CJ2 VS CJ3A TUB

[steves]

The tub on my CJ3A has pockets to hold the top bows, like a CJ2.  It appears to be an original body, but it's possible that a past owner put a CJ2 tub on my CJ3A.  Or, perhaps, someone welded the bow pockets on the original CJ3A tub.  One of the welds is rather amateurish.  Does anyone have a suggestion for finding out if I have a CJ2 or CJ3A tub?  Besides the bow pockets, I understand that there are a few other small differences between the two tubs, including the dimensions of the cargo space, but I don't know what they are.

[oldtime]

Check the OAL of the top panel on the rear wheelhouse.
34” = CJ2a
32” = CJ3a/b

[steves]

Thanks. It’s a 3A tub, based on that measurement. It’s a mystery to me why someone wanted to put the pockets on it, but apparently that’s what they did. I’ll have to repaint if I ever remove them, so they’re going to stay for a while.

[64CJ5]

Our 64 CJ5 had the pockets for the top bows on the out side corners when it came to us.  I removed them to put aluminum diamond plate corners on.  It had a steel half cab on it at that time.  I do not think this will help you identify your body.  But Jeep bodies still had the pockets in '64.
The book "The Civilian Jeep Model CJ-3A"  By Bob Westerman would be a good source of information for you. 

[athawk11]

The 2A top bow pockets are the only thing I wish Willys Overland would have continued during 3A production. I did consider doing this same modification to one of my 3As.  I decided not to.

I say...Keep the Mod!

[steves]

On the 2A, the horizontal bows fit in clamps under the windshield and the vertical posts go in the pockets, right?  On the 3A, where are the horizontal cross bows stored?

[athawk11]

There are no provisions to store any part of the top bows on a 3A.  A friend made a custom bag for his bows, and keeps the set in his cargo area.  This is about as good as it gets for a 3A.

[steves]

Our 64 CJ5 had the pockets for the top bows on the out side corners when it came to us.  I removed them to put aluminum diamond plate corners on.  It had a steel half cab on it at that time.  I do not think this will help you identify your body.  But Jeep bodies still had the pockets in '64.
The book "The Civilian Jeep Model CJ-3A"  By Bob Westerman would be a good source of information for you.

I may have created some confusion. The “pockets” I was referring to are mounted on the outside of the body on the driver’s side and hold the vertical bow pieces in storage. I was not referencing the “sockets” into which the vertical bow pieces are placed to erect the soft top. So my 3A has both “pockets” and “sockets”, like a 2A.