1946 willys CJ2A

[lwilliams]

I picked up this trail rig and I am thinking the guy used the original frame for the build. He put in a sbc 350 with the holly projection, 14 bolt rear, dana 44 front, pto winch, 4 wheel disk brakes, my real question is how weak is the stock frame if that is what he used and what do I need to look for.

[trkklr77]

ive seen more than a few 2/3a frames busted up and a shit load of cj5 frames that would make scrap metal look nice.

its really more that they are 50 years old minimum and not nearly rated for what we do to them in the first place.

[lwilliams]

So is it worth trying to beef up some or is it time to start looking for a frame to swap to?

[markaplet]

Is the frame boxed in? If not, you can look at doing that. It should last you quite a while. I have 42, and only part of the frame was new, the rest was boxed in, and it's been beat to death and still going strong.

Tearing it down to build a new frame out of box tubing probably wouldnt be to big of a deal if you build the new one to the same size as the original. Would be a lot of work for not a huge amount of gain concidering the rig is still running trails just fine.

If it aint broke, don't fix it Unless of course your OCD then by all means have at it

[77chev]

I worked through the same thing with my 51. I really wanted to wheel it but having an old frame kept resurfacing in my head. Boxing the frame looked to be a lot more work that starting from scratch in my eyes. I almost picked up the material up but found a TJ frame for cheap so I'm going that route.

I cut the original frame up without regret, now I just need to start transferring stuff over. You can get by with strategic boxing (around the spring hangers, crosmember, etc) for a while but you will still want to look at other options for long term.

[FordFascist]

Your stock frame will break. It's only a matter of time.

Plus the 80" wheelbase will get old quickly. I had mine out 2 seasons and then got tired of having to pull out the strap everytime there was a ledge or a sharp breeze.

[Kyron]

Originally Posted by trkklr77

its really more that they are 50 years old minimum and not nearly rated for what we do to them in the first place.

That

[lwilliams]

Ok so give me a good idea for a donor frame that might make my life easier.

[2003_ram]

Don't get rid of it unless there are cracks. Don't fix whats not broke.

[JS-Economos]

Post up some pics so the Hive can advise you correctly. Sweet flatty though!

[lwilliams]

What pics will help the most. I am use to a stock jeep with 4" lift on 33" tires, This thing is a whole nother beast for me. I have quite alot to learn.

[FordFascist]

This is newbie at most. Look at the TOTM posts, read my thread, try searching. Building your own frame is almost a given with anything before a YJ.

It is more work and money to adapt some other frame to an early CJ, MB or GPW than it is to build your own frame.

There. I just saved you a shit-ton of time looking at the frame. The stock frame is weak - don't bother with it.

[1946CJ2]

I agree building your own frame, (If you are able to do it yourself) is the best route. I built mine from 2"x4"x3/16" steel tube, alot of guys say thats overkill and use 1/8" steel. I have a bad habit of overkilling shit though.

I am feeling very nice and will help you in your searching:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...ame+build+cj2a

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...ght=willys+m38

http://www.jpmagazine.com/featuredve...m38/index.html

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...t=family+build

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...812&highlight=

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=775559

http://www.jeepingoffroad.com/Willys%20the%20start.htm

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...t=flat+stretch

/forum/jeep-willys/714553-project-sarge-buildup-thread.html

learn to search and get a red star!

[1946CJ2]

Originally Posted by Brian1

So now on to Plan 2:
Swap in a 350 SBC, front and rear full width Dana 44's, and keep the T-90 and Dana 18. Run some 35" tires. I quickly came to my senses and decided to put in a SM420 in place of the T-90 to handle the HP and torque of the new V8. Also decided to convert to power steering and put in a steering column. I was off to the overpriced junkyards in town to get the 'new' parts from a J10 truck. I came home with F&R Dana 44's, power steering box, pump, steering column, leaf springs, and power brakes.

Now I needed to beef up the frame so out came the rest of the parts from the Flatty's chassis.

I was left with the frame.

I decided to strap and box the frame. The GPW frame was partially boxed from the factory but that wasnt going to be good enough for a V8. The whole frame was boxed and strapped with 1/4" steel. The straps were stitch welded the length of the chassis. If I were to do it all over again I would make a new frame from rectangular tube. I spent alot of time cutting steel and forming it to the frame. A new frame would have given me alot more options later in the build but oh well. Lessons learned.Strapping the frame:

Boxing the front frame:

I would have to outboard the springs to run the axles. I used stock 5-leaf Wrangler leaves at all 4 corners. I picked up some ConFer shackles cheap at the local swap meet so I used those as well. I made up the front mounts:

And then welded them on in the driveway:

quote from Brian1 about lessons learned!