not a build thread, but it is--1948 cj2a
ok I'm building my '48, but there's really nothing I'm doing that probably hasn't been done, so this is more of thread to help guys if they decide to go the route I'm taking with a flatty---so I'm giving out info that I've learned/read so far here--pics may or may not come later....so here's how my willys was set up when I bought it:
oh yea I've never attempted such an undertaking as this, so it's been fun and frustrating, especially when I'm doing this 99.9% myself so far in my garage......
1948 cj2a stock drive train except 1971 302 v8, upgraded 11" brakes and upgraded steering(don't even recall what it had in it, but it wasn't stock--steered and stopped great though)---
what it's becoming: 4 link/3 link, 14" coilovers, stretched 12" in door, comp cut(cuz I wanted to 2 yrs ago when we cut it in half), 5.0 bored .030, e303 cam, dished pistons, gt40p heads with 1.7 rockers( USE of 1.7 ROCKERS requires triple checking clearances, so be careful), ported explorer intake, explorer front dress(2" less than mustang), 19lb injectors(changed to 19lb), MAF to match injectors, rjm harness, a9p computer, 160 amp rjm alternator, 65mm throttle body, zf5-42 5 spd tranny, atlas 4 spd 10:1, rear 9" big bearing, disc brakes, spool, 4340 axle shafts, front dana 60 hi-pin, ARB, 4340 shafts, reid knuckles, hi-steer, 39.5" iroks, gmc hydro-boost(ported by VANCO), pinto radiator I think w/ taurus fan, Hollister Road fan relays, Trail Gear full hydro steering with PSC pulley to match serp belt, PSC log style cooler and reservoir----probably forgetting something, but you get the idea--I'll add later if I remember something--- 109.5" wb I think is where I may end up---front end yet to be placed.....23.5" belly
frame is 2x4x3/16" stock width 29.5"---nothing new here--but if I'd read more I'd have made it wider--some guys have gone 34" wide---now with that being said, the front end body has tabs that stick down and mount to the outside of the frame when stock and so do the fenders--so this needs to be thought about when going wider---other body mounts are pretty basic, except that after I had the motor and tranny and t-case in I needed to add 3.5" of body lift so that I wouldn't have a mountain range of a tranny hump ----so far this has been kind of a blessing as my rear coilover upper mount doesn't go through the body, but terminates at a 1/4" plate attached to 1.75 tubes right under the fender well and I mean right under(the body sits on the mounts)---later I'll bolt it to the roll cage using another pc of plate and short tube this will make a super stout coilover mount.....
ok with the ford explorer intake you can't stuff the motor back tight to the firewall due to the upper rear intake bolt--I'm about 2" from the firewall( from firewall to center of rear upper intake bolt is 3" and the flange at the cowl/hood is notched to get it this close)---this means you need the front dress off of an explorer----now I'm still waiting for my explorer fan to verify this will work, but help from Lloyd seems to point that it will---a taurus fan will not work unless you stretch the grill or hood 2-3"---or set the engine low--like 7" low so that you can set it back to the firewall so that you can remove that upper rear intake bolt---not an option if you ask me--
now if you get the explorer front dress, you need to get the timing cover, harmonic balancer, all the pulleys(water pump pulleys are non-existent it seems), brackets and pulleys at least---I can't stress this enough, especially the water pump pulley ---the timing pointer will need to be fabricated also--there's some for sale but I've yet to prove they will work for this mod---be sure you have clearance from cam sprocket washer/nut to back of water pump when using the EXPLORER front accessories
the zf5-42 has a 31 spline shaft and takes a 164 tooth flywheel, so your starter needs to match--and it's 50 oz imbalance also, not the old 302 28 oz imbalance---the flywheel only bolts on one way, so if you're like me and hold it up there only to find it doesn't fit---it does you just have to keep rotating it....
PCV grommet is at the back of the lower intake---
Milodon deep oil pan is 10" deep so this puts you 3" deeper than stock, so don't buy one(don't ask how I know)
don't buy a hi-pressure oil pump---hi-volume is ok, but hi-pressure isn't ---REALLY though a stock pump is more than adequate
I'm using modified by me, cj7 pedals with the gmc hydro-boost---now I got lucky here---the nitrogen tank on the h-boost fits perfectly between the valve cover and upper intake with 1/2" clearance---I hadn't thought about this before hand, so I got lucky---I had to cut the cj7 pedal bracket down to 8.75" and added a 1/4" plate and 1.125" spacer back to make up for the throw on the hydro boost and zf5-42 clutch throws--in fact you may have to do some extra clearancing to get it up in there--I had to---- also I had to cut the pedals down so that I could get enough throw---I cut and hacked a few times before I got it--or I hope I got it---forget how much, but maybe 4" was hacked off--will update once I get back with measurements--
Your hydroboost unit needs to be high flowed to work with hydro-assist or full hydraulic steering--Vanco can do this for you or you can buy a unit from him... powerbrakes hydroboosts vacuum boosters everything for your extreme braking needs
headers are a different matter, especially for the gt40p heads--I don't recall everything I've read, but it's in the TOTW: 5.0 thread---I'm using some I had from somewhere--again got lucky that they fit, but I had to do some clearancing for #5, # 6 & #8 plugs...these are stock mustang headers, no issues on passenger side--ok I had to break down and buy the specific gt40p headers as I kept burning plug wires---you will need to cut down a plug socket that has wrench flats to get to some plugs--plug boot ends need to be angled at least 45* with more being better--I also needed to adapt the NOVAK motor mounts for these headers(I did both, but really only the driver's side needed it)
I used NOVAK motor mounts and I could only get the motor centered with the stock willys frame width....
the ford 9" pinion isn't centered on the axle---I didn't know this and am not sure if there will be u-joint issues or not--doubt there will be except maybe replacing them more often than perfectly centered pinions....
on my rear coilovers I ended up 6.5" to center off the outside of the frame and due to my stretch I had to hack out the wheel well supports, but since my mount is tight to the wheel well I've gained strength there vs losing...
oh yea on the frame I had to notch for the the atlas--like 3/4''---again a wider frame would've prevented this...
well that's about as far as I've gone for now--like I said the front axle still needs to torn into and slapped under the jeep and I've got concerns about front drive shaft and exhaust placement, but until I get the axle set under there I'm just not sure---the front coilover mounts and 3 link should be interesting also, due to the frame width, but again until I get it pushed under and set to ride height I've got no idea what I'm up against....
also I'm not sure what I'm doing for a fuel tank yet--I've got an RCI tank(30"w x 7"h x 17"w), but I'm not sure I'll use it---I've left the rear frame 8" longer than the body right now, so maybe I stretch the rear of the body also or put the fuel tank there and box it in and leave the body alone or cut the frame back and put the tank in the rear or have a custom tank built---will need to figure that out--- oh yea still need to wire it up---
RJM wire harness is the bomb also---
when you use the front dress off an explorer, make sure you ditch the fuel pump eccentric on the camshaft and get a big washer or grind it down…
and with a MSD dizzy you'll have to grind or cut out a notch in the bracketry possibly to move the dizzy to get it timed….
I was able to not stretch the hood to make everything work. What I did do is made some angles side plates that would angle the grill, so that the hood would still close on the top of the grill.
You need to pay special attention of where the steering box will mount, so before you cut the front frame rails to length make sure you have enough room to make everything fit. now one more thing---if you are planning on using a saginaw steering gear(may be the different with other steering gears, but all I have is saginaws) with a 3 link front with a frame built like mine(and many others without notches or bends for the axle to clear on full stuff) it looks like you should keep your bumper at least 21" from the center line of the axle---I'm at 17.5" and that's why I'm having these issues-- the front of the steering gear is going to sit tight to my bumper is what it looks like right now---
you can't use a MAF sensor from a 1994 and up motor, so be sure you have or buy the right one....
thanks to Lloyd and MDDimmick also for answering questions and providing info...
hope this helps guys in the future with their flatty builds....chris
ok I'm building my '48, but there's really nothing I'm doing that probably hasn't been done, so this is more of thread to help guys if they decide to go the route I'm taking with a flatty---so I'm giving out info that I've learned/read so far here--pics may or may not come later....so here's how my willys was set up when I bought it:
oh yea I've never attempted such an undertaking as this, so it's been fun and frustrating, especially when I'm doing this 99.9% myself so far in my garage......
1948 cj2a stock drive train except 1971 302 v8, upgraded 11" brakes and upgraded steering(don't even recall what it had in it, but it wasn't stock--steered and stopped great though)---
what it's becoming: 4 link/3 link, 14" coilovers, stretched 12" in door, comp cut(cuz I wanted to 2 yrs ago when we cut it in half), 5.0 bored .030, e303 cam, dished pistons, gt40p heads with 1.7 rockers( USE of 1.7 ROCKERS requires triple checking clearances, so be careful), ported explorer intake, explorer front dress(2" less than mustang), 19lb injectors(changed to 19lb), MAF to match injectors, rjm harness, a9p computer, 160 amp rjm alternator, 65mm throttle body, zf5-42 5 spd tranny, atlas 4 spd 10:1, rear 9" big bearing, disc brakes, spool, 4340 axle shafts, front dana 60 hi-pin, ARB, 4340 shafts, reid knuckles, hi-steer, 39.5" iroks, gmc hydro-boost(ported by VANCO), pinto radiator I think w/ taurus fan, Hollister Road fan relays, Trail Gear full hydro steering with PSC pulley to match serp belt, PSC log style cooler and reservoir----probably forgetting something, but you get the idea--I'll add later if I remember something--- 109.5" wb I think is where I may end up---front end yet to be placed.....23.5" belly
frame is 2x4x3/16" stock width 29.5"---nothing new here--but if I'd read more I'd have made it wider--some guys have gone 34" wide---now with that being said, the front end body has tabs that stick down and mount to the outside of the frame when stock and so do the fenders--so this needs to be thought about when going wider---other body mounts are pretty basic, except that after I had the motor and tranny and t-case in I needed to add 3.5" of body lift so that I wouldn't have a mountain range of a tranny hump ----so far this has been kind of a blessing as my rear coilover upper mount doesn't go through the body, but terminates at a 1/4" plate attached to 1.75 tubes right under the fender well and I mean right under(the body sits on the mounts)---later I'll bolt it to the roll cage using another pc of plate and short tube this will make a super stout coilover mount.....
ok with the ford explorer intake you can't stuff the motor back tight to the firewall due to the upper rear intake bolt--I'm about 2" from the firewall( from firewall to center of rear upper intake bolt is 3" and the flange at the cowl/hood is notched to get it this close)---this means you need the front dress off of an explorer----now I'm still waiting for my explorer fan to verify this will work, but help from Lloyd seems to point that it will---a taurus fan will not work unless you stretch the grill or hood 2-3"---or set the engine low--like 7" low so that you can set it back to the firewall so that you can remove that upper rear intake bolt---not an option if you ask me--
now if you get the explorer front dress, you need to get the timing cover, harmonic balancer, all the pulleys(water pump pulleys are non-existent it seems), brackets and pulleys at least---I can't stress this enough, especially the water pump pulley ---the timing pointer will need to be fabricated also--there's some for sale but I've yet to prove they will work for this mod---be sure you have clearance from cam sprocket washer/nut to back of water pump when using the EXPLORER front accessories
the zf5-42 has a 31 spline shaft and takes a 164 tooth flywheel, so your starter needs to match--and it's 50 oz imbalance also, not the old 302 28 oz imbalance---the flywheel only bolts on one way, so if you're like me and hold it up there only to find it doesn't fit---it does you just have to keep rotating it....
PCV grommet is at the back of the lower intake---
Milodon deep oil pan is 10" deep so this puts you 3" deeper than stock, so don't buy one(don't ask how I know)
don't buy a hi-pressure oil pump---hi-volume is ok, but hi-pressure isn't ---REALLY though a stock pump is more than adequate
I'm using modified by me, cj7 pedals with the gmc hydro-boost---now I got lucky here---the nitrogen tank on the h-boost fits perfectly between the valve cover and upper intake with 1/2" clearance---I hadn't thought about this before hand, so I got lucky---I had to cut the cj7 pedal bracket down to 8.75" and added a 1/4" plate and 1.125" spacer back to make up for the throw on the hydro boost and zf5-42 clutch throws--in fact you may have to do some extra clearancing to get it up in there--I had to---- also I had to cut the pedals down so that I could get enough throw---I cut and hacked a few times before I got it--or I hope I got it---forget how much, but maybe 4" was hacked off--will update once I get back with measurements--
Your hydroboost unit needs to be high flowed to work with hydro-assist or full hydraulic steering--Vanco can do this for you or you can buy a unit from him... powerbrakes hydroboosts vacuum boosters everything for your extreme braking needs
headers are a different matter, especially for the gt40p heads--I don't recall everything I've read, but it's in the TOTW: 5.0 thread---I'm using some I had from somewhere--again got lucky that they fit, but I had to do some clearancing for #5, # 6 & #8 plugs...these are stock mustang headers, no issues on passenger side--ok I had to break down and buy the specific gt40p headers as I kept burning plug wires---you will need to cut down a plug socket that has wrench flats to get to some plugs--plug boot ends need to be angled at least 45* with more being better--I also needed to adapt the NOVAK motor mounts for these headers(I did both, but really only the driver's side needed it)
I used NOVAK motor mounts and I could only get the motor centered with the stock willys frame width....
the ford 9" pinion isn't centered on the axle---I didn't know this and am not sure if there will be u-joint issues or not--doubt there will be except maybe replacing them more often than perfectly centered pinions....
on my rear coilovers I ended up 6.5" to center off the outside of the frame and due to my stretch I had to hack out the wheel well supports, but since my mount is tight to the wheel well I've gained strength there vs losing...
oh yea on the frame I had to notch for the the atlas--like 3/4''---again a wider frame would've prevented this...
well that's about as far as I've gone for now--like I said the front axle still needs to torn into and slapped under the jeep and I've got concerns about front drive shaft and exhaust placement, but until I get the axle set under there I'm just not sure---the front coilover mounts and 3 link should be interesting also, due to the frame width, but again until I get it pushed under and set to ride height I've got no idea what I'm up against....
also I'm not sure what I'm doing for a fuel tank yet--I've got an RCI tank(30"w x 7"h x 17"w), but I'm not sure I'll use it---I've left the rear frame 8" longer than the body right now, so maybe I stretch the rear of the body also or put the fuel tank there and box it in and leave the body alone or cut the frame back and put the tank in the rear or have a custom tank built---will need to figure that out--- oh yea still need to wire it up---
RJM wire harness is the bomb also---
when you use the front dress off an explorer, make sure you ditch the fuel pump eccentric on the camshaft and get a big washer or grind it down…
and with a MSD dizzy you'll have to grind or cut out a notch in the bracketry possibly to move the dizzy to get it timed….
I was able to not stretch the hood to make everything work. What I did do is made some angles side plates that would angle the grill, so that the hood would still close on the top of the grill.
You need to pay special attention of where the steering box will mount, so before you cut the front frame rails to length make sure you have enough room to make everything fit. now one more thing---if you are planning on using a saginaw steering gear(may be the different with other steering gears, but all I have is saginaws) with a 3 link front with a frame built like mine(and many others without notches or bends for the axle to clear on full stuff) it looks like you should keep your bumper at least 21" from the center line of the axle---I'm at 17.5" and that's why I'm having these issues-- the front of the steering gear is going to sit tight to my bumper is what it looks like right now---
you can't use a MAF sensor from a 1994 and up motor, so be sure you have or buy the right one....
thanks to Lloyd and MDDimmick also for answering questions and providing info...
hope this helps guys in the future with their flatty builds....chris