Mystery Info Plate

I have a 1948 ( registered ) CJ3A
The Tub & front axle / chassis seems period.
I think someone previous to me grafted a later CJ5 rear half of the frame & chassis.
Drivetrain is not stock as well.
I was working on the re-wiring, but stopped to remove both seats to gain access under the dash.
When I was cleaning the floor areas around the seats, I noticed a "info" plate mounted to the floor between the seats. It is about 3" square....mounted with four screws.
Can not make out what this plate says.
I believe what I have read... the VIN plate should be on the passenger side of the engine compartment firewall....which is missing..... Did locate a number stamped on the very front-inside frame rail ahead of the radiator...passenger side..?
Would this plate be a info plate for the shift patterns..?
Can this be restored..?

Thanks,
George

 

PTO shifter delete cover plate?

 

It has some lettering & maybe numbers imbossed on it, but cannot read though.
Will remove this in the morning to take a closer look at it.
I hesitate to wire brush as I don't want to destroy what letters are there..?

 

A picture would help, but it sounds like its the PTO shifter plate. And there is no such thing as a 1948 3A. 3A production was 1949 to 1953.

 

If illegible due to rust then drop it in a shallow pan of EvapoRust, Metal Rescue, or WD40 rust remover. DO NOT USE RUSTOLEUM RUST REMOVER. It's just acid. The other stuff I listed is pH neutral.

 

Appreciate the info..! CJ2 then..?
This project is a promise to get running again from a friend of mine who has passed.
That said it is far from original.
The drivetrain consists of the original front axle.
Rear is a D41 ( Rear half of a CJ5...rails, axle, fuel tank ) Trans was absolute junk, but was a T90-A. I built another and replaced this.
Transfer case is a D18 but not period to it ( has the larger shaft...I think remember @ 1-1/8"..? )
I did re-install the driveshaft E-Brake assembly on the D18 as there was no E-Brakes or brackets & cables on the rear-end...I think they were removed..?
Engine is a 86' Chev S-10 V6 ( Designed & machined up a proper adapter plate )
The plate he fabricated was torch-cut from a steel plate ( no centerline considerations...resulted in total trans carnage )
Tub & front grill seem original though headlights not ( later most likely from the CJ5 donor..? )
Front consist of "glass" hood, Fenders & wheel-wells... May replace these later.
This project is a learning project for me as I have never done a Jeep before, but very interesting with all the research I have done.
You are correct... I could not find ANYTHING related to this year as a CJ3A...I always thought ( from my research ) it was a CJ2.
If we were talking of a 1958 to 60 ford trucks... I have a fully restored 58' four-wheel drive, 3/4T from the Forestry service in Texas.
Took two years to complete out of three trucks...
My father & I back in the 70's used to restore Model T's for museums.
Thanks for all the information..!

George