Thanks to reader Clark B. for this cool find! I’ve always liked CJ-2A’s. The split windshields and low hoods make for a very classy looking off-roader. This 1947 2A seems to be a great candidate for an affordable off-roader. Find it here on craigslist in Marquette, Michigan for $1,500.
Okay. It’s not pretty. I can’t hide that. The seats aren’t correct and there appears to be a pretty hideous roll bar mounted at the rear. The rust seems pretty apparent behind the fenders, but I have seen (and owned) far worse. The wheels appear to be correct for a 47 as does the windshield.
Mechanically, this Jeep is supposedly great. The owner says it runs well and the 4×4 “is all there”. I think I spot an electric fuel pump, but the mechanical unit can be easily rebuilt. The Jeep has clearly been swapped from the stock flathead-4 to a slightly more powerful “F-Head” 4, with a higher valve cover. The hood has been modified to accommodate the higher carburetor. From what I can see under the hood, this jeep was originally the very desirable and, in my opinion, beautiful Pasture Green.
The owner also says the Jeep sports a pair of Sears-Allstate locking hubs on the front end. They are a nice upgrade and a somewhat unusual find compared to the often seen DualMatic’s and Warn hubs. Aside from mechanical condition, the owner says he also has a title for it, which is a huge bonus. Many of these classic 4×4’s are missing this critical component. What would you do with it? Make it an easy mudder, or go all in with a full restoration?
Man, that’s one shaggy lookin’ CJ, but it may look worse than it really is. These are infinitely rebuildable. I’m not sure about the “portholes” in the hood, and I’m sure the interior matches the outside. Still, as James sez, CJ2’s are getting hard to find. It looks like the hole in the hood may be for the oil cap. I didn’t even notice that at 1st. Gotta give those Yoopers credit, give me torch, WE’LL make this work. Great find, won’t be here long at this price.
If your intentions are hunting / off roading who needs pretty, for the asking price I would think you can’t go wrong. I would go through the mechanicals / brakes, do something with the interior then rattle can the body and take it off the road and have fun.
These are really simple and fun to restore. If you are looking for a family project these are great.
Your kids will have fond memories.
“These are infinitely rebuildable.” – if that isn’t the absolute best way to describe a Jeep !!!
And that’s a good thing cuz you’re gonna be infinitely rebuilding it :)
and, yeah, I’d like to have another one
A local gas station has a Jeep like this that is used solely for plowing snow in their lot. It never leaves the station. If they were looking for a cheap replacement, this might be a good candidate.
As a fellow Marquette person would think this would make a nice camp road plow.
Im currently working on the same year- (that is, when i have the time) i have the motor cranking from the foot switch….next step: spark⚡
Over the years, we have rebuilt 20 or more 1940’s-1970’s Jeeps, GPW’s, MB’s, CJ2’s, 3’s, 5’s & 7’s, as well as some trucks & even the oddball Scrambler here & there. Every single component is available for these things, even complete tubs. And for a very good reason, because you will eventually replace every single component. And depending how long you own it, some parts multiple times.
I have a neighbor that has one even crustier than this, that is still under a lean-to with a plow and home made, but effective, half cab that was his main plow truck for years ( he’s 71) He’s “burned out” 2 other plow trucks over the years (Ford Ranger, and something else) and is strongly considering pulling the old Jeep out. Takes a bit longer, he says, but always did the job. I knew a guy with one, no hydraulic pump, but a tall bottle jack in front to raise the plow, and the pump handle was inside the cab. That’s doin’ it the hard way.
“I have a video of it in action on YouTube.” But giving you the link would be much too easy…