A Willys CJ-2A Restored and Ready for “Jeep Days”

~ Sent to us by Daniel Spencer

My wife and I live in Lycoming County, northern Pennsylvania, a mountainous and scenic area. During the summer months, flotillas of motorcycles frequently tour our area. One summer day I told my wife we should get a bike and join one of these groups. She was not very keen on this idea since she owned a motorcycle growing up in Colombia and had some bad experiences.
 
A moment later I blurted out, “Well, how about a Jeep”? She paused a moment, then smiled and said that would be great. “We could bring the dogs and, you need a hobby”.
 
I have always admired Jeeps since I was kid, and looked into them a bit, but never had the opportunity until that moment. Soon the Jeep bug bit me, and bit hard. I began sorting through used car listings and researching various models, starting with newer Jeeps and slowly progressing to older and older versions. Then I came upon the Willys and instantly knew they were for me. It was like reuniting with friends from high school that I had not seen in 45 years. I was hooked!
 
The deeper I dug, the more enamored I became with flat fenders, flat heads, 6-volt systems, and their simplicity. During my searches I came across Kaiser Willys and Walcks web sites. Since parts seemed readily available (well, worm and steering tubes not withstanding), my concerns for spare parts were satisfied. I located a 1946 CJ-2A that was mostly complete, running … sort of … and had a title. After a few emails, an inspection, some paperwork and insurance card, she was on her way to me.
 
Once she arrived, my “hobby” started. The carb was leaking fuel one inch deep into the intake manifold, the front brakes were fossilized and had the wrong size shoes installed, no emergency brake, the radiator was overheating, the steering wheel turned 180 degrees before engaging the sector shaft, the front differential fill plug was seized onto the cover, the differential pinion seal on the rear axle was completely worn and leaked gear oil like a sieve, there was no return spring on the clutch pedal, the exhaust pipe clattered against the master brake cylinder bracket, the wiring was original and bare wires were exposed everywhere.

In short, she was perfect!

I wasted no time getting to work. As luck would have it, my next-door neighbor Jeff is a Jeep guy (from Texas) and offered very useful advice. That advice, along with excellent service and advice from Mike, Mike, Jason and rest of the Kaiser Willys crew helped me get my little CJ2A back on the road. Soon, I had a Solex carburetor in place while the Carter carb is being rebuilt. I replaced all the brake tubes, hoses, S-tubes, brake shoes and wheel cylinders in the front axle. The front differential plug was removed and all the fluids were exchanged. I found a replacement steering worm and tube, new wiring from stem to stern. Still working on a few items such as the radiator and exhaust manifold and exhaust system. The engine doesn’t smoke (yet), the transmission / transfer case, axles, Warn Overdrive, column shift all are working fine. That’s all part of the hobby.

Now my CJ-2A runs like a top and I’m getting about 15-16 mpg.

I call my CJ2A “Pumpkin”. Why? Dunno. But when she’s struggling up a long steep hill I rub the dashboard and encourage her by saying – “C’mon Punkin, you can do it”. We take her on drives around the countryside whenever we can. On one 50-mile drive, we came across a covered bridge in Lycoming County (where this picture was taken). When we need air conditioning, we simply pop open the windshield. In the future, maybe we’ll install a summer top. Maybe not, we’ll see. Even though we feel every bump and pothole in the road, traveling along at 35 or 40 mph in an open body Willys is great fun, and we look forward to “Jeep Days” whenever schedule (and weather) permits. Along the way, people really seem to appreciate the old Willys. We get a lot of waves and thumbs up from others when out on a drive or stops at restaurants. Hopefully this will inspire others to fix up their old Willys and join us on the road.

…and bring your dogs… dogs love Willys too!

- Best regards, Dan Spencer

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