1948 Jeep Willys

Hey everyone, I recently acquired a 1948 Jeep that I am planning on restoring and making off road ready. I am really excited about this build and looking forward to seeing what I can turn it into. Here are a few pictures of what it currently looks like (Fenders, hood and windshield are there just not on the jeep at this time).






And here is what I am thinking:



Something like that is what I would like to do. I plan on getting a custom cage built that incorporates the seat mounts as well and relocate the gas tank to the rear. No rear seat, but a shelf for a cooler and jerry cans and the spare will be mounted as it is now but centered. I wasn't planning on stretching the frame or anything like many do with these jeeps, but I plan on fitting some 35" super swampers and a nice wheel and then as far as suspension goes, I am either going to go with new leaves that offer 4" of lift all the way around with a new shock, or have some mounts fabricated for coilovers on all four corners. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated! Will update as I go, but for now I am waiting on it being delivered to my house

 

If anyone knows anything about these and can offer some insight into a few things I would really appreciate it. I am looking to get new axles for it first so it can handle a bigger tire. I was thinking Dana 44s. Can I just get them off of any old truck and put them on, and if so, will they need any modification? Thanks

 

cool project, enjoy!

p.s. it looks like you caught some dude pissin in one of the photos

 

The pictures were sent from a friend since the jeep is up north. I was going to edit that out but thought it was more interesting than a rusty old jeep

 

It is going to be a lot of fun, just a slow build because I have three other projects going on at the same time, and the tacoma is never ending, but I am looking forward to getting started on it soon!

 

Awesome find! That is gonna b a fun build for sure. !

 

Haha I knew would hear the word Jeep and be here sooner or later

 

LMAO!

 

That looks like a CJ-2A, and not a military (MB), specially if you are sure of the year.

So, a restoration to have it look like a military would be wrong, IMO.



1948 Jeep (Willys-Overland) CJ-2A forum: http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f8/1948-willys-cj2a-399271/

Have you seen the Jeep CJ-3A web site with detail on all Jeeps from 1940 on?

http://www.cj3apage.com/index/Jeep Rescue.htm

1948 CJ-2A:
https://www.google.com/search?q=CJ-3A&rlz=1C1ASAD_enUS491US491&aq=f&oq=CJ-3A&aqs=chrome.0.57j0l3.5632&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#hl=en&rlz=1C1ASAD_enUS491US491&sclient=psy-ab&q=1948+jeep+cj2a&oq=1948+cj2a&gs_l=serp.1.0.0i7l2j0.22993.23982.0.27483.2.2.0.0.0.0.128.234.0j2.2.0.epsugrccgaiagame..0.0...1.1.7.psy-ab.-Kl6CVZO6fY&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.44158598,d.cGE&fp=a91f4ddc9a370236&biw=1024&bih=673

 

I have no intention of making it look like a military jeep, I just like the way that one sits as well as the wheel and tire size. Sorry should have mentioned that. You are right, it is a cj2a! Thanks for the links

 

Nice project. Looking forward to seeing how it turns out!

 

David, I have looked at quite a few sites, but I did not see the c3ja website...thanks for that. The one that I have been looking at is Pirate4x4. There are some amazing builds over there!

 

Best of luck and keep us posted!

 

Nice fine ,,,Ive been looking for one of these for 10 years All rust buckets or big $$ for anything nice.

 

Looking into it, it seems the majority of them start out as rust buckets, but what some people do to them is amazing! Just hope mine turns out as good. That pickup would be nice!

 

Been thinking about a v8 swap. Currently it has a 4cyl Nova motor in it. Anyone have any thoughts on a motor and transmission that will work for it?? Any help is greatly appreciated

 

My buddy has a willys and uses it for plowing the driveway . Other than that , the darn thing sits all summer . Its original . I did the clutch for him 15 years ago but there were issues with the transfer case and transmission . I had a very tough time finding parts back then and I owned a trans shop . It would be a great parts vehicle if you are interested . If you are planning a 1 up restoration , why not go with chevy 350 motor , 350 transmission and 205 transfer case . Prolly be the cheapest and easiest to find parts for

 

The 350 is what I have been thinking too! Where is your friends Jeep located and what sort of price would we be talking? I am interested. At this time I am looking for a hood and windshield as the ones that I have need more work than I thought and I am really close to just purchasing brand new ones. What sort of condition is the body in?

 

Hmm . think the shipping alone would kill the deal . You are in Phoenix and he is deep in Canada . Keep me on the backburner cuz I beleive he also has a spare Willys for parts