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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 .
Here’s some pictures of Jim’s two Mighty Mites. He notes that they are a horror to work on. In two years, I’ve only seen two or three of these for sale on craigslist. They appear very hard to find.
Here’s the first one:
It ran when they last parked it. I don’t know if that means it still runs or they haven’t tried starting it or?
“This is a pretty original 1946 CJ2A. I don’t know a whole lot about it – only that it ran when parked. My dad and I received this jeep from a cousin in trade for something else. I think the pictures tell the story and I have more so email me if you’d like for me to send you additional pictures. I don’t have the wherewithal (mainly a lack of time) to do anything with the jeep at this time. If you see this ad, the jeep is still available. The only trade I would consider is a partial trade towards an uncut first generation Bronco with minimal rust and a straight body.”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $1000.
“1941 Jeep needs some motor parts to run like fuel line and radiator hose. It was in World War 2. Body is in good condition. 3 speed.”
Here’s an interesting pile of parts out of Cherokee, NC.
“A great project for you flat fender Jeep fans. This is a 1942 Ford built GPW Jeep basket case with many many parts. There are basically two Jeeps here, the ’42 is a genuine WWII era model complete with the built in ammo storage cans in the back, the flip up headlights and the Browning machine gun mounting plate built into the frame. The other is a 1946 civilian jeep. These represent 10+ years of accumulating the parts and pieces to build a WWII jeep that I never got around to doing. ”
UPDATE: Was listed at $4000.
I’m not sure if there are any ’42 parts left on this jeep.
“1942 ford , very strong 327 chevy , th400 transmission with 2800 stall converter and shift kit , pro stick shifter , dana 20 transfer case , dana 44 rear end with track lock posi , dana 30 front end welded , 35 inch tires , power steering with tilt wheel , power drum brakes , full roll cage , nice seats , no rust but there is bondo in the hood and front fenders , aluminum hard top , also have a good windshield frame for a soft top , not a real pretty jeep but it has alot of character and is alot of fun, runs and drives great and will go just about anywhere you have the guts to point it. $4000.00”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $900.
Purchase both CJ-3As for $900 or buy 1 for $500. Both run and go forward.
“I am selling 2 1952 jeep willys both run and drive. Great restoration projects. $500 each or $900 for both. “
It appears there have been several customizations, so check it out thoroughly.
“original rebuilt motor, new carb., sandblasted and painted, new wiring, and runs great. contact kevin at 623-266-2302”
This is a very good price on a race jeep that looks ready to go. Get ready for summer! I think this has reversed springs in the front. I can’t tell if the back springs are outboarded or not. I’m gonna guess the body is a fiberglass one piece bobcat body, judging by the thickness of the rim around the back side of the body that either tilts up or you lift off. The desert dogs look in very good shape as do the rims. The paint job is unique as well.
“Race Jeep, Chev. 350, 4 speed trans. disc brake 44 front end, 44 rear end. Runs and drives. Mount body and its ready to go racing.”
**SOLD**
Here’s an example of how an M-38A1 can be improved with some paint, some parts, and creativity. As Jim notes, “from ugly yellow hunting jeep back to what it should be…”
Before:
After:
Here’s another M-38A1. By painting it green, installing some parts, and adding some touches, it adds a great deal to the military feel.
Before:
After:
Jim writes that this one was “One of my favorites, had a lot of character. This CJ3B was a really ugly ranch jeep I found in Montrose Colorado. Ran and drove well and after I got it home, figured out a way to make use of that ugly bed extension. Every tourist and kid in downtown Durango loved this thing!”
When I saw this thing for sale, I bluntly said I didn’t understand it. But, after looking at the ‘before’ pictures, I can see Jim took the hand he was dealt and played it creatively. Make sure to see the pics of the backend.
Before:
After:
It’s rough, but runs.
“1957 Jeep FC-150. Runs and drives, but needs total restoration. Stock drive train and axles (F134, T-90 trans, dana 18 tcase, 25 front, 44 rear). Cab is rusty – bed is solid. Missing heater and wipers. Needs new glass all around. Recent work perfromed: Rebuilt carb. New master cylinder. Installed 11″ drum brakes on front axle. New rear cross member. Rebuilt steering components (drag link and bell crank)”
UPDATE: Price dropped to $2500.
I suspect that the suspension has been modified to accomodate those tires. I’m not positive this is a CJ-3A.
“1949 willys jeep $2500 firm it is worth every penny, runs and drives geart, original flrt head 4 banger, new exhaust, seats in brand new condition, 4×4 works great, 36″ goodyear military tires, 12 volt very relieable. call dave at 602 740 8080”
No pictures provided. Sounds like the jeep might be rough.
“1951 willys flat fender jeep,no motor last was set up for small block chevy,stock transmision transfer case,back yoke broken off trans,suspet it was small block chevy that twisted it off, has a newer top but some but cut slashes in the back side windows of it, doors and back window still good, comes with a 1952 army trailer w/military tires, clear titles for both, also have extra pair of milatary wheels and tires, $1200.00 can see at 416 w main street in sedalia and please call 660-221-8813”
**SOLD**
“The good stuff and everything I’ve added, replaced, rebuilt, etc: Clear Colorado title, Jeep is turn key, start it and go, needs nothing major right now. Original flathead 4 cylinder, Solex carb, 12 volt, rebuilt a few years ago, runs great, excellent oil pressure, no smoke etc. Original transmission/transfer case, also rebuilt, shifts tight, quiet, never does the “2nd gear pop” like so many Willys. Body’s in great shape, CJ3A windshield frame, The usual minor rust in the tool box (see picture) and at the ends of the hat channels. The rest of the Jeep’s in great shape, perfect floor boards front/back, some dents in the rear corners that someone repaired with bondo in the last 60 years….”
Below are some exclusive before pictures of this jeep:
Before:
After:
Consider this a draft post that I’ll be expanding.
Jim mentioned in one of his emails to me that he once test drove (and purchased) a CJ-2A with stock brakes that stopped so fast, it surprised him.
Jim wrote, “The old guy I bought this sweet (seen to the right) all original 2A from laughed at me when I test drove it. I hit the brakes and about put my face through the glass, not normal for a Willys right? I asked what he had done, I had already looked underneath and knew it had stock drums. He laughed and said youll figure it out young man. Master cylinder was stock, brakes were stock but this thing would stop on a dime like no willys I had ever seen. Under the passenger side, I found a 1950s era huge vacumn powered brake booster, done so well it looked like a factory item, just brilliant!”
That got me looking around the internet and found a great page on the CJ-3B site about some power boosters that were offered as early accessories on CJ-3Bs. To the right is an image of a brake booster from the CJ-3B site. These boosters were used along with the stock 9″ brakes. There’s debate on the CJ-3B site about the wisdom of using the boosters with the 9″ brakes due to heat build up issues. It’s an interesting solution if you only use your jeep occasionally, but probably not the best solution if you are going to use it often.
The JP website has a nice historical look at jeeps and brakes. As 4x4wire.com puts it, “The stock brakes on a CJ-2A are frightening by modern day standards. They use a single cylinder master cylinder that has no redundancy and small drums all around. ” So, there’s good reason to update those older brakes if you plan on seriously driving your older jeep. There’s a variety of web page “how to’s” on upgrading brakes on older jeeps. I’ll have to do some web searching to find the good ones, but here’s a draft list of options (and the options could vary depending on the front and back housing you run):
Here’s some additional links
(Willys Brakes — Jeep Brakes — Upgrading Brakes)
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!
Here’s a CJ-2A that needs some work, though the nature of the work isn’t clear. Looks good.
“This is a little too much project for me. 1948 Willys CJ2A with the following, 64 ford 260v8, new Chevy alternator, rebuilt t90 trans 3speed, resealed transfer case twin stick, stock Dana axles 5:38 open gears, 2 to 4″ shackle lift, 35″ Tires Wild Country (75% tread), new master and slave cylinder for clutch, new clutch, throw out bearing, pilot bearing, pressure plate, resurfaced flywheel, rebuilt motorcraft 2100 carb ….. ”
Here’s some great looking white rims in Portland.
“5 on 5 1/2″ bolt pattern. 15×10″. Fits ’86 and older Jeep CJ’s, Willys, 1/2 ton Fords, Bronco, Scout, Samurai, some Dodge, and others. $100 for all 4. Excellent shape. Much better quality than most of what you buy now …. ”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $5000
“my step dad passed away and now im helping my mother sell his jeep willys. not sure how long he has owned it but can tell you it was longer than 12 years. it has always been stored inside while he owned it. since him and my mother have been together in 96 it has been driven only bout a dozen times. maybe once a year. was always taken good care of. i do not know the extent of what kind of resto was done. the frame appears to have been painted at one time…..”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $1700
It appears a good deal of work has been done throughout the frame, suspension and drivetrain. It also includes a second V6. If you can get it started, this would be a very good deal I think. While it’s missing the driver side step, I think it that won’t slow it down in the trails. Nice aluminum slot rims.
“To many projects, got to get rid of some. Jeep used to run would probably fire up with a little work, haven’t tried yet. This jeep is super flexy, it is spring over in the rear and under in the front. Frame has been beefed up with custom bumpers on both ends. It has a older 231 V6 with a rebuit turbo 350 automatic. Wrangler springs, 30 disc brake front end with a lockright and a 20 rear with 1 piece axles and a welded dif. Full cage, 3a windshield, power steering, full harnesses, ok tub and good full top. Have a newer 231 that goes with it. With a little work it will be a nice offroader. It has 33 swampers on it now the price above is without these wheels and tires. You can have it with them for 2200.00. Jeep has been sitting for about 5 years. It is titled with collector plates.”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $5200
It seems the hood overhangs the grille a little more than I would think it should. Not sure exactly why that is. I also haven’t seen too many batteries mounted on the driver’s side.
“Classic Willys Jeep Rare. 6 Cyl. 4 speed. full canvas top, 6 pt. roll cage. wipers, turn signals, tow bar, locking hubs, steering stabilizer, bucket seats, 31″ knobby tires on white spoke wheels with spare, Edelbrock manifold, elec. ignition, high output alternator, Headers, Dual Mufflers-exhaust pipes to tail, high volume/low pressure oil pump/external oil cooler, all gages. Garaged. No rust, Great shape.
$5200.00 OBO ”
William, a reader from Costa Rica, contacted me this weekend with a question. After exchanging a few emails, he offered to share his project with readers. The 1st picture was taken in April of 2005 and the second in November of 2007. He has made some nice improvements that have made this jeep look much better. You can see all the pics here at cardomain.com. Thanks for sharing William!
UPDATE: Here’s a post of a Ypsilanti Machine and Tool Company Hand Crank Heater
UPDATE: I’ve posted pics of Dennis’ hand crank heater here. Here’s another from Nathalie.
UPDATE: Here’s a video of a Stewart Warner Heater in action.
ORIGINAL POST: I was at Josh’s when I spotted an odd device I didn’t recognize. When I asked what it was used for, he explained it and then offered to send images of similar heaters along with a couple brochure images. Cool stuff!
Pics of actual heaters on full post page ….
Brian’s, of Brian’s Military Jeeps Website, is clearing out his storage lockers and has a variety of things for sale. Items include “ACCESSORIES FOR MOTORCYCLE, TRUCK, AMBULANCE, 1/2 TRACK, TANK GMC, DODGE, CHEVROLET, STUDEBAKER, WHITE, HARLEY, KAISER, AM GENERAL”.