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Welcome to eWillys.com, a website for vintage jeep enthusiasts. I update this website nearly every day with jeep deals, jeep history, interesting reader projects, jeep related info, and more.
These quick searches can help you find things on eBay. People list in the wrong categories all the time, so don't be surprised to see brochures in the parts area for example.
The links to posts below show jeeps grouped by models, condition, and other ways. Some of these jeeps are for sale and others have been sold. If you are unsure whether a vehicle is still for sale or not, email me at d [at] ewillys.com for more info.
There are plenty of interesting, unusual, historic and surprising stories related to Jeeps and their owners. In addition, some of these features have nothing to do with jeeps. This link will display all featured stories starting from the latest.
Looking for parts and not sure where to go? There are a variety of large and small new and used parts sellers both online and offline.
Importantly, the allure of buying a project jeep can be romantic. The reality of restoring a jeep can be quite different, expensive and overwhelming without the right tools and resources. So, tread carefully when purchasing a "project". If you have any concerns about buying a vintage jeep, or run across a scam, feel free to contact me for help, comments or concerns .
This is another big milestone in this project. The proofs have arrived. I can already see some changes that need to be made. I’m hoping for a late November publish date, but we’ll see.
Gayland forwarded these pics from a co-worker of his who visited Colombia. It’s a Casa Willys Restaurant (notice the sign in the upper right of the first photo) located in Salento, Colombia. It’s well rated by Trip Advisor.
Bill Reiss has this 1965 CJ-5 with what appears to be a trailer wiring hole similar to the hole in the early 2A’s that had leftover military bodies. Anyone ever seen a factory hole like this on a CJ-5??
The hole is cut PERFECTLY, like it was done on a panel prior to body assembly… And the original blue paint is on the edges of the cutout. This is unusual, as I’ve never seen this before. I haven’t found evidence of an optional wiring kit/plug/whatever in the ’65 print info.
Anyone else ever seen this? Was it possibly an option?
The DJ-3As guys were exchanging emails the other day about a little known change in headlight and parking light bezels and housings during its production run. I’ve organized the information they sent and found additional information online. Hopefully, I got everything correct.
For the DJ-3A, the parking light and headlight changes occurred in 1959, with the DJ-3A switching from the 2A/3A headlight and parking lights to the later model parts. Other models (CJ-3Bs, trucks, CJ-5/6s, and wagons) had their parking lights changed in 1956.
HEADLIGHTS BEZELS:
From 1955 to UP TO 56337-15802 in 1959 the DJ-3A used the same headlight bezels as the CJ-2A/CJ-3A. Some people call these the flat bezels and the later models bug eyes.
Autolite headlight (early) UP TO 56337-15802 HL DOOR
– (CHROME) WO 643732
– (BLACK) WO 640695
============
From 56337-15802 in 1959 to 1964 the DJ-3A used the later versions, also used by the CJ-3Bs, trucks, Jeepsters, wagons, CJ-5s (1955-1971), FCs, and CJ-6s.
AFTER 56337-15801 HL DOOR (CHROME)
– WO 649518
============
The way the headlight bezels mount is also different:
============
PARKING LIGHTS AND LENS CHANGES:
From 1956 to 1959 56337-14103 the DJ-3A used the same parking lights and bezels as used on CJ-3B 1953-1956, CJ-5/6 1955-1956, Trucks 1953-1956, and Wagons 1953-1956.
– (BLACK ENAMEL) WO 910199 (1956 ONLY) 2 3/4″ diameter
– (STAINLESS STEEL) WO 119204 2 3/4″ diameter
– Lens WO 119206
============
From 1959 56337-14103 to 1964 the DJ-3A used the same parking lights as the post 1956 CJ-5/6s (til ’63), Trucks, Wagons, and FCs,
For Lamp Code (KADH)
– (Bezel) WO 718140 6 or 12V 2 1/4″ diamater
– Lens WO 718138 6 or 12V 2 1/4″ diameter
============
The parking light housing was also different. The early housing mounted with horizontal holes, while the later housing mounted using vertical holes. The CJ-3B sites explains the differences.
UPDATE: Anyone know anything about these jeeps? Tony has one and wanted to get some more information about it.
This gold-plated CJ-5 sold on eBay in 2013.
“THE ULTIMATE JEEP TOY COLLECTORS FIND. THIS GOLD PLATED JEEP TOY I AM TOLD WAS MADE FOR THE WILLYS OVERLAND EXECUTIVES WHEN THEY RETIRED. VERY RARE AND SCARCE. IT IS MADE OF A HEAVY CAST METAL , IS 6″ LONG 2.5″ WIDE . VERY COOL AND VERY CLEAN. AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE PICS IT IS ORIGINAL AND COMPLETE , THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BUMPER IS BROKEN OFF (THIS IS QUITE TYPICAL ON THESE) AND THE WIND SHIELD WILL FOLD ALL THE WAY BACK AS SEEN IN THE PICS. IT WILL ALSO STAY IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION, WILL DISPLAY VERY NICELY.ALSO HAS ORIGINAL SPARE TIRE.”
That’s a neat photo.
“1943- Natives of Pollina, Sicily, watch American soldiers and their vehicles moving along in a narrow street after the town fell to the Allies. Note surge tank on front jeep.”
View all the information on eBay
The April 1955 issue of Willys News published this photo. It’s a tour jeep truck for the Africa. It seems a little too open to me. Those lions look like they could easily leap inside.
Blaine spotted this unique kit. It transforms a kids wagon, such as a Radio Flyer, into a jeep-shaped wagon.
“XploRoller is a rugged wagon body that attaches to various wagon axles like, Radio Flyer©, Harbor Freight wagons, or go extreme and build a custom suspension system. The hood lifts up for a little storage (sweaters and snacks fit great). Start a fun project with your kid/kids and stand out from the crowd, don’t have WAGON ENVY 🙂
(THE GREEN, PURPLE, AND GRAY WAGONS ARE BUILT EXAMPLES)
This builder kit comes in raw form, prep for paint or powder coat is required. There are 10 parts to the kit.
X1 Aluminum Hood
X1 Aluminum Tailgate
X1 Aluminum Pan
X2 Aluminum Body Sides
X2 Aluminum Hood Braces
X2 Steel Axle Mounts
X1 Steel Spare Tire Mount
All body assembly hardware and side body trim is included.
Wheels, Tires, Seats, Axles NOT INCLUDED”
https://portland.craigslist.org/clc/bab/5234454884.html
Ann and her mom dropped by Dayton today to visit the National Museum of the Air Force. She didn’t find any jeeps, but she did run across this neat photo.
I’m taking the evening off. I spent all weekend working on my book. The proof is ready to be printed. I ought to receive a couple proof copies next week so I can begin making final changes and correcting errors 🙂
Roberto shared his newest illustration that depicts a cat driving a jeep. My cats prefer to snuggle up in the seats and sleep (if they can get into the garage).
The April 1955 issue of Willys News included this article and excerpt from the June 1955 issue of American Poultry Journal.
This was posted on Facebook. It looks pretty early based on the logo design.
This is a neat brochure.
“On offer here is an original sales brochure for the Jeep CJ-6 long wheel base Australian issue..double folded version..folded measures approximately 27cm x 22.1cm or 10 5/8 x 8 3/4″ unfolded measures approximately 54cm x 42cm or 21 1/4″ x 16 1/2″ good condition ..”
View all the information on eBay
Roberto surprised me today with an illustration of me and Biscuit. How cool is that! Thanks so much! I’m even more handsome than I imagined, lol 😉
Gary shared this neat history of the Jerry Can.
http://para-rigger.posthaven.com/fwd-the-little-can-that-could
Here’s an unused postcard of a Bantam.
“Up for auction we have a vintage RPPC of a jeep. There is some edge wear due to age. This has not been used. The photo reads – “Jeep” 40th Div. Photo by “Lennie”. It is suspected to be from WW2, but we are unsure.”
View all the information on eBay
This is an unusual jeep birthday card.
“Vintage UNUSED Birthday Greeting Card – WW2 Soldier and Nurse Riding in a Jeep”
View all the information on eBay
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay
The nurse’s jeep stalled. It must not have been too hard to find GIs willing to help?
“L4 Yankee Nurses US Jeep in Corsica Italy WWII Original Acme Press Photo”
This M-38 came to the rescue during a flood in Jackson, Minnesota.
“1969 FLOOD Workers Used Jeep to Haul Sandbags to Dike Jackson Press Photo. They strengthened a barrier holding back Des Moines River at the Red Owl Store. Photo is 10.5” x 7” in size.”
View all the information on eBay
With winter settling into Alaska, Paul has returned to continue work on his Stainless M-38 (and a matching stainless trailer). I believe this is the 28th year of the project? Thanks for sharing Paul!
Knarley Rolls, Paul’s M-38. The spare with its cover is attached to the back of the jeep.
The black steel wheel in the photo below is one of 8 new wheels I purchased for the Willys (4 and a spare) and the M100 trailer (2 and a spare) so I need to modify these wheels to accept the stainless wheel discs I previously made. Each wheel will have 6 metal tabs (evenly spaced) welded to the outer face of the wheel with the tabs running from the outer bead flange to the raised inner ring around the lug nut area and each tab will have two nuts welded to the inner surface. These nuts will line up with holes drilled thru the stainless wheel discs to accept the wheel disc attach hardware and the tabs will provide additional support to hold the wheel discs while driving.
The black rim is to the right covered by a template. The other parts are trailer pieces from the disassembly of his trailer.
My original plan was to have only one nut per tab (so the wheel disc would be held on with six machine screws) but it’s much easier to weld two nuts to each tab while I’m making the parts than to have to add additional nuts and attach screws after the wheels have been powder coated just in case the discs wobble during rotation. I’ll try the 6 attach screws per wheel first and if the wheel discs stay smooth during driving I’ll leave the extra 6 nuts empty. If the disc shows any sign of instability while driving I’ll use all 12 screws to attach the disc for extra support.
This is Leigh’s final report from his trip across Australia in a 1944 Ford GPW. Thanks again to Leigh for assembling this record of their adventure. This is a news report published while the convoy was on the road. It gives more background into the purpose of the convoy. For previous entries read the previous entry here.
Red section on map was the approx. alternate route home that we fortunately avoided.
Setting off early for Jervois Station, 2750 sq.km (1708 sq.ml.) the Plenty Hwy soon deterioated (“Plenty” of corrugations, bulldust holes & rocks like broken house bricks) to the point where it claimed our first victim, Sam’s Jeep went one way in a bulldust hole & the trailer went another, tipping the trailer. Fortunately no one was injured however the trailer required a bit of work.
Plenty Hwy trailer overturned.
More of the Plenty Hwy.
Arriving at Jervois the weather was deteriorating so some firewood was gathered with the help of the Power Wagon & we set up camp. With no improvement in conditions we continued next day to Gemtree, gateway to the Gem fields of Central Australia, only 126 miles but due to the condition of the road everyone was glad to arrive. Here we were treated to a Camp Oven Roast by the local camping park.
Evening fire and a beautiful sunset.
At Gemtree the road from there on to Alice Springs is sealed so apart from occasional rattles from our clutch and a leaking fuel pump on the Power Wagon there were no further dramas. We arrived in “the Alice” as it is known to coincide with the Alice Springs Transport Hall of Fame reunion, a week long showcase of Australian transport history.
Piano key section of the Hwy is reinforced to take aircraft of the Royal Flying Doctor in an emergency.
From here some were heading back to Western Australia via the Great Central road while others chose to visit Lamberts the geographical centre of Austarlia and continue down the historic Oodnadatta track, another 1200 km (745 ml) of rough unsealed road to Copley, then on to Adelaide.
Coober Pedy the Opal capital of Australia
Fortunately as it turned out, time constraints had us head straight down the excellent Stuart Hwy between Alice Springs & Adelaide stopping briefly at Coober Pedy the Opal capital of Australia. It was here that the clutch started shedding springs from the disc, parts of these then intermittantly jammed the pressure plate causing loss of clutch, character building Cheryl called it, especially when it happened on Bolte Bridge, the main thoroughfare through Melbourne in peak hour traffic.
Bad clutch
Some statistics: Miles covered 4235 (6815 km) Total fuel used 987 litres (approx 260 US gal) at a cost of AU$1510. The highest fuel price seen was AU$2.10 / litre, fortunately by carrying five Jerry cans we didn’t have to purchase any at this price.
The next trip has been planned for 2020 to re-trace the route & visit the wartime installations from Alice Springs to Darwin.
Roberto Flores wanted to share his latest illustrations. They were created for a French bimonthly magazine “4×4 Story”. Number, or issue 62, is related to how enjoying the summer with your jeep and its windshield folded down. Vive l´été!!! Number 63 is also related to summer and how to going to the beach…in a DUKW! Roberto didn’t have a chance to translate the comics into english, so brush up on your french 🙂
Story 62
Story 63
Robin purchased this photo from eBay. A Jeepney was accidentally backed into the water. Thanks for sharing!
