In the summer 2006, I was a 15 year old high school sophomore itching to get my first Willys Jeep. I quickly purchased a basket case 1946 CJ2A I found in central Pennsylvania. Looking back now, it really wasn’t the smartest purchase I could have made. The engine was missing and the body had been almost totally consumed by rust. It did, however have a good chassis and a clear title. My goal was to restore the vehicle to factory-new condition. A few months later, I purchased a second 1946 CJ2A for the engine and some body parts.
With some help from my dad, who is an auto mechanic, I quickly tore the first Jeep down to the bare frame. After some hole patching, sandblasting, and paint, I had a nice foundation for my restoration. Next, I tackled the Jeep’s mechanical systems. Each component was cleaned, rebuilt, painted and installed on the chassis. The wheels were repainted the original Autumn Yellow and mounted on new NDTs. By the summer of 2008, I had assembled a complete running chassis.
The next step was the body work. I had 2 original body tubs in my possession, but neither was a candidate for restoration. One had rusted away and the other had suffered a major collision damage in the rear. I purchased a third original tub, but it turned out that it needed more work than I had thought. Although I had wanted an original tub on my Jeep, the third tub was the final straw. So, I ordered a reproduction body tub and spent many weeks fine-tuning it by drilling many holes and welding on a number of brackets. I also did body work on the rest of the original body components. A local body shop then painted the body parts in the original Pasture Green. This was the only work I didn’t do myself. In April 2009, I placed the freshly painted body on the frame. Then I started adding the gauges, reupholstered seats, wiring, and other small parts. The Jeep was basically done in May 2009, just in time to drive to my high school graduation. I think probably the worst part of the 3 year restoration was the sandblasting. I sandblasted each part myself using a small 10 gallon sandblaster my grandparents gave me for Christmas one year. It was a dirty time-consuming job that I don’t care to do again for a long time.
I enjoy driving my Jeep when I am home for college and am still working on it. It is a blast to drive whether going to a car show or driving downtown to run errands. I finally have almost all of the bugs worked out of it. It is now a very dependable driver even with the original 6 volt electrical system. I most recently added a rear seat and the Pasture Green wheel pinstriping. Next, I would like to add an original canvas top. I credit the Jeep restoration with introducing me to mechanical engineering, which I now study at Carnegie Mellon University. Of course none of this would have been possible without all of the help I got from the friendly, knowledgeable guys on the CJ2A Page message board.
Thank you Brandon, for sharing this story with our Willys community!
– Kaiser Willys Blog Editor
If you are looking for, Willys Jeep Parts, Willys replacement parts, Willys body parts and much more for your 1941-1971 Willys vehicle, you have come to the right place! Don’t forget to check out our sister site, LiveOffroad, an online site dedicated to offering the lowest prices on parts and accessories for 1976+Up CJ & Wrangler! Live Well. Offroad Better.
I love the color on this jeep. Is this Pasture green?
Could you please provide the paint code that used.
I am looking at painting my jeep this color.
the brackets on the windshield are to hold some of the canopy bars when not in use…. other canopy bars fit on brackets on the outside of the body.
I have a Ford probable 1945 model in India. Is it possible to ship it to North America. What papers would be required to import it
Nice looking restore. I have the same jeep with early 46 numbers,same color rims and all. Congrats LOUIE
Great job. Just one question, what are the brackets on the windshield for. I have them on my jeep but have no idea what for.
Fantastic job! It takes me back to when I was 16. A neighbor ran a country store and had a yellow CJ2A like yours. He lost his license and asked me to deliver groceries after school! I literally fell into a part time job without asking for it! Its been a lifelong love for Jeeps ever after !
Great job. It took me 3 years to do the same thing with a 51 cj3a. I was able to save the body only took both drivers and pass floor boards, fender, quarter panel. With some patches here and there. But all worth it. Take the advice of all the people telling you not to ever sell it. You can never replace something like that.
Congrats on a very nice restoration. I have a ’48 CJ2A that I plan to ship overseas with me. Does anyone know about the size of front brakedrums and replacement front wheel cylenders,as the manual says 8″ and mine has clearly 11″.Before I order parts,I wonder if the whole axle is a later model,as I want to ship some other (steering) parts too. Thanks
Great job.
And between this post, and the Hemmings article you obviously have talent at promotion as well. That as much as your mechanical and other aptitudes will serve you well. Best of luck with your future endeavours.
Mike
I got a 48 Willys Jeepster, its like new. all orginal….(restored) 4 cly flathead, 3 speed.. Nice toy. (traded a 50 Chevy pick up even for it) I live in Fla and get to drive it year around and get thunbs up all the time. top speed is about 50mph…but what the hell, its all “city” driving here…if I want to go faster, I drive my 51 Packard…if I want to go faster then that, I drive my 31 Ply street rod…
Very nice job. Iam restoring a ’46 also. It’s down to the bare frame. And the body is in the paint shop.
Take Tom’s advice to heart. Keep the 2A and pass it down to your future grandson. I just passed my ’76
cj7 on to mine. I owned it for 32 years, he loves it.
Very Nice, I am in th process of doing the same thing to a CJ2A my dad bought when I was 12 I;m 59 now when I’m finnished I know my Dad would be proud, Thanks to Mike at kaiser for all the help so far.
Great Job!!! Love the color choice. Your story is very similiar to mine, however, I restored a 1948 Jeep Truck that my Dad bought me when I was 15…. that was many years ago, and I regretably sold it about 10 years ago. I now have an 8 year old son that is beginning to show signs of interest in old jeeps, and when his turn comes, I hope to give him the same oppertunity that my Dad gave me. There is no better way to learn than getting your hands dirty!!!! GREAT JOB!!!!
Nice Job. Too nice to enjoy thrashing a bit off-road!
Congratulations and Like Mason says….Don’t relent to pressure to sell.
Great work, beautiful Jeep. Now – one of these days you will get married and after a few years of not driving the Jeep your wife will want to get rid of the clutter in the garage, namely the Jeep because you don’t drive it. DON’T DO IT! This kind of story has been repeated a million times by guy’s who later DEEPLY regret getting rid of a collectors item.
Take it from one who knows.
Although I now drive a CJ5, I once had a ’47 CJ2A. I foolishly let it go to someone who gave me much more than it was worth. Having seen what you’ve done I know that more than ever.
You have a really grand looking 2A and I envy you. I admire your tenacity in the 3 year project and cannot help but think that your family is mighty proud of what you have accomplished with this vehicle. I imagine you will do well in school as well and can only say this: Do not ever let it go… it will be a friend when things are not going right for it will always give you a good feeling just to drive it.
A fine job.
Very nice job. Looks great. I have a 51 CJ3A that I love driving arount town and in the hills.
Great job. Thanks for keeping it original. I am more motivated than ever to get going on my 63 Willy’s Tuxedo.