1948 Jeep CJ-2A: Pete’s Jeep Revival

Petes Jeep Revival Rick Pewe Wheeling A Jeep

If there is one project I’ve been working on longer than any other, it would have to be Pete’s Jeep. It’s an on-again, off-again, on-again project that just never seems to go away. Not that we would want it to, as it’s one of my favorites, but enough has been modified since the last redo that I figured it needed a good recap of recent mods.

Three through the years.

Since the ’48 CJ-2A was purchased as a rolling, somewhat running wreck back in 1985, it has been through countless changes. It started out as a project for my father-in-law, Pete, and me, since he had wanted one since the War (that’s World War II for you young’ns). First, the pile was taken back to stock style with the exception of the Chevy II 153 four-cylinder engine. That’s basically half a small block, with plenty of torque as well as fuel economy. But after he wheeled a few good years this way, I swapped in a carbureted Chevy 4.3L Vortec V-6 with a TH350 auto to make it drive easier. But by the mid ’90s Pete stopped driving it, and it hibernated in the Arizona desert for 10 years.

The Jeep’s new lease on life came about when Pete finally decide to give it to me, since he didn’t drive it, and I did a DED (Dirt Every Day) tour to California with Hot Rod Editor David Freiburger (“El D.E.D. del Diablo,” June ’04). That was even with the 20-year-old TruTrac tires, which worked phenomenally well for another five years.

Some years later I prepped it for a Moab trip starting with a Bestop Bikini and Bestop low back seats. Mechanically, the jicky ratchet shifter disappeared for a good functioning Lokar shifter, and Lock-Rites were installed in the stock Dana 41 and 25 axles for positive traction. With a Warn full-float axle kit in rear the Jeep performed solidly for another few trips, runs, and years, even during two mud tire tests (“Mini Mud Tire Shootout,” Oct. ’09, and “Mud Terrain Shootout, Part 2,” June ’10).

Alas, as time wore on more was needed for the old girl, so here are the most recent upgrades over the past few years.

Petes Jeep Revival Rick Pewe Driving A Jeep Side Shot

Easy Does It
I figure that using Pete’s Jeep as my main little trail Jeep means I have to keep upgrading a bit at a time, without destroying the simple elegance and reliability of an old flattie. What do you think? What are the easiest and best bangs for the buck that you would recommend for Pete’s? Drop us a line at 4wheeloffroad@sorc.com and you might see them used on the next installment of Pete’s Jeep!

The new style ARB Fridge Freezer is a favorite upgrade for any rig. We’ve run them for years and swear by them, and the new model is even better. Despite the plastic appearance, the new unit will even freeze beer, no doubt about it. While not cheap at 800 bucks, the 50-quart unit fits enough food and beverage for two people for a week, as long as beverage consumption is watched. It still pays for itself by making road trips self-contained and self-sufficient—no having to trundle to town for ice and supplies. The new insulated cooler condom, tie-down straps, and slide-out tray are available as well. We’ve gone to the hottest deserts and coldest states using an ARB, and we swear by their versatility. We wouldn’t leave home without one. Information: ARB, www.arbusa.com.
The new style ARB Fridge Freezer is a favorite upgrade for any rig. We’ve run them for yea
Ground clearance on a 31-inch tire rig with spring-under axles is minimal. Couple that with a flat floor and a Turbo 350 and you hit the underside on many rocks.
Ground clearance on a 31-inch tire rig with spring-under axles is minimal. Couple that wit
Fortunately Trans-Dapt makes a replacement trans pan with a built-in skidplate. This is one tough unit that takes care of the rocks trying to puncture it. And while shiny stuff isn’t my style, I also installed the Trans-Dapt bottom cover over the torque converter, which helps a lot too. Notice how the stock tin or replacement plastic units kept getting munched in the rocks and filled full while in the mud. Pans are available for most popular trannies as well. Information: Trans-Dapt Performance Products, www.tdperformance.com.
Fortunately Trans-Dapt makes a replacement trans pan with a built-in skidplate. This is on

One mechanical issue since the Arizona hibernation days and the Diablo DED was the fuel tank. The custom cross-floor tank had rusted so bad that a fuel filter was fouled every 5 miles, resulting in plenty of problems on and off the trail. With the old tank being replaced with a stock Jeep unit in “Gas Tank Upgrade” (Mar. ’10), I also hacked out the floor for more tranny clearance to raise the crossmember. This helped ground clearance tremendously, as I had whacked the tranny pan and nearly killed it. I now have a tranny tunnel, which means maybe an Advance Adapters Saturn overdrive in the future? Information: Omix-Ada, www.omixada.com.
One mechanical issue since the Arizona hibernation days and the Diablo DED was the fuel ta
While testing larger tires for our mud runs, the stock springs didn’t give enough clearance. The 31s are fine, but 33s need a bit more. But since time and money aren’t plentiful I simply buzzed on some new Daystar bumpstops to limit suspension travel and save the tires. The old red poly units came off easily enough, after being beaten into submission for 25 years. Information: Daystar, www.daystarweb.com.
While testing larger tires for our mud runs, the stock springs didn’t give enough clearanc
Of course installing a Premier Power Welder has been one of the most fun upgrades. I love to weld on the trail, as we showed in “Welding on the Run” (May ’10). Not to mention it doubles as a mobile welding unit in the backyard when dragging the big box to the back isn’t needed. I even use the 120V DC outlet to grind metal, blend drinks, and light up the work area while on the trail. We also fired it up for the welding shootout in our Apr. ’11 issue. Information: Premier Power Welder, www.premierpowerwelder.com.
Of course installing a Premier Power Welder has been one of the most fun upgrades. I love

The Bestop low-back seats are ideal for a small Jeep and fit where a larger seat might not. This gives a perfect amount of room for the Tuffy Series II security console. I use this because it’s the same in all my other Jeeps. It fits, works, and mounts easily regardless of any weird floor you may be working with. It’s around 200 bucks, but that’s pretty cheap insurance, as the locking aspect of a secure box in an open Jeep in unparalleled. The killer new thumb lift is also the greatest add-on since Tuffy began making these boxes. Information: Bestop, www.bestop.com;Tuffy Security Products, www.tuffyproducts.com.
The Bestop low-back seats are ideal for a small Jeep and fit where a larger seat might not
Another issue with tires and suspension is that taller tires can reduce your turning radius, especially if the tire hits the springs before the steering stops.
Another issue with tires and suspension is that taller tires can reduce your turning radiu
Sometimes these knobs can stop you better than a brake! I ordered up a set of 11⁄4-inch Spidertrax wheel spacers, which increased the track by 21⁄2 inches. This was just enough to get back that lost turning radius from going to a 33-inch tire from a 31. The spacers are only $99.99 a pair, are made from 6061 T6 aluminum, and come with the studs and even the thread locker to keep it all together. Information: Spidertrax Off-Road, www.spidertrax.com.
Sometimes these knobs can stop you better than a brake! I ordered up a set of 11⁄4-inch Sp