New to Willys and have questions.

[johny5.0]

I recently picked up this 46 cj2 and am trying to figure out what to do with it .

I dont want to build it into an extreme rock crawler ( already have a buggy)
just want to keep it street legal and fun to drive


So would it be sacrilege to drop it on a suzuki samurai frame and running gear

Another option is toyota running gear ?

Im also open to other ideas?
I have a 2010 ecotec engine looking for a home too

[SVARAS]

It seems to be in pretty good shape !
congrats
Any japanese part would be a sacrilege.

[johny5.0]

Originally Posted by SVARAS

It seems to be in pretty good shape !
congrats
Any japanese part would be a sacrilege.

thanks , yeah kinda thought Japaneses parts might be frowned upon.

Anyone ever modify a tj frame under one of these .

Im not set on changing the frame and diffs but would like to have good brakes

and something a bit stronger /modern for the diffs

[catfish<><]

toyota mini truck parts would be the best bang for your buck, tough stuff with great after market support

bob

[JimKyser]

If you want a stronger/more modern setup with disc brakes for the axles but don't want to go crazy, it would be easiest to swap in axles from a later model CJ. The 1972 and newer CJs had a Dana 30 in the front that is a direct bolt-in for your current Dana 25. If you get one from a 1977 through 1980, it will be basically the same width and have disc brakes.

The other easy route is to get the cross-cardon axle shafts from a late '60s through 1971 CJ or Commando Dana 27 front axle and then use a combo of '70s CJ and mid-70s Chevy parts to convert your current Dana 25 to disc brakes.

For the rear, there are kits available for about $350 that will provide auto-adjusting 11"x2" drum brakes for your current Dana 41. You can also buy brackets that will allow you to convert to disc using many of the same parts as for the front axle.

You could also find a Dana 44 from a late 60s CJ. It has an offset pinion like the Dana 41 so it work well with the model 18 transfer case which can be important in a short wheelbase truck. It will have 10", auto-adjusting drum brakes and 19-spine tapered axles. Your current Dana 41 has 9" manually adjusting brakes and 10-spline tapered axles. The Dana 44 would bolt right in where your current axle is and be the same width.

The ultimate factory upgrade would be the rear Dana 44 axle from a late 1970 or 1971 CJ. It has an offset pinion, auto-adjusting 11" brakes and 30 spline one-piece axle shafts. It would bolt right in where your current axle is and only be about an inch wider.

These are all possibilities for the criteria of 'keep the changes to a minimum' and still make it fun to drive.

[BeaverTown]

I think the Ecotec would be cool, bolt it up to a th350/dana18 would be . I looked into this combo but couldn't find a donor motor in my price range (plus the harness/computer mods were $$$$).

The yota stuff would be okay but the tranny/t-case is way long for a flatty. I'd look at using the axles though.

[MrWillys]

I'm with Jim Kyser on this one. Having a heavily modified, but stock appearing CJ5 I've always wanted just a stock rig. I remember how well those perform. Follow Jim's instruction for the diff's, but I'd add the following:
Upgrade to swing pedals, and a newer master cylinder, and maybe even power. Also, upgrade to a newer saginaw steering box in front of the axle.
Wouldn't it be more of a challenge to inject the stock motor? Maybe that's another thread though.
Just remember, that Jeep was designed to kick the Japanese's butt. I think desecration would be a better word for the foriegn parts.

[Mieser]

I know its SOOOOOOO wrong, but I always wanted to build an old MB/GPW with a VW turbo diesel and toyota axles I just can't bring myself to do it.

[BeaverTown]

Originally Posted by Mieser

I know its SOOOOOOO wrong, but I always wanted to build an old MB/GPW with a VW turbo diesel and toyota axles I just can't bring myself to do it.

I've been watching the tube frame samurai on extreme4x4 and thought about doing that with my 2A, but I'm with you, it's just wrong on so many levels.

[Peow130]

Surprisingly easy to get a toyota mini truck axle to go under one of these things. Just make a 1/2" spacer to move the spring eye-pins over like 3/8" of an inch on either side.

Of course, this is pirate though so you gotta truss it, paint it yellow, and put six shooters on it :P

[welndmn]

Add a V8, leave everything else.

[oldtimingman]

No Japanese parts ! .........EVER

[goob]

ya'll crack me up, No Japanese parts, but parts from China are A-ok. lol

[johny5.0]

Is there a vin tag somewhere on the tub? , I have not noticed one yet.

[CRO]

Hey John.. the vin should be on a tag high up on the firewall passenger side
Should be something like CJ2A 38XXX
more information http://www.thecj2apage.com/history.html

[Peow130]

Originally Posted by goob

ya'll crack me up, No Japanese parts, but parts from China are A-ok. lol

Hey, the way i see it, half the japanese parts work damn well in an early CJ.

Small seats, a 22R looks like it was fuckin made to fit between those framerails, Toyota front axle pretty much bolts in, etc..

Who cares what the label is on the part? Hell, if you wanted to keep it all old school jeep, go heckle the dudes with the early CJ SKINS, over steel tube. That aint a jeep in my opinion.

[goob]

If I could find a decent 22re it would go in my flatty in a heart beat.

[Mieser]

As long as it gets it back on the trail and driving, I don't think it makes any difference at all what parts you use.....

[Mr.RatBastard]

I built a flatty with a samurai frame,20R and Toy axles. I had to sell it shortly after getting it on the road and I now am seriously considering sell my TJ to build another one.
I started the project planning on using a VW turbo diesel but they were not that easy to find and I had an unexpected timeline so I went with the 20R wanting to bolt in a Toyota turbo diesel later.I was running 35's and the power to weight was great, I had high steer and 4 wheel disc and the thing drove damn near perfect.
The samurai frame was close to an exact fit.

[trkklr77]

i would stuff jap guts into one in a heart beat. i want to rip one around on the freeway. they jeep stuff just cant handle the speed or modern daily driving.

[johny5.0]

Well I'm leaning towards using my ecotec to an ax15 to a dana 300 with dana 44's.

but that could change .

I had just committed to the dana 300 and a guy offered me a suzuki frame and diffs

so I'll be staying domestic Im thinking.

[Missoula4x4]

Do NOT under any circumstances use the samurai frame. It's a C channel, and the gunk suzuki put on their frames is a pain in the ass to get remotely off.

Originally Posted by johny5.0

I recently picked up this 46 cj2 and am trying to figure out what to do with it .

I dont want to build it into an extreme rock crawler ( already have a buggy)
just want to keep it street legal and fun to drive


So would it be sacrilege to drop it on a suzuki samurai frame and running gear

Another option is toyota running gear ?

Im also open to other ideas?
I have a 2010 ecotec engine looking for a home too

[2cross]

Just saw your thread on possible ecotec. I just finished having mine by a great outfit in Jackson Hole. He converted my old willy's motor to an ecotec 2.2 in my 1949 CJ3a (low hood flat fender). Runs GREAT! but ran into some problems on the way.
1-Required a dry sump oilpan/pump to provide clearance for the differential.
2-Also had to have custom header fabricated.
3-Required a custom front drive shaft due to bell housing interference.

It is coupled to a TH350. The

Completed crossover steering and disc brake conversion. Would have been cheaper and easier to do what someone mentioned above about putting in a newer Dana 30.

See his facebook page for a video of it from a couple of days ago:
Legacy Classic Trucks - Jackson - Automotive | Facebook

Look forward to hearing about your progress.

[Mr.RatBastard]

Originally Posted by Missoula4x4

Do NOT under any circumstances use the samurai frame. It's a C channel, and the gunk suzuki put on their frames is a pain in the ass to get remotely off.

Wrong on all counts.

[DutchVDub]

I'm planning on tossing a VW diesel into my '48 using a bunch of adapters to hook it up to a SM465 and the stock Dana 18 t-case. The axles I'm going to run will either be matched D44's from the proper CJ or a front D44 and custom 9" rear.

An Ecotec would be cool as hell, especially with a super charger.