Trencher Research Archives

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1947 CJ-2A + Jeep-A-Trench Northfield, MN $2400

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

Thanks to Andy for spotting this one.

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/cto/d/northfield-1947-willys/7776478583.html

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“1947 Jeep Willys Jeep-A-Trench “Auburn,NE model: w-86 serial: w-916”
Jeep Collectors, there aren’t to many of these still around. This is the older version of the trencher. PTO driven mounted on the jeep. Trencher is in relatively good shape. Frame on the jeep seems good. Transmission and transfer case were removed to replace the clutch but not reinstalled. Selling for my neighbor “he will be present at sale”. His father removed the grill and Radiator at some time also. All removed parts are still on hand. Engine condition unknown, it still has the governor mounted on it. Car dolly is a possible addition to sale. $$. My nmbr, (4wun7)-44o-83too5. Northfield,MN area, local pickup only no help needed on the sale. Offers are accepted. Fyi, ID tag on the Jeep is missing. Leave a message if I don’t answer. Thanks”

 
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1959 CJ-5 Trencher Salisbury, NC $1800

• CATEGORIES: CJ5 • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Price dropped to $1800. Serial number 57548 91880 indicates it is a 1959 model.

(11/30/2023) Mike spotted this cool find. It appears to be a 1957-1964, but maybe someone else can narrow it down a little more.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1590724041720545

“50 – 60’s believe CJ 5 jeep with trencher. NO TITLE”

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Go-For-Digger Transmission Box PTO Lancaster, PA No Price

• CATEGORIES: Transfer Cases, Transmissions • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Bill’s selling this hard-to-find transmission PTO box. Thanks to Andy for sharing it.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1037905381185513

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“Go-for-Digger Trenchers were built on Willys and Kaiser-era Jeep CJ5’s duallys from the early 1960’s to the early 1970’s. There has to be a few more of these left out there, maybe one in need of parts…

Power transmission box PTO for a Go-for-Digger trencher with a build date around 1969/1970. As you see it. Spins freely. It’s one of 3 parts that I have left from a resto-modded CJ-5 that I built.

Another part is a correct front bumper with the solid steel bar reinforcement and blade lifting chain. Pics show bumper still attached.

The third part is the full-length set of 3/8” (I think) steel outer frame reinforcements that came on the GFD Trencher (and maybe the backhoe). Better pics soon, but if you know these things, you know what I mean. They are on the floor in last pic.

Pick up in Lancaster, PA.”

 
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Jeep-A-Trench Sacramento, CA HiBid-Auction

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

The two day’s s remaining, the high bid on this is currently $50. Thanks to Mark for sharing it.

https://hibid.com/lot/185245700/jeep-a-trench-6-trencher?ref=lot-list

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Jeep-A-Trench Parts List on eBay

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

Unclear how many pages this is. The starting bid price is place at $80. It contains some useful assembly images.

“THIS AUCTION IS FOR A RARE, ORIGINAL “JEEP-A-TRENCH & JEEP-A-TRENCH GEAR-DRAULIC PARTS LIST MANUAL”

PRODUCED BY AUBURN MACHINE WORKS INC, OUT OF AUBURN NEBRASKA

WILLYS JEEP SALES LITERATURE, AND OTHER VEHICLE MAKES AND MODELS.
ORIGINAL – NOT A REPRODUCTION.
GOOD COLOR AND GRAPHICS. SLIGHT WEAR FROM AGE,STORAGE, USE. SOME SLIGHT SMUDGES ON COVERS BUT PAGES ARE CLEAN AND CLEAR.

COVERS MANY JEEP-A-TRENCH ASSEMBLIES:
DIGGER CHAIN, BOOM, FRAME, HYDRAULIC DRIVE, SPEED REDUCER, MAIN HOUSING, AUGAR, ELECTRIC LIFT, HOIST, REDUCTION, OVERLOAD, CRANK BEARING AND BELL CRANK, CLUTCH THROW-OUT, HYDRAULIC DRIVE CONTROL,
TRAVEL CONTROL, TRACTION DRIVE, WINCH, RATCHET
GEAR, NO. C100 AUBURN CRUMBING AND GRADING ATTACHMENT.

COVERS JEEP-A-TRENCH GEAR-DRAULIC ASSEMBLIES:
NO. 200 CRUMBING AND GRADING ATTACHMENT, FRAME, BOOM, AUGAR, MAIN SHAFT AND HOUSING, OVERLOAD AND TRACTION DRIVE, TRANSFER GEAR DRIVE, REDUCTION DRIVE, HYDRAULIC LIFT.

HAS TWO INK STAMPS ON FRONT COVER:

PARK “JEEP” SALES, HIGHWAY 7 AT WOODDALE, ST. LOUIS PARK, 16, MINN, WEst 9-5111

JACK BALLANTINE, TRENCHERS AND TRENCHERS PARTS, RES 127 W 68TH ST MPLS, FACTORY – CONGER, MINN.”

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1947 CJ-2A Trencher Hays, KS $3200

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

No title with this CJ-2A trencher. It’s going to take some poking around to see what value is here.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/153263351156442

“1947 Trencher jeep. Bill of sale only. Bought from a farm auction. Unsure of condition. Trencher appears complete. Comes with front bumper weight and complete governor.”

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1955 CJ-5 Trencher Shipshewana, IN $3000

• CATEGORIES: CJ5 • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: Price dropped to $3000.

(07/15/2023) Nick’s selling this early CJ-5 trencher project.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/656189109866141

“This is a first model year 1955 CJ5 serial #13845. It has an original Auburn Jeep-A-Trench and the rare factory T98 4-speed transmission with granny low gear.

This style trencher is the gear-draulic which uses a hydraulic pump to raise and lower the unit. A driveshaft will slowly drive the Jeep while it trenches.

I’m told this last ran approximately 10 years ago. Engine spins over, but has low compression of 25-35 psi. Rings likely need soaked. I pulled the intake valve cover off and it looked clean.

Unsure of trencher condition itself, but check out Turn N Burn on YouTube where another trencher was brought back to life without much work.

Frame has patches as most trencher Jeeps do. Aside from the left rear corner dent, body is pretty decent for its age.

No title. Firm on price.

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1946 CJ-2A Trencher Yerington, NV $6500

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

UPDATE: Still Available.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/954486469039104

“Cool Flat Fender, CJ2A, Big trencher, Double PTOs, 4 Cylinder, Beefed up frame, Very complete, Just Bought it a few months ago and was going to take the body off for my jeep project but can’t bring myself to disturb it’s completeness, may trade for a nice CJ of equal value!”

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Willys Jeep-A-Trench Sandia Park, NM No Price

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

Andy shared this one.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/913713532976990

“Willy’s Jeep-A-Trench Price is just a placeholder Open to all reasonable offers Located in Sandia Park”

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Jeep-A-Trench San Antonio, NM No Price

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

UPDATE: Still Available.

(10/02/2022) No description provided.

https://albuquerque.craigslist.org/pts/d/sandia-park-willys-jeep-trench/7533048304.html

“Willy’s Jeep a Trench Attachment
Price is just a place holder.
Open to all reasonable offers
Must pick up”

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1966 CJ-5 Trencher Daggett, MI **Sold**

• CATEGORIES: CJ5 • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **Sold** Was $3500.

Jerry shared this CJ-5 with a working trencher for sale

“1966 Willys Jeep Trencher. Engine fires right up, trencher works great. Title in hand.”

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Year? CJ-5 w/ Trencher Salisbury, NC $2000

• CATEGORIES: CJ5 • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Mike spotted this trencher. It’s not far from him. He said he’d be willing to look at it for someone. I’m surprised this doesn’t have duallies on the back. It does have a rear pto gear box sitting in the jeep as well, so it seems there is some definite parts value here.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/293517196069024/

“50 – 60’s believe CJ 5 jeep with trencher. Looks like auger in picture but looking at in closely it is part of the trencher. NO TITLE”

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1969 CJ-5 Dually Granite Falls, NC $2500

• CATEGORIES: CJ5 • TAGS: , , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Mike spotted this former trencher with a Meyer half cab for sale.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/242990244604026

“1969 Cj5 “Go-For-Digger” Dually. Came factory with a plow and a back hoe that i don’t have. The Jeep is now mostly disassembled and will need restored. Ran when took apart, I’m sure it can still run. Has rust in the tub but frame is good. I can send current pictures. Have PTO front and rear. F134ci 4 cylinder and 3 speed.”

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Trencher Utica, NY $500

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

Andy shared this trencher for sale. Maybe someone can use the parts?

https://www.facebook.com/commerce/listing/867253230604701

“I need some help…. not sure what to do with this. It’s been in the back yard for probably 60years. Thanks”

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Instructions For A Jeep-A-Trench

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

Thanks to Scott for scanning and sharing this rare set of instructions from a Jeep-A-Trench manual. I know there are a few of you who are interested in this.

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Go For Digger Instructions Data Plate on Ebay

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

Here’s a useful item for a Go-For-Digger trencher owner.

View all the information on eBay

“Up for sale is a subdued brass plate from a Go For Digging Machine attachment for a military issued Willy’s Jeep. This brass plate 8″ x 5″ and is a really cool piece of military and Willy’s Jeep history.”

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1953 CJ-3B w/ Trencher Bradford, OH Auction June 19th

• CATEGORIES: CJ-3B • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This jeep may be worth a look. It’s got a trencher on the back. Only 10,000+ miles on it.

https://www.auctionzip.com/Listings/3564470.html?kwd=willys%20jeep&zip=&category=0

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1966 Gladiator w/ Trench Kettle Falls, WA $2500

• CATEGORIES: Other 4x4s • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Unclear if this still runs or not.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/494829778190478

“4×4 Jeep Trencher. We used this to dig for power and water lines on our place, roughly 5 ft. deep. You can set it at what depth you want. $2,500 OBO”

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Year? CJ-3A Jeep-A-Trench San Mateo, CA $6200

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

This will run and drive. Given that, it seems worth a look. It’s listed as a 1948, but seems to be a CJ-3A.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/d/san-mateo-jeep-willys/7279960909.html

“Flat fender willys Jeep with trencher. Everything’s is original, everything is there. Car has been in the family for years.

Engine is good, turns over,starts up, and will drive,feel free to bring your mechanic or wrenches to get it started, you will need a battery . 70,xxx miles on it.
Tittle is lost.
Car is located in Sam Mateo”

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1965? Go-For-Digger Trencher Brochure

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

I *think* this Go-For-Digger brochure features the trench on the back of an International D-1300 1 ton truck. Can anyone confirm this model? This brochure is Catalog No. 1865:

year-go-for-digger-form-1865-international-brochure1-lores year-go-for-digger-form-1865-international-brochure2-lores

 
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Go For Digger Trencher Brochure

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This Go-For-Digger trencher brochure is undated and has no form number. It’s likely from the late 1950s.

This first image shows the front page:

year-go-for-digger-trencher-8162-1-lores

This is how the brochure looks when fully opened:

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The is the back page:

year-go-for-digger-trencher-8162-3-lores

 
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1948 CJ-2A Trencher Potomac, IL $5000

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

UPDATE: Still Available. There are some more pics here

(08/28/2020) Not sure how much value is here. As Gordon notes in the comments, this has duallies.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/333290231130389/

“Willy’s Jeep CJ2a trencher barn find been sitting under a tree outback motor surely stuck What’s it worth Located outside Potomac IL”

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1948 CJ-2A w/ Trencher Scotts Bluff, NE **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $4000.

This includes the Jeep-a-Trench.

“may be a 1948 ???? no title willys cj2a with the jeep a treach as you can see it is off of it seems complete it will run i reringed with new pistons also it due to # 4 piston being stuck . the engine at one time was rebuilt the piston were 0.30 over rod bearing were 0.40 over had it running needs a carb kit points fuel pump , its still on 6 volt system has a little brakes , tires hold air crackes in tires not road worthy , HAS no title guy i got it from didnt get one when he bought it over 5 years ago 4000.00 loc near scottsbluff Nebraska”

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1965 CJ-5 Whittier, CA $15,000

• CATEGORIES: CJ5 • TAGS: , , , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

This CJ-5 has low miles with a working Auburn Trencher, rear helper coil springs, and a Koenig half-cab.

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/cto/d/whittier-jeep-trencher/7233910801.html

“1965 Willys CJ5 with Auburn Trencher. Front blade bracket/no blade. Dual wheel adapters with extra set of rims and tires. The Jeep has the-overload coil springs with leaf springs in the rear. It’s all there. Practically no miles on motor to speak of 5,000 +or – runs great, trencher works great. I do have dually adapters with the rims and tires that will go with it. Zero rust, great piece of history.

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1948 CJ-2A “Lefty” Trencher Scottsbluff, NE **SOLD**

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

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $3200.

A rare combination of a Lefty and a Trencher. If you go to see it, don’t forget to visit Carhenge, a place I’ve yet to visit.

“may be a 1948 ???? no title willys cj2a with the jeep a treach as you can see it is off of it seems complete it will run i reringed with new pistons also it due to # 4 piston being stuck . the engine at one time was rebuilt the piston were 0.30 over rod bearing were 0.40 over had it running needs a carb kit points fuel pump , fuel tank . its still on 6 volt system has a little brakes , tires hold air cracks in tires not road worthy , the front bumper counter weight and the dual wheel adapters HAS no title guy i got it from didnt get one when he bought it over 5 years ago 3200.00”

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