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View Full Version : Some rare stuff? Air bags, Factory Motor adapter



bmorgil
03-12-2019, 08:42 AM
In the middle of frame offing a 1950 CJ3A. I am officially the second owner. It was originally purchased in 1950 to use as a farm jeep in Michigan. As I am going along I ran across a few things I think might be unique. First off I found these air bag springs hanging from the frame. I have never seen anything on these. I was told they were a factory installed component.

The next thing was the motor adapter. This Willy's is an early build 1950. It has a Dana 41 in the rear. It also has a CJ2A motor plate WITH an adapter from the factory. It also has a factory installed motor beginning with a "T" stamped in the serial number supposedly indicating a truck motor. This CJ however was built using up old inventory before the change to the forward position motor plate (for the new vacuum assisted fuel pump clearance) and the Dana 44 axle that was introduced in production in November of 1950. The motor adapter was originally developed to use up the old motor inventory with 2A motor plates. There are more than a few CJ3A's with the adapter and a CJ2A style motor plate installed from the factory. There are also a few with factory installed "T" serial number motors.The old design motor plate was on all the old inventory L134 motors regardless of what vehicle it was originally headed for. The new CJ3A frame changed the motor plate. Frame 1949 to 1951 anything is possible. All that for the Vacuum pump!

Anyway can anybody help with the air bagged helper springs? They appear to be factory for sure. The bolt that held them to the frame had to be installed with the body off. A weird square head bolt wedged in the frame. The lower mounting is gone.

LarrBeard
03-12-2019, 10:01 AM
Welcome to the Forum, and interesting photos.

You have already discovered the first two rules of Jeep:

1 .. What you see is what you have - trust your own eyes and not the legend or the book.

2. Never say "Willys always/never .... ".

gmwillys
03-12-2019, 12:45 PM
A great source of information on Farm Jeep attributes, check out the fine folks over at Farm Jeep;

https://www.farmjeep.com/

The springs were a Willys dealer available part, that would have been installed at the point of purchase. You could have your pick of about three or four different brands of equipment.

bmorgil
03-12-2019, 08:51 PM
Wow what a rare find! I wonder if they are worth anything. Thanks for the help! I thought somebody just rigged up something.

Bob