Features Research Archives

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Patterson Losing Its Head

• CATEGORIES: Builds, Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

I pulled the head on Patterson last night. I don’t see any cracks in the block nor do I see any obvious signs of coolant, though there might be a tiny bit of residue on the tops of pistons 1 and 2. My initial reaction is that coolant is entering the oil elsewhere. The engine does appear to have a recently replaced water pump. Anyway installing that incorrectly would result in mixing coolant and oil??

The first two photos show how the pistons and head gasket looked right after pulling it. 
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Then after pulling off the gasket and vacuuming up the dirt:
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The head gasket:2017-05-23-head-gasket5

The bottom of the head:

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2017 Midwest Willys Reunion

• CATEGORIES: Event, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: The original photos I posted were from the 2016 event. The new batch of photos are from the 2017 event.

I’m told last week’s Midwest Willys Reunion was a big hit, despite a couple rain storms and some hot weather. Here is a video from the event:

Scott shared this video on Alaska Or Rust’s Facebook page:

Bob Christy contributed these photos from last week’s event:

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Continue reading

 
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FC Jamboree moved to September 15-16

• CATEGORIES: Event, FC150-FC170-M677, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Dan DeVries has moved the FC Jamboree to September 15-16. Contact Dan to learn more. Some hotel info is shown at the bottom.

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Here are some nearby hotels and motels.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Northwood 
4712 Wheelerwood Road
Northwood, Iowa 50459
United States
1 641 323-7500
michelle.neeley@kaedingmanagement.com

Country Inn and Suites/Diamond Jo casino
711 Diamond Jo Ln, Northwood, IA 50459
Phone: (641) 323-7000

Lake Mills Motel
400-488 N Lake St, Lake Mills, IA 50450
Phone: (641) 592-3711

 
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1954 Print Ad Showing CJ-3B on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Some good CJ-3B-at-work photos in this ad.

“1954 Print Ad Jeep Farm Vehicle Harold Bordner of Weston,Ohio”

View all the information on eBay

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1953 Ad Showing Jeep Swinging on a Gate on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This ad from Alproduco proves how strong their gates can be. It depicts a jeep hanging from the end of the gate.

“1953 Alprodco Farm Gates Jeep vintage print ad”

View all the information on eBay

jeep-swinging-on-gate-ad

 
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What the Bell Crank?

• CATEGORIES: Builds, Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

I made an puzzling discovery about bell cranks the other day. I ordered a rebuild kit for Rusty’s bell crank. When I began assembling it, I discovered the original and new bolts were different. So, I had to use my old bolt (which fortunately was in good shape). Going back online, all the bell crank rebuild kits show the left hand bolt below (anyone need a new bolt .. I don’t). Do any other jeeps use the shorter bolt in their bell cranks?

Both of the DJ-3As have the same setup. The bolts they use lack an indent (used to secure the bolt to the bell crank mount). They are slightly shorter and 1/16th larger in diameter than the replacement crank. The DJ bolt lacks the hole at the end.
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Here it is reassembled. The horizontal bolt clamps the unit together, but does not anchor the bolt.

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Patterson’s Windshield Sprayer

• CATEGORIES: Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

One unique feature that came with Patterson is this foot pump activated windshield sprayer. This is how the bag looked when we bought it. The top was corroded and the bag was empty and dirty.  You can see the hose running from the top to the firewall.

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Under the dash, the hose ran to the pump.

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Here’s the whole system after the parts were cleaned up.

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Unfortunately, the rubber on the pump isn’t any good. I found an NOS food pump on eBay that’s affordable, but would love to find the same pump again. Continue reading

 
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Jeep Story about Jeep & Sheep

• CATEGORIES: Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Robin shared this Facebook jeep story about a man’s recollections of helping his father with his sheep when he was a kid.

https://www.facebook.com/calvin.christensen.9/posts/1407709975918449

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1944 Photo From Falaise, France **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

That jeep driver isn’t wasting time! He’s outta there!

“1944- American tank destroyer and jeeps racing towards Falaise, France, to close the Falaise Pocket. Smoke from burning German equipment rising in background. Photo measures approx. 6 1/2″ x 8 1/2″”

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This version of the photo appeared on eBay in January of 2017:

“ORIGINAL WWII PHOTO – ORIGINAL TO THE TIME – NOT A COPY, SCAN, OR REPRO
QUANTITY: 1 – See the other original WWI & WWII photos that I have listed.

SUBJECT: Original WWII Press Photo of American tank destroyer and jeeps racing towards Falaise, France, to close the Falaise Pocket and trap six German divisions.

DATE: August 24, 1944 – photo does not glow under a black light.
SIZE: 5″ x 7″
CONDITION: Very Good; see scans.
BACK: Has paper tag with typed description and date. See second scan.
SOURCE: From the archives of the World War History & Art Museum (WWHAM) in Alliance, Ohio. WWHAM designs and delivers WWI and WWII exhibits to other rmuseums. Our traveling exhibts include Brushes With War, a world class collection of 325 original paintings and drawings by soldiers of WWI, and Iron Fist, an HO scale model of the German 2nd Panzer Division in 1944 with 4,000 vehicles and 15,000 men.”

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1950s Mechanic’s Industrial Engine Manual on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Books, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

I can’t remember running across one of these industrial manuals.

“rare Willys Jeep 4 & 6 cylinder industrial engine service manual and parts lists catalog.total 168 pages,front and back cover dirt and little torn at bookbinding.interior very clean.see my other items on my eBay store thank you !!.”

jeep-industrial-parts-list-book1 jeep-industrial-parts-list-book2 jeep-industrial-parts-list-book3

 
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Fixing Patterson’s Seat Mounts And The Extra Channel

• CATEGORIES: Builds, Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE II: Add are some instructions (thanks Terry!) for installing DJ-3A seats:

1956-06-15-dj3a-seat-install-directions1-lores 1956-06-15-dj3a-seat-install-directions2-lores

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ORIGINAL POST UPDATE MAY 2017: I’ve added a couple pics at the end and included a discussion on the extra channel DJ-3As have.

Last fall, when disassembling Rusty, I thought it was odd that the 2/3 1/3 seats had been mounted on wood blocks. I assumed this had been done by the previous owner to raise the seats.

Yesterday, I discovered that Patterson’s passenger seat was loose. When I examined it more carefully, I learned that it was loose because one of the wood blocks under the seat had broken. I can only conclude that all DJ-3A’s with 2/3 1/3 seats were mounted on wood blocks? Or maybe only the early ones?

The photo below shows the passenger seat tilted forward. The front of it is mounted in a way that allows it to pivot forward. The mounts are bolted through a piece of wood, then through a piece of cloth, through the body, and into a welded bolt. The rear of the seats rests on the two mounts at the back of the well. The long piece of wood is a well-seasoned (at least 45 years old) and stained piece of oak that will work perfect for replacement blocks.

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Unlike the passenger seat, the rear of the driver’s seat rests on two posts; slide onto the ends of the posts are rubber feet. Those rubber feat sit on blocks of wood also. 2017-05-20-seats7

A close up of the rubber foot. The hole is 1 inch in diameter, so I ought to be able to find rubber feet to replace these tired ones.2017-05-20-seats8

This shows how great the floor on this DJ is.

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Another angle. Blocks 1, 4, 5, and 6 were the same size. Blocks 2 and 3 were larger and screwed down to the body. The rear 2/3’s seat rested atop those blocks.

patterson-seat-blocks

I’ve drilled cut and drilled the blocks. They are ready for installation. I plan to add a thin piece of rubber under the blocks. Once I remove the rusted end of one bolt that broke, I’ll be able to reinstall the seats.

If you take a look at wood block #1 and block #6 there’s something curious. While the body area under wood block is similar to a CJ-3A, the body area under #6 has an additional channel (btw, we’ve yet to document any under DJ-3A body channels with wood in them).

This is the passenger side with the extra channel and a welded bolt.
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No channel on the driver’s side even though there is a bolt welded there. patterson-dj3a-underside3

Finally, the DJ-3As used wood blocks between the frame and transmission crossmember.

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Rusty’s T-96 Transmission Rebuild

• CATEGORIES: Builds, Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Another thing I got accomplished recently was the rebuilding of Rusty’s T-96 transmission. It’s been a couple decades since I’ve rebuild a T-90, but I think a person could follow a T-90 side shift guide when rebuilding the T-96 (I didn’t think of this until after I was done — instead I used an old rebuild manual from the late 60’s that has rebuilds of 35 different styles of transmissions). Once again, I thought I had more pics, but I didn’t. So, this isn’t a step-by-step overview.

I took this photo at the beginning of the tear-down to remember which way the speedometer gear should face. The lack of a transfercase is part of what makes this rebuild different from most other jeep transmissions. 
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Here’s the transmission with the input shaft pulled forward. My first gear and second gears were a bit worn. 2017-05-20-transmission2

Once I removed all the gears, I discovered the reverse gear had a broken tooth. 2017-05-20-transmission3

Close up of broken tooth. Thankfully, Charles Tate had sent me a box of T-96 parts that included a reverse gear. I was also able to replace the entire bottom cluster, first gear, and second gear. That saved me some money!

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To remove the side shifters, a pin has to be tapped out. I was able to remove the 2/3 gear shifter, but not the first/reverse unit. Since there was no critical reason I could see for removing the first/reverse mechanism, I left it as is and cleaned up the housing.2017-05-20-transmission4

Normally, I’d paint the housing before assembly. However, with time being an issue and lacking enough warmth on the rebuild day to properly paint it, I will paint it at a later date. 2017-05-20-transmission5

One other unique thing about the T-96: it requires the use of a special speedometer cable that is also used for Jeepsters and wagons.

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1943 Photo Showing Maneuvers in Oregon **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.

That’s an SAS-esque jeep.

“1943- Willys “radio jeep” during U.S. Army maneuvers “somewhere” in Oregon. Photo measures approx. 7″ x 9″”

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Assembling a DJ-3A Column Shift

• CATEGORIES: Builds, Features • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Yesterday I assembled Rusty’s column shifter. In my head, I took all kinds of photos. One in particular I took (again in my mind) showed the layout of all the parts prior to assembly. Alas, somehow that photo never made it onto my phone!

The DJ-3A shifter is slightly different from a VEC CJ-2A shifter. I can’t say how much it differs from a Jeepster or wagon column shifter. But, i can say that following these VEC CJ-2A instructions were very helpful.

After laying out the parts (and not taking a photo) I began the assembly process by learning how to install the horn wiring. After looking up how to do it on a 3B (thanks CJ-3B Page!), it turned out to be quite easy.

Step 1) Thread some of my grandfather’s wire through steering shaft.

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Step 2) Attach the wire to the horn wire end. In this case, I ran it through wire connector and then bent it so that the wire would not pull back out of the connector. 2017-05-20-column-shift-assembly2

Step 3) Pull the wiring carefully through the end of the shaft.  2017-05-20-column-shift-assembly3

With the wire installed, next on the list was assembling the shifter. The first step involved installing a washer, a spring, and a second washer onto the column shift tube Next, the interior shift lever must be screwed onto the shift housing. Then, slide the shift housing onto the column shift tube, pushing it far enough up so that a special metal pin can be inserted. Once that is done, you have to weld the end of the tube to the pin to secure it.2017-05-20-column-shift-assembly4

Continue reading

 
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Fixin’ Patterson’s Windshield

• CATEGORIES: Builds, Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Another item I tackled yesterday was Patterson’s windshield, specifically the twisters and a rear view mirror.

It wasn’t until yesterday that I realized Patterson didn’t have a rear view mirror. Fortunately, I had the mount from Rusty and a nearly correct mirror thanks to Chris McKay. This is before I added the mirror:

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And after the mirror. 2017-05-20-windshield2

Next I addressed a couple of broken twisters. These are one of the unique features of a DJ-3A Convertible. The windshield is nearly like a CJ-3B, accept for the way the convertible top is supposed to attach to the windshield. Instead of a sliding mechanism, it uses those twisters. Two of Patterson’s twisters were broken. I had a few that I removed from Rusty (most of Rusty’s were broken), so I installed two of those onto Patterson. 2017-05-20-windshield3

The windshield is now complete and ready for a convertible top.

 
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1942 Photo of Pilots and Jeep in England on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Neat photo that includes names and places of origin.

“1942 Press Photo Lieut. Wesley T. Ballard & Lieut. John Kamer pile into Jeep. This is an original press photo. Piling into and upon an Army Jeep, crack American pilots head for a flight dispersal point in England. On hood (left to right): Lieut. Wesley T. Ballard, of Victoria, Texas; Lieut. John L. Kamer of Marion, Ohio; Lieut. Edwin Dalrymple of San Antonio, Texas, and Lieut. Monroe Smith of Jackson, MIss. The driver is Capt. Frank Hill of Hillsdale, N.J., Lieut. Gillas Johnson, of Willow, Okla., has his feet draped over Rear Jeep wheel. (In Rear left): Lieut. Charles Van Reed of Reading, Penn. and Lieut. D. Smith of Waterloo, Ind. Photo measures 9 x 7.25inches. Photo is dated 10-02-1942.”

View all the information on eBay

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FC Custom Flatbed Dracut, NH $4500

• CATEGORIES: Features, Parts This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Craig spotted this one. Just the bed is for sale.

“9′ rack body/flatbed for sale built for a fc-170 jeep but could be used on any truck.”

https://nh.craigslist.org/pts/6131040634.html

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Late 1950s Jeep Family Brochure

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This brochure arrived a couple days ago. It has a great collection of photos.

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DJ-3A Column Shifter

• CATEGORIES: Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Just a few updates tonight. We’d changed plans slightly when we left Klamath Falls on Monday. We were supposed to go to Renton, but Ann was suffering from some brain fluid issues again (pressure, head ache, nausea), so we hightailed it straight to Pasco. I guess this trip was just a little too long for her. Once we got her home and she could lay down, she felt a little better.

On Wednesday, she still wasn’t feeling great, so I brought Patterson up to Renton by myself. Yesterday, I had the time to do some work. Unfortunately, I discovered something a little disheartening. More on that later ….

I began the morning with a simple task: remove the column shifter handle and replace it with Rusty’s.  The lever at the top is Rusty’s (it should be chrome rather than black, but that will have to wait). On the bottom is Patterson’s broken one. Patterson’s may be repairable, but it will take some time.

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For comparison, here’s a CJ-2A shifter (this site shows how to assemble a CJ-2A column shift mechanism). It’s got a little more primitive looking end:

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One of the first things I had to figure out was how to mount the anti-rattle spring.

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This spring is slightly different from the spring used on CJ-2A column shifters.

For comparison, here is a CJ-2A spring drawing:

cj2a-forum-spring

Continue reading

 
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Midwest Willys Reunion this Weekend

• CATEGORIES: Event, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

If you are near Columbus, Indiana, this weekend, make sure to drop by the Midwest Willys Reunion. There’s a lot happening, including Alaska Or Rust tables with parts for sale, a raffle and at least one carb demonstration by Mr. Old Jeep Carbs himself, Richard Pacholski.
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DJ-3A Jeep Dispatcher Dealer Poster **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.

This was listed a couple months ago. Now back on eBay. I’d get it, but outside my budget at a starting price of $80. At that price, I can build my own in Photoshop and print it.

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Continue reading

 
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1946 Photo of Married Couple Taking CJ-2A on Trip on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Features, Old Images • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This married couple has quite the age difference: 61 years to be exact! The 2A is a column shift.

“This is an original press photo. Mrs. Mattie Lyons Large Sprouse, 79 and her 18 year old husband are ready for their 100 mile jeep trip to a Huntington amusement park tomorrow. It will be the first trip out of Lawrence county for Mrs. Sprouse, a widow for 17 years before her recent marriage.Photo measures 10.25 x 8.25inches. Photo is dated –1946.”

View all the information on eBay

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1941 Photo of Ford GP Leaping Over a Bump on eBay

• CATEGORIES: Bantam-FordGP-WillysMA-EarlyJPs, Features, Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Great action photo. Interesting mix of tires.

“1941- U.S. soldiers hurtling over bump while taking Ford GP Jeep on a test drive. Photo measures approx. 7″ x 9″ ”

View all the information on eBay

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1943 Photo of Ford GPA Delivering Food in Wabash **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Features, GPA (SEEP), Old Images This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.

A Ford GPA to the rescue!

“1943 Press Photo Army amphibious jeep delivers food to flooded hotel. This is an original press photo. With downtown Logansport IN inundated by the Wabash River guests stranded at the Barnett Hotel received their food via an Army amphibious jeep during the worst flood the area has known since 1913. Photo measures 8 x 6.25inches. Photo is dated 06-19-1943.”

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Noland and His CJ-2A in the Sawtooth Mountian

• CATEGORIES: Features, videos This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Nolan and his brother Heath used a drone and camera to create this video. It sure is gorgeous country!

Camas County, Sawtooth National Forest from Heath Watte on Vimeo.