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Question of Feasibility of driving a Cj2a regularly.

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by incynr8, Dec 18, 2008.

  1. Dec 18, 2008
    incynr8

    incynr8 Member

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2008
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    160
    Hi everyone, I am new here. The only Jeep I ever had was a 2000 Wrangler.
    I have found both a 74 and a 47 (stock), both quasi local.

    For the past 8 years I have been fixing and driving old 36hp 1950-60s microbuses.

    My questions relate obviously to the 1947 cj2a.......

    I live in a hilly region with a 30 mile drive to work. When it's bad out I need a 4x4, and lack one. I like old cars, and adjusting points, valves, etc are no problem.

    Is a 1947 stock feasible to use in winter, drive 60 miles a day, off switching between something else when it's nice out? I figure I should expect like 45mph top speeds, or is 50-55 possible? Is putting say 5K miles a year on one of these do-able, assuming a maint. mantra and fastidious care? I don't plan on much off roading besides a few gravel roads, and well snow.......

    Sorry for complete newbie questions.

    Al
     
  2. Dec 18, 2008
    gman

    gman Garage Full of Jeep

    Snowy New Hampsha
    Joined:
    May 8, 2006
    Messages:
    35
    Welcome from New Hampsha!

    You know what they say - Anything is possible.

    Since youre used to driving old, finicky iron from your microbuses, I would think you'd have a blast driving your willys regularly to work. My only caution is that an 80ish wheelbase and icy roads is a recipe for 'excitement'.

    That being said, good luck with it and we all look forward to another Willys being used as a daily driver!:)

    Gman
     
  3. Dec 18, 2008
    1960willyscj5

    1960willyscj5 Well-Known Member

    Mesa, Arizona
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    2,793
    All I got to say is try it and see how you like it.
    I'ld plan on about 50 for a top speed, so give your self plenty of time to get there.:hurrican::):coffee:
     
  4. Dec 18, 2008
    incynr8

    incynr8 Member

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    Well it would only be a quasi 'daily driver' not in the true sense.
    I expected ice would be a nemesis. My awd low to the ground rocket is probably best in ice, if I would go buy the 1200$ ice tires for it :(..........
    How are the cj2as in snow in the true sense?

    What's the maint. schedule like? I am used to valves every 1500, non syncro 1st trans about the same............

    the oil cannister appears to be missing,,,,,is there a known cart. conversion?

    thanks
    Al
     
  5. Dec 18, 2008
    bobo

    bobo Sponsor

    canby or
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    Aug 12, 2008
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    Buy them both! use one to drive, and play with the other. Its always good to have a spare.:)
     
  6. Dec 19, 2008
    Bill F

    Bill F Finally running

    Hillsboro NH
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    588
    I have played with my m38 in the snow. It is lots of fun, really easy to do "cookies" with it. I dont think it would be so much fun to drive in on snowy roads.
     
  7. Dec 19, 2008
    NoFlyZone

    NoFlyZone Member

    Ridgeville, SC
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    Mar 17, 2006
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    Yes!! Certainly with your experience. I used to have a 71 westy daily driver and drove from Columbia to Charleston every weekend until I finally moved down here.

    The power, braking, and steering will have very similar quality or lack of should I say. Keep stock size tires on it and keep it tuned up and lubed up(just like the vw's/ points, plugs, valves adjusted, carb clean, etc etc) On a tough hill you always have low range you can use. Man I wish my westy had low range....
     
  8. Dec 19, 2008
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2003
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    8,102
    My $.02 about the 2A-

    First, you'll be wanting to move the gas heater out of the bus & into the jeep, they are at the very best very drafty & the heaters, if even present, are notoriously weak.

    Second, as others have mentioned, an 80" wheel base + ice = EXCITEMENT!!!

    Third, 2A's didn't all come with oil filters, they were an option. If you put one in you need to be careful which filter element you use,the oiling system was designed for a 'bypass' filter, if you use a 'full flow' element you can kiss your oil pressure (& bearings) good bye :(.

    Fourth, The seats may not have that "50 mile commute" comfort level you might like.

    Fifth, you *WILL* need ear protection. jeep aren't too bad without a top but put one on & the gear train noise is trapped in there :(

    Frankly, if I were you I'd scrounge the junk yards for old Syncro parts & build a killer 4wd splitty :twisted:

    H.
     
  9. Dec 19, 2008
    incynr8

    incynr8 Member

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    I am accustomed to no oil filter. I agree full flow stinks on engines not designed for it, they are systems in a holistic sense.

    I do not modify the buses in any way, and even run the coker repro bias tires. So everyone thinks I am nuts usually.

    I am sort of inclined to get the 74 first then the 47, but I'm still tempted. I knew I would freeze without a heater mod like a webasto/espar/mohave (assuming the engine has water bung provisions for heat? It's a straight plug head engine......

    Thanks for all the info......the ice warnings are what are scaring me a bit......... :)

    Al
     
  10. Dec 19, 2008
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
    Joined:
    Nov 22, 2003
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    8,102

    Well, I guess i can't rag on you too much about not modding your bus, meet our "other' vehicle- 'Putt"

    [​IMG]

    Lots of people here are into veedubs of one flavour or another :)

    H.
     
  11. Dec 19, 2008
    aallison

    aallison 74 cj6, 76 cj5. Has anyone seen my screwdriver?

    Green Cove...
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    Nov 24, 2006
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    1,929
    50 years ago it was a DD. I think it can be again. Just be careful. My cj will be my DD when I get it running. And nothing about it will say DD. Buy my own cool factor will go up 1000%
     
  12. Dec 20, 2008
    CJ-X

    CJ-X Member

    Ohio
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    816
    Sure it can be a daily driver with decent maintenance, ....But..... If it is a choice between the the 47 and the 74, you might be more comfortable in the '74.
    Pro's of the '74.........
    Better Steering
    Better brakes
    More room for driver
    Bigger fuel tank, not under the seat.
    Easier to upgrade the brakes or steering.
    Higher axle ratio probably
    Quiter transfer case
    12 volts already
    Lockout hubs
    Better axles

    Pro's of the '47..........This may be better!
    Looks cooler!
    More nostalgic.
    Independent wipers
    Parts availability just as good as the '74
    When you are broke down, more people stop and help the older vehicles.
    You don't have to get out of your jeep to put gas in it.
    You aren't legally required to buckle-up.
    You do not have to use your turn signals.
    You almost never have to wave first under the jeep wave heiarchy.
    Your historic license plates last 25 years.
    Probably won't ever get a speeding ticket.
    Nobody will ask to borrow it.
    You will become healthier because you had to lose weight just to get behind the steering wheel.
    You will become an expert at repairing drum brake wheel cylinders, and can then post knowledgable answers on this forum.
    Hmmm, Where is that '47 at?
     
  13. Dec 20, 2008
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    I wouldn't. Maybe a few times a month ...

    IMO the main problem will be the time and effort required by you to commute in this car. There's nothing that prevents you from commuting in the CJ2A, but for me, it would not be worth it for more than an occasional lark. Having to drive it every day would make the fun wear off quickly, I'd think.
     
  14. Dec 20, 2008
    incynr8

    incynr8 Member

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    I elected to the get the 1974 Jeep. The big factor was heat (or lack thereof) and highway cruising speed, I felt as if the cj2a was just too close to overdoing it on a highway run. If it was destined to only roaming back roads....I also like to drive....Sometimes far...like Maine, or North Carolina...and I recall the last time I did that in a 36hp bus. The days additional it adds are all fun, but the top speed restriction gets awful tiring, even though I am fine with minimalism.

    By daily driver I meant mostly bad weather and a few days a week, I have other cars to use, just no 4x4s.Well my r32 doesn't count really.

    The 74 was low miles, original paint, original engine without many mods and in good shape. It's a factory v8. Pics forthcoming.

    Thanks for the help everyone...!
     
  15. Dec 20, 2008
    fheadcj6

    fheadcj6 Member

    Australia
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    Sep 29, 2007
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    94
    i have a friend that has done 80000 miles in his 3b as a daily driver, it's now semi retired but was a daily driver for 10 years in the 90's
     
  16. Dec 21, 2008
    HOGHEAD

    HOGHEAD Made in the U S A

    Sharpsburg
    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2006
    Messages:
    45
    My 59 Cj3b will be my Daily Driver & I have 52 mile round trip commute to work,,,, But I am putting the body on a 74 CJ-5 tho,,

    So I have the coolness of the flatty & the reliablity of AMC parts,,,(360 V8 Dana 30 & 44 373 gears,)
     
  17. Dec 21, 2008
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
    Joined:
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    O.K., if I've worked the math right on that 80,000 miles over 10 years works out to about 30 miles round trip per day. Now my question is-

    How much of that was through snow over ice covered roads with the heater running full blast?:twisted:

    H.:)
     
  18. Dec 21, 2008
    evanjm

    evanjm Yeah, it's got an F-head.

    Leesburg, VA
    Joined:
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    I've driven my '48 2A for years as a daily driver and before that I drove my '57 CJ5 as the daily.

    Yeah, it's a bit cold in the winter (I don't have a heater, some day I suppose) and it goes slow, but it's really not that bad. I'm on the stock NDTs and driving in the snow and ice isn't all that bad--you just have to be sensible about driving.
     
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