This ‘48 CJ-2A is our son, Campbell’s senior high school “May Project”. We live in Chicago near U of Chicago. His school finishes classes for seniors in early May and they are expected to work on a project that month. Campbell said he wanted to “build a car”.
I am a reasonable backyard mechanic, vintage mustangs is my thing. We have a lift in our garage and the tools. I figured an old CJ is a simple vehicle with plenty of spare parts available. Thanks to you. You guys have been great. Great parts, shipping and support. So we purchased this mostly complete fiberglass body non-running Jeep in Ohio and had it shipped to us.
Campbell has:
- Straightened out the wiring, not a simple task in an old Jeep with an old fiberglass body.
- Got the engine running, new distributor, points, spark plugs, wires, fuel pump
- Complete new brakes, master cylinder, lines, hose, wheel cylinders, shoes, eccentrics.
We hope to take the Jeep up to our summer place in Michigan for short runs to town and the beach. We are close to having accomplished that goal.
Willys Jeep Life Story – Campbell Phalen
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Guys thanks for all the nice comments.
John,
You may very well be right, this Jeep could be a ‘49. With a fiberglass body and no serial numbers to be found on the frame or block, the vintage is a little undetermined. The fiberglass body is stamped 40002 CJ2a. And the bill of sale says 1948. So we are going with that. We just got an Illinois title and plates which all I really care about.
Larry,
The hydraulic device is the pump and control for the snow plow. Who knows if it works? We didn’t want to pay to ship the plow which was disconnected. So that stayed behind in Ohio. We just cut off the belt and left everything else in place.
Still trying to get the brakes tightened up. Bled several times but pedal still too soft. Guessing eccentrics need a little tightening.
Take Care
Steve
Very nice Jeep. It’s great to see young folks with enough “gumption” to try a project like this!
But, I’ve gotta ask … what is the hydraulic thingy with the control rod through the dash?
The next time you redo the front wheels Chicago rawhide makes an industrial seal part# 21096. It is a double rubber lipped spring loaded seal that is much suoerior to the original equipment.
Dave
Looks like lots of fun with the jeep in your future! Good Luck! Be Safe! Happy Jeeping!
This is a great jeep, what an accomplishment, I hope you keep it forever!
Love those before and after photos. With the headlight and windshield styles, your Jeep looks like a CJ-3. My first “car” was a 1949 CJ-3. Yours is a dead ringer.