I've had a 1948 (mostly) CJ2A (again, mostly) for about 2 years now, and have finally been able to start working on it. Here's what I started with:
It did run, but not very well. It smoked all the time (from a wrist pin backing out and gouging the #6 cylinder wall), had no brake pressure, popped out of 2nd gear, and overheated. Plus all the small problems you would expect in a 60-year-old vehicle.
Well, now I've got a garage to work in and I can start fixing things.
The Jeep has a 1950 Studebaker Champion engine in it. It's a flathead 6-cylinder, 169 cubic inches. It will provide 85HP and 138 lbft torque, which is about a 35% increase over the stock Jeep engine. It is just as simple to work on as the original L-head, and bolts right up to a T-90 transmission.
The drivetrain is otherwise stock - a 3-speed T90, Dana 18 transfer case, Dana 25 and 41 axles (5:38). The rear springs have been replaced with Rancho 1" lift units, and the front springs are originals, with broken leafs and hose clamps holding them together.
My plan for this rebuild is not to get into technical rock crawling, or playing in mud. I want a vehicle that I can take down rural dirt tracks and BLM roads, and turn off anywhere to go explore. I want a vehicle compact enough to go where most people can't, and with the endurance to spend a week out in the boonies. I want to be able to take a camping trip as a spur of the moment decision.
To that end, I'm leaving the drivetrain as it is. I like the Studebaker, for its power and simplicity and also for its uniqueness. I don't need the newest, beefiest axles or the softest suspension - I'd rather keep what I have, and be out on the trails that much sooner. I will be making some mechanical modifications - bigger brakes, all 12V electronics, and maybe improved steering. And the drivetrain will be inspected and rebuilt where necessary. But most of the modifications will be to the body.
I will be mounting a propane burner and a small sink in the tailgate, and a small propane tank and fresh water tank in the rear fenderwells. Better output lights for night driving, and a second battery. A small DC water pump for the sink, and a showerhead that can be clamped to the rollbar for use in camp. A shortwave radio and GPS mounted into the dashboard, and a small inverter for running AC appliances. Storage space everywhere I can squeeze it in, a good set of spare parts, and a thorough tool set (you can just about completely strip a 2A with 4 wrenches). Edit - Forgot to mention, also a CJ5 gas tank in the rear in addition to the stock tank, for a total of 25 gallons onboard, plus any cans mounted on the back or top.
There are a whole lot of fancy modern Expo builds here, and I think it would be cool to sneak in a thread about my old-fashioned version. :smiley_drive:
It did run, but not very well. It smoked all the time (from a wrist pin backing out and gouging the #6 cylinder wall), had no brake pressure, popped out of 2nd gear, and overheated. Plus all the small problems you would expect in a 60-year-old vehicle.
Well, now I've got a garage to work in and I can start fixing things.
The Jeep has a 1950 Studebaker Champion engine in it. It's a flathead 6-cylinder, 169 cubic inches. It will provide 85HP and 138 lbft torque, which is about a 35% increase over the stock Jeep engine. It is just as simple to work on as the original L-head, and bolts right up to a T-90 transmission.
The drivetrain is otherwise stock - a 3-speed T90, Dana 18 transfer case, Dana 25 and 41 axles (5:38). The rear springs have been replaced with Rancho 1" lift units, and the front springs are originals, with broken leafs and hose clamps holding them together.
My plan for this rebuild is not to get into technical rock crawling, or playing in mud. I want a vehicle that I can take down rural dirt tracks and BLM roads, and turn off anywhere to go explore. I want a vehicle compact enough to go where most people can't, and with the endurance to spend a week out in the boonies. I want to be able to take a camping trip as a spur of the moment decision.
To that end, I'm leaving the drivetrain as it is. I like the Studebaker, for its power and simplicity and also for its uniqueness. I don't need the newest, beefiest axles or the softest suspension - I'd rather keep what I have, and be out on the trails that much sooner. I will be making some mechanical modifications - bigger brakes, all 12V electronics, and maybe improved steering. And the drivetrain will be inspected and rebuilt where necessary. But most of the modifications will be to the body.
I will be mounting a propane burner and a small sink in the tailgate, and a small propane tank and fresh water tank in the rear fenderwells. Better output lights for night driving, and a second battery. A small DC water pump for the sink, and a showerhead that can be clamped to the rollbar for use in camp. A shortwave radio and GPS mounted into the dashboard, and a small inverter for running AC appliances. Storage space everywhere I can squeeze it in, a good set of spare parts, and a thorough tool set (you can just about completely strip a 2A with 4 wrenches). Edit - Forgot to mention, also a CJ5 gas tank in the rear in addition to the stock tank, for a total of 25 gallons onboard, plus any cans mounted on the back or top.
There are a whole lot of fancy modern Expo builds here, and I think it would be cool to sneak in a thread about my old-fashioned version. :smiley_drive:
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