News Research Archives

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CJ-2A Parts Colorado Springs, Co $250

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

cj2a_parts_coloradospringsThe ad makes it sounds like a lot of parts, but the pictures don’t suggest a lot of parts.  Still, it might be worth a peek if you are nearby.

“lots of Jeep parts, Grills, radiators, wheels, transmissions, engine, manifolds, starters and more. $250.00 takes it all! 719-337-9088”

http://cosprings.craigslist.org/pts/1209549329.html

 
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1965 CJ-3B Maine $2500

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

1965_cj3b_maineIt appears the rolling chassis has been thoroughly cleaned and painted.  I can’t tell how much work is left on the body.

“Needs put together have all psrts call 352 895 2563 can deliver”

http://maine.craigslist.org/cto/1203040230.html

 
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Reader Question – Installing 4.3 GM V6 in Flattie

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

A reader noted that according to Novak, a GM 4.3 Liter V-6 is too tall to easily fit into a low hood flatfender without modifying the hood.  Now, I know this isn’t true as I’ve seen flatties with the engine installed.

Does anyone have any experience or advice about installing a GM V-6 into a flattie?  I have not done it myself.

Here’s some additional information I dug up on the web:

 
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Best Beer in America

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

I always love maps.  I even use them once in a while.  The maps at this blog, Strangemaps, are, well, all over the map in their purposes, usefulness, and creativity.

The other day I ran across this ‘Best Beer‘ map.  Having lived in Utah, and still fond of the state, I was sure it would rank as pretty dry state, but given it’s population, the map suggests it holds its own pretty well (though there are some good beers there, producers are limited to beers with 3.2% alcohol).  Despite this hurdle, companies like Wasatch Beers, with slogans like ‘bring some home to the wives’ and beers such as ‘Polygamy Porter‘ (Why just have one?), are popular around the Salt Lake Valley.

 
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1946 CJ-2A Morganton, Ga $550

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

1946_cj2a_morgantonYeah, that body looks like it might be shot.  This seller also has this MB for sale and this non-running M-38 for sale.

“1946 Willy’s Jeep CJ-2A. Complete and Original Running Gear. Great for Parts. $550.00. Call Todd – Please Leave Message. 706.633.6072”

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/cto/1185906146.html

 
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1966 FJ-6 Ice Cream Truck Las Vegas, NV **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles, News, Willys Trucks • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

1966_icecreamtruck_lasvegasUPDATE: **SOLD** was $4800

Brian forwarded this sweet treat to us.  This is a Willys Fleet Van.

“1966 ice cream truck / willys jeep fleetvan.  Right hand drive, 4cyl engine, auto trans, commercial glass slide top freezer, candy rack, charlie brown peanuts theme graphics, music player, up to date safety swingout & signs, all lights & blinkers operate, a/c unit, generator rack on rear bumper “generator not included” very clean little “starter” ice cream truck. $4,800 obo or trade for ??? Will return emails promptly, if your looking at this ad the ice cream van is still available.”

 
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Harry’s Great American Adventure

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

Jim forwarded me this great story of Harry, who is from Denmark.  Thanks for sharing Jim and Best of Luck Harry!  Here’s Jim’s remarks:

“I sold this 51 M38/CJ3A a few months ago on eBay to a very animated guy in Denmark named Harry. He showed up here in Durango a week ago to pick it up, saying he wanted to drive it to Dallas Texas (1000 miles!) and see a little of the country side. He turned out to be a really great guy; So, I invited him to stay here at the house and prep the jeep for the trip. We rode Harleys on a 300 mile loop through the Colorado mountains, ate, drank, laughed, learned some German and Danish, drank his home made honey wine, smoked a huge brisket for 16 hours, and drank rum around the bonfire at night swapping stories. After a couple days of lube, oil changes, collecting spare parts, tuning, etc,  he jumped in last Friday and drove a nearly 60 year old, un-restored, stock, Willys jeep at 45 mph all the way to Dallas Texas in 3 days. I talked to him this morning. He said it ran great, the only failures being a coil and a starter solenoid.  That’s pretty minor considering what could have gone wrong. He said he got terribly bored crossing the New Mexico desert, so he yelled at cows in Danish as he passed just for entertainment. Harry my new friend, I salute you, you are nuts, you are crazy, you are my kind of people, my hat is off to you!”

harry_m38

harry_dane_m38_3

harry_dane_m38_4

 
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Flat Fender Frenzy in Southern Ohio (other updates not til later)

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

I’ll be busy tonight until late tonight, so expect updates later than usual.  In the meantime, John forwarded me this link about the Flat Fender Frenzy from the Mightymo.org website. I’ve pointed readers to the mightymo website in other posts, but I guess I hadn’t explored the entire website.

As I understand it, Flat Fender Frenzy is a weekend event that occurs near the end of August in southern Ohio.  It looks like a fun little get together with some camping, jeeping and relaxing. Sounds like a perfect weekend to me.  You can view a variety of pics from the last few years here.

 
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Various Flat Fender Parts Wenatchee, Wa

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

This ad has been posted since April 2;  I just discovered it.  There’s a ‘complete’ jeep without a frame.

“I am looking at moving and have numerous old 1940’s jeep parts and trasfercases and other parts that I am clearing out in hopes of making more room. Will not sell for nothing since these things are getting harder to find. I even have a 1940′ flat fender that just needs a frame all else is pretty much there and in good shape $1200. All other parts depend on condition and how hard to find.”

http://wenatchee.craigslist.org/pts/1103639748.html

 
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Brief History of the CA4WDC

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

Here’s an article from the BlueRibbon Coalitions’s sharetrails.org website.  The California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs (CA4WDC) is celebrating its 50th anniversery.

Here’s an excerpt:

1959 was a momentous and pivotal year. Fidel Castro became prime minister of Cuba. Alaska was admitted to the Union as a U.S. state (with Hawaii soon to follow). Rock’N’Roll was heating up the airwaves, and the California Association of Jeep Clubs was formed in April in Tulare, California.

Steve Morris, a member of the Sacramento Jeepers, was elected as the first president of the Jeep Association, an organization that would retain that name until 1962, when it officially became the California Association of Four-Wheel Drive Clubs.

Read the rest of the story here

 
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No updates this evening

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

I’m busy on a project this evening (family history).  I’ll do an update around 2pm MST tomorrow.

Thanks — Dave

 
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Follow-Up Comments to Posts are Now Emailed

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

When readers comment on a post, I always get a copy of the comment emailed to me.  I had thought that readers who post a comment also received an email anytime there is a followup comment to a post.

Well, it turns out I was wrong about this feature (thanks to Robert for making me aware of the issue). So, I did some research and found a plugin for wordpress that solves the problem.

Now, if you post a comment related to a post, you’ll be sent an email anytime someone posts a follow up comment.  This should help mightly with cross reader communication on posts.

Thanks, Dave

 
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Bill Mauldin’s Willys Cartoons

• CATEGORIES: Artists/Drawings, Features, Magazine, News • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

smithsonian_cover_1992As I mentioned in a post when I first launched eWillys, which appears to have disappeared in last year’s database disaster, one of my favorite Jeep Cartoons was drawn by Bill Mauldin and placed on the front of the November 1992 issue of the Smithsonian Magazine.  You can see that one to the right (or see a larger version here).  No doubt many of you have seen this before.  At the time I wrote the post, it never occurred to me to search for any other cartoons by Bill.

However, for mystical reasons that remain unclear, it occurred to me tonight to search for other ‘Willys’ cartoons by Bill.  Here’s the results of my search. (send me others or links to others if you know of more ….

billmauldin1Th’ hell with it, sir. Let’s go back to the front.

billmaudlin2Thanks

billmauldlin3Why ya lookin’ so sad? I got out of it okay.

billmaudlin4 I’ll never splash mud on a dogface again (999) … I’ll never splash mud on a dogface again (1000) … Now will ya help us push?

billmaudlin6It’s a habit Joe picked up in Rome.

Here’s more links about Bill

 
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1945 MB? Fenders New City, NY $225

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

1945_fenders_newcityHere’s a couple of MB? fenders. I’m not sure ‘great shape’ is how I would describe them.

“1945 jeep fenders. shed stored. great shape.”

http://hudsonvalley.craigslist.org/grd/1098944413.html

 
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A Brief History of the Cannonball Run

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

cannonballToday, as usual, I was browsing CNN when I came across a list of the ‘10 best’ car chases on film.  I’m not sure if these really are the best 10, but one item that did catch my eye was the note attached to #10, the Cannonball run about George Baker.

I’d  heard of the Cannonball Run, but didn’t really know anything about it other than the casual reference to a movie by that name until last summer.  One day last summer I was browsing the new books section of my library and came across a book called The Driver, by Alexander Roy.  That provided me some background on the race, with which I’ll end this post.

Note:  I’m no expert on rally racing or it’s history, nor much of an expert on anything at all, but I’ve never let that stop me from writing anything else.  So, here’s a brief Cannonball history for those that like this sort of thing.

Mr. Cannonball Express:

In 1915, Erwin George Baker drove a Stutz Bearcat across the country in only 11+ days (this was one of 143 driving records of various kinds he set).  The next year he drove a Cadillac 8 from LA to NY in only 7 days.  This feat earned him the nickname (or a reference of) the Cannonball Express.

The Cannonball Express was a reference to the fastest train, at least at the turn of the century, that motored between Chicago and New Orleans.  It’s the same train that was operated by the immortalized Casey Jones, who would be killed at the reins of the train, attempting to slow it before it crashed into boxcars.

Continue reading

 
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Problems solved & site back on track

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

UPDATE: AHA!  Somehow, I had changed the file permissions on a single folder, which apparently caused some havoc with the ajax comments, maps, the contact form and more.   It took a while to hunt it down the problem (probably because I was half watching tv too). While messing around, I took the opportunity to do some general maintenance as well, which is always good.

So, I’ll pick back up Monday late afternoon with a story on the very rare MB half-tracks and information about more rare jeeps owned by Fred Smith of the UK.

– Dave

 
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Lack of Vitamin D a Warning Sign for Heart Disease? Cmon …

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

Ok, this has nothing to do with jeeps, but until I setup my nutrition blog, I will record this here as I need to get this off my chest.  It has to do with nutrition, critical thinking skills and causal relationships.

I saw a headline that declared “Lack of vitamin D linked to teen health problems“.  As a follower of nutritional information over past few years, when I see a headline like that, I can’t help but wonder what type of study was done to determine how the lack of a single vitamin could be responsible for all the health woes of a generation of people.  It seems to good to be true (the natural corollary is that adding vitamin D to the diet will solve the problem .. yeah, right).

So, I go to the link.  I read the article.  I wonder if anyone else is as confused as I am.

Let’s look at the logic.

  1. The study evaluates 3600 boys and girls 12 to 19.
  2. The researchers draw blood for blood tests.
  3. For some reason, not indicated, levels of vitamin D were measured (no other vitamin or mineral measurements or results were noted).
  4. Indicators for heart disease were measured (waist size, blood sugar, high blood pressure, high cholesterol)
  5. The sponsor of the research, not indicated (though one might suspect milk industry people given the focus on vitamin D — btw, I’m total fan of good quality, high fat milk, so no intentional swipe at milk producers is intended).  I searched for information on the study sponsor or original study information, but was unsuccessful.

Now, out of this data, the researchers discovered a pattern.  Teens with low levels of vitamin D had a statistically significant association with indicators of heart disease.  I have no qualms with that association (I’ve read studies a variety of studies indicating that large percentages of americans are vitamin poor.) and it makes logical sense based on what I know.

Importantly, a doctor in the article is quoted, “it’s likely that vitamin D deficiencies in teens stem from unhealthy diets and lack of exercise outdoors … If their diet includes chips and soft drinks, they’re probably not getting enough vitamin D.”  This makes total sense to me too.  I suspect this has less to do with exposure to the sun than ingestion of good quality products that contain fat soluable vitamin D.

So, I ask simply, is it the LACK of vitamin D that CAUSES the factors for heart disease to increase?  Or, is it the consumption of foods poor in vitamins and minerals across the board, that result in the low intake of vitamins and minerals in general WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY introducing high levels of sugars and carbohydrates (that are broken down into sugars) that result in increases in blood sugars in general (note that high blood sugars were also measured in the study).

Your body, in response to high blood sugars, produces insulin from the pancreas to lower blood sugars.  Of course, insulin also produces at least two byproducts: (1) weight gain due to the insulin secretion that causes the storage of fatty acids as tryglicerides within the adipose tissue of the body and (2) insulin which is excreted to deal with high levels of blood sugars causes increases in heart rates and constricts blood vessels which, over time, appears to raise the homeostasis of blood pressure.

GIVEN THE COMMENTS BY THE DOCTORS IN THE ARTICLE, IS LOW VITAMIN D REALLY A WARNING SIGN OF HEART DISEASE AS THE TITLES OF THESE REPORTS ON THE STUDY INDICATE OR SIMPLY A BYPRODUCT OF POOR NUTRITIONAL INTAKE?  IF IT IS NOT THEN WHAT IS CAUSING THE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND WEIGHT GAIN AMONG TEEN AND ADULTS?

Given the enormous amount of quality studies by quality people in this field, the stunning lack of reasonable conclusions here simply floor me. Let me simplify this further.  While different people have different tolerances for this formula, the basic formula applies:

Sugar (& flour and starches) >raise blood sugar levels > which causes a hormone called insulin secretion from the pancreas > which forces your body to burn sugar and save other products, including fats, for burning later.  This causes your body to operate in a manner you will not like!  One byproduct is weight gain: WEIGHT GAIN HAS LITTLE TO DO WITH OVEREATING AND CALORIES AND EVERYTHING TO DO WITH EATING POORLY NUTRITIOUS FOODS.

Now, back to your regularly scheduled jeep posts ….

 
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A Tucker ….. and the world’s largest auto museum

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

tucker_lemay_museumOk, I’m excited!!  Ever since I saw the movie Tucker: the Man and his Dream I’ve always wanted to see a Tucker up close.  I’ve never seemed to be at the right place at the right time to see one in person.  However, today I was innocently browsing the latest edition of Via Magazine (the AAA magazine) and noticed a review of several car museums in the west, including one from Spanaway, Washington, called the LeMay Museum.   Why someone would put (or leave) a collection of cars once listed as the largest on the planet by the Guinness Book of World Records in Spanaway doesn’t entirely make sense to me (not knocking Spanaway, just can’t imagine there’s a ton of traffic to support the museum).

Now, this really surprises me since I spent 4 years of my life haunting the Tacoma (Tacoma melts into Spanaway) environs while finishing my undergrad degree at the University of Puget Sound.  Yet, not once did I ever hear of the LeMay Car Museum the entire time I lived there.  Moreover, it’s not too far from my sister’s place in McKenna, Wa, so the next time I’m there I will grab my young nephew and go check out the cars.  And, among the cars, is the 7th Tucker ever made (pictured above).  Too cool :-).

lemay_museumHOLY CRAP .. I just checked out their About page.  Here’s their grand plan for a new museum adjacent to the Tacoma Dome on 9 acres: “Upon completion, this $100 million project will be the largest auto museum and attraction in the world …”  Make sure to check out the video at the bottom of the About page!

 
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1953 CJ-3A Denver, Co $3500

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

1953_cj3a_denverHere’s a 1953 CJ-3A that’s been changed to appear like an MB, but still has the ’53 parts.  It looks like it’s in good shape.

“I am selling my willys jeep project due to a divorce. I have over 3500 invested in the jeep. The jeep is a 53 made to look like a 45, I still have all the original 53 parts as well. It is not a flat head engine it is a 4 cyl not sure what type the jeep ran well before the restoration, has overdrive as well. The jeep and trailer were both sandblasted not a body off sandblast. The trailer comes with a pintail hook as well as a standard tow hook. The trailer also has a hill break it is a really nice trailer. Selling both as a set. call me at 303-588-4065”

http://denver.craigslist.org/cto/1042673503.html

 
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Reader’s Builds — Jim’s Barn

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

A reader named Jim has been working with jeeps for quite a while, rebuilding roughly 70 jeeps over the years. He started rebuilding jeeps by adding v8s, lifting them, and hot rodding them a bit.  Over the years, he did something unusual, he paid attention to what customers seemed to want.  The result, as you will see, is that he has taken a variety of jeeps, provided a military theme, and accessorized them well without investing large amounts of time or money.  He said he found that people seem to really respond to the military theme.  In addition, he wrote to me, “I cant stand to see an old ranch jeep neglected in some field or some backyard; I have to make it run, make it fun, and bring it back to life again.”  He’s found a great niche, has fun, and gets to collect some jeeps.  We should all be as fortunate 🙂

Here’s got 9 willys, an m-38, m-38a1, aussie land cruiser troop carrier and plenty of extra parts.  Here’s a shot of his barn.  I’ll be provided some glimpses of his projects over the next few days (I’ve run out of time tonight).  Thanks Jim!

jims_barn

 
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Jeeps in Tahiti

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

Sometimes, you just gotta love the internet.  While searching for an MB dashboard image relating to an earlier post, I ran across a brief history of jeeps in Tahiti , which was mostly historical photos such as the one below, along with some images of a restored 1944 MB in Tahiti, shown at the bottom of the post.

bob-1944-unload-jeep

1944_mb_navyjeep_tahiti1

 
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Zombies invade Austin, Tx … sort of

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

zombiesOk, so this has nothing to do with jeeps and it wasn’t really zombies, but I thought it was funny, soooo ….. hackers had their way this morning with commuters in Austin, Texas.  An electronic road sign that normally reads “Construction Area Ahead” was updated by some hackers to read “ZOMBIES IN AREA!  RUN”.

While drivers interviewed were amused, a City of Austin Spokesman was less amused, saying “Even though this may seem amusing to a lot of people, this is really serious, and it is a crime and you can be indicted for it, and we want to make sure our traffic on the roadways stays safe.”

I suspect this won’t be the last electronic road sign we see hacked.  Read more here ….

 
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Award Winner — shortest Ad I’ve ever seen…

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

UPDATE:  I have discovered a theme. There’s an Ad from Los Angeles Craigslist and an Ad from Orange County Craigslist to go along with the original San Diego Ad I show posted at the bottom.  I’ve put them all together, as a suspect the seller is the same for each, and I think I’ve got a bigger picture now ….

San Diego Ad –> Title =  Willys Jeep  …………………. Ad Text = “non op”
Long Beach Ad –> Title = o]]]]]]]]]o ’46 willys ……. Ad Text = “bring your truck, lots of parts I need to clear out.”
Orange County Ad –> Title = ’46 willys ………………. Ad Text = “you put it together”

So, the seller has a non op 1946 willys cj-2a that’s in many parts.  The seller expects you to put it together.  The seller suggests you bring  a truck.  I suggest you offer the seller very little cash for all the effort you will expend putting humpty dumpty back together again.

======

My original post is below:
This Ad which comes from of San Diego is for a “Willys Jeep”.  The text of the ad, in its entirety, is  “non op”.  There’s no pictures, no year, no model.  Maybe it’s a deal? Maybe it’s a waste of time?  It made me laugh …

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/cto/1001346890.html

 
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1947 CJ-2A Caldwell, Id **SOLD**

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

UPDATE:  The price on this jeep has dropped to $2500. **SOLD**

I was driving through Caldwell the other day and the dealer was just parking this jeep as I sped by the lot.  So, I couldn’t resist turning into the lot to take some pics.  Of course, after walking up to the jeep, it took only a couple seconds for a sales guy to come over and offer his help.  He tried making a couple points about the jeep, which I gently pointed out were incorrect.  I then provided him with some information about the year of the jeep and how it differed from a military version.  He got quiet after that. Though I didn’t tell him, I would say it’s way over priced.  I wouldn’t pay more than $1500 for it as, for starters, the front of the frame at the point of the grille on both sides has been welded, re-welded, and cross welded.  Here’s some pics.

Continue reading

 
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Barrel Racing in the Tacoma Dome Jan 16 & Jan 17, 2009

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

racejeep_tacomadome2008This weekend, Friday January 16 & Saturday January 17th, 2009, members of  the PNW4WDA will be holding barrel races as part of a Monster Truck show at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma Washington.   As you can see from the 2009 schedule, most of the races throughout the year tend to be in fairly remote locations, making them pretty private; This race provides a unique opportunity for the general public to see these unusual jeeps.  To the right is a link to a myspace video shot last year by a spouse of the racer  (I assumed it was from a spouse considering the ‘dumb ass’ comment heard in the accompanying audio).

Here’s a link to a TON of pictures from 2008 Tacoma Dome races on the Moonshiners’ Jeep Club website (though lots of dark and blurry ones too 🙂 ).