Hood block spacing question.

[stony]

There seems to be something a little strange with my hood block spacing.  I KNOW the blocks are in the original spot because the hood has original paint.  I had read that the early 3As had asymmetrical hood blocks like the 2As, but my very early (49, #1159) has symmetrical blocks.  I have also read that the distance from the center seam is 13”, but mine are 9 7/8” from the seam to the edge of the block.  It might be kind of interesting to see what measurements you folks come up with.

[Bob W]

There was a short period of time when the hood blocks were narrow spacing but symmetrical from the center.

[stony]

Cool, thanks Bob!  Now I have another question.  My outside rear view mirror appears to be original but it is also different from what appear to be new old stock mirrors.  The ball and socket are offset and only two tensioning screws.  Again it appears to have original paint so I think it is original.  What do you think?

[Rus Curtis]

Doing a search, I found a difference in location between the 2A and 3A blocks.  The 2A wipers were mounted at the top and would interfere with the blocks so they aren't symmetrical.

These posts may help with picking a location for the blocks:

https://cj3apage.com/Forum/index.php?topic=3042.msg25379#msg25379

https://cj3apage.com/Forum/index.php?topic=3713.msg31437#msg31437

[stony]

Yeah Rus, that is one of my questions, the post says 13” from the seam, but mine are only 9 7/8.  Looks kinda like the early 3As may be narrower than the later ones.

[1955CJ-5]

My '51 measures 12 7/16 " from the seam to the inboard edges of the blocks, both sides. I think the blocks are supposed to be 1" thick...so that would make it pretty close to 13" seam to mounting hole center......

[Bob W]

I think not original on the mirror and arm, they don't look right and they would have been black originally.

[stony]

Thanks Bob, it’s kind of interesting though.  Here is the body mount, this should be original, bot I have been wrong before.

[Bob W]

The mounting brackets look original, as does the arm. I'm not sure what I was seeing before. I don't think the mirror head is original. All these items would have been black originally.

[athawk11]

This might also shine a light on why you're having issues determining which grey color was used on your 3A.  It may have gone through an early repaint.  Maybe at the request of the original buyer.  The headlight bezels are also painted grey.  These were originally chrome.

[stony]

Yeah at, some parts were repainted, there is a little chrome showing under the gray paint, and some things, like the mirror arm and mirror back appear to be slightly different than the body paint along with one or two spots on the body.  Here is a close up of the ring (I think they were rusty) and it is pretty clear that they were repainted, but the other 95% of the body is one layer of original paint.  I don’t know where that mirror came from, but I think it is pretty cool because it is offset.  You have a keen eye my friend.

[williams3b54]

I was sent a picture of 2A's that are on a rail car I believe stacked one on top of the other. One facing North and one facing South.
I got to thinking about this and have come to the conclusion that the designers and also engineers designed these vehicles so they could be shipped one on top of the other.
The rear tire of the jeep on top, sits on the front flat fenders of the bottom jeep and the front tires rest on the top of the rear fender wells. Also the fact that the windshield folds down is for this reason to be able to stack the jeeps. Also I believe the steering wheel had to be removed, so there fore the design of the flat fenders and folding windshields.
D Williams
Spokane Wa.

[Bruce_W]

  Good thinkin' D, but probably not true. First, those are MB's, not CJ2-A's. Second, the photo does not show the timbers that support the rear of the jeeps apparently sitting on the front fenders of the jeeps below. Movement was more important than minor damage at the time.
  I think you've got it backwards - I think the shipping method was devised to fit the material, not the material devised to fit the shipping method.  BW

[williams3b54]

I don't think it matters weather they are MB's or 2"s the body design looks like it was intended to be that way for the reason you see in the picture. Even the 3b"s are of the same design, but not the round fenders. Shipping them was not an issue like the war jeeps.  I don't think the railroad would have come up with the idea to stack the jeeps.
I have since noticed that they actually removed the windshield from the bottom jeep and it is stored on the top jeep windshield. And probably the steering wheel cleared the undercarriage of the jeep above, without being removed by design.
I just thought that this photo was interesting info.
I have other photos too.
D. Williams
Spokane Wa.

[Squishymonster]

I'm somewhat surprised the front fenders can support the wheels above. I wonder if its blocked somewhere to support some of the weight like maybe bumper to bumper.