News Research Archives

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Update from the Bantam Festival — Aug 12-14, 2011

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

I received an update from the Bantam Festival folks. Click on the banner to read about the updates. I still haven’t made the decision whether I”m going or not.  If I go, I’d like to spend another week or two in the NY area doing some family research, but that means I’ll be gone a month, so have to figure out the logistics to make that happen.

 
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Updates will be late tonight

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

I made my way, through snow, sleet, and plenty of rain, to Seattle this evening.  So, if I get a chance to do updates, they’ll be pretty late.

 
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Mini Jeeps

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

These mini jeeps do a pretty good job of climbing.  Check out this video:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZMxgEkly4k&feature=related

Here’s a UN version: http://wwww.kurumaerabi.com/?page=shop&store_id=11685

Here’s a seller out of Germany

 
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No Updates Tonight

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

See you tomorrow (Saturday)

 
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Up Close and Pickin’ Over at WillysJeep

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Tim asked me to put together a little about myself and eWillyls for him to publish.  You can check out what I wrote over at WillysJeep.com. (or the full post here)

 
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No Updates Tonight

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

I’m taking the night off … See you Friday

 
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NIssan Patrol 4W60

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

Roberto wrote to me asking if I knew of any manuals or other information for the restoration of a Datsun/Nissan 4W60 for a friend that is considering restoring one  (if anyone knows of a manual, please let me know).  Well, I didn’t even know the 4W60 existed.  So, I started researching. Here are several models that followed the 4W60.

According to this site, Nissan, Toyota and Mitsubishi all submitted prototypes to the Japanese government in 1950 to win the rights to produce government 4wd vehicles. Mitsubishi would win, but Nissan and Toyota continued to develop 4wd vehicles anyway.

The Nissan Prototype submitted for consideration looked like this:

For the first production run starting in 1951, however, Nissan went with a very MB-like design.  I tried to find restored examples of these, but had no luck.

The second version of the 4W60 had a few changes. I found this image on a Russian auto website, but misplaced the link.

Here’s a brochure from the Rocky Mountain Patrol and Offroad Website

The would also make a Wagon (4W60 wagon) and a Truck (4w70 Truck).

Here are some useful links:

http://www.rmp-o.com/literature/pages/4W60%20brochure%20002.htm

http://www.rmp-o.com/literature/index.htm

http://www.earlydatsun.com/nissan4w60.html

http://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/members-nissan-patrols-19/rays-restored-1958-4w65-patrol-20479/

http://offroadsz.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=1483

 
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Happy Valentine’s Day

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

For all the couples out there, I will not take the blame for distracting your man (or woman) tonight.  So, Happy Valentine’s Day! (In other words, no updates tonight)

 
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No Updates Tonight — Am Moving (to a new computer)

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

For 4 1/2 years I’ve lived on this Macbook Pro Laptop, through three different batteries and 3 power cords; To its credit, it has been a dependable, daily workhorse.  It has outlasted my previous 2 Mac laptops I owned.  That’s probably because, unlike the other two, this one has never been dropped on the pavement. To be fair, both laptops I dropped were useable after I dropped them, but the dents were obvious.

Despite the dependability, there have been a few recent problems.  For example, the animation of windows opening or closing would cause the poor thing to freeze, the Safari Browser was crashing daily from Flash (ok, maybe that isn’t all that unusual) and, worst of all, the computer was demonstrating fits of jealousy over the computing power of my Droid phone.  The letters on the keyboard have even become blurry, though after I have a beer they seem easier to read.  Finally, to get the thing to charge requires gymnastics, pagan worship, and constant maintenance.  So, I knew it was time to upgrade.

Fortunately, I was blessed this month with some extra money and pulled the trigger a few days ago, ordering a new 17″ MacBook Pro (http://www.jr.com/apple/pe/APP_MC024LL_SL_A/ — By ordering from J&R I saved $180 on the discount, versus Apple’s list price, plus about $170 in sales tax, for total savings of $350!).  So, I get to reorganize all my files and play with the new system.  Should keep me busy!

See you tomorrow!

 
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eWillys Quick Response (QR) Code

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

I just got done reading about the ‘boom’ in the use of QR codes among business people in Idaho.  I really hadn’t paid attention to this technology, but then i thought that putting these codes on the back of a business card might just make sense.  So, I thought I’d try generating an eWillys code for kicks.

To see what the code does, first you will need a smart phone (despite my fondness for apple computers, I have an Android Galaxy S Phone which I really like).

You will need to install barcode scanner software (I installed Barcode Scanner from ZXing Team, which I read about here).

Once you install the software, open the program and point it at the image above and it should bring up a link to eWillys on your phone.  I thought it was cool!

To generate your own Code for your business (or for any reason), you can drop by kaywa.com.  It takes only a few seconds to generate one.

 
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No Updates due to Technical Difficulties

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

Specifically, it seems one of my fingers is either broken or dislocated (two different diagnoses) while playing basketball today.  The worst part was that we had just barely started playing.  I had hoped the swelling would decrease enough to allow more efficient typing, but that did not happen.

However, there was some good news.  Not only did I make the shot, but it was the ring finger on my left hand that was damaged, a finger I have no further use for anyway.  That poor finger has been more damaged, on and off the court, than any of my other fingers  :-).

 
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Dan saves the day!

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

My car broke down on i84 near hermiston tonight. My hose sprung a leak and i lost coolant over a stretch of a few miles. I didnt notice until my warning light voice activated, basically telling me to get off the damn road. After an hour or so Dan, who works for the oregon DOT saw me and offered to help. one thing lead to another and it turns out Dan owned a 1973 cj5. As you can image, jeep talk filled the conversation for the remainder of our time together. After stops at the auto parts store and ace hardware, i got what i needed to put everything back together. So, big THANK YOU to Dan!!!!!
No updates tonight as i wont get home until late. Another day, another adventure!!!

 
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Internet Slow Tonight

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

I seem to be driving in the internet’s slow lane tonight, so just a few updates!

 
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Ford Rims with Center Cut Out

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Steve forwarded this post to me.  Apparently, he’s had experience with something similar rims and advises that they be avoided!

http://houston.craigslist.org/pts/2165558878.html

 
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No Updates Tonight

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

I just drove up to Seattle and will be around for the next couple of days (I got a special pic I’ll be posting friday night).  So, no updates tonight, but I plan to do some thurs AM .. will probably be updating throughout the day.

 
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No Updates Tonight

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

Enjoy your evening!

 
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1940s Model? Avon Park, Fl $800

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

No pics provided.

“needs a starter and lots of body work. no title included. most of the jeep is there.”

http://lakeland.craigslist.org/cto/2157461491.html

 
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1948 CJ-2A Winslow, AR **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $1000.

This was the seller’s father’s project who recently passed away.

“This Jeep is a 1948 Willys jeep, painted camo. It has a flathead four cylinder engine. This belonged to my dad who bought it planning to restore it, but he recently passed away. We are selling off some of his things. There is no top, just what you see in the picture. I think it ran when he parked it where it sits a couple of years ago. If you are looking for a four wheel drive project or parts for one here is a buy for you. We do not have a title for it. ”

 
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Wanted: 1 or 2 16 x 5 inch Willys Rims Ames, Ia

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

Steve is looking for some rims.

“Looking for one or two 16 x 5 inch willys rims. Have some 15 inchers and 16×4.5 inchers to trade. Shipping is expensive so hopefully we can meet some where in the midwest.”

 
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1956 CJ-5 Central New Jersey $1250

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

It doesn’t run, but appears solid.  Note the custom cross member in front;  I’m gonna guess this has an updated engine.

“1956 Willys CJ5. Great project. No major rust or rot. Not running but comes with everything to get it going. I have title.”

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/2151383463.html

 
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10,000 Posts …..

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

A few nights ago I reached the 10,000 post mark (each story or ad equals a ‘post’). I’ve been looking forward to that milestone for the last few months.  It averages out to about 3,333 posts per year since the launch of eWillys, though actually most have been done in the last 2 years.   If you figure an average of 15 minutes a post, then that’s about 2,500 hours of work (or 10 posts per day or just a little less than 104 days of straight work), though that doesn’t include the email correspondence or old posts that I update.  I think I’ll take Saturday off!

 
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1947 CJ-2A Lansing, Mi $1500

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No pics provided, but runs.

“1947 Willys Jeep Runs good $1500. Call Bill 269-948-8887”

http://lansing.craigslist.org/cto/2142983623.html

 
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Next Update Jan 2nd

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I’ll be taking the next two nights off.  See you next year on the 2nd!  Happy New Year!

 
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How I Wrap Christmas Presents

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One year, I wrapped all the presents using gold and silver aluminum foil into all kinds of shapes.  Another year, I wrapped presents using only recyclable materials.  This year, I made some jeeps and cars :-).  As you can see, I don’t take wrapping too seriously.

Happy Holidays All .. I’ll have my kids for the next week (starting tomorrow morning), so updates will be occasional and arbitrary.

 
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1950s Model? Scotch Plains, NJ $900

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

Looks like the side is patched.  Not sure if there is value here or not.

“This 1950 Antique Jeep with plow is ideal for restoration or parts. Please contact John on 908 295 8134. $900 or best offer”

http://newyork.craigslist.org/jsy/cto/2120821068.html