Flattie project questions

I just picked up a 1942 Willys MB that supposedly has a 1948 CJ3a windshield frame, grille and fenders. The chassis is supposed to be from a1956 CJ. My plans are to put a 3a body on this, but one thing I noticed so far is that the MB body seems to be too short for the frame, as I have a couple of extra inches of framerail in the back when the front of the body is where it should be. The tires are centered in the rear wheel openings, but the frame seems to be a little too long in the back. Are the 3a bodies longer than an MB body or is the frame I have not going to work? Thanks, Curt

 

The reason the frame sticks out in the rear is because the Early CJ-5 body is longer in the rear and the rear springs are longer than the flatty hence the longer frame. If you want to wheel it I'd leave the CJ frame and integrate a bumper or something to cover it up. The longer rear springs will allow a better ride and better articulation of the suspension/axles. Plus, it's already there. The 3A tub is not any longer in the rear than the MB IIRC and won't cover up the longer rear frame.
Nickmil

 

There's an article about this on the CJ-3B page: http://www.film.queensu.ca/CJ3B/Tech/FrameCJ5.html - the 3B tub has the same footprint as the 3A tub.

 

It's not as bad as some I have seen, the worst part is the floor. I would repair it, but my father had a 3A with a small block Chevy before, and we are going to sort of build a clone of that jeep. The MB body will probably end up for sale.

Thanks for the info on the frame length guys. My father's old flattie was on a 68 frame, but that was done before he got it, as was the engine, so we're going from scratch here. I did buy a running, driving '72 CJ-6 chassis for the axles, steering, transfer case, etc..... So hopefully we can put this all together.

 

Dibs on the MB body

 

I'll be parting out a lot of extra pieces from this project as I get going on it, and I'll be sure to post the stuff on here. I think the original axles, tranny, and transfer case may be up for grabs, too as I'm probably going to use the newer stuff from the CJ-6 that I got. I'll be sure to let everyone know.

 

When she's all done you've got to keep that old Coca-Cola cooler as part of the package. That thing's almost as old as the Jeep. Very cool!

 

Believe it or not, the Coke Cooler is actually going to be a battery box/tool box for my '40 Ford Delivery that I'm building a '60's Hot Rod out of.