jeepcj2a@fluke.UUCP (Dale Chaudiere) (01/28/85)
To: ssc-vax!uw-beaver!cornell!vax135!houxm!ihnp4!inuxc!pur-ee!CS-Mordred!Pucc-H:Pucc-I:af1
Subject: Re: Willy`s 4WD
References: <840@pucc-i>
You did not say what year the jeep was. Anyway here's my background before I
start:
My vehicle is a 1946 CJ2A universal Willy's Jeep. It is my main car and gets
driven to work every day. I had the stock flat-head 4 in it until last July.
I have had the jeep for 10 years and have been in 4 wheel drive clubs for 9.
I will start with the older model jeeps, (MB,M38,CJ2A,CJ3A,CJ3B)
You did not say whether the engine was the stock four. If not stay away from
a converted MB the transmission and transfer case cannot take more than a 4
cylinder, (just get under and look at the size of it. The Army was concerned
about weigth). The other early models have Borg-Warner T90 transmissions like
the early Scouts. They will not speed shift but will handle bigger engines.
The overdrive is a must on these because the differentials gears are so low.
Even with the overdrive do not expect to exceed the double-nickel, except on
a down hill with no head wind. Gas milage with the 4 will be about 17-18 on
the highway and about 13-14 city and off-road. A V6 will get about the same
and a V8 lower. A Pinto or Pontiac 4 will hit low 20's.
The rollcage should have plates on the back side to reinforce the body sheet
metal at mounting points.
Parts are easy to obtain, get a hold of a parts catalog from these guys:
Four Wheel Parts Wholesalers
P.O. Box 91010
Los Angeles, CA 90009
(213) 323-JEEP or (800) 421-1050
Some advantages of older models:
Lower hood for greater forward visibility.
Lower gears give ability to crawl without using the brakes (a real must for
descending steep hills)
Lower center of gravity (stock)
Easy to work on.
Can be easily upgrated.
I think they look better.
Disadvantages of older models:
Poor steering (too many moving parts) can be converted to Chevy Saginaw for
about $150
Poor brakes (takes more than normal effort to push, can be converted to Ford
11" for about $300)
Under powered (Conversions run from $1000 on up depending on if you do the
work and if you rebuild the engine your putting in)
If a engine bigger than a V6 is installed the differential gears have to be
changed to take "real" advantage of the increased power. (I have seen many
people who just leave the jeep in overdrive all the time.
The newer models, (M38A1,CJ5,CJ6,CJ7,CJ8).
They are easier to find parts for. More state-of-the-art technology. More
power.
Disadvantages.
The V8 models with the 3 speed transmission had too high gears for crawling
down hills or over rocks.
Some models have no tailgate.
Higher center of gravity.
Higher hood.
Longer wheel base, gets high centered (CJ6,CJ7,CJ8).
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