My story started when I was 15 years old while at a family reunion. My great uncle gave me a ride in his CJ-3B on his ranch in Raton. The first thing he did was drive it up what seemed to me a near vertical hill and after my initial panic attack I knew I had to have one.
Fast forward 14 years during a family trip down to Pagosa Springs and I see this little shabby CJ-2A sitting on the corner of a camp site: no for sale sign, but it surely must have been since it was sitting diagonal on the very edge of the property as if it was being shown off. On the way back home I slowed way down and gawked at it while passing. After getting home I start Googling to find the camp site and eventually take ownership of this non-running 1946 CJ-2A for $750. I felt like I had won the lottery.
It needed LOTS of TLC: The floors were rotted out, no original seats, the frame was rotted, the starter blown: BUT it had a heart of gold. The block was good: no cracks, original bore with hardly any wear. Still running original sized pistons today.
After 8 years to the day of slow but steady work on this machine, with the help of a local Willys expert, (check out Homer’s Garage), and TONS of help form Kaiser Willys, my family and I set out on our first drive in old Rusty. He performed admirably as we cruised through the Garden of the Gods park, as I am sure so many of his kinfolk had done generations before.
Kaiser Willys Jeep Blog Story – David Krall
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I like when owners, (but who owns whom, really), find the personality in their Jeep. It gives the story more color. Anyway, I’m glad you saved this gallant little CJ. Any vehicle with a nice patina looks better with nice wheels and tires, and yours looks great. Of course I’m biased, I own a CJ-2A , called Clarence.
I like when owners, (but who owns whom, really), find the personality in their Jeep. It gives the story more color. Anyway, I’m glad you saved this gallant little CJ. Any vehicle with a nice patina looks better with nice wheels and tires, and yours looks great. Of course I’m biased, I own a CJ-2A , called Clarence.
now thats a real jeep
now thats a real jeep
That is so cool I found my 1951M 38 in Pagosa Springs cira 1993 it was covered in squirrel and rat poop.
I worked on it for a brief time and got it running then I was transferred back to Florida In 1994 had to have my m 38 go with me Today October 2020 I reside in Florida and Alabama and have a great winter project I have finished a considerable amount of restoration on the tub primed and painted still has a few nicks but that is OK I’m not a professional auto restore I can t even weld And at 81 I don’t want to go back to school and learn I am working on the frame and I am loving every minute of it enjoy your jeep and hope you love it as much as I love mine lol. Bill
That is so cool I found my 1951M 38 in Pagosa Springs cira 1993 it was covered in squirrel and rat poop.
I worked on it for a brief time and got it running then I was transferred back to Florida In 1994 had to have my m 38 go with me Today October 2020 I reside in Florida and Alabama and have a great winter project I have finished a considerable amount of restoration on the tub primed and painted still has a few nicks but that is OK I’m not a professional auto restore I can t even weld And at 81 I don’t want to go back to school and learn I am working on the frame and I am loving every minute of it enjoy your jeep and hope you love it as much as I love mine lol. Bill
How much did you put into getting that Jeep structurally and mechanically sound to drive?
How much did you put into getting that Jeep structurally and mechanically sound to drive?
My first jeep was a ‘2a. i have never had so much enjoyment with anything since. they were made to keep going, and that is why I am putting a new body tub on my CJ-7 Fiero Lobo. Dave Jones & Sasha.
My first jeep was a ‘2a. i have never had so much enjoyment with anything since. they were made to keep going, and that is why I am putting a new body tub on my CJ-7 Fiero Lobo. Dave Jones & Sasha.
I am 83. My first experience with a CJ 2A was about 1948 when my dad bought it to use on our ranch in Washington State. The CJ was used for many years and was replaced by jeep a pickup. The one we had looked like yours.
I am 83. My first experience with a CJ 2A was about 1948 when my dad bought it to use on our ranch in Washington State. The CJ was used for many years and was replaced by jeep a pickup. The one we had looked like yours.
Ah, Homer’s Garage. I’ve known Homer since he was 15. He just turned 50! Of course that’s not his real name. He’s a good guy and a great Jeep enthusiast and mechanic!
Ah, Homer’s Garage. I’ve known Homer since he was 15. He just turned 50! Of course that’s not his real name. He’s a good guy and a great Jeep enthusiast and mechanic!