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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. This section used to be split into jeeps, parts and other categories, but recent changes to eBay will require this information to be recoded.
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 .
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was$3800.
(02/21/2010) “Aluminum 1/2 cab, heater 12v alt new gas gauge, new sending unit, 12 v ele fuel pump new solex carb have orig, new plugs, new cap & rotor,point,cond. new elec wiper motor. new temp gauge mech. new spare tire mount, good title, orig steel body New lube in all gear boxs,new battery”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $7000.
(12/15/09) While approximately 90% stock, the seller gives a detailed review of what’s not original about this Wagon.
“It is a 4X4-63 model which was manufactured from January 1950 until March of 1950. It has a conventional ladder-type frame, and features independent front suspension utilizing control arms and a single traverse leaf spring. A three-speed Warner Model TY-96 transmission is used with synchromesh on the top two gears, and a Borg Warner overdrive. It is powered by a 4 cylinder L-head cast iron block and cylinder head engine producing 60 horsepower at 4000 rpm. It is a true 4×4 and has a Spicer fully floating front axle and a semi-floating Spicer rear axle and a Spicer Model 18 transfer case with a 2.42:1 low and 1.0:1 high range and locking front hubs. The shift lever is floor mounted. Front and rear suspension is semi elliptical leaf springs. This was a Texas Hill Country car and has zero rust on the body, frame or floor boards. The only rust is in the hinge area of the tail gate and to be show quality it would need to be repaired, however the tail gate is fully functional and opens and closes very easily:
Ninety percent of the vehicle is bone stock, however the previous owner made the following modifications several years ago.
•Added wood panels to exterior and interior of vehicle to create a “tin woody”. Exterior panels have aged and need to be replaced or recoated. Interior panels are in nice condition. The exterior panels are easily removable (just a few screws) and the body could also be painted to look like a woody as well.
•To establish clean woody exterior, the gas filler tube was relocated to interior of back compartment.
•Original flat front grill replaced with a 1954 V-Grill with cross bars.
•Seats were removed and modern bucket front seats were installed. Original style seats are easily available.
•Vacuum windshield wipers replaced with new electric wipers.
•Electric horn installed.
•Emergency brake installed
•Car converted from 6 volt to 12 volt and three new 12 volt gauges added under dash. (Original gauges are still in place however they operate off 6 volts so they have been disconnected.)
•Engine completely rebuilt. Installed new main bearings, polished crankshaft and replaced seals.
•New starter installed
•Custom made exhaust and new muffler.
•Transfer case seals replaced.”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $1650.
(10/16/09) It runs, but has a clutch problem.
“
Complete. Has all components. Great project for the jeep enthusiast. Engine runs like a clock. Smooth and quiet. Seems to have a clutch problem. Call (do not email) Jerry for details.”
It’s been two years since I launched eWillys. The growth during the first year was modest, though not unexpected, since I didn’t have much content and I never advertised the site. Below is what the site looked like originally. Clearly it’s matured.
Growth in 2009
In 2009, traffic grew dramatically, increasing monthly from March through December. The number of visits per month increased 437% over a 12 month period, reaching almost 70,000 visitors in December. The number of Monthly Page Views jumped even more, growing 610% for a maximum of 338,000 page views in December.
I suspect the growth reflects increasing referrals from readers, better google results, and successful purchases and sales. This has lead to more readers contributing their stories. And, unlike the one complaint I had the first year, I had no complaints this year, which amazes me. I must have pissed off at least one person? Maybe I’m not doing something right? LOL.
Finally, the installation of some advertising has created just enough income to cover the hosting costs of the site for the past two years and the cost for the upcoming year. And, especially in regard to the ebay content, the advertising is perfectly relevant to the site, so it’s a win-win for ebay, me and you.
International Participation
This year readership expanded beyond the US & Canada with readers contacting me from Germany, Columbia, Italy, Phillipines, Switzerland, India, Costa Rica, Israel, the UK and more. We even got some pics from Afghanistan by US troops, demonstrating that the United States armed forces (probably unknowingly) are backing the eWillys effort.
Readers can now choose from over 5000 posts & pages to view and probably close to 10,000 images (I don’t have a good way to measure this). I’ve done my best to categorize the posts and pages in ways that provide unique ways to view, learn and enjoy the content. The eWillys main folder on my computer (which houses the entirety of the photos, movies, etc) has grown to 4.5 GB — reminder to self, back up computer!!
The Platform
During 2009, the folks at WordPress did a fabulous job of updating a stable, dependable platform capable of serving the large amount of content you see daily. They continue to provide significant updates to the platform (in fact, I have to make a major update soon), which has allowed me to easily organize data and provide new types of services at zero cost to me or you — that’s a price I can handle.
Despite all the improvements, there are still somethings I’d like to ad, especially in the content department. So, there’s plenty of work left to do over the coming year.
The Future
Today, January 1, is on target to be the busiest traffic day ever. That’s a great way to start the year. I expect to continue meeting the same level of service, tracking the sales/purchases of jeeps, and providing the types of stories I hope you find interesting.
In addition, this year I hope to move more offline with eWillys. For example, I’m investigating the possibility, with Randy’s prodding, of launching a magazine that covers old Willys. However, instead of being about Willys directly, it would be about the people who own, like, dream or have caught the Willys sickness and their similar interests. I’m still investigating, so my final decision has not been made. But, my next step is to mockup an issue, which I have the software to build, and see if I can create what I want.
My second project for the year is to raise the seed capital I need to begin work on my Willys Exploratorium project. This would include creating a 501c3 foundation and an LLC.
So, thanks to everyone for their interest in this Quixotic Project. I know I’m learning lots from everyone else and I hope you are learning something new now and then as well. Have a Happy New Year!
– Dave
Mike emailed me pics of his beautiful custom build this morning. He’s taken his time over the past few decades to build something nice. I especially like the heated seats :-). But, this build isn’t just pretty; Mike takes it out on some ‘severe’ trails in the Northwest with his friend Phil, whose CJ-3A you can see here.
“Here are some photos of a CJ3B that I have worked on over the years. I have had this jeep for over 20 years. The frame started life as a 1950 CJ3A but the body was shot and I really like the 3B style. I purchased a new steel body kit from 4 wheel parts wholesalers and at the time it was on sale and cost $900 complete.
The way it is now is the final version. The color is Impact orange, The motor is an all aluminum 5.3 L33 engine that only had 6 miles on it. The transmission is a turbo 350 mated to a Dana 300. The rear end is a 1975 CJ5 Dana 44 with full floating axles and disc brakes with 4:56 gears. The front end is a dana 30 with the same gears and disc brakes. It has power steering and an aluminum radiator .
The interior is 2008 Corvette buckets with power and they are heated (great in colder weather) Lokar shifter, autometer gauges, Flaming river column plus a lot of other things.”
Paul wanted to wish everyone a happy ‘stainless’ new year and to tell you to remember to play with your Willys!
Paul writes, “By 7:30 this morning (Jan 1st) I was back in the garage working on the Willys (fitting the door seal upper attach flanges) and starting my twentyfifth year on this rebuild. I hope to have the stainless Willys fully finished and on the road within the next two years where folks seeing it for the first time and unaware of the time I spent on this project will deem it an overnight success! We do have long winter nights and the winter’s are kind of long but not THAT long. Anyway, after the Jeep is done I have a 1951 military 1/4 ton trailer I plan on rebuilding out of stainless steel to match the Jeep. This will be an easy job and shouldn’t take all that much time.
After all I’ve learned while fabricating the various stainless parts over the years I figure I could crank out another stainless Willys in fifteen years or so but I have other projects waiting for attention so I believe I’ll stop after completing this one.”
If you haven’t seen Paul’s project, click here.
And a pic of the Alaskan Wilderness:
These wooden Jeeps and Broncos were built by a craftsman named Jack who posted these photos to a website called Cherry Bronco.com (site was live in 2010, but has been down for years). He made wooden vehicles and furniture as a hobby in his spare time.
In the case of the 1977 Cherry Ford Bronco below, as you can see in the before and after pics, the body was pretty trashed and in need of something new. The pieces are all 7/8″ to 1″ pieces glued and screwed together. The bumpers and trim are done in Oak and Ash. A single coat of linseed Oil and three coats of Marine Varnish protect the finish and the owners clean it with furniture polish. Surprisingly, the new wooden body is actually 300lbs lighter than the original metal.
Here’s a 1956 CJ-5
Here’s a 1966 CJ-5
Here’s a 1969 CJ-5
And a 1977 CJ-5
Here’s some CJ-3B parts.
“Gotta go need room nice orig CJ3B body frame, axles, trans transfer case. New old tires Dual rear wheel. Great for restoration or awesome trail Flattie. Excellent grill Radiator, Windsheild, Hood, Dash, Solid 56 Rear CJ5 tub 1/2.”
http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/cto/1528036148.html
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $5500
This looks good.
“700 OD Trans, 305 engine, sits on 1988 Chevy Blazer frame, Duel Exchaust, 4 wheel drive.”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $750
“1956 Willys Jeep complete rolling frame with original motor, tranny, etc. Solid driveline. Motor is complete, good radiator, original carter carb. Body tub, fenders and windshield frame have been removed. I do have the hood and grille. Frame is in good shape. Has lockout hubs. Would be a good restore candidate or a great parts machine.”
