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Restore or rebuild?

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by Chuck, Jun 9, 2005.

  1. Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    I disagree. Go to any car show and you see a restored flattie, go to the Willys Reunion and you can choose your color and options. The flatties have a special place in history and as such there will always be restored original ones around.

    I actually think the Early CJ5's are in greater peril as there is less percieved historical value. A '55 CJ5 just doesn't look that much older than a 80's CJ5 to the untrained eye, so they're quicker to get cut up. The CJ5 is becoming a victim of it's more modern appearance and long production run.

    Not that I'm advocating any chop jobs...but I just don't fear orginal 2A's ever getting *completely* extinct. There's far too many enthusiasts of them for that to ever happen.

    (They're also not making new '80 Dodge Omnis anymore, but I don't see any tears being shed there.... :D )
     
  2. Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    I always love these debates. I agree with both of you. You don't have to modify a Jeep to enjoy it. Everyone does because they do it to make it the way they want it. And you don't have to destroy a Jeep while having fun with it. So what if it gets dirty, just wash it. ;) Here's a perfect example of what Boyink says about the CJ5. Down the street from where a friend works is a dark blue CJ5. He was telling me about it, and I also noticed it because I drive by it on the way to work. I mentioned to him I think it's at least a '72. Driving by it and glancing at it I thought it had the longer front end but wasn't positive. He had thought it was maybe older than that, so he paid more attention to it and next time said yeah you're right it is newer. Point here being that to some a CJ5 is just that, a CJ5.
     
  3. Gump

    Gump Old Timer

    Just happened to think, if you have the indents in either one that's the one to keep stock. :stout:
     
  4. Chuck

    Chuck Sponsor

    Today I test drove a 46 2A and made an offer, should have a answer by Friday. Bodys in very good shape, trail ready.
     
  5. jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Stock Jeeps are very capable trail rigs.
    Modifying them makes them more capable trail rigs.
    My Jeep is not hacked; other than original sheet metal that had outlived it's usefullness, and a V6, it can still pass a visual as 90% stock.
    Oh, and I can put the L4/F4 back into it if I desire without much effort.
    guess it depends on your definition of "hacking"
    to each Jeep owner his own
     
  6. Chuck

    Chuck Sponsor

    If I win this it looks like I will have to put a 3” lift on the full cage, I can see that my head will be banging against the side of it on every bump. :shock:
     
  7. Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Yeah, yours is not hacked. Just changing an engine isn't hacked, just modified.
     
  8. Gump

    Gump Old Timer

    I have the roll bar exactly like the one in your avatar. I thought it took away from the stock look (I have to drive too far to wheel it) too much so I removed it. Da wife wants it back in.
     
  9. Chuck

    Chuck Sponsor

    X2
     
  10. michigan_pinstripes

    michigan_pinstripes I'm not lost, I'm wandering

    What every CJ5 owner needs.... a 2A. (or in my case, what every CJ2 owner needs, an early 5! ;) )

    I will have to agree with the to each is own....

    Jim's 2A is beautiful and functional without being radical. Mine is a somewhat pasted together stocker with an "on steroids" suspension look. I had a guy comment to me while at the dunes this weekend that he liked the "as-is" look of mine. I do too but bodywork is due soon. A little welding and some satin black and I am ready.

    Make your Jeep whatever you want without regrets! That is what it is all about.
     
  11. kcjeep

    kcjeep Member

    My vote is always to keep it stock!!
     
  12. CT

    CT Member

    I vote to keep it stock. That little L 134 is more than enough for the trail. And it would probally be better on your gas bill.
     
  13. ocnorb

    ocnorb New Member

    When I turned 16 my Dad gave me my first Willy's. It was a '48 2A all original. I always parked on a hill because I never knew if the battery would start it when I got back. Had years of fun in that old Willy's --flathead and all.

    When a friend offered me a 3B that someone had abandoned at the apt. complex he managed I said "YES!, I'll come and get it" without even looking at it. It was in real bad shape. Floors completely rusted out, bondo over rust everywhere. The dash had the center section cut out and had been patched in with a "Lennox" furnace panel (still had the wiring diagram on it :). No rear axle, springs sagging-- you get the picture. On the bright side it had a 225 V6 already mated to the original T90. I applied for the title, replaced the rear axle, got it running and gave it back to my Dad. He ran it for years, then kinda let it sit. He kept trying to give it back to me, but I knew how much work it needed and kept avoiding it. About a year ago he gave it to my wife, because she has always loved it and now I have to get it fixed up for her.

    Sorry this is so long winded. The point I guess I am trying to make is that while I prefer "stock" looking Willys, sometimes there are diamonds in the rough that I think deserve to be "restified" (restor/modified). So it will have an automatic, power steering, a tilt wheel, fuel injection, floors, etc...... I would hate for anyone to think that I hacked up a nice stock flatty to get to where I am. I just got a new camera for fathers day, so I will try and get some pictures up as soon as I figure out the new software.
     
  14. BillW

    BillW New Member

    I'm with the "Keep it Original" bunch. there are too many Flat Fenders that have gone by the way side of Mods. I have a '41 Slat Grill MB. 750th off of the production line and I'm doing my best to keep it the way the Army let it go. They did some field mods at some point and I'm not going to take those out (trailer plug in the back, taller windshield) because that IS part of it's history!

    Now if someone wants to modify one - I also have a '45 MB that has a 1959 Lark flat head 6. It runs too! I started the project thinking I could put it back, but that motor - so I got back the profile - just couln't bring me to painting it that wonderful OD Green though, so it is Bright Yellow!

    Anyway - my 2 cents

    Bill
    '75 CJ5, '41 Slat Grill MB, '45 MB