Restoring a Willys Jeep is not for the faint of heart. My dad bought the 1946 CJ-2A in 1968 for our cabin in Montana. We climbed hills, hunted and logged in this little beastie. It was a toy for every grandchild that rode in it whether the ride was for real or imagined. I personally wanted to make it into my own Barbie Jeep with pink paint and striped Surrey top. Dad rarely did mechanical repairs on it and he eventually stopped driving it. The breaks were so bad that he had to gear down and let it roll into a tree to stop. Needless to say, we did not repair the bumper as those dents represented his breaking system. He took the passenger side seat out to make more room for the huge logs that he would cut down for firewood and haul back to the cabin. The last license registration was in 1973 and it had a listed value of “50 cents.” The last time it was driven is unknown but over time it settled into the mud and almost became part of the forest.
Years later dad gave the Jeep to my 15-year-old son. We knew nothing about restoring a Jeep. After 5 years, 3 mechanics, many orders/calls to the Kaiser Willy website, numerous new and used parts, a transmission overhaul, an engine rebuild and paint, we completed the job. We could have bought a new Jeep for what it cost. We replaced some things and left other things as they were when dad was alive. We lament that we did not start with qualified mechanics as several “repairs” needed to be redone after the first two. The engine mechanic (a genuine expert) said the engine had one military date stamp from a previous rebuild at a military base. He wondered the history of the Jeep as the engine contained a Russian tractor part. This Jeep is a patch work of Americana. This 1946 CJ-2A is a mixture of military and civilian parts. The engine is 1945, the tub a 1946 and the frame is parts of a 1947.
Lessons learned: Read your manuals, watch repair videos on Kaiser website, do some work yourself if you have lots of time or get a skilled mechanic. Keep records, pictures, plates, find your identification plaques early and have lots of money. We loved it then and now. I’m sure dad is looking down from heaven either very proud of us or thinks we were crazy. Getting it licensed in the state of Colorado was a mountain to climb. It now proudly is driven with new Colorado plates and turns many heads with interest and admiration.
Willys Jeep Life Story – Douglas Marcia Ward
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The jeep looks great online and even better in person! Matt sure has a blast bombing around Colorado and its always entertaining to see a pic of him enjoying it. Y’all did a great job on the rebuild and I’m glad y’all took the plunge to resore this bit of americana!
I have a CJ2A that I purchased in 1967 for $200. It has been through the mill in upstate NY as a woods vehicle. The brakes need a complete overhaul. Engine is out of a 1942 army generator that fit in with little effort. I have a second engine stored away as a spare. I converted it to 12V for ease of cranking. It is still my favorite vehicle. Goes anywhere and hauls tons of wood. Be careful driving over a sapling. On one occasion the small tree spun out the oil drain plug and dumped all of the oil on the ground. I followed the oil trail back and found the plug. Any comments to hdmnjsp@yahoo.com
Gratuliere für den wunderschön restaurierte Jeep CJ 2 A eine Perle wird mir ganz warm ums Herz.
Mein Grosvater hat im Jahre 1946 den ersten Jeep CJ 2 A in der Schweiz für die Bauunternehmung erworben ,
welcher über 20 Jahre harte Bautransporte auf Naturstrassen im Gebirge eine enorme Leistung gebracht hat.
Ich habe einen MB 44 Kriegsjeep total restauriert welcher am 06.06 .1944 US Army Nomandie in Europa gelandet ist und am 2 Weltkrieg zur Befreiung Europa gute Arbeit geleistet hat.
Ich würde gerne einige Bilder zustellen sofern ich eine Mail Adresse habe. Mit den besten Grüssen aus der Schweiz. Giacomo
The Surrey look would have been cute but ALL Surreys are two wheel drive . Good job though.
Great story and photos.
You can’t put a price on sentiment. Here’s hoping all the looks & admiration you get is enough compensation.
Very nice job! A family heirloom to be passed down!
Gratuliere für den wunderschön restaurierte Jeep CJ 2 A eine Perle wird mir ganz warm ums Herz. Mein
Grosvater hat im Jahre 1946 den ersten Jeep CJ 2 A in der Schweiz für die Bauunternehmung erworben ,
welcher über 20 Jahre harte Bautransporte auf Naturstrassen im Gebirge eine enorme Leistung gebracht hat.
Ich habe einen MB 44 Kriegsjeep total restauriert welcher am 06.06 .1944 in der Romandie in Europa gelandet ist und am 2 Weltkrieg zur Befreiung Europa gute Arbeit geleistet hat.
Ich würde gerne einige Bilder zustellen sofern ich eine Mail Adresse habe. Mit den besten Grüssen aus der Schweiz. Giacomo WW CALONDER COM
Thank you for your kind comments. Your are right, it was worth money in the end. But the mistakes were the costly lessons. I suppose there will be even more repairs, upgrades and mountain top rides for our family in the jeep. I am going to have a sign made for it: ” ACTION FIGURES NOT INCLUDED” with a little toy green army guy on it if I can.
This should be required reading for anyone who is starting out on a Jeep adventure,
You were correct: “We could have bought a new Jeep for what it cost. ” … but there comes a point where it is not about money any more.
It’s about family and history, stories about this and that.
Great Job!
A good restoration job on the ‘2A! there was a set procedure and direction for adjusting the 9x 1 3/4″ brakes. If you wanted to boost them you could add a hydravac vacuum over brake booster from early Chryslers or fords. Being from Colorado you should know about red cone mountain or the black bear road. It can be a long ride to get there, but the scenery is miraculous. I have seen these places several times with my V-6’2A.
Dave
You guys did a fantastic job, even with the high cost of restoring, you have something money can’t buy. Great going, not many families could stick together for five year project.
Best to you,
Squeaky & Diane Cappel
She’s a beauty! Hope it is also passed down through your family as it was!
Very fine job on the restoration! I’m sure he’s looking down on it and is quite
pleased at the loving care that was given to the little buggy that brought so much
joy to your family! —–Dave in New London,Ohio
One thing I have learned with my M38A1 is, if you don’t have a competent mechanic locally, send your vehicle to someone with experience in restoring military or classic vehicles. I wasted a lot of money locally, then shipped my jeep to a competent restores for a paint job and other repairs that were beyond my ability to perform. It is worth the shipping expense. Nice job on your restoration.
Great Job!!!!
Your jeep looks awesome and your color scheme is just like my 1951 Willys. I wish there was a way to attach a picture of mine so I could send it to you.