CJ2A Mess!!! - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

troutbum1982 · 04-12-2011, 11:29 AM

Well a couple of months back I bought a 47, everything beyond some cosmetic stuff appeared to be all right. Sad thing is I bought this based off of someones word (still have not learned my lesson about trusting people) But any how it has a 289, 44 rear, 30 front. Here is my dilemma, I was buying this looking at cosmetic repairs and it has turned into soooo much more. It needs a new front floorboard because the supports are shot, the rest of the tub is in so so condition. The engine needs overhauled, new motor mounts, needs a new hood because he butchered the one to make the 289 fit, the frame is in ok condition. I am kind of at a loss as to what direction I need to go from here, the only thing on the engine that is ok is the block along with the heads (need rebuilt but already have checked and there is no cracks) I am tempted to just get all new everything to get it where I want it but in that case I am looking at massive money beyond what I already OVERspent on this p.o.s. I am just looking for some input from some guys that have done some builds because at this stage I really wonder if it is even worth it.

sammyg · 04-12-2011, 11:40 AM

How much did you purchase it for? Everything you listed wrong seems typical for an old/modified Jeep. Mine started out even worse than that. Either sell it to someone more willing to work with it, or make up your mind as to what you need to expect from this little jeep. We can't steer you in that direction...

It's only worth what you're willing to spend. You'll never get your money back out of them either. If it's all about money, sell the Jeep and cut your losses...

troutbum1982 · 04-12-2011, 12:05 PM

Lets just say I payed too much considering after going through it everything is going to need redone. Money is and is not so much an issue, I just have a feeling that I am opening pandoras box with this and am kind of at a loss. My hang up is I am a perfectionist, and just because it runs does not make it done right.

Mad Machinist · 04-12-2011, 05:51 PM

Pick a place to start and dig in. Before you go and buy all new, buy some tools and learn how to do things. Read, read, and read some more. If in the end, you decide to buy all new, you will have at least picked up some valuable experience on what it takes to rebuild some of these old Jeeps.

And when you DO buy the next one (and you will) you'll have a better of what to look for.

fcfred · 04-12-2011, 08:02 PM

I got mine
found one thing wrong
tried to fix one thing and then.......

now it's down to the frame.
got the frame sand blasted
body- ground off all the bondo and got that sand blasted
spent about $200 give or take on sand blasting
but now it's all clean and I can see all the problems without wondering whats under the paint.

am gonna box the frame.
patch the body
primer and paint them both
re-install drivetrain
keep or change whatever I feel needs done.
so you bought a lemon, make lemonade
it's just time and or money, you can do it.

I got the Willys · 04-13-2011, 03:22 AM

Paying too much for junk is something a lot us us do.Does the engine really need to be rebuilt,is it a smoking ,knocking misfiring lump? Maybe pick something that is the worst on the frame or body and try to repair it.See how it goes.
If you don't want to do a lot of work ,then try to find a buyer,take your loses and move on.

47red · 05-06-2011, 06:53 PM

Do a lot of reading first before you give up on keeping it or not. Do you want to restore it or resto-mod it? If you are a perfectionist you're in for a long trip. I've done frame-offs on a 47 and a 67. The 47 I did close to a restore, but not perfect--the 67 is more of a trail rig. If you have shop space it will determine how involved you can get. If your frame and driveline are good maybe you can find some tin in better shape than what you have.

04-12-2011, 11:29 AM	#1 (permalink)
troutbum1982 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Member # 186528 Posts: 10	CJ2A Mess!!! Well a couple of months back I bought a 47, everything beyond some cosmetic stuff appeared to be all right. Sad thing is I bought this based off of someones word (still have not learned my lesson about trusting people) But any how it has a 289, 44 rear, 30 front. Here is my dilemma, I was buying this looking at cosmetic repairs and it has turned into soooo much more. It needs a new front floorboard because the supports are shot, the rest of the tub is in so so condition. The engine needs overhauled, new motor mounts, needs a new hood because he butchered the one to make the 289 fit, the frame is in ok condition. I am kind of at a loss as to what direction I need to go from here, the only thing on the engine that is ok is the block along with the heads (need rebuilt but already have checked and there is no cracks) I am tempted to just get all new everything to get it where I want it but in that case I am looking at massive money beyond what I already OVERspent on this p.o.s. I am just looking for some input from some guys that have done some builds because at this stage I really wonder if it is even worth it.

04-12-2011, 11:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
sammyg Rock God Join Date: Aug 2007 Member # 98177 Location: Burque Essay! Posts: 1,213	How much did you purchase it for? Everything you listed wrong seems typical for an old/modified Jeep. Mine started out even worse than that. Either sell it to someone more willing to work with it, or make up your mind as to what you need to expect from this little jeep. We can't steer you in that direction... It's only worth what you're willing to spend. You'll never get your money back out of them either. If it's all about money, sell the Jeep and cut your losses... __________________ I don't always show my signature. But when I do, it's in this area. Last edited by sammyg; 04-12-2011 at 11:40 AM.

04-12-2011, 08:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
fcfred 4xdork Join Date: Feb 2001 Member # 3263 Location: not portland Posts: 3,168	I got mine found one thing wrong tried to fix one thing and then....... now it's down to the frame. got the frame sand blasted body- ground off all the bondo and got that sand blasted spent about $200 give or take on sand blasting but now it's all clean and I can see all the problems without wondering whats under the paint. am gonna box the frame. patch the body primer and paint them both re-install drivetrain keep or change whatever I feel needs done. so you bought a lemon, make lemonade it's just time and or money, you can do it. __________________ Team Tank old junk, new junk, unfinished junk Live Large-RIP Jason Payne ARMY TRUCK STOLEN!

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04-12-2011, 12:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
troutbum1982 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Member # 186528 Posts: 10	Lets just say I payed too much considering after going through it everything is going to need redone. Money is and is not so much an issue, I just have a feeling that I am opening pandoras box with this and am kind of at a loss. My hang up is I am a perfectionist, and just because it runs does not make it done right.

04-12-2011, 05:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
Mad Machinist Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Member # 172378 Location: AZ Posts: 325	Pick a place to start and dig in. Before you go and buy all new, buy some tools and learn how to do things. Read, read, and read some more. If in the end, you decide to buy all new, you will have at least picked up some valuable experience on what it takes to rebuild some of these old Jeeps. And when you DO buy the next one (and you will) you'll have a better of what to look for.

04-13-2011, 03:22 AM	#6 (permalink)
I got the Willys Banned Join Date: Apr 2011 Member # 188016 Location: To be announced Posts: 85	Paying too much for junk is something a lot us us do.Does the engine really need to be rebuilt,is it a smoking ,knocking misfiring lump? Maybe pick something that is the worst on the frame or body and try to repair it.See how it goes. If you don't want to do a lot of work ,then try to find a buyer,take your loses and move on.

05-06-2011, 06:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
47red Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Member # 145203 Location: Central Texas Posts: 104	Do a lot of reading first before you give up on keeping it or not. Do you want to restore it or resto-mod it? If you are a perfectionist you're in for a long trip. I've done frame-offs on a 47 and a 67. The 47 I did close to a restore, but not perfect--the 67 is more of a trail rig. If you have shop space it will determine how involved you can get. If your frame and driveline are good maybe you can find some tin in better shape than what you have.