Willys CJ5 vs SIIa

ERover82

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Nov 26, 2011
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I'm considering pickup up a vintage 4x4. Have any of you experienced both of these options? I want a short wheelbase open-top ride for putting around the mountains. I don't care about limited top speeds.

Both the early Kaiser CJ5 and SIIa appeal, but I'm not sure which will be more enjoyable to drive and own. Kaiser asking prices and parts look easier on the wallet. Finding a decent S2a under 10k doesn't look promising.
 
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robertf

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Jan 22, 2006
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Why specifically a Willys era CJ5? Both Kaiser and AMC made many improvements in brakes, axles, and engines
 

ERover82

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I daydream about a truck like Sinuhe's with coil springs.

Beautiful. That's what I'm looking for.


Never had much interest on the Jeep side until I saw a few like this:
willys-cj5-1959-yancho.jpg
 

Dangeruss

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Mar 28, 2007
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I've got an M38 flat fender and matching M100 trailer awaiting restoration, previously owned an M38A1 which was fun at the time, it was my daily driver in university. Definitely not suited to long trips, although a Saturn (Warn) overdrive will help. The later M38A1's (A2's?) had the front spring shackles at the rear of the spring so probably had a better ride. For a thread on a really cool early Jeep see here; https://www.thecj2apage.com/forums/building-a-universal-modified_topic28473_page1.html
 

p m

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Unless you find yourself a nice "updated" or "resto-modded" example, in a short-hood CJ5 you'll get closed-knuckle D27 front and bizarre two-piece rear (it was before D35). C-channel framerails. Dana 18 transfer case.

All in all, as much as I love CJ5/6 exterior, I'd go for a CJ7 on YJ frame. It doesn't hurt to have a straight six, too.
 

brian4d

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Had a Willys parked up the street from us, WWII and had a Massive GE searchlight in the rear. About the coolest Jeep I've seen, ever. lol
 

ERover82

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you'll get closed-knuckle D27 front and bizarre two-piece rear (it was before D35). C-channel framerails. Dana 18 transfer case.

One I'm looking at is a '56 with D25 front and D44 rear. Anyways, does it really matter when I'll be keeping it all stock? It'd be for weekend rides through the mountains. No mud bogging or rock crawling. The occasional climb or deep rut traversal would be the most action it'd see.
 

ERover82

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Dude just wait on the itch. I found a very solid series iia project in Spokane for $2500. Just search and don't let the want overcome the wait.

I need something nearly immediately driveable to meet our goals. I'm not sure that's going to happen for even 5k and not be a total rust bucket. Maybe a half baked project (pile of parts) for cheap, but then how many years will it be before it's ready to go? After the kids are older and work slows down, I'd probably jump on such an undertaking.

That said, the wife and I would prefer a Series, but I'm not sure it's doable at this point. I'm curious, what did you pick up for $2500?
 

p m

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One I'm looking at is a '56 with D25 front and D44 rear. Anyways, does it really matter when I'll be keeping it all stock? It'd be for weekend rides through the mountains. No mud bogging or rock crawling. The occasional climb or deep rut traversal would be the most action it'd see.
No, it'll be fine. The 44 rear you're talking about is likely two-piece; nothing bad, because it's over-rated for the lightweight CJ5. However, both axles come with non-self-adjusting drum brakes; the drums only really work when they slightly drag. Not a biggie if you don't have fifty to a hundred miles to cover to the mountains - then it drives you nuts (it drove me nuts).
Probably the same is true about the Series - but with a Series a disk brake conversion is all too easy.

It is incredibly hard to keep either vehicle stock.