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CJ2a V.I.N. Questions

Discussion in 'Early Jeep Restoration and Research' started by Chuck, Apr 15, 2005.

  1. Apr 15, 2005
    Chuck

    Chuck Sponsor

    Southshore Ma
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    I finally have the 47 2a at my house and would like to ask a couple of questions concerning the V.I.N.

    I have two I.D. plates on the right side of the fire wall, one a body tag (CJ2A 58125) the other tag above it has the same number, but the rest of the tag is very faded and I can’t make out the numbers, seems to be three rows of numbers. I the engine # on the water pump boss is (4LR100625).

    The P.O. has told me the Jeep has never been registered (farm Jeep) and there are no tags in front of the passenger seat dash. I would like to make sure of the serial numbers before we do the paper work (bill of sale) as there is no title.

    My questions: Is the number (CJ2A 58125) that I found on both tags the serial number? If that is the number would that make it a 1946 not a 47? What are the three rows of numbers below? As always your help is much appreciated.
     
  2. Apr 15, 2005
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
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    Chuck-

    My '48 was exactly as you describe, except that mine had been titled in Colorado. My VIN number is CJ2A-195945. Of course, somewhere along the way, the DMV in Colorado dropped the CJ2 part and titled my Jeep as a A-195945, and this transferred over to Pennsylvania when I titled it here.

    My inclination is to think that you will need to apply for an original title in your state, and use the CJ2A 58125 number as your VIN. You will likely need to jump through some hoops, such as having the vehicle inspected by a trooper and having a certified inspection mechanic do a tracing if the SN tag, all of which of course varies by state.

    Good luck, and let us know what you find out! :)
     
  3. Apr 15, 2005
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
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    mine is: CJ2A 90673
    as Steve has already mentioned, probably have to have the law verify the VIN before title would be issued
    it also should be stamped in the frame, behind one of the frt bumper brackets/horns
    mine was covered over by strapping the frame
     
  4. Apr 15, 2005
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    As I recall, you only need a bill of sale for a car that old in MA. My bill of sale for my truck was written on a piece of notebook paper, no notary or anything. I had the title from Maine, but the RMV didn't need it.
     
  5. Apr 15, 2005
    Chuck

    Chuck Sponsor

    Southshore Ma
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    It does appear that (CJ2A 58125) is the vin given Steve’s 1948 (195945) - 6 digit number and Jim’s 1947 (90673) - 5 digit number. The P.O. said it was a 47, but I believe the 47 vin’s started with 83380 that would make mine a 46. I would like to verifier this before we do the paper work.

    I have read that the frame numbers doesn’t always match the vin on the fire wall plate.

    Tim, your correct all I need is a bill of sale although I would like to confirm the year first.
     
  6. Apr 15, 2005
    Chuck

    Chuck Sponsor

    Southshore Ma
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    With a little more research I’m confident it’s a 46. The 46 vin are from 11825 – 83379. Thanks for steering me in the right direction. I hope this helps others.
     
  7. Apr 15, 2005
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
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    Kewl! It's not a column-shift Jeep is it? There are several tell-tale signs to look for.
     
  8. Apr 15, 2005
    Chuck

    Chuck Sponsor

    Southshore Ma
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    Steve, it has the floor shift. What are some of the tell-tale signs between a 46 - 47?

    Last week I did find a late 45 early 46 column shift, left my number still waiting for a call.
     
  9. Apr 15, 2005
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
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    Chuck-

    The most obvious would be remains of the column-shift linkage, or an odd-shaped hole where the steering column goes through the floor; The floor-shift Jeeps have a perfectly round hole whereas the column-shift jeeps have an indent for the linkage to run alongside the steering tube.

    It's also not unheard of for a prior owner to remove the side-shift forks from the T-90 and simply plop a top-shift T-90 cover on the original tranny. Look on the side of the tranny where the bosses are for the side-shift rods and if there are plugs of some sort in there, your tranny was converted somewhere along the way. A top-shift tranny will not have the holes machined into the case, but the bosses will be there. Another obvious sign would be a ragged hole hacked into the floor cover, as opposed to having the cover replaced with one from a floor-shift Jeep. An original floor shift Jeep will have the edges of the floor-shift hole rolled under, and not just a raw edge. Removing the 4 screws that hold the rubber shifter boot in place will tell the tale.
     
  10. Apr 16, 2005
    kamel

    kamel Senior Curmudgeon

    Erlanger, Kentucky
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    Your jeep would be a 46 model. I don't think it would have had the column shift - I believer they gave that up by then..
     
  11. Apr 16, 2005
    Kodiak12060

    Kodiak12060 Sponsor

    Beacon NY
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    The column shifts stopped in the 30,000 range. The first CJ2A had serial number 10001. It was 5 digits.
    So yours would be a floor shift.
     
  12. Apr 16, 2005
    Chuck

    Chuck Sponsor

    Southshore Ma
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    I’m not sure how it happen, but I believe I inadvertently deleted my post (10th) made just before (kamel) & Bill (Kodiak12060) .

    In part the post read that I did a little more research and found that the column shift ran from 45 to 46 and was dropped to a floor shift after s/n 38221. Without doubt I own a 46 (58125).

    Steve, there were no signs of a column shift. Thanks.
     
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