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Happy New Year

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

first_birthdayHappy New Year everyone (at least somewhere it’s the New Year).   New Year’s day marks the official one year anniversary of eWillys.

Over the past year I’ve met lots of new friends from all around the world, written about 1400 posts, nearly finished my own jeep, and only pissed off one reader (that I know of :-)).  I feel like I’ve successfully hit my goals this year: to create a website that follows the older jeep & jeep parts market so that I and others can better understand the market demographics — what’s for sale, how much they cost, and more.  Along the way, I’ve tried to make it interesting, amusing and educational.

Based on the feedback I’ve received, you all seem to be enjoying the site thus far.  My 14 year old son swears to me that one day he was walking down the street in downtown Salt Lake City and heard two guys talking about the eWillys website and how much they liked it, which he thought was pretty cool.

Over the next year, I hope to continue to deliver interesting information,  improve the site (especially those drop down menus which stick within firefox), and expand the content in new directions.

Finally, I really really appreciate all the readers who have provided endless helpful feedback, suggestions and information.  I try to keep this site updated on 24/7 basis as best as possible and sometimes I make mistakes in the process, so always feel free to drop me a line, and I’ll respond as quickly as possible.

Have a wonderful 2009 everyone!

– Dave

 
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County Line 4×4 Offroaders Event Jan 24th Elbe Hills, Wa

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

countyline_4x4_logoI found this event notice in the parts section of Craigslist, so for those near Eatonville, Wa ….

“County line offroaders 4×4 club is having a snow jam rally sat jan 24 in Eatonville on scott turner road to elbe hills . door prizes,raffle, 10.00 to sign up includes 1 hand. 5.00 per extra hand. chilly feed with all the fixins! starts at 8am. last rig out at noon….bring the whole family! qauds welcome!more info call:360 458 0644 or 253 350 2584”

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/pts/968061994.html

 
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Reader’s Build: Michael’s 1957 and 1955 Trucks

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

Michael writes that he’s owned several jeeps through the years.  Currently, he’s got two willys trucks he’s fixed up, a ’55 and a ’57 .  As you can see from the right and the first large pic below, the ’57 seems to have wings.  Most recently, he’s purchased a couple slat grille jeeps and is looking for info about and parts for them.

“Just wanted to say thanks for all the awesome info on your website! I learned to drive at the age of 10. My parents had a 1969 Jeep Gladiator Pickup. I used to fourwheel all over in it. It was given to me on my 12th birthday after I had blown up the motor wheeling in a rock canyon very similar to the Rubicon. What a time. We towed it back with a 56 Willys Wagon.

I currently own a couple Willys pickups a 55 and a 57. I’ve owned a couple 2a’s in the past and always kick myself for selling them! I am back though and looking for any info. on parts for a couple of slat Willys. That’s how I found your website. Thanks again. I’ll send you a picture of my 57′ “treading lightly?” Also pics of both are posted on car domain under the user name of UNIVERSALWILLYS1 (although it was hurriedly done so not very prof. looking.I need the time to fix them)”

 
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South Webster High School “Jeeps”

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

Who woulda thunk it?  It turns out South Webster High School in Ohio adopted the Jeep mascot more than 50 years go.  Though it’s not jeep the vehicle, rather it’s Jeep from Popeye, it’s still cool in my book.

“Before 1940, South Webster High School athletic teams had no official name, although local sportswriters sometimes referred to them as the “midgets.

However, in 1940 the rules of basketball, by accident, helped to produce the mighty JEEP. By the rule in 1940, coaches were not permitted on the playing floor to instruct players. Coaching had to be done prior to the start of the game or at half-time. During rest periods between the first and third quarters of play the team manager at South Webster would roll a small box onto the court to supply players with refreshments and first-aid materials. However, the coach at South Webster was accused (and rightly so perhaps) of sending in plays and instructive notes in this little four-wheeled box. Local fans were positive that when that little box was sent onto the floor, players were getting more than refreshments. Everyone knew that the box contained answers to the problems being presented by the opposing team.

Also in 1940, a favorite comic strip contained a character who knew everything. In 1936, the charater of “Eugene the Jeep,” a small bright-eyed creature from Africa who was all-knowing, was introduced into the “Popeye” comic strip. Popeye gave the Jeep to his girlfriend, Olive Oyl, as a birthday gift. The Jeep, whose diet consisted of orchids, helped popeye solve many difficult situations in his comic strip career.

Since the JEEP was all-knowing, some local South Webster people associated the coach’s box, containing messages to his players, with the comic strip character.

According to, what is now legend, the late Mayor of South Webster, Mr. Gilbert Havener, is credited as the first person to label the box as the “JEEP BOX.” The sports editor of The Portsmouth Times (now Daily Times), Lynn Wittenberg, picked up the term and used it in describing South Webster’s 1940 Scioto Country Tournament team.

The mascot was never officially adopted, but has been, since 1940, generally accepted….”

Learn More Here

 
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Flatfender Brewing Company

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

Here’s a jeeper who turned 2 passions (beer and jeeping) into a business.  Learn more about Flatfender Brewing.

“We are an online,  local, & delivery service for all of your homebrew needs. We are located in Crescent City Ca . This is 15 miles south of the California Oregon border & about 1 mile from the pacific ocean. Our town is surrounded by huge redwood trees & one of the cleanest rivers in the United States. We can order anything you might need that we do not stock.  I am Brian & i am know as “jeepguy” on forums & in a pc game i play called battlefield 1942. I also like jeeps & like to build & wheel them.”

 
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Increasing old Jeep Sales and the Economy

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

Christopher made an interesting point in one his comments.  He mentioned that he’s seeing more jeeps for sale.  Well, oh boy, did this get me thinking ….. and while this is tangentially related to jeeps, it more about my thoughts on the economy.

I agree wholeheartedly with Christopher.  I believe the number of flat fenders appearing for sale is greater now, and the prices better, than I’ve seen since I started following them (which is only 2 years mind you).  Most of the ads appear to have the same theme, ‘don’t want to sell but need the money’.  Now, I don’t keep actual stats on this, but I have been pondering ways to do this without it being a time burden …

Combing Trends

When I combine the jeep sale trend I see with the recent October filings for unemployment insurance (highest in 16 years) and the record drop in October US house sales (worst in 50 years), plus the number of job applications per job here in Boise, I get the feeling the economy is still heading downward.

Continue reading

 
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Jeep Thrills visits the Jawadhu Hills

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

Siva has updated his blog with a recent trip to the Jawadhu Hills by a few members of the Jeep Thrills jeep club.  One of the more interesting differences between jeeping in the U.S. and jeeping in India may be summed up by Siva,  “Jawadhu hills has around 270 mountain villages, people in these villages needs to walk for 4kms to 20kms to reach the main road.”  So, the terrain may be remote, yet you may still find yourself passing the occasional pedestrian or stopping for lunch at a local village after traveling over difficult terrain.  Thanks for the update Siva!

I tried to locate the Jawadhu Hills, but instead found the Javadhu Hills near Vellore that lie between two rivers, Ponnaiyar and Palar.  Is that the correct location?  Vandavasi, where you had breakfast, is near there.

 
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Shortened Dana 44 with Disc Brakes Buckley, Wa $200

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

I like the gearing (4:10s) and disc brakes on this setup.  Make sure to double check the width measurements.  A Dana 30 is about 53″ wide, while the Dana 27 & 25 are 51″ wide.  Here’s a site with a bunch of similar statsHere’s more on shortening a Dana 44.

If I were to make a gearing change, I’d likely shift to 4:10s.  Dad’s was 4:10s and it still rumbled down the freeway with no problems.  The one nice thing about the 3:73s, which I’m running at the moment, is that they are readily available, which proved to be an asset when I discovered my R&P was broken.  I picked up a used set for $15.

“i have here a 50″ or so inch wide backing plate to backing plate disk brake 44 it woill work great for a cj, willys, or a fj land cruiser or anything that is more narrow than a full size truck, im going in a diffrent direction with my project so its up for grabs thanks for looking”

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/pts/912709647.html

 
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New: A Collection of eBay results for 1/4 ton flat fenders …

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

Last month I happened upon the fcConnection ebay auction results.  I thought that was a great idea, so I thought I’d add something similar.  It took me a while to get around to building it, but here it is http://www.ewillys.com/?page_id=2480. The main menu above now contains an “ebay results” link as well.

My goal is to develop a database of prices just to see what kind of prices sellers are getting on ebay, which are stats I haven’t followed much.  I will be focusing on the 1/4 ton flat fenders (Models: MB, GPW, CJ-2, CJ-2A, CJ-3A, M-38, CJ-3B, DJ-3A).

To get my information, I’m using the eBay watch system to keep tabs on flat fender auctions.  When an auction concludes, I’ll post it.

 
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Four Wheeling Plus in Ellensburg, Wa

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

Four Wheeling Plus owner Ron Dunn Jr. is moving his shop to a smaller location, so he says he has some great deals on a variety of products.  You can learn more from the PNW4WDA website or go to his website.

“Yes I am selling my shop but NO I am not going out of business. I am selling my 6000 square foot shop that is pretty much out in the middle of nowhere and I hope to buy/lease a smaller building in town where I will get more foot and drive up traffic.”

 
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Weekend Updates

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

I was so busy this weekend with my jeep that I delayed my weekend updates until last night.  Unfortunately, just as Poseidon toyed with Ulysses, my web provider appears to enjoy toying with me at times, making access to the site nearly impossible last night.  So, I’ll being provided updates throughout the day today.

1.  The first update is that I’ll be heading north to Seattle tomorrow for a few days.  In the morning I’ll be stopping by Wallowa, Oregon to take a closer look at this old racer.  Then I’ll be swinging by Tigard, Oregon, to pick up the rims Mitch purchased.

2.  Brian sent me some updated pictures on his project, so I’ll be filling in readers on his progress.  He’s taking the entire week off as he’s busy with his dogs all week.

3.  I need to provide updates on my project — I was very busy this weekend completing a variety of finishing touches.

4.  Of course, I need to update the site with the latest jeeps for sale.

But, before I do that, I’m off to play some basketball.  So, stay tuned.

– Dave

 
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Dana 300 Used TeraLow Gear Set

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

Want to upgrade your Dana 300 cheaply?  You might try this seller.

“I have a pristine Teralo 4:1 gearset (dana 300) for sale. I pulled it out after breaking an output shaft. Teralow makes a stout reduction gear set, and this set has less than 1000 miles on it-2 1/2 wheelin seasons. There are no signs of wear, and no chips-looks brand new. I have the gearset, which sells for $600 new, and couple bearings. $275 .. http://www.trailquest.com/teralow/low300.shtml

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/pts/863642477.html

 
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1962 FC-170 DRW Mountain Home, ID **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: FC150-FC170-M677, News • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $5600.

This FC appears to be in pretty good condition, just the paint is a little faded.

“1962 Willys Jeep FC 170 DRW 1 Ton Truck. Original Title.  Ask about propane conversion unit.”

 
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1950 CJ-3A **SOLD**

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

This is a fiberglass CJ-3A, with both the tub and front clip fiberglass.  I’d say the body needs to be mounted a little better.  This seller will be selling a variety of jeeps, as he stumbled upon a person who had a field of them.

“I recently stumbled onto a backyard with many, many Willys Jeeps in it. Right in the middle of everything was a fantastic WWII GPW. In order to get it, the owner said I had to buy every Jeep he had. So, look for 3-4 more inexpensive “project Jeeps” from me in the very near future after I kill the hornets, steam clean them, throw away all the trash etc. This is a 1950 Willys CJ3A with a full fiberglass body. I’ve seen many fiberglass tubs etc, but this is the full deal, tub, hood, fenders and even the grill. The only metal is the frame and the windshield frame, both of which are in excellent shape. According to the owner, this rig was running and driving a little over 2 years ago when it was parked but I have no way to verify.”

*SOLD and Living in Idaho*

 
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Puzzled about Brake Line Sizes

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

Once again, I’ve been searching the internet.  The newest quest for information involves brake line sizes.  Specifically, as I posted a few days ago, I pulled brakes lines and a combo valve from a late 80s Cherokee.

One of the things I didn’t realize initially was that the front brakes lines are 3/16″ while the rear line is 1/4″.  The question I had was, does that matter?  After some searching, I landed on the Hotrodders site where readers discussed this issue.  The nut of the discussion was that this should not be an issue and, in fact, has been done on many newer vehicles….

 
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Buick V6 Jeep Headers $100 — SOLD

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

UPDATE:  Don has said he’ll purchase the headers. Apparently his son is building a ’52 flattie with a V6.  Ironically, Don is in Colorado and Colorado is where I purchased my newest set off of craigslist.

Wait, this is my ad …  I’m selling this set of headers because I found a set of chrome V6 headers in Colorado that John will be sending me tomorrow that ‘should’ fit.

“I’ve got a brand new set of jeep fenderwell headers for sale that I bought several months ago. These fit Buick V6s (225, 231, 3.8L). I bought these brand new for my jeep, but the way my engine is configured, they were angled in such a way that they don’t quite fit.

These should fit fine on a normal jeep application. They’d fit fine on my jeep if I had a shorter tranny, but the longer tranny pushed the engine farther forward and higher. You can see how my old headers fit but the new ones didn’t here at my ewillys website: http://www.ewillys.com/?p=765.

http://boise.craigslist.org/pts/843491732.html

 
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1950 M-38 Bonney Lake, WA **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $4000

This is jeep is a collection of various parts.  Perhaps the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

“1950 Willys M-38 Flatfender Jeep, Buick 231 V-6, 400 Turbo auto trans, Dana 20 T/C. Centered Dana 44 rear end. Dana 30 front 3.73 gears. Tub is virtually rust free. On a DJ-5 frame, rides and drives like a new Jeep, just needs you to pick a color and paint it. “

 
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The PNW4WDA Summer Convention Starts Friday 8/08

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

Tomorrow, the 2008 PNW4WDA summer convention starts.  This 3 day annual event used to be enormous, attracting clubs and hundreds of jeeps from all over the Pacific Northwest and Canada.  Now, it's a much more intimate event, but still fun.  

Obviously, I didn't get my jeep done in time for Summer Convention this year, but it will be ready next year for some jeeping and some racing!

 
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Reader Pix — David’s Parents at the Sand Dunes

• CATEGORIES: CJ-2A, Features, News This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

A reader named David has shared an old picture of his parents racing around the sand dunes in what looks to be a CJ-2A.  This picture is a good reminder that you don't need a fancy jeep to go out and enjoy a day in the sand.  David will be sending a few more pictures along with some background text soon.  Thanks David!

 
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Why a Roll Cage is a good idea

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

Take one look at this photo and you can see why having a good roll cage is smart.  The driver of this jeep, 63 year old Alvin Baldwin, died in the rollover after being ejected.  The link to the original article no longer exists.  It occurred outside Virginia City.

 
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Drive Cycles and Emissions

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

Well, I learned something new today:  Drive Cycles …. 

A couple days ago my 1997 BMW 540i failed an emissions test (for the second year in a row).  Last year I had shown enough money spent on the engine to get a waiver.  This year, I was a little nervous because I didn't know whether they'd give me a second waiver or not.  (This vehicle is a blast to drive and a PIA to take care of or work on!!)

Well, I just got done speaking with the head of the Air Quality Testing for ADA County, my new friend Roger (I have to say that it's nice to be able to talk to the head of the department — that's one nice thing about living in a small populated state).  What happened was not that I failed, but that they couldn't read my car's computer.  The reason was that I have not completed a drive cycle since the last time I reset my car's computer codes (Any time I work on it, I reset the codes to see if I have fixed the problem).  I figured anytime I got into the car and drove it that the computer would be on and recording normally.  However, until a drive cycle is complete, none of my monitors (which are really groups of codes) are actually capable of being read.  So, Roger, who said he consulted with the EPA back in 1992, said he had a good deal of insight into what constituted a drive cycle.

Continue reading

 
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Fixing a Dented Exhaust Header

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

Have a dented header you want to fix?  While combing the internet for advice on making my headers work, I came across this interesting solution for fixing dented headers.  It involves water, a freezer, and some time.  Note: I have not tried this, so cannot speak for its effectiveness

Fixing a Dented Exhaust Header 

 
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My Build — Operation Fender Lengthen Started

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

I've started the process of lengthening my fiberglass fenders. I've determined they need to be extended 4.5". 

My first task was to clean the fenders.  This yielded a surprise:  Business cards from the builder of the body were embeded into both fenders.  To the right a shot of one of them. The information suggests the seller was H.C. "Van" Wagner out of Puyallup, Washington.  He sold Custom fiberglass products including Bobcat products.  The name of the company has faded, but I have the address and phone info.

Once the fenders were cleaned, I cut them in half and I cut out the indent (traditionally for the battery) out of the passenger side.  Once they were cut, I tapered down the cut pieces.  To the left are the cut fenders.

The next step is to fiberglass them.  I'm going to try laying down a layer of gelcoat and then lay the fiberglass over the top of it.  I' haven't used gelcoat in my previous patching jobs, but am trying to gain experience so that I can use it when I do my custom hood project. 

 
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Fiberglass Body Sold — Update

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

Don came buy and purchased the fiberglass body I had for sale.  He said he just couldn't pass it up, though he didn't really need it, but thought one of his family members could use it.  I think he was most interested in creating a template from the grille to make other fiberglass grilles.  

Don belonged to the Bobtails Jeep Club.  When I was growing up, the Bobtails were a jeep club with members mostly in the Eastern Kent and Auburn area of Washington State.  I told him I thought they had dissolved, but he said there a few left, including his family members, but they are scattered (as are most other clubs).  He said all he and his family do is race, so their vehicles are exclusively race focused.  They had just been racing this past weekend down in Chehalis.  I guess about 30 jeeps showed up to race.  

 
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Craigslist — A study in honesty

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

As a number of readers can attest, I've done a variety of craigslist deals (probably close to 40).  This time, I had a '73 CJ-5 radiator I wanted to sell, so naturally I listed it on Craiglist. A potential buyer contacted me and said he was very interested, but couldn't come look at the radiator until after I had left for Seattle.  So, I told him I would put the radiator outside and if he wanted it, to put the money into an envelope I pinned to the house.

Sure enough, two days later the radiator was gone and the money was inside the envelope. I was happier about the honesty than about the money 🙂

In fact, I've only had one deal where I didn't get all my money.  I swapped a dirty 350 Cadillac motor I really didn't want for some guages, competition coil and a few other parts.  The kids I swapped with was maybe 18 and didn't have a way to pickup the engine, so I said I'd charge him gas money to deliver it.  When I got there he said he didn't have the money yet, but would mail it.  Unfortunately, despite a couple reminders, I still haven't gotten the money. I plan to stop by his house next time I'm driving by (he's over an hour away) and remind him in person again.