Messages

1

Your Modified 3A Project / Re: CopperCrawler's Project

« on: December 28, 2018, 12:49:23 PM »

Sounds like a cool build. I think that AX5 manual transmission and NP231 transfer case may be a bit too long for an 80" wheelbase Jeep.

Well Thank You Sir!! 

This is why I felt I needed to be a part of this forum.  These little things that I'm not thinking of because I haven't worked on something so small. 

I will have to take some measurements, but I think you might be correct.  I was planning on installing a "Super Short" slip yoke eliminator in the TFC, but after you add in the length of the double carden joint and the external slip yoke assembly, you don't really gain any length for the driveshaft. 

I do work at a driveline and gear shop and we can build all kinds of custom driveshafts, but I just haven't figured how it install a D/L where there isn't enough room

2

Your Modified 3A Project / Re: CopperCrawler's Project

« on: December 27, 2018, 06:48:53 PM »

OOPS!!! I started this in the wrong area.  :-/ Could you guys move it for me?  I meant to start it in the Modified 3A Project thread.

3

Your Modified 3A Project / CopperCrawler's Project

« on: December 27, 2018, 05:57:11 PM »

My plan is to build a CJ3A (clone).  I just want a cool little Jeep to build in memory of my Mom.  Since I don't believe I have any real Willys parts, I will not be restoring anything.   I will have lots of questions along the way so feel free to chime in anytime. 

I was given some Jeep parts by a friend.  According to him, this is what I got:

1946 CJ2A Frame
1950-1952 M38 tub, fenders, windshield/frame, hood
1989 Wrangler (YJ) 2.5 4cyl engine, AX5 manual transmission, NP231 transfer case
1989 YJ rear Dana 35 Differential
1989 YJ front Dana 30 high pinion, disconnect differential
Steel Arctic Hardtop

I do not have a grill, tailgate, dash instrument panel, dash glove box door, windshield attaching hardware, tailgate attaching hardware (or any hardware for that matter), etc.







What I believe I have:
1946 CJ2A frame, modified to accept the YJ axles

A 1950 - 1952 reproduction M38 tub - It has the M38 dash, but is missing the axe/shovel indents and battery box in cowl.  It is also missing any gas filler on drivers side. 

Reproduction Hood - missing Willys Stamp on sides

I don't know if the fenders and windshield are original or not (I don't know what to look for), but since the other parts seem to be reproduction, I would assume these are also.

My current plan(s):
Install the YJ engine, transmission, and Transfer Case in the Jeep.  Someone has already started on this, as the motor mounts are already done.  I will need to get it put in to see if everything will line up properly.  The plan is to discard the YJ computer and install an aftermarket throttlebody fuel injection system. 

Steering: YJ power steering pump and gear box, since I already have the brackets on the engine.  I'm not sure on the steering column, It will HAVE to be a tilt column.  Any ideas on a junkyard column would be appreciated or otherwise I'll go with something like IDIDIT.  I want the ignition switch in the dash not on the column so I might be limited. 

Dropdown clutch/brake pedals

Differentials (I have a couple different plans here):

Since they came out of a 4 cyl YJ, they came with 4.10 gears from the factory.  I would prefer 4.56's, but I might go with the 4.10s for now and change them later if I use either of them. 

For the front, I have two different ways I am thinking of going.  I do not want to use the D30 that came with the Jeep.  I do not want the disconnect axle at all.  I have a D30 here at my shop out of an 02 Jeep TJ w/4.10 gears.  It is a low pinion, non disconnect axle.  So, my choice is to cut all of the coil spring brackets off and install leaf perches, or convert the front to a coil spring setup.  Still pondering this decision...

For the rear, I can use the D35, but both of my TJs came with D35s and I broke both of them.  Since this will only have a 4cyl and 33" tires, it'll probably live, but it still scares me.  My other option is to go to Pick N Pull and get an 8.8 out of an Explorer.  That will give me a disk brake upgrade in the process.  And, even if I do install the D35 for now, the 8.8 swap will happen eventually

As far as the body goes, I would like to get a CJ3A grill and tailgate, if they'll go on the M38 body.  I'd also like to convert the M38 windshield vent to open like the 3A (but I can live with it if I can't)

As far as the rest of the build, we'll see as the build goes.

But first, I have to take what I have to the DMV this spring so they can assign a VIN.  If I can't get it to where I'll be able to register it when I'm done, I'll be getting rid of what I have and starting over with something else.

4

Once You've Joined / Re: New From Fernley NV

« on: December 26, 2018, 04:42:07 PM »

I couldn't get my photobucket to work, now here are the pics above from photobucket:

CJ5:



Wife's 1997 Grand Cherokee Limited


1999 TJ



1998 ZJ 5.9 Limited



CJ3A/M38

5

Once You've Joined / Re: New From Fernley NV

« on: December 23, 2018, 02:13:33 PM »

Some Pics of the Jeeps we've owned over the years:

1981 CJ5 (owned for 9 years)

Wife's 1997 Grand Cherokee Limited (5 years)

2000 TJ (4years)

1999 TJ (14 years and going)

And 1998 ZJ 5.9 Limited (3 years and going)

And the CJ3A/M38

6

Once You've Joined / New From Fernley NV

« on: December 23, 2018, 02:01:39 PM »

Hi, I'm Chuck and I'm a Jeep Nut.
My first encounter with Jeeps was in the late 60's when my Dad took us with him to go pick up and drag home the new Jeep he bought, a 1949 CJ3A.  Two things I remember clearly that day are; the weeds around the Jeep were as tall as I was, and the fun we had riding home in the back of the Jeep while my Dad trailered it home.

My Dad built that Jeep up and we went 4-Wheeling, camping, hunting, fishing, etc in it.  It was a blast.

Even though my Mom had a really nice NEW car, she always drove my Dad's Jeep.  She loved that thing.

In 1972 my Mom and I were in a roll over accident in the Jeep and she was killed.  Ever since then I've always wanted to build a similar Jeep in her memory, because she loved that Jeep so much.

For a while, I always felt a Jeep was too far out of my reach (financially) so it took me a while to buy my first one.  While being stationed in Germany my wife and I decided when we returned to the states I would get a Jeep.  When we returned, I bought a 1981 CJ5. 

I had it for 9 years.  After being stationed in Las Vegas for a year, it was time for some A/C.  I sold the CJ5 and bought a brand new 2000 Wrangler TJ. 

After 4 years of ownership, I just couldn't take the embarrassment of sitting at a stoplight, in neutral, with the clutch out and listening to the transmission rattle.  (I even had Jeep replace the Transmission 5 times, just out of spite).  So, I traded it in on a new diesel truck so I could tow the horse trailer my wife wanted.  But, we made the deal that when the truck was paid for I was getting another Jeep.  A year later we were able to pay off the truck with the proceeds from the sale of our house and I went looking for another Jeep.  This time I knew exactly what I wanted.  It had to be a TJ with the 4.0 engine and manual transmission.  I didn't want a 1997 because I had heard there were slight differences in the 97 that made some aftermarket parts not fit right.  Even though I wasn't sure if this was true, I wasn't going to take a chance.  I did not want a 2000 or newer, because I didn't want that noisy *rear end transmission again.  So I started looking for a 1998 or 99 TJ.  I bought my current 99 TJ in 2005 and have been upgrading ever since.

Now it's time to get to the point of my ramble...
I work on Jeeps all the time.  Many of the Jeeps I work on are not pleasant to drive.  I have built my TJ so that I can drive it down the highway at 80 mph, towing my Jeep trailer and not have to worry about a thing.  I can slam on the brakes at 70 (I know this because I had to do this to void an accident) and it tracks straight and true.  Yet, it will tackle the Rubicon trail with ease.  It is my daily driver that I drive to and from the trail also.

This is kinda what I want in the build of my CJ3A/M38.  Although I am not planning on taking it on trails like the Rubicon, I will take it off-road.  But mostly I want a reliable Jeep that I can let my Grand kids drive without having to worry.

So, a few weeks ago a friend gave me a Jeep (because he knows what a Jeep nut I am).  Although I am pretty good with CJs from 1970 and up, and Wranglers up to 2006, I am not so savvy on these old timers.  He told me it is a 1946 CJ2A frame and a 1950-1952 M38 body.  I have been doing a little research, and it looks to me like it is an aftermarket reproduction body.  It has what appears to be the M38 dash, but it does not have the battery opening in the cowl, the shovel/axe indents in the passenger side, or the snorkel cutout in the hood.  If I am wrong, and it is something else, please let me know.

Either way, I do NOT have a complete Jeep by any means.  I have the frame, tub, fenders, hood, and windshield.  I also have, what appears to be an Arctic Hardtop.  I am missing the grill, tailgate and ALL the attaching parts for the grill, tailgate, dash pieces, windshield, etc.

The PO was in the process of installing 1989 Jeep Wrangler axles, engine, transmission, and transfer case.  So I do have those items as well.

Since this isn't an actual Willys Jeep, I am not planning on any type of a restore.  My idea is to build a nice, cool little Jeep on as small a budget as I can with what I have (and it's still probably going to cost near $10,000)