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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 .
Our own Joe Snodgrass’ GPW was used as the model for this Biloxi Blues poster. He and his GPW will also be featured at a car show to promote the play.
You can learn more about the play here: http://desertstages.org/show/biloxi-blues-39
Dave spotted this article about a 19 Year Old Iowan name Matt Goode who repowered a CJ-5 with electricity for a FFA (Future Farmers of America) project. I have to say that’s a nice choice of rims (not that I’m particle or anything).
Read the entire article here. http://www.iowafarmertoday.com/news/crop/electric-conversion-brings-life-to-old-jeep/article_b2e56a84-e684-11e3-8882-0019bb2963f4.html
Here’s another round of photos courtesy of Charles:
For the last few days I’ve been in Seattle taking advantage of the nice weather to get some work done on Biscuit. Fortunately there weren’t too many ‘sonny-do’ projects, so I had a chance to get right to work.
First, I tackled the custom bracket I made for the transfer case. You might remember that I installed Dana 18 gears into a Dana 20 (a good way to improve the gearing) and turned the single Dana shifter into a dual shifter. When I built the bracket, I designed it to fit alongside the TH 350. I didn’t know it wouldn’t fit right against a T-18.
As you can see, the side of the shifter bracket tong sits against the transmission. There was no room to attach a bolt on the backside of the tong.
Since the shifter bracket is more functional then beautiful, I reused most of the parts. I simply cut off the old tongs, welded them onto a plate, and welded the plate back onto the bracket.
Not pretty, but works.
The ‘finished’ bracket with some primer on it. You can just see the bolt that I welded to the back side to make it simpler to bolt the shift levers into place.
Next, since the transfer case sits slightly lower than it did before, I created a new side bracket. I made a template out of aluminum. To build the bracket I took a piece of an angle I had around the garage, cut it, and bent it into the shape of the template. Again, it’s nothing pretty, but gets the job done.
Transfercase side support with primer on it (so it would photograph better).
As I explained in a post a couple weeks ago, while I was puling apart my jeep I discovered that the powersteering was rotating slightly as I spun the steering wheel. That’s a problem! So, I dedicated the last few days to fixing that problem and changing the way the front bumper connects.
The basic problem was that the stock power steering mount unit only used three of the four holes to attach the steering unit. Therefore, I planned to add a cross piece to provide a place for a fourth bolt to attach. However, that meant I had to cut the plate on top so the bolt could be attached and removed. And, since I was doing that, I figured I would change the way the bumper attached.
The white arrow shows how the unit was rotating to the driver’s side.
This arrow demonstrates where the power steering needed to attach.
Here I’ve removed the bracket from the frame to provide a better look at it. This is the stock bracket from a 1973 CJ-5.
This shows the cross brace I made from 1/2″ steel.
Next up was the alternation of this top piece. You can see the outlines I’ve scratched into the plate.
Using a cutting blade and a saws-it-all I removed chunks of the plate.
Now it’s looking a little better.
Next off came the bumper:
The length of the bumper in from of the jeep annoyed me a little. So, I wanted to remove a couple inches.
The frame rail on the left has been cut back so the plate can fit snuggly over the custom front shackle. The far right frame rail has not been cut back yet.
In order to bolt the bumper on to the front of the jeep, I created a set of flat plates and drilled some initial holes into them. The plates are tall so that I can weld a cross piece on to them. The cross piece will allow me to properly position the holes in the bumper with the holes in the plates.
I clamped the new plates with the cross bracket onto the bumper so I could drill the holes. (for the pics I removed the clamps.
With the bumper holes drilled, I can how set threads into the brackets.
This is another view that shows the brackets, the cross piece and the tap at the far end.
These are the brackets cut down and tapped. I had a little problem threading the hole on the lower right, which is why it doesn’t look quite right. It works fine though. I have also ground down the sides to make it easier to weld and fill the plates to the end of the frame.
This show the plates welded and cleaned up on the end of the frame.
This is a top view.
This shows the bumper attached, everything painted, and the power steering affixed to the new and improved bracket.
With those projects out of the way I turned my attention to the engine I bought from Daryl last summer. I discovered the motor has stock bores. The pistons appeared cleaned, but never run. The engine looks like it was rebuilt, but never run. The spark plug ends are clean and shiny.
Me checking out the motor. It came without an intake manifold.
With the head pulled I was relieved to see clean cylinders. Then I noticed there was no build up at all on the gaskets.
The tops of the pistons showed they weren’t new, but they appeared to have been scrubbed cleaned.
The underside of the heads show no carbon and the plugs look unused.
Given the engine looks unused, I’m not going to attempt to rebuild it. Instead, I’m going to run it as it is and focus resources on properly rebuilding my other motor (with its new heads and updated cam) later this year. In the meantime, I can run with this motor and focus on getting the other parts I need to get Biscuit running. Since they are both Buick V6s switching out motors at some future date won’t take very long.
Lastly, I thought you might enjoy seeing the welder I’ve been using. Dad tells me he got this Montgomery Ward classic as a hand-me-down from a local jeep builder (Al Carrol) in the late 1960s. It’s still works real well.
I hope to return later this month to complete some more work. I will be updating the front brakes to discs. Thanks to R&P for the brake kit! I’m also hoping to have all the parts to install the drive train. Here are a few more parts I’ll be adding to the mix:
So, stay tuned!
Roberto Flores has been busy.
He writes, “This #WillysJeep #cartoon could be (and is) devoted to #jeepers as Andy Bint, David Eilers, Ron Fitzpatrick, Joe Jennings, Mike Hardesty, Nate Bolduc, Natxo Alberdi Ruiz, Rommel T. Juan, Harriet Langridge, etc. for mention a few of them! Keep´em rolling!!! (Facebook Link)
He adds, “If you´re going to attend the 70th ceremonies of #DDay, perhaps you´ll have the chance of found this design during the Ford GPA jeep meeting at Carentan:” (Facebook Link)
Someone stole this CJ-2A. If you see the jeep for sale, either email me directly or contact the poster of this theft @ 5757700180. Listed as a 1942, it’s obviously a CJ-2A.
“Some lowlife took this motorless 42 Willys from Taos, Nm, sometime between Monday 5/26 and Saturday 5/31… there is a reward for information leading to its return.
Update: a witness saw a +/- 2000 1 ton red Dodge flatbed with my Willys on a fifth wheel trailer heading north out of Taos on Saturday 5/31… any and all information would be appreciated.”
http://santafe.craigslist.org/cto/4502165694.html
DON’T FORGET: Drop by the 2014 Great Willys Picnic on Sunday June 8th from 9am to 4pm. It’s held in Kempton, Pennsylvania. Go here for more info: http://www.cj3a.info/picnic/
Jason and his family enjoyed a family jeep outing last weekend.
He writes, “Last Saturday was our 4th annual family jeep rally through Parke County, Indiana (covered bridge capital). Attached are some photos for your use. The trip was a 30 mile round trip that took us through Bridgeton, IN. The Bridgeton Mill just happened to be making flour the same day. We anticipate twice as many jeeps next year to join in the trip. Each year we pick a different route that includes another bridge. We passed three on our trip this year.”
Looks in good shape.
“Here is a rear pto unit. great condition, not water damage, original bolts all around. Also have the pto transfer case adapter for this at 75.00 can’t find the drive shaft, will post if found”
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/csw/for/4499705568.html
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
Craig spotted this Tampa Bay CJ-6 Tour Jeep photo on eBay.
“1969 Jeep Tour Guide Ybor City Tampa FL Street Scene 1 Color Slide(s) 35mm”
Most of you are familiar with Paul’s stainless M-38 project that’s going on its 26th (?) year (He’s almost done). However, according to the City of Miami, the project is roaming the streets of Florida. I’ll let Paul explain.
For many years my friends have been asking me when the stainless Willys would be back on the road. Thru the years I tried to offer an accurate estimate of when I thought (or hoped) the Willys would be back together but as each deadline passed I realized my completion plans were wildly optimistic. Until today.
I just received official notice from the United States Post Office that not only is my Willys runnable, but during the first week of May 2014 my Jeep was cruising southbound on Biscayne Boulevard in Florida!
How cool is that? I feel like a putz, I had no idea I was finished with my long term rebuild but I can live with that. What really bothers me is my Willys went cruising without me, geeze after all I’ve done for my Jeep I’m quickly cast aside like a used kleenex when it’s time to play. Unfortunately my Willys had a bit too much fun and ended up running a red light. I know things happen and all that but now the city of North Miami wants me to send them $158.00 just because my little Willys turned renegade. There’s even an official photo recording this illegal event. Zowie!
I’m sure this ticket is real, it’s from: City of North Miami
Intersection Safety Program
PO Box 22091
Tempe, AZ 85285-2091
If that’s not enough to convince you I’m supposed to pay the fine to: City of North Miami
Payment Processing Center
PO Box 742527
Cincinnati, OH 45274-2527
And best of all the official driving infraction photo doesn’t show a Willys, the vehicle isn’t green (the old body color was OD but the local DMV called it green) and the license photo shows a different license plate design that what’s on my Willys so what’s an owner to do? I feel so cheap and used. I gave this Willys the best years of my life, I ate the cheap cuts of macaroni so I could purchase the parts necessary for rebuilding my Jeep, I stayed late in the garage ignoring friends just so I could have quality time with my Willys and this is what I get? My innocent Willys has turned Renegade and left me for a good time in sunny Florida so here I sit staring out the window watching fresh snow being deposited on the mountains!
My heart is broken, I’ll never be able to trust my Willys again. Yes I heard the often repeated stories about how your Willys will turn on you, how the good times will roll until someone better comes along but I didn’t believe this. I told my friends my Willys was different, my Willys is loyal and my Willys would never get into trouble. I’m so ashamed my Willys is like all the rest, just out for a good time and forget about everything else.
A word of warning to all who read these words…
Your Willys will get you into trouble!
Thank you
A very sad Paul Bierman
Charles shared this site from the Belgium Jeep Club. It’s a summary of jeep history in Belgium.
http://www.jeepclub.be/content/default.asp?a=HERITAGE&sa=BELGIUM
Here’s an unusual jeep item.
“HUGE jeep picture 190 x 45
Logo is 56W x 23L”
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/fod/4497555994.html
I was busy all day on the jeep. Progress was steady and the unusual lack of swearing suggests it was a successful day! I will have pics and a report in the next couple of days.
On another note, I’ve been experimenting with no-kneed, no commercial yeast breads over the past few weeks. Right now I’m using a strain of sourdough from the San Francisco area. Besides the sourdough, there’s only salt, water and flour. I bake at 455 degrees in a thick ceramic backing dish with a lid.
So far, the results have been great! Check out that last batch here:
I’m going to ‘grow’ a few more starters and try some more complex combinations of flour. I will also be trying a dutch oven in our regular oven to see if that produces a slightly different flavor from the ceramic baking dish. I’ve just ordered both of Chad Robertson’s books as a happy-birthday-to-me gift (bday is later this week) to help expand my repartoire: Tartine Bread & Tartine Book No 3. Stay tuned!
Dennis shared these photos of his ex-wife’s grandfather, Tom Provateare. He’s pretty sure these were taken while Tom was stationed in Germany.
Paul forwarded these two photos of hardtops. Anyone know who manufactured these tops?
The first one is the same model of hardtop Paul’s dad had on his jeep. Paul notes, “This is an old metal hardtop which was used on the WW2 Jeeps. The windows in the doors are moved up and down by straps on the inside of the doors.”
This is another version of the same top. However, the doors on this top have been modified so the vertically sliding windows were replaced by fixed pieces of clear plexiglass. Rather a boxy design even compared to a Jeep.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
Marc spotted this Navy Data plate that was on a CJ-3A.
This photo was published at this Willys-Overland history page. Ron Szymanski has the original.
Charles forwarded some more pics of the Belgian Army. In the first pic, the seat on the grass suggests it may have been used as a lawn chair.
Willys-Overland powered Empire Tractors in the foreground and jeeps in the back.
The Empire Tractor was made in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by the Empire Tractor Corporation from 1946-1948. Leveraging the Willys drive train, Empire produced two different models: Model 88 and Model 90. You might have seen one of those tractors at a Willys show or for sale, but sightings are rare. The primary reason for their scarcity is that of the approximately 6,660 made around 5,370 were exported leaving about 1,290 available in the US and Canada.
The history behind the Empire Tractor company is complicated. It involves Willys Overland Motor’s largest shareholder, Empire Securities, and a successful international business man named Frank Cohen, who was investigated multiple times for suspicious financial dealings.
Here’s how and why only a few tractors were made . . .
The two basic models of tractors produced by Empire Tractors. They look pretty close, but one of the most noticeable differences is the seat.
EMPIRE SECURITIES:
In 1932 George Ritter, Ward Canaday, and H.J. Leonard organized Empire Securities, Inc. They launched it as a holding company to process claims against the Willys-Overland Company, which had gone into receivership. In 1935 Empire Securities offered to buy up all the Willys-Overland Company bonds that were due two years earlier in 1933 so they could reorganize the Willys-Overland Company. In October of 1936, Empire Securities successfully rebirthed the Willys-Overland Company as Willys-Overland Motors, Inc., and became the largest shareholder. Several years later the Empire Securities founders used Willys Overland stock to partly fund a business deal with a man named Frank Cohen.
Side Note: Empire Securities continued to be the largest shareholder through 1946. Meanwhile, Ward Canady was president of Empire Securities and Chairman of the Board of Willys-Overland Motors through 1946.
Here’s a cool photo. I can’t say for sure where that was taken.
“1955 Press Photo A modern prospector using Geiger counter jeep & other gear”
View all the information on eBay
I spent Saturday wrestling with our plumbing. A simple replacement of a spigot outside the house turned into several trips to Lowes! Simultaneously, we dug up around the pond to figure out where it was leaking. Once the pipes were exposed, the leaking stopped. Go figure! So, no updates for Sunday.
Congratulations goes to my daughter Kasia. She graduates from East High School in Salt Lake this June. She’s been accepted into a special science program at the University of Utah. However, she’ll be delaying college for a year, because she’s been accepted into the FEMA/Americorps program, the same one Karson did last year. She reports to Maryland in July. Wow, they grow up fast!
The complete remodel done in only 10 days.
On Friday the Toledo Jeep Plant unveiled a Willys MB for a Veteran’s display. What makes this story unusual is that from start to finish the team only had five weeks to find a jeep, get it delivered, and rebuild it. That’s a pretty short window! The person tasked with finding the jeep was former plant manager Jerry Huber. Naturally, he turned to eWillys to locate the jeep. He shared his adventure in an email.
Jerry wrote, “I e-mailed you a couple of months ago to congratulate you on the ewillys website and to tell you how much I enjoy it. Well, here’s a short story you’ll enjoy. About five weeks ago, I was contacted by some of my friends at the Toledo Jeep Plant asking if I could help them find a donor Willys Jeep that could be turned into a Memorial Replica for a Veterans display at the Plant. After accepting the challenge, since they wanted it completed for Memorial Day weekend, I scoured your website for potential vehicles and since we were operating on a small budget it was pretty tough.
When I spotted a 42 Willys in Texas with an asking price of $995, the folks at the Plant immediately jumped on it. The seller was so impressed with the intended purpose that he offered to deliver it to the plant in return for a Plant Tour and a couple of Tee-shirts. We rec’d the Willys at the Plant on May, 10th and the mechanics, body and paint crews went to work immediately.
The jeep from Wimberly, Texas, that is now on display in the Toledo Jeep Plant
The Jeep workers and the current Plant Management really got behind the project and gave it their full support. Special kudos to the team from Jeep that pulled of the restoration in such a short time. Finding the donor Willys was a first step and this would not have happened without your ewillys site. Thanks for all your effort to sustain the Willys Jeep heritage.”
World War II veteran and Jeep retiree Lupe Flores, right, looks at the restored Jeep. Behind him is Ron Szymanski, and Bob Kiss, one of the painters on the project. THE BLADE/JETTA FRASER
You can read more about the event in the Toledo Blade:
http://www.toledoblade.com/Automotive/2014/05/24/WWII-vehicle-made-here-marks-holiday.html
Charles shared these photos.
This is the Belgian Army at Camp Bruckhausen
Crossing lake vogelsang (germany)
Still crossing the lake.
This video is fun to watch!