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What repro body should I order? CJ2A,3A or M38

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by avmechanic, Jun 10, 2009.

  1. Jun 10, 2009
    avmechanic

    avmechanic Gearhead

    Langley B.C. Canada
    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2008
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    263
    Well I got the OK from my wife to order a reproduction Body for my Jeep project. It is originally a 48' 2A but I was thinking of ordering a MD Yuan/Omix Ada 3A body for it. This thing is far from stock so ordering a different body for it is not an issue of authenticity at all. For some background on my project check out my build thread http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60125 . I like the 3A windshield better than the 2A so because I am ordering a complete body kit with fenders, tailgate and windshield I thought that I would go 3A. After thinking about the 3A kit for a while, it crossed my mind to maybe think of a M38 body. What are all of the differences on the repo bodies? I like the idea of the glove box and the tool indentations on the right side. Is there a battery box in the cowl like an A1? Is there still room under the dash for me to put a heater under there? I know that my grill will not be quite right but around these parts nobody knows the difference between any of these bodies. What I don't like is the extra pieces on the outside of the tub that are for the top. (I believe) If I go that route I will either have to order the M38 gas tank with the large opening or weld in the filler opening for the small gas tank filler. I will be running an under seat tank as well as a in the frame back tank like a later CJ5. The price is the same for all three kits within a few dollars. Is there anything that I may have missed or should consider? I always thought that a guy should do whatever makes him happy and not worry about whether something is authentic or not. This Jeep is a total custom restomod anyway and only a bunch of boxes and pile of parts when I received it. It has been perfect for building what I want. I think any of the bodies would make this rig turn out awesome but I think the M38 body might be just a bit more character. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.
    Greg
     
    Last edited: Jun 10, 2009
  2. Jun 10, 2009
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2003
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    5,466
    Re: What repo body should I order? CJ2A,3A or M38

    Not sure about those any more, but several years ago the only difference with a 3A body and M38 from them was the 3A had a tail gate and the M38 didn't.
     
  3. Jun 10, 2009
    avmechanic

    avmechanic Gearhead

    Langley B.C. Canada
    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2008
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    263
    Re: What repo body should I order? CJ2A,3A or M38

    I believe their bodies are a little more accurate now and quality has improved from years past. In the photos of the repo bodies you can see significant differences. [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    Does the M38 have the under seat storage box on the passenger side?
    Greg
     
  4. Jun 10, 2009
    Rondog

    Rondog just hangin' out

    Parker, CO
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    Re: What repo body should I order? CJ2A,3A or M38

    I vote for the 3A body kit.
     
  5. Jun 10, 2009
    Bill F

    Bill F Finally running

    Hillsboro NH
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    Sep 22, 2002
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    588
    Re: What repo body should I order? CJ2A,3A or M38

    I would go with the m38 body, it has a glove box, removable easy to get to dash for the guages, and the cowl battery box can be very usaful for other things. I have even seen them used as a cooler
     
  6. Jun 10, 2009
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    5,466
    Re: What repo body should I order? CJ2A,3A or M38

    If they truly are that way - M38 all the way. The pullout for the gauges in the Dash are worth it alone.
     
  7. Jun 10, 2009
    avmechanic

    avmechanic Gearhead

    Langley B.C. Canada
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    263
    Re: What repo body should I order? CJ2A,3A or M38

    So they do have a battery box in the cowl then eh. With the V8 I have jammed under the hood I definitely won't have room for a battery under there. That might work well to put it in the M38 battery box. Will a normal battery fit in there OK? It looks like the battery box might take up a bit of foot room on the passenger side though or is it fine? I am worried that I might be lacking a little room for a heater under the dash as well. Otherwise I really like the idea of the M38 body. If anyone else has some input it would be appreciated.
    Greg
     
  8. Jun 10, 2009
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
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    Re: What repo body should I order? CJ2A,3A or M38

    Why not a 3B? :)
     
  9. Jun 10, 2009
    avmechanic

    avmechanic Gearhead

    Langley B.C. Canada
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    Re: What repo body should I order? CJ2A,3A or M38

    It had crossed my mind when I first considered the injected 4.8L Vortec V8 that it had a tall intake and I may have to go the 3B route. It ended up that I had plenty of room for the hood clearance and engine fitment and did not have to go the 3B ugly duckling route. Sorry but the 3B is a little ugly. But to me it is at least it's so ugly that it is cool. I will stick with the low hood body thanks.
    Greg
     
  10. Jun 11, 2009
    NoFlyZone

    NoFlyZone Member

    Ridgeville, SC
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    Mar 17, 2006
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    578
    Re: What repo body should I order? CJ2A,3A or M38

    I wouldn't trust those pics much. Looks like they have CJ7 door opening on one side. My vote is for the M38 You can remove the battery box if its in your way. I really think the only other difference is the dash and like the others said, that would be nice. I think most of the other differences in the photos are acccessories your not gooing toget with a the tub.
     
  11. Jun 11, 2009
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
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    Re: What repo body should I order? CJ2A,3A or M38

    Why doesn't their M38 tub have a tailgate? Did they build some of the M38's without?
    My Dad's '51 has a 'gate...
     
  12. Jun 11, 2009
    Bill F

    Bill F Finally running

    Hillsboro NH
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    588
    Re: What repo body should I order? CJ2A,3A or M38

    the repop tubs for the m38 do have a tailgate, and the orginal m38 tub has a tailgate as well.
     
  13. Jun 11, 2009
    Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Bonney Lake, WA
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    Re: What repo body should I order? CJ2A,3A or M38

    It might be worth your time to have whichever distributor that you are getting it from send you some pics. For the money it would be nice to know what it is you are buying before it shows up on the truck. Kinda spendy to try and return it! I wouldn't trust the stock omix picture.
     
  14. Jun 12, 2009
    Bill F

    Bill F Finally running

    Hillsboro NH
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    Re: What repo body should I order? CJ2A,3A or M38

    Also a plus on the m38 tubs are the floor pans are bolt in like the cj5.
     
  15. Jun 12, 2009
    avmechanic

    avmechanic Gearhead

    Langley B.C. Canada
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    Re: What repo body should I order? CJ2A,3A or M38

    After doing a bit of research I think that I might go with the M38 body. I like the fact that it has the battery box in the cowl, the removable instrument panel, and the glovebox. I like that M38 bodies never had Willys stamped on them from the factory. The 2A and 3A bodies come with or without Willys stamped on them. There is a $550 difference for the premium one with Willys on them. The M38 only has the premium kit without Willys in the first place. I read quite a few posts over at G503 website about the quality of the MD Jaun MFG bodies. There are many people that absolutely think the are garbage because they don't just fit on perfectly to there 50 to 60 year old jeep without a bit of modification. There are plenty of people though, that have actually used them, and other than a bit of work to fit them, are completely stoked to have a new body without months of rust repair to a wreck. There is so much hearsay that it is crazy. General consensus says that the repo bodies have improved a lot over the last five years. They are quite accurate and have all the correct differences for the different models such as MB,GPW,2A,3A,M38,3B. I may end up with some complications from the odd thing but I was expecting to have to do several mods to the repo body when I get it. I need to make a bigger hole in the floor for the transmission, I want to make a notch in the wheel well for more seat room and I am going to make some of my new cage mounts go through the floor to the frame. I just can't get a solid answer for what comes with the body. The salesman said that all of the exterior brackets are not included but wasn't sure on the glove box door or the instrument panel. It will be suiting that my wife and I had decided to paint it green a couple of weeks ago. We are by no means going to be making a military replica though. Just paint it a nice metallic green, with a lineX interior and black frame and bumpers. I will post what I ended up buying.
    Greg
     
  16. Jun 12, 2009
    brandon533b

    brandon533b Member since 2007

    Yakima,WA
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    Re: What repo body should I order? CJ2A,3A or M38

    im glad to hear that you choose the m38.
    if i had to choose one it would be that one.
    the tool indents sold me alone, thinking of putting some on my b.
    glove box would be cool too.
     
  17. Jun 14, 2009
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    Re: What repo body should I order? CJ2A,3A or M38

    Not all - I have one with no tailgate, and have installed another without a tailgate. Both MD sourced.
     
  18. Jun 15, 2009
    mortten

    mortten I can’t put my finger on it 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Peninsula, Ohio
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    Re: What repo body should I order? CJ2A,3A or M38

    I have a repo M38 body on my 2A. It has a tailgate but no battery box on the cowl. Of course I bought it 28 years ago so who knows now. Another thing to consider is the fuel tank. The M38 body has the large hole for the tank and the tank was also taller. I used my 2A tank, made a plate out of aluminum to make the hole smaller, and made a couple of spacers to lift the tank off of the floor.
     
  19. Jun 15, 2009
    avmechanic

    avmechanic Gearhead

    Langley B.C. Canada
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    Re: What repo body should I order? CJ2A,3A or M38

    I considered the tank difference. I ordered a new cj2a/3a tank and the 2a/3a fuel tank cutout for the body so I will have the correct size hole for it. I had thought of the m38 tank but a replacement one is $450 compared to $160 for a 2a/3a tank. Is the tank cutout in the body in the same place? If so I will be able to just drill out the spot welds and add the 2a/3a one. If not I have a little more metal work ahead of me. I ordered the m38 body yesterday and I should have it in about 10 days. I will post what I ended up with when I get it. I want to document my experience with the Omix-Ada/MD Juan body as I have found there isn't a lot of info on the net. Particularly there is a lot of second hand info and hearsay. Lets hope the quality and fitment is reasonably good.
    Greg
     
  20. Jun 15, 2009
    Bill F

    Bill F Finally running

    Hillsboro NH
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