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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 .
They look like a good price for a vintage set of Husky produced and Allstate branded hubs.
https://corvallis.craigslist.org/pts/d/lebanon-willys-cj2a-locking-hub-pair/7378170580.html
“Surplus to my needs are a set of 2 matching Allstate locking hubs that came off of a 1947 Willys jeep flat fender. I do not know much about them other than the brand shown on them. They appear to need some cleaning, but I assume they work as they are supposed to. You be the judge of that.”
UPDATE V: I recently packed many of my father’s tools to bring them back to Prosser. I was a regular user of them when working on my bicycles, then my jeeps. So, I thought I knew them pretty well. That is why I was so surprised and did a double take when I removed this tool from a drawer and read the name stamped on it: FREE-LOCK WRENCH …
What??? Where’d that come from? I once asked Dad about Free-Lock hubs, but he didn’t know anything about them. So, I don’t know how he obtained it.
Anyway, given the primitive nature of it, I’d have to guess it was a first generation version of the wrench. As seen below, a second, more elegant curved-design with a better branding stamp was likely introduced after this version.
Here’s a reminder of the other version of the Free Lock Wrench:
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UPDATE IV (From February 12, 2017): This page contains two later model Free-Lock hubs that resemble Selectro hubs. My theory is that Free-Lock might have evolved into the Selectro Company: http://www.ewillys.com/2019/07/08/selectro-husky-dualmatic-overview/
UPDATE III: Thanks to Steve, we’ve discovered an additional version. It is now number 5, which seems to be an evolutionary step between 4 & 6.
UPDATE II: Thanks to Frank Day and his grandfather Merton, who saved this rare piece, here is a scan of an eight page brochure related to the Free-Lock corporation.
UPDATE II: Dinesh obtained these Thor-Automatic looking hubs, but on the cover they read Allstate Power Matic rather than Thor. I suspect they are Thor hubs rebranded for Allstate. Here are some pics:
Here is a the interior portion of a set of Thor hubs:
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UPDATE (May 24, 2021): The October 1963 issue of Four Wheeler Magazine include this Thor-designed product to make shifting the transfercase more convenient. It moves the shifter from the passenger-side of the transmission to the driver’s side. I imagine there are few, if any, of these shifters out there.
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Originally published April 9, 2017:
More information on some of these companies can be found here: http://www.ewillys.com/2019/07/08/selectro-husky-dualmatic-overview/
White Manufacturing Co. (also known as White Automotive and Whitco over time) was started in the late 1950s by Richard T, Bingman and partners. The company progressed at a modest level making, among other things, aluminum floral display stands. Eventually, White allied with Kaiser and began making tops. White filed for incorporation in 1959. One of the company’s earliest products was a white soft top for jeeps.
The next year, in 1960, Richard T. Bingham filed a patent for a pair of locking hubs. One set would automatically shift into gear when it sensed the axles were being powered (i.e., when the transfercase was shifted into four wheel drive). The second set of hubs added a dash-mounted button to allow for control of the hubs from the driver’s seat (assuming I have interpreted the patent correctly!).
The interesting thing is that Bingham never assigned the patents to the White Automotive Company. Instead, the patents and hubs ended up being used by Thor Products, which also operated out of Colorado Springs (though sometimes the address is Manitou Springs, a small town just west of Colorado Springs).
This suggests that Bingham had some time of relationship with Thor, but his exact connection to Thor isn’t known at this time (my guess is that it was a subsidiary or sister company of White).
1. The Thor auto-matic hub patent vs. the finished device:
Continue reading
Brian posted these pics of a hub he has to FB’s Flatfendering Aficionado Monthly group. It’s not something I recognize. The work looks good enough to have been a prototype hub that never made production. It may have been an auto-engaging hub? Some commenters suggested a type of limited slip hub, where when a wheel begins to slip it auto-engages.
Brian wrote, “Has anyone ever seen these locking hub contraptions? Were these produced or is it a one-off? It appears to use 3 clutch plates and the ring in the center moves down over the roller cams to apply pressure to the plates. The covers look to be welding bottle caps that have 2 access holes to pry the collar from the outside.”
These are an unusual set of Summer Hubs. I suspect they were custom made.
https://www.facebook.com/commerce/listing/547364619804942
“Selling this pair of free wheeling hubs “summer hubs” for dana 25/27 front axle. Asking $40 plus shipping”
UPDATE: Still Available.
(05/21/2021) It’s a project. The HubLok hubs are pretty rare.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2802875306709218
“Has 350 chevy, th350 trans. Needs a few things finished to be drivable. $2500. Possible trades. Comes with new winshields, clean title, western plow pump, and home built plow blade”
This May 1962 article in Four Wheeler magazine highlighted a few things. First, it’s a really clean build. I wish the pics were in color, as it’s deserving of some great photos.
Second, if I understand correctly, the rear bumper is actually a gas tank. I’m not sure I like that plan so much.
Third, given this jeep is near Colorado Springs, it probably has the Thor Electro-matic hubs, which allow a push button engaging of the front hubs. And, because they are short hubs, the front wheel covers can be placed over them.
Fourth, this has an early vacuum brake assist. Herm carries a newer version of this.
Fifth, the White top on this jeep is beautifully styled in my opinion.
UPDATE IV: Well how about this …. There was an early Huffman hub that didn’t have the fancy ‘weapon-looking’ topper (as seen in the pics below). Instead, a cylindrical key was supplied to help select whether the hub was engaged or not. This ad is from the September 1962 issue of Four Wheeler Magazine.
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UPDATE III (May 17, 2020): In September of 1964 the Huffman Hub company posted this full-page ad in Four Wheeler Magazine —
September 1964 Four Wheeler Magazine
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(UPDATE II: Finally got a look at the 1967 article about Floyd Huffman that appeared in the August 20, 1967, issue of the Albuquerque Journal (pg 28):
UPDATE: Status Unknown. Was $15,000.
(03/06/2021) This 3B looks solid. It has some unmarked Watson style Hubs (possibly bought through Sears).
“53B Willys CJ mechanically and cosmetically restored, original engine and drive train with 12volt system, 20 year service record, stored in temperature and humidity controlled garage. Jeep is in showroom condition. Runs great and will pass inspection. Comes with spare tire and tow bar.”
Ted’s got these dimpled Warn summer hubs for sale. The dimpled versions are the second gen summer hubs; the first were the waffle style. The OEM green container is particularly rare.
View all the information on eBay
“Willys Jeep CJ2A CJ3A Early Column Shift CJ3B CJ5 Warn Summer Hub Universal Jeep. Condition is “Used”.
This is a very nice set of Willys Jeep Warn brand Summer Hubs with original carrying case.These Summer Hubs were a very popular aftermarket item introduced by the Warn manufacturing company and used to help eliminate uneven tire wear,wear and tear on front axle joints,differential gear bearings, Pinion and front drive shaft.
Basically, these Summer Hubs made the Willys Jeep Two Wheel Drive when Four Wheel Drive wasn’t needed for long lengths of time. They would be installed very easily be removing front drive flanges and mounting hubs.They would also give the jeep better gas mileage.
This photo showing an AVM Automatic hub popped up on the ECJ5 forum the other day. You’ll note it makes a reference to Warn. While I’ve yet to confirm this with Hugo Vidal, this looks to be a great example of an AVM automatic hub that was patterned after the Warn automatic hub, a brief and failed experiment by Warn to have hubs that didn’t require manual engagement.
For those that don’t know, AVM was started by Hugo Vidal in 1957 (AVM) after a handshake-deal with Arthur Warn while Hugo and his two friends were driving a CJ-3B around the Americas (Brasil to Alaska, 1955 on CJ3B.info). Using Warn’s specs, Hugo was able to resell Warn tech under the AVM brand. Eventually, AVM expanded outside of Brazil. After 50 years, Hugo retired from AVM. Hugo and Warn (and his son) never had an actual contract. It was always a handshake deal built on trust.
Hugo was so important to Brazil’s jeep history that FCA Brazil called him First Citizen of Jeep Nation in a 2018 video that can be seen here: Post Alaska Or Rust Item: FCA Brazil’s Video of Hugo Vidal
Looks to be 10 spline hubs.
https://monterey.craigslist.org/pts/d/gonzales-jeep-willys-selectro-hubs/7288012770.html
“NOS selectro hubs. Jeep willys ford gpw. Cj2a. Cj3a. Cj5 from 1942-1971
International scout 80,800 models with dana 25, 27. $400 obo cash can ship via usps paypal”
Has an MB body with some CJ parts. It has a rare set of Hub Lok hubs.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/806451573247465/
“1945 jeep solid and clean. Fresh paint and new battery”
The starting price for these is $350. The hubs include instructions, though there’s no reference to Husky, Dualmatic or Selectro.
View all the information on eBay
“Vintage Jeep Selecto Type Locking Hubs model H5024A. New old stock, has some shelf wear as pictured.”
Has some parts value at the very least. Also had some Allstate or Husky hubs.
https://huntsville.craigslist.org/pts/d/scottsboro-1953-willys/7266592668.html
“Willys ran 2 years ago, backed in shop. It will turn over. 1200 obo .”
These look like they’ve never been mounted. What’s most interesting to me is that associated docs, which affirm Selectro hubs were made by Husky products (there is a short discussion of Husky making Selectro hubs on this very long page). These documents would have been produced after 1972, as that was the Heavy Duty Selectro hubs were released.
The catalog number for this Warn Hub document is 2-55, which might mean February of 1955. It shows the WL-2 Locking model on one side and the WA-1 Automatic model on the other.
UPDATE: I found this 18-page Warn Selective Drive Hub Service and Repair Manual on eBay last week. This appears to be an earlier version (February of 1955?) than the PDF version linked to at the very bottom of this post (which covers WL-2 and WO-1 hubs). It covers the WA-1 Automatic Hub and the WL-2 hub. This is document No. WD-255.
These Sears-branded Selectro hubs have the smaller ribbed style.
View all the information on eBay
“Aftermarket Sears Manual Locking Hubs Taken Off Willys MB Fits CJ2A GPW Jeep CJ. Condition is “Used”. Used take offs for rebuild or parts. D-bubba-ing my 1945 MB and finally got around to removing these off the front axles. As is condition. The Jeep has not run since I acquired it and therefor these are untested in driving conditions. Mounting bolts are not included.”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $350.
(10/04/2020) These warn hubs are a bit warn. These dimpled versions are the second gen summer hubs; the first were the waffle style.
“WARN hub set in original metal case. Dimpled design. Converts your old Jeep into 2wd only while these are installed… thus why they have become known as “summer hubs!” Freewheeling installation to keep your front axles and differential from turning with front wheels. Should fit the CJ-2a cj3a mb gpw probably even the cj5? Don’t know for sure.”
Some Warn hub parts.
https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/pts/d/sewickley-hubs-ford-warn-jeeo/7239038363.html
“various complete hubs and hub parts Ford/jeep and at least two sets of Warn hubs extra gears housings”
UPDATE: These Free-Lock hubs are still available.
(11/18/2020) This ebay ad for Free-Lock hubs provides the most detailed pics I have for this version of the hub. These are 27 spline, which means they were produced after 1972? If that’s the case, then for some reason the Free-Lock brand that was abandoned circa 1959 was resurected for these hubs.
View all the information on eBay
“Vintage Free-Lock Locking Hubs Jeep CJ CJ5 27 Spline – Warn 9062 – 27 Spline (Wanted: new old stock locking hubs in small or large quantities)
Used
Engage and disengage properly
Same application as Warn 9062
Heavy duty hubs
6 Bolt
27 Spline”
These are imperfect Perfect Circle hubs as a cam is broken (see broken part in pic one). However, there are some useful photos of these Perfect Circle-branded 10-Spline Selectro Hubs.
View all the information on ebay
“Selling the used locking hubs in the pictures. These are aftermarket and called Perfect Circle. We don’t know much about these hubs. My husband said he removed these from a 1971 Jeep truck that was in a junkyard. He thought they were neat and brought them home. Of course they are the special 10 spline hubs. These appear to be complete, but the “cam” piece (#8 in the schematic) seems to be broken on at least one hub. Look closely at the pictures and determine if they are something you want. Maybe just a little eye candy for the bench area. These are being sold for parts or not working. Hopefully there are enough good parts here to allow someone to complete their project. These are very clean and ready for a new owner.”
Lower left part is broken.
As you can see, the Dualmatic schematic is similar to the Perfect Circle Schematic, though, surprisingly, the casting of the base is slightly different. I’m betting the cams are the same though.
More pics of the Perfect Circle hubs.
Maury spotted this image of an early Warn dash sticker on a Gladiator that was posted to the EarlyCJ5.com website. Anyone have a better example of it?
http://www.earlycj5.com/xf_cj5/index.php?threads/warn-locking-hub-dash-sticker.144960/#post-1613141
These look like the early Dualmatic lever hubs.
https://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/for/d/prosper-jeep-dualmatic-locking-hubs/7227545642.html
“Dualmatic Locking Hubs for Jeeps (vintage)
10-Spline
Removed from early Willys MB Jeep and are in full working order.”
