Originally published in 2008:

The Transcontinental Flatfender Tour website follows the refurbishment of a CJ-2A and CJ-3A and an ensuing trip across the US (they started July 15th and ended August 19th, 2007).

There are many pictures, stories of adventure, meet-ups with other jeepers, and a video history. Here is Paul and Evan’s story:

“Back in December of 2007, we (Paul and Evan) came up with the hairbrained idea of trying to do 2 complete frame-off restoration/builds on two 1948 Willys CJ-2A Jeeps with the intent of driving them from coast to coast on July 15th of 2008–just over 6 months later. Not really knowing how much work was really going to be involved, we started tearing them apart.

Well, just over 6 months later we’ve almost got them completed after many a long night of turning wrenches, and we’re readying to embark on the coast to coast trip.

VARIOUS STATS:

• 26 days-total road time
• 5,038 miles-total distance covered
• 14mpg-average fuel economy
• 45mph-average speed
• over $2000 in donations
• 5 days of mechanical breakdowns
• longest time broken down: 22hours in Georgetown, Kentucky (NOT 24!!)

list of parts replaced or broken while on tour:

• 2 omixada sideview mirrors
• 1 overdrive
• 1 second gear and synchro keyset
• 1 cruddy nat’s hat (health hazard)
• 1 16″ tube
• 1 134 headgasket
• 1 rear D44 pinon seal
• 1 speedomenter cable + housing
• 4lbs of grade 8 nuts and bolts/ other hardware
• 3 body mounts lost
• 1 battery box (fixed while on the trip is that broken?)
• 2 cooshy top bow cusions due to wind

number of times ran out of gas: 2 (Durango, Co & Moab, Ut both evan haha) (i ran out once in gordania, WV the first day and somehow coasted into the gas station)

number of other roadtrips like it: 0

THE ROUTE:

VIDEOS:

(I haven’t watched all of these, but one has a good look at a ’45 column CJ-2A in the process of being built)

DAY 1 Video:

Continue reading →

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $7500.

Dan spotted this wagon.

“I bought this wagon to be my winter driver but then found a ’89 Grand Wagoneer and decided to keep it instead. Tough decision. Over the years I have owned three other Utility Wagons and this one is a match to my favorite of those three. If not for money issues I’d keep it for sure.

Your magnet will love this rig: if there’s any rust I haven’t found it. The two-tone paint has been resprayed once. The white is fine; the gold is sunburnt. Front seats have been recovered; rear seats are factory. Overall the car is complete and pretty-much all original. Interior needs some tlc but it’s all there. Headliner is serviceable.

One owner for over fifty years. Purchased new here in Bend. I got it from his daughter and son-in-law who had intended to use it as a marketing tool for a business that never materialized. They spent a ton of money on it and then it sat. Zero miles on tie-rod ends, seals, radiator, carb, tires, brakes, and more. Glass is good. As I recall the mileage on the car is just over 100K.

Owner’s manual, service manual, clean title. The 230 OHC Tornado runs well. Fuel/vacuum pump leaks, charging system needs attention. I haven’t yet driven the Jeep but it’s very close to being streetable.

I’ll entertain cash offers but I will not give the car away. Try and find another one as original and unmolested as this….”

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $4500.

Includes a hardtop.

“For sale- 1946 CJ-2A Willys Jeep
Starts and drives great for a 70 year old jeep.
Motor was rebuilt in 2011, brakes and transmission work well. Lights, blinkers, brake lights and running lights work good. Licence plates good to 9/16. Tires are in good shape. Motor is strong and starts easy. Four wheel drive works(high and low). Planned to do a body off rebuild , just don’t have the time. Also has an aluminum top. Can send you pics if you want to see something or have a question. ”

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $500.

Glenn spotted this possible parts opportunity.

“Have Two of these 19 48, 1950 Jeepster Parts or restoration project most of the parts are solid and just have surface rust, Asking $500 Or Best Offer, Will Have another add for the other Jeepster. Also have extra fender for either and other parts all parts should fit either jeep. Also as you can see in one of the photo Somebody did some frame work on it. ”

Next Updates on Sunday Morning.

UPDATE: Still Available

(07/01/2015) Doesn’t run at the moment.

“Classic Willlys CJ3b. F124 engine, 3 Speed transmission, 4 wheel drive (high and low) All are there.
What paint is the original blue.
Missing to drive is a fuel tank, and seats. I’ve had it running. I plan to add those to get it drivable.
I’ll update ad as things change.”

http://tulsa.craigslist.org/cto/5318375287.html

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $11,900.

Has a colorful roof.

“1953 Willys 2WD wagon with a 3.8L V6 out of a 2001 Mustang donor car, Donor car had around 60,000 miles on it, Converted it to carbureted, Mustang 2 front end, Power rack, Power disk brakes in front and drums in back, Automatic OD transmission running off of a computer interface, Lokar tilt column, All new wiring and fuse box, New body mounts, Nicely detailed underneath, Aluminum Radiator, Electric fan, 8″ rear end, Aluminum gas tank, Dual exhaust, New tinted windows and rubber all the way around, Powder coated window trim, New tires on old alloy rims, Mexican blanket headliner, Rust has been taken care of, Nice straight body, ”

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was upon eBay.

Price aside, it’s certainly a clean build.

This Jeep has been completely redone from the ground up! It was rotisserie restored last year. The man who restored this truck was a Jeep expert from Georgia. He replaced the floor pans, the job was done perfectly. He used a later model windshield because the glass is larger and leans a little farther back. This Jeep was restored to the highest possible standards! The engine, transmission, transfer case and both axles have been rebuilt. Everything on this Jeep has been redone or replaced with new parts. The body is all steel and it runs and drives excellent. There are less than 500 miles on the build. The soft top is included.
VIN 57548109691
Continue reading →

The internet is moving at a snail’s pace for some reason this evening, so only a few updates tonight. We went to the movies and saw the Martian tonight. For some reason my wife and an ex-girlfriend of mine both think Matt Damon’s character reminds them of me? Maybe the just want to stick me on a planet far far away? Hmmmmmm.

These will be auctioned Sat 17th.

“1953 & 1957 Willys military jeeps with titles, also jeep body & running gear (no title)
These jeeps will be sold at auction, Saturday, October 17 at 2 pm. Auction Site:
14157 E 580 Rd, Inola, OK
Mr. Ed’s Auction Co.”

http://tulsa.craigslist.org/ctd/5267484250.html

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $950.

Looks like there’s some value.

“Willys Jeep CJ2A 1948 decent body, turns over and fires,, not running yet, tires are bad, rear fenders and bed is good shape, no seat frames, no title, hood scoops included!!. $950 no calls after 9 pm pl.. call keep text to minimum pls.. Also,, 1952 CJ3A available,,,disassembled,,, excellent frame, body repairable call for details,,, ”

Lew blames me for his newest CJ-2A 🙂

Lew wrote, In the past couple years that I have been watching eWillys I have bought two Willys that were shown here … But this latest was completely your fault. I didnt need a CJ2A. But after watching them for that time on your site, I contracted the disease that I thought was isolated to the wagons, and maybe trucks. So now for at least a year I have looking pretty hard for one for my wife, except she didnt know it and I wasnt sure she would go for it anyway.

At a museum a few months ago I showed her an old MB and asked what she thought. To my amazement she said she thought it was cute and would be fun to drive. That from a woman who has driven pretty much pick ups her whole life thus far. Well a couple weeks ago one showed up in a nearby state that fit our needs and at a negotiated price I could justify. I went and got it and she has been driving it around our farm until it gets registered.

These are checking out the fall colors here in N. UT. We both really enjoy this. Should never have sold our MB ten years ago, and the wagon lacks the topless views, so due to your efforts, we now have this and big smiles.

So, I just wanted to let you know it is your fault that my wife and I now have another Willys and the smiles that come with it.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $1300.

“For sale or trade is what we believe is a CJ-2A
The jeep has the transmisson, and 4 cylinder engine still intact but is missing the carburator.

The frame is in solid shape, no spots in which it is rusted through, no holes or anything. The front end is in relatively good condition too. The fenders are also solid, not super rusted however there is some spots in which they have rusted through. The dash has the original gauges, shifters and steering wheel. The headlights pictured are also in great shape. ”

No title.

“Listing my 1952 Korean war Willys M38 Jeep. S/N 70728. Runs good but does smoke a bit. Body is super with only rust on floorboards in front and one small place on drivers side. No dents!! Frame still has paint on it in places. Gas tank has a small leak but can easily be repaired. Paint is ugly!! Was originally O.D. Green, than primed and painted Air Force Blue and Lettering on the hood that says “Personnel Services”. I sanded it a bit to be able to read what it said. Under that the original unit numbers are just barely visible. Than it was painted red. Has been converted to 12 volt system but the 24v wiring harness is still there. Drives and shifts fine and no problems with transfer case either. Will need a brake job. Had military mud flaps on the rear so I suspect it was used on the flight line at some point. VERY RESTORABLE!!”

http://up.craigslist.org/cto/5226673627.html

the rust might not be too bad.

“Jeep Willys 1948 with Original Bill of Sale all parts and pieces are there, ran 2 1/2 years ago for sale only. ”

http://bham.craigslist.org/cto/5201937746.html

According to ABC News, Sydney mechanic Gary Moore and his dog Sasha will spend more than a year traveling around Australian in a 1942 MB. His trailer looks pretty early, too.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-11/mechanic-takes-willys-jeep-for-a-16-month-spin/6769344

PHOTO CREDT: ABC Rural: Lisa Herbert

Ann leaves on Friday morning to join her mother in New Mexico and help her drive the motorhome somewhere (It’s a to-be-determined situation). Thus, I’m spending some extra time with her, which means I’m behind on emails and posts. So, my apologies for unreturned emails. I’ll be catching up on Friday!

It looks like Chrysler-Fiat-AMC-Daimler-Benz, or whomever owns them anymore, is resurrecting the Jeep Grand Wagoneer for 2018.

http://blog.autoparkchryslerjeep.com/the-woody-returns-jeep-announces-grand-wagoneer-for-2018/