. I rode in it on an Elk hunting trip in 72. I was 20. Now I’m 72, own it and keep it at my cabin in Colorado. The grandkids love it!