Aging the CJ

I picked up a "Frankenjeep" for a project. It's a 51 cj-3a (confirmed) but it has a cj-5 body. The CJ-3a tag was transferred to the 5 body on installation so there is no body tag on the 5 to go by. Are there structural peculiarities (sp) that will assist in an accurate date of origin? I know it is pre 65 due to the snorkel cut out on the hood, but that is as far as I could assertain.

I appreciate any help you can offer,

Howie

 

According to the early cj5/cj6 spotter's guide from the main page: http://www.earlycj5.com/resources/visual-cj-5-identification-guide/

The snorkel cutout in the hood was pre-1965, but pre-1965 should have a faux battery box cover on the cowl. The gas tank being located under the driver's seat is pre-1970.

This puts your tub at somewhere between '65 and 70, and your hood maybe is from an M38A1? Does it have the shovel mount mounted to the bottom side of it?

Your windshield frame is pre-1968, due to the top-mounted wipers; but I'm not sure what years had the one piece windshield: my '53 M38A1 has a split windshield, but top mounted wipers.

Your tub does not appear to be from an M38A1: no external-power outlet dish on the passenger's side front.

 

does this have dual tanks or am i seeing things in the first picture? looks like a fuel spout behind the door on the pass side.

 

Yes, it does have 2 tanks (one under each seat) and I don't believe there is a shovel mount anywhere. It looks like there was a spare tire bracket on the right rear/side fender behind the wheel well. I don't have this at home yet and have not really studied it too hard. It runs good and I got it for a song.

 

Is the front axle a Dana 25 or Dana 27?

 

Not sure of the front axle, but it is stock 1951 cj-3a 9 (flat sides on the cover) as is the frame and running gear and all but the tub/body

 

dual tanks.. COOL! :-D

 

There really aren't many differences in the early cj tubs that help define year, except the few already mentioned here. Hoods, grills, windshield frames are easily swapped around on these old jeeps so that makes it difficult to ascertain the year of manufacture also. No numbers stamped in the tubs anywhere AFAIK. VIN number sticker on the lower left of the dash is the best but I will assume this is missing or maybe painted over on yours since you haven't mentioned it. The dual tanks has me intrigued. Like to see a close up shot of that side of the tub.

 

IMHO Spotters guide may need a little updating.
The hood snorkle knock out was in use through 1968.
Also the small grill parking lamps indicate pre 1969.
Lack of cowl battery cover indicates post 1964 or post 1965, I forgot.
Those alone indicate a 1965 1966 1967 or 1968 tub.

 

common modifcation for back in the time.
you could buy the filler neck cutout over the counter and simply modify a stock tank by relocating the filler neck on the tank.
I removed my 2A tool box and installed the pass side tank on my 2A back in 1982.

 

You can still buy them new, and you can buy new passenger seat tanks as well.

 

I guess the point I was trying to make was by doing the tank installation in this way, the installation looks "factory" when in fact it is not.

 

Thanks for all the info, it helps.

I'll get the photos here shortly that were requested. I hope I can help some of you out some day, somehow.

 

My 66 Park has no cut out. Was it used on only some models?

 

FWIW My 67 does not and my 65 does. They are both original hoods.

 

I'm just stating that I know of a 1968 Dauntless CJ-5 that's a low mileage original down to the paint having the snorkle knock out.
And yes I'm sure its a 1968 vintage.
It even has transitional 1968 bottom mount electric wipers but not the arched windshield.
It seems to me that Kaiser may have used both hood designs from 1965 through 1968.

 

Good info! My 66 has the hood snorkle cutout.