shapes on a CJ5

Hi guys, I'm a long time Jeepster Commando lover, but a buddy of mine just bought a 58 CJ-5. I've never owned a CJ, but I appreciate these great rigs! Can you help me understand the function of a couple body shapes on his CJ?
First, there is a rectangle shape box on the passenger side between the hood and the windshield. What is this? Does it open?
Second, I noticed a large round hole (not rust!) in the passenger side rear wheel well just before the bumper. What was this opening used for?
Because of the year, I'm assuming the jeep has these parts: (am I right?)
134 F-Head four cylinder engine, Borg Warner T90 three speed transmission, and model 18 transfer case. I can't make out the casting numbers on the axles, what type would these be?
Thanks in advance for all the info! If you've got any jeepster questions, I'll do my best to help on my side of the forum!
-Nathan

 

Nathan,
Welcome from north/central Maine! Glad to see another Mainer around here...

The rectangular box on the cowl was a hold-over from the military M38A1 which had a battery box there. The civ CJ5 had the box "lid" but it doesn't open (not from the factory, anyway). As for the hole on the rear wheel well, I'm not too sure what to tell you...I'm not aware of anything being there. Try checking the photo gallary on here, or doing a forum search. I'm sure others will speak up, too. Also, we love pics if you have some.

Hope it helps!

Thomas

Almost forgot - your right about the motor/trans/transfer. Axles should be Dana 25 front / Dana 44 rear, probably with 5.38s.

 

That's a great help! I'll try to get my buddy to take a picture of the round hole in the rear wheel well and post it here. This restoration is going to be great
Enjoy the Maine spring and summer,
Nathan

 

That round hole is probably where the spare tire mount USED to be. It's common for that area to rust out or get damaged by snagging the spare on something and ripping it loose. Maybe the hole was cut there by a previous owner with the intention of patching it?

 

Are you talking about outside the wheel well or inside? Inside the wheel well there is the support for the spare tire and that bracket has a round hole. That is factory.

 

Oh yeah, forgot about that. The thing inside the wheel well in the upper right part of this photo? That's supposed to be there.

 

I have the same thing on my '70 and looking for the circular marker light to put replace. Paint guy broke the original...

Welcome from ALABAMA-

MM

 

That's it! It's just like the picture. So that was a brace to suport the spare tire mount? I love how practical every detail is on this CJ! Everything you need, and nothing you dont.
Thanks for the help guys,
Nathan