Have a few questions about a flat fender I'm looking at buying

I found another flat fender and if everything works out, I should be bringing this one home with me. However, I have a few questions...

I looked on the passanger's side firewall for a data plate. I found a plate that read something like "Department of Revenue" then a 5-6 diget number, then "Pennsylvania". What does this mean? Is this a reconstructed title or a replacement data plate of some kind?

Also, the guy told me that the Jeep is titled as a 1956. However, the windshield is square and split (like a 2A). It does not have a high hood like the 3B would. Everything leaves me to believe it's a CJ2A.

The only thing I can come up with is that the Jeep is a CJ2A and was reconstructed or re-titled in 1956. Any other opinions or suggestions? Anyone have any insight into this? Sorry, no pictures right now, but will hopefully have some soon.

Also, it hase a plate on that dash that reads "caution" then some other stuff. Shouldn't there be 3 plates on the dash (passanger's side)?

Thanks

 

Flat fenders are like this most of the time.

Some were even sold years after being built and titled the year sold

Remeber also many parts are inter changable.

Many were used where thay didnt need to reg. farm ect. then they would guess when titled years later.

My 3b was all original except no motor wish it could talk.

I wouldnt let this concern you unless you are going for a full blown restore.

 

i agree.. could very well be a 3A with a WS from a 2A... best way to check is to get the serial numbers off the frame.

 

Where are the serial numbers located on the frame? Are there any other diferences between the 2A tub and the 3A tub?

Unless I'm wrong, they didn't make a 3A in '56 and it definately isn't a 3B or a CJ5. So the fact that it's a '56 title still has me a little confused. I guess it doesn't really matter as long as it has a title. That special "Department of Revenue, Pennsylvania" plate on the firewall probably has something to do with the wacky title...at least thats my guess.

 

check the left front frame horn for serial #... you made need to go at it a bit with a wire brush to be able to read it

 

This from: http://www.thecj2apage.com/history.html ( site you should become familiar with IF you have a CJ-2A - tongue-in-cheek warning - they restore rust chips, too)

There has come to light 6 different places that have a serial number stamped on the CJ2A's. The confusion comes in on the 2 body numbers. Below is where each serial number is located. I would also like for these numbers to be sent to me so I can continue my research on how these numbers relate to each other. Some patterns have started to show up and I need more serial numbers to back up further updates. **Remember; This data isn't written down anywhere and your data is needed to continue the research. Any part of or, all of the numbers are needed and appreciated.

Willys Serial number---On a plate, on the passenger side firewall by the air cleaner. **Very Early CJ2A's had the serial number stamped on a plate located on the dash. This later changed to a plate on the firewall under the hood, but I do not know when this change took place. Let me know if you have the number on the dash so I can "Bracket" when Willys change the location.

Willys Body Number---On a plate, on the passenger side fire wall just under the Serial Number plate. On the early CJ2A's--it may be the only plate in this location.

ACM Body Number---On the drivers toe board (This is the part that runs from the firewall to the frame and has holes in the side of it)--The number is on leading edge, facing the engine compartment--just above the steering box--stamped in large numbers. I believe this to be the number that ACM use for their proposes. Then Willys assign a body number also. This is just a reach---but we have to start somewhere!!! This same number is also stamped--if original---on the passenger side of the thin edge of the tailgate. I would like this number also, even if it is different. If the serial number is different---check the tailgate color and see if it matches the body color. It appears that on later CJ2A's, Willys started using the ACM body number as theirs. However, I do not know when this started. So far, the ACM body numbers are running roughly 10,000 less than the Serial Number.

Engine Number---Early engines has the number on an oval pad behind the oil filter---later engines has the number stamped above the water pump--in front of the head. Early CJ2A's have a pre-fix of "CJ2A" and later CJ2A's has a "J" as a pre-fix. I suspect that the pre-fix is related to which place the engine number is stamped and whether or not it is the timing chain engine or the later timing gear engine. Please confirm where and which engine you have.

Frame Number---On the drivers side frame horn--behind the front bumper. On Very Early CJ2A's it is on the inside of the frame, later 2A's has it on the outside. It will be on a small plate like the Body Number plate. Toward the end of production the frame tag may have been dropped--please Confirm which side of the frame the plate is on and if it does or does not have the frame tag. If the plate is missing---look for two small holes where the plate might have been.

Original Body Color---You can look up under the 2A around the transmission and where oil and grease is built up---it preserves the paint very well. Or you can remove a minor body part and see what is behind it. The serial number plate is a good item to remove and see what's color is behind it. What few serial numbers that are match to a body color have shown that like colors do stack on top of each other. There are some large gaps in the data and more information would be helpful here.

Ken

 

I don't recall the dimensions, but the top of the rear fender "boxes" is shorter on the 3A, compared to the 2A, by about 1 1/2" IIRC. 3B is same as 3A. I can get you exact measurements if you want. BW

 

We have the measurements list at http://www.farmjeep.com/cj3a.html.

Barry

 

Thats what I figured too. I told the guy I would take the Jeep. He was supposed to call me back to schedule a time to pick it up and transfer the title. I've left another message on his answering machine since then and he has not returned my calls. It's been 5 days since I last talked to him and told him I would buy the Jeep. I'm afraid he sold it to someone else. It was a holiday weekend, so thats the only thing that gives me a little hope that I still have a shot at it.

 

I finally was able to talk to the guy again last night. He said his brother sold the Jeep to someone else the same day he talked to me. My guess is the brother said "no way I'm selling the Jeep that cheap. Tell him I already sold it"

 

The earliest, earliest CJ2A's didn't have any of the firewall plates and they had no ACM numbers on the tailgates. My firewall has no holes drilled for the plates either. My 2A serial number is 10043 but my other jeep 11590 did have the tailgate number and the firewall plates.
I have also seen CJ2A prefixes on the water pump boss and had a 46 column shift 2A w/ a chain drive engine and casting number and a J prefix on the water pump boss.
Have you spoken to Harold West? I've given him info on at least 14 column shifts that I've had.

 

I was communicating with Harold, via email, until he found that my rig was so highly modified, and had no hope ever of restoration.

Silence ensued

But then I bought it far too far past the point of possible resto, and didn't want that anyway... I wanted to wheel it, and do.

Ken

 

My 5 is like that, period modifications only, but the others are gettin retored to original.