1946 CJ-2A Gilroy, CA **SOLD**

2 Comments

1. Mark S.January 20, 2014 at 4:02 PM

   I have never driven a V-8 Willys, seems like they might be a little tough to control, especially with a small steering wheel. This only has a 302, but lately have seen some large engine, high HP motors listed here. I had a hard enough time handling my stock 79 CJ-5 with a 304, especially in rain. It would love to do 180's with very little warning.
2. deilersJanuary 20, 2014 at 7:10 PM

   Mark, The installation of V8s in early jeeps was very common in the intermountain west and west coast. Those upgrades were sometimes accompanied by upgrades in steering, brakes, and other drive train changes to handle the extra power. After our recent drive out to the east coast, I've come to believe that that the differences in terrain in the west contributed significantly to the modifications that seemed completely normal for us out here. In fact, it was a rarity to find a stock jeep participating in jeep club events. I grew up driving dad's early cj5 with a V8, before he switched to a ford pinto four cylinder. The pinto motor worked fine for pure jeeping, due to low range. However, it was a real pain to drive it to and from the jeep trails, which could require hour plus drive's through traffic and up long mountain grades. It was also not very good for running dunes. I never found the V8 any more squarely than the Pinto motor. However, I can say that the detroit locker in the back of Biscuit DOES make the rear more squirley. I preferred the limited slip rear in my last jeep.