UPDATE: Still Available.
(12/20/2017) The seller indicates this was column shift CJ-2A (#37254) that has been restored to “original condition”. Yet, it has a floor shifter. It’s certainly possible that this originally came with a floor shift. There are a few other non stock things done on this as well.
“1946 Willy’s Jeep CJ2A
Make: Willy
Model: Jeep CJ2A
Exterior Color:Army Green
Cylinder: 4
This is an early production column shift model that has undergone-up restoration to original condition. It has the original 134 cid/ inline 4 cylinder engine, column shift T90 3 speed manual transmission and transfer case.
Every piece of this classic jeep has been dissembled, media blasted, rebuilt, reconditioned, and replaced to achieve its new condition.”
https://portland.craigslist.org/yam/cto/d/willys-jeep-cj2a/6429224425.html
Going by the stated serial # and steering column cover, it most certainly came with a column shift. Too bad most of these 45 to 46 column shift jeeps that come up for sale have been converted to floor shift. Looks to be in good condition though.
Help a newbie understand. Why is too bad that they have been converted? Just lost originality or is column shift desireable on its own for some reason.
Hi Erik,
He’s lamenting the fact that there are so few stock early CJ-2As, the ones that were equipped with a column shifter (approx the first 27,000 CJ-2As). In fact, to find a truly original, unmolested, unrestored CJ-2A (with or without a column shift) is very difficult at this point, because usually something has been modified. It was the nature of the utility vehicle, the kind someone could buy and make their own, modify for their own purposes.
The column shift itself wasn’t the best design. It was prone to wear, the shifter could break, the linkages would loosen, making shifting more difficult. I’ve got a DJ-3A column shift, made from parts from two different columns as some of the parts had become too warn. Unlike the floor shifter, which can handle some abuse, I found the column shifter to require more finesse.
I hope that answers you question. Feel free to ask other questions or email me privately with them (d@ewillys.com).
Thanks,
– Dave
Thanks!