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A great plug for Dataplates4U.com

August 12, 2009 • CATEGORIES: Features, Website This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Our intrepid Afghan Bureau Chief, Buck, has safely returned from his all-expenses paid stay in Afghanistan, courtesy of the Federal Government.  He’s jumped back into his restoration project and had this positive report to file about his experience with Dataplates4U.com experience.

Buck writes, “I am nearing the end of my jeep restoration and was in need of data plates for the jeep. I had only the original patents plate left because all the others were long lost in the annals of time so replacements were required. I began the research and started talking with Robert at Dataplates4u.com (a small business in the Netherlands).  Luckily the serial number was still readable so I was able to have him stamp the appropriate information onto the plates. Everything is dead-nuts accurate down to the fasteners and the font on the stamping. Take a look, the man does outstanding work and reasonable as well…I paid $156 USD for all four plates, stamping, fasteners, and shipping from Holland. As you can tell there is no way I can be disappointed with the result.”

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Website: Updated CJ-2A.com

August 11, 2009 • CATEGORIES: Features, Website This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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A Quick Clarification: This post relates to the CJ-2A.com site and not thecj2apage.com.  Both great sites.  Thanks for reminder Sean!

Sometimes I don’t get out and check out other jeeps sites often enough.  So, I was browsing a bit today and dropped by the CJ-2A.com, which now has a new format.

One of the coolest new tools is the CJ-2A parts list and manual.  The tool allows you to browse through and find lists and manual excerpts.  So, if you don’t have a manual handy, I think you’ll find this really helpful.

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Builds — More pics from Gerald

August 4, 2009 • CATEGORIES: Builds, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Here’s some more pics from Gerald.

“Here’s a picture of me with the same tires back in 83.  Taking the turn hard in our 46 2A.”

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I have several sets of wheels and tires.  Guess they are kind of like shoes. 225 75 15 mud and snow on CJ steel rims on my 3B  before green paint next to my brother’s M-38.

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Here’s the CJ-3B with 700 16 Non Directional military tread on 4.5 x 16 rims

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LT 245 75 16 All Terrain on black spoke wheel 16 x 7, good  tires but heavy,

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700 x 15 bias ply Good Year work horse on old split rims with tubes, great snow plow tire for chains and drag racing,

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33 12 15 bias all terain tires on 8 1/2 x 15 steel wheels I love these rims but the tires are just too big.

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Finally my new set of mini terras.  I have a couple more combos I would like to try but they will have to wait.

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My Rebuild: Creating the Transmission Cover

August 2, 2009 • CATEGORIES: Biscuit, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Another of the projects I was putting off was the creation of a transmission cover. It’s really nice to be crossing these small projects off the project list. It’s not a thing of beauty, but it will do for now.

It turns out that the bad hood I had from one of the jeeps I purchased has been a great source of foldable, flat steel. So, I used a chunk of it to fold together a cover.

Before doing any cutting, I used some cardboard pieces to create a mockup. Here’s a look at most of the pieces in place (I actually had more, but removed them, then realized I hadn’t taken a pic, so I threw a few of them back on ..)

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Here’s a pic of the flat steel from the hood:

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Next, I drew some basic lines that I used as an outline for cutting and bending the piece. Then, I used a cutting wheel to create a rough cutout of what I wanted. Boy I wish I had had a cutting wheel for my first jeep! That little 4.5″ cutting wheel has been invaluable.

Once I did a rough cut, I made an initial bend (note the clean working space .. lol):

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Because of the odd and curved shapes, I cut a little, tested it, cut a little and tested it again. Once I was convinced it would work, I sanded it down and made some additional folds:

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After testing it some more, I made the last fold and riveted it in place.

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With it finished, I drilled the holes necessary to mount the rubber boot on top and to attach the cover to the body.

All that was left to do was to paint the piece with Herculiner to match the body floor. By this morning the paint was dry, so I installed the cover:

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And, from the other side:

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Once I grab a rubber dual boot for the transfer case shifter (if any one has one of these, I’m open to a trade or cash!),  I’ll create a small piece to complete the cover.

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Wayback Machine: Old Jeeping Photos from late 70s

July 30, 2009 • CATEGORIES: Features, Racing • TAGS: , , . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Here’s some great old photographs from the 1970s.  They document some of the events attended by the Good Time Four Wheelers.  The image below was from the 3rd Annual Green River Valley Jeepers in 1976.  I attended one of their playdays in 1981 (I think).  It was located between Black Diamond and Enumclaw;  I wouldn’t be surprised if the area is full of homes now.

I’m suprised that as late as ’76 they weren’t requiring cages to race.  It wouldn’t be too long before they were required.  View all the pics (lots of desert dogs) at the pnw4wda forum.

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M-38 Pilot models from the CJ-3A info site

July 24, 2009 • CATEGORIES: Features, M-38 • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Bob Westerman has written a detailed overview of the M-38 pilot models.

From the website, Bob writes:  “NEW: 1/1/2009 In the time since this web-page was published some new photos of the Pilot Models have surfaced. The photos reveal that the pilot models were in a constant state of change as different features were implemented and tested. The new information shows that some previous assumptions are no longer valid. See the MVPA’s magazine Army Motors #126 for the latest information.”

Visit the CJ-3A.Info website to learn more about the M-38 Pilot model history.

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Exploration Northwest and the Meeker Trail

June 21, 2009 • CATEGORIES: Features, videos • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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UPDATE:  It turns out that Wally Klingle’s Jeep and the High Hood featured at the beginning are still around.  Wally’s 2nd cousin, who’s name I don’t know yet, commented on the video at youtube.  I’m trying to arrange a visit on my way through Yakima so I can take some pics and learn more.

In his comment on the youtube page, he wrote, “Wally Klingle, the guy they lower down that old cliff they have since shut down, is my 2nd cousin.  He started the ridge runners with a few others.  He still has that jeep.  My grandpa is in the video too and my uncle still has the high hood he was driving. He s..t when I told him about this video.”

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Linda McCune from the Don McCune Library kindly has given me permission to provide some clips from the Jeeping1 DVD, a collection of 3 episodes of Exploration Northwest related to pacific northwest jeeping. To order this DVD, you can contact Linda McCune at 206 726-2650 and ask for the Jeeping1 DVD.  It costs $24.95.  I encourage you to purchase is as she has the video for a Jeeping2 DVD, but has not created it yet.

The first of the three 30 minute episodes on the Jeeping 1 DVD is The Meeker Trail (Naches Trail) episode (1965). The second episode covers the “Doe Run”, a women only jeeping excursion (1974).  The third episode highlights the Yakima Mud Bowl (1977).

From that 30minute Meeker Trail episode follows a dual narrative, discussing the original Meeker trail pioneers and their travails while following the ‘modern day’ jeep pioneers. I’ve agreed to publish only two clips from this episode.

In the first clip,  Don McCune introduces us to the modern day pioneers as they double check their jeeps and head towards the beginning of the trail.  Check out these jeeps from 1965, no fuss, no chrome here.

Jeepers familiar with the western side of the Naches trail will recognize the steep drop off.  It might not look that steep in the video, but it is steep.  A bypass to that hill was created so jeepers could avoid it.  I’ve hiked it; it’s slippery and steep.  Below this video is a shot approx 15 years later, with the sign seen in the video present at the left.

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Seat Cushion Examples

June 11, 2009 • CATEGORIES: Features, Website • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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UPDATE:  These are no longer for sale.  I keep this post just for ideas.

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Jim writes, “I’m tired of not having anything out there anymore for Willys. For example, the only replacement seats you can get for an early Willys are either military or black vinyl.  How boring! There are no more bikini tops of any variety – everyone pretty much runs the same boring top.  Continue reading →

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The German Schwimmwagen

May 19, 2009 • CATEGORIES: Features, GPA (SEEP), International, Other 4x4s, Unusual • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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On the heals of yesterday’s GPA, I thought I’d do a brief shout out to the Schwimmwagen.  You can read more and see more pics about the Schwimmwagen at Brian’s site. Here’s a pic (below) from July 12 1944 (from Brian’s site as well).  Here’s some youtube videos.

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Another Jeep with a Front Loader

May 6, 2009 • CATEGORIES: CJ-2A, Features, Unusual This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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To keep with our recent front loader theme, Steve sent me some pics of what I’ll call a ‘custom’ loader (at least, I think it’s a one-off) mounted on the front of an old flattie.  Don’t try this at home!  Please!  This was sold at an auction in Ames, Iowa a few years back.

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Continue reading →

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