There are a lot of difference between the CJ2A and the MB. They may
look similar and have some parts in common, but they are 2 different
animals. You might be better off selling the CJ-2A and buying a MB.
Frame differences:
1) Front frame horns - CJ-2A cut straight across, while the MB is angled
at 45 degrees.
2) Bumper - CJ-2A used heavier gauge steel.
3) front cross member - CJ-2A had the steering bell crank on the front
cross member.
4) body mounts - CJ-2A had body mounts on the outside of the frame
rail, while the MB had one on the inside and one on the outside.
5) intermediate cross member - The intermediate cross member on
the MB had a plate for the machine gun mount.
6) rear shock mount - the rear shock mount on the CJ-2A was different
to lay the shock back so the rear floor didn't need to have a cut out.
7) rear cross member - CJ-2A had provisions for a PTO.
Drive train:
1) Transmission - MB had a T-84, while the CJ-2A had the T-90.
2) radiator - CJ-2A had extra tin to aid in more effective cooling.
3) rear axle - CJ-2A had 5:38 gears, while the MB had 4.88s. Your
'48 had a semi-floating rear, while the MB had a full floating axle.
4) front axle - Same differences as rear, but MB had provisions for
the bell crank on the axle.
5) Engine - If you just want functionality, the engine are quite similar,
but the accesories are different.
Body:
1) grille - CJ-2A had 7" headlights, while the MB had 5" lights.
2) front fenders - The MB had reinforcements for the voltage regulator
mounts on the passenger side front fender.
3) windshield - MB had a lower windshield.
4) hood - CJ-2A had "WILLYS" stamped into the hood, while the MB
as plain.
5) body tub - Lots and lots of differences
a) dash - CJ-2A did not have a glove box, while the majority of the
MBs did have one. The CJ-2A had a cutout for a column-shift
mechanism. The holes for some of the things like lights and
cables are different.
b) front floor - The MB had a sump in the floor for the gas tank, while the
CJ-2A did not have this cutout. The hat channels under the front
floor is different. The CJ-2A had a hump in the center for the PTO
shaft. CJ-2A had a toolbox area under the passenger seat, while
the MB did not.
c) Rear floor riser - The CJ-2A had a straight across rear floor riser while
the MB had a semi-circle in the center to make room for the
machine gun plate.
d) driver's side rear side panel - MB had the gas tank filler under the driver's
seat, while the CJ-2A had a cutout in the panel for an external
gas tank opening.
e) rear floor - The rear floor on the MB was flat metal, while the CJ-2A's
floor was ribbed. The MB had little shock covers with a cutout
for the rear shocks.
f) rear panel - MB had a fixed panel in the back, while the CJ-2A had a
tailgate.
f) wheel houses - MBs had tool boxes in the back of the wheel houses
while the CJ-2A did not.
g) seats - MB seats are lower than CJ-2A seats.
There are a lot more differences, but I think you can get the picture. You
can probably convert a CJ-2A to a MB, but why. It would be much,
much easier to just start with a MB.
Todd Paisley
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'41 Willys MB "slat-grille" (restoration in progress)
'42 Ford GPW "script" (very rough)
'44 CJ2 Agri-Jeep (#12 of 12 prototypes built for testing
whether Jeeps had a civilian use!)
'45 CJ2A (68th CJ ever built!) (Just a pile of parts...)
'46 CJ2A (early column shift)
'46 CJ2A (late)
'47 CJ2A (Farm Jeep with 3-point Monroe hydraulic implement lift)
'48 CJ2A (trencher)
'64 CJ5A (Tuxedo Park Mark IV) (column shift with front bench seat option)
'64 Wagoneer (with IFS option) (39,000 original miles)
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