Willys CJ2A

Dash Data Plate Revisions
Willys used 7 different dash VIN data plates on CJ2As. At least 5 of the changes occured during the '46 model run.

Since data plates are not a "maintenance" item, the serial numbers at which the changes occured are not documented in parts lists.

I'm collecting what data I can to determine when the changes were made. If you can help out,

Updated: Jan. 2, 2007 (some photos link to larger images)
Beginning in 1945, at VIN 10001, the plate had a "WILLYS" logo.

#10043 (photo courtesy Bill O.)

Highest known VIN: 20431 (photo courtesy Todd K.)
The spread from "Willys" to "Jeep" is down to 1021
During the '46 column shift period, it changed to "Jeep" script logo.

under that it said: "ONE QUARTER TON FOUR WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK"

lowest known VIN: 21452 (photo courtesy Ricksslatts)

highest known VIN: 33225
The spread from "truck" to no "truck" is down to 79
Again during the column shift period, the word "truck" was removed, apparently due to customer compaints about higher "truck" licensing fees.

so now it says: "ONE QUARTER TON FOUR WHEEL DRIVE"

lowest known VIN: 33304 (photo courtesy Dino)

highest known VIN: 44964 (photo courtesy Dino)
The spread from 3-piece to 1-piece tags is 1227
Sometime later, the 3-piece set was changed to a 1-piece plate

The "Jeep" script and graphics are filled solid.

lowest known VIN: 46191 (photo courtesy Brandon G.)

highest known VIN: 55852 (photo courtesy "stick")
The spread from solid to outlined logo is still large at 7220
Later, the "Jeep" script and graphics were changed from solid to outlined. It appears the first versions of this tag were made from brass.

lowest known VIN: 63072 (photo courtesy Daniel P.)

highest known VIN: 80861 (photo courtesy Mark J.)
It looks like there was a large overlap in Brass vs. Alum/Zinc plates. Another case of Willys simply grabbing whatever was handy off the shelf?
After brass, the plates were made identically from zinc and/or aluminum. Insufficent data to say which came first.

lowest known VIN: 71008 (photo courtesy Mike M.)

highest known VIN: 217424 (photo courtesy Paul D.)

as far as I know, this style plate was used throughout the rest of CJ2A production
A new one which throws the succession into disarray. A solid logo plate, with different graphics than the earlier solid logo design.

Heavier & larger text. Buildings, smoke, trees & clouds are different.

only known VIN: 183514 (photo courtesy Tyler K.)
Here ends (as far as I know) the CJ2A dash plate changes. One more dash plate follows, just to show that Willys couldn't stop!
This one likely didn't show up until CJ3A or 3B, but if you have a late 2A with one like this, LET ME KNOW!
  • Under "Jeep" a registered patent note has been added.
  • The word "Overland" had been removed from manufacturers name.
  • The last 4 lines have been changed from equal justification, to center justification.
So if you have VIN #'s within these ranges, please let me know which type of plate & VIN number it is:
  • 20431 to 21452
  • 33225 to 33304
  • 44965 to 46191
  • 55852 to 63072
  • any BRASS data tag!

If you have a photo, and wouldn't mind me using it on this page, please send it on over.

Thanks

Sean --