Out of the frying pan and into the fire…..

Unfortunately, having helped my mother-in-law through hospice in September, we won’t get much of a break as now my mother’s health has declined to the point that we have to make other arrangements for her. So, we’ll be doing regular runs over to Seattle to give my aunt a break from the daily care of her, while, also readying her new apartment and clearing the house as best we can.

Meanwhile, against our recommendations, and knowing mom’s health was in decline, my sister chose to put her house on the market in September. She just closed on her house this week and is moving to Texas, abandoning our mother after my mother supported her horse hobby (profession?) for more than 25 years so she can “make a name for herself”. Mom is devastated by my sister’s decision. She is currently in OKC attending a horseshow, because somehow that is more important than caring for mom. Needless to say, there has been quite a bit of family drama….. ughhh.

So, once again, updates may be somewhat become sparse, likely lasting into the New Year.`

UPDATE: Still Available.

(10/14/2021) This 3B was probably a cool rig back in the day given the paint job. It’s got some 4Wheel Parts branded Selectro hubs.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/566203147954684

“Very solid body good running gear just has been stored for years”

UPDATE: Still Available.

(05/22/2021) Has a variety of updates. It’s listed as a 1945, but has M-38 attributes.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/522645282259787

“Willys jeep , Chevy 350 , competition cam, electronic ,ignition , Shimed gears, New gauges stainless steel Dash, Newer electric harness, New tires, Warner winch, extra fuel tank in rear, New ball joints in front, disc brakes and back.runs great”

Not sure how much value is here.

https://fortcollins.craigslist.org/pts/d/fort-collins-rat-rod-willys-jeep-project/7386530848.html

“WILLYS FLAT FENDER RAT ROD PROJECT
rolling chassis with air bag suspension
set up for Chevy inline 6 and TH350
8.8 rear end out of a crown vic with disk brakes
Ford front axle and spindles disc brakes from speedway
new radiator
new reverse corvair steering box
rebuilt TH350
1975 chevy 250 inline 6 with four speed out of a pickup”

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.

It’s rough, but may have at least some parts value.

“I have a 1953 CJ3B I’m looking to trade or sell outright. I’m only interested in Willys pre CJ3B models as trade. I bought this all original (except paint), unmolested Willys as a summer project when I couldn’t find a 2A or 3A at the time. I have $2000 of new parts with receipts installed. I have cleaned/inspected/tested/rebuilt or replaced the complete brake system (replaced), complete fuel system (new tank and lines), starter, generator, clutch, and transfer case. The starter and charging systems work well, still 6 volt. I had it running and drove it in and out of my garage but it won’t stay running now. The front and rear floors need to be replaced but rest of the body is pretty solid. I’m in North Eastern PA with a clear PA title in hand. Let me know if you have any questions or would like specific pictures.”

At some point in the near future my mother is selling her place. Her health has deteriorated quite a bit this year. Ann and I have pulled most of my stuff from her place, though there is one last big item … Lost Biscuit. To bring Biscuit home, finally, we’ve purchased a new trailer as seen below.

It’s a Great Northern tilt trailer with dual 5200 axles and an 18ft bed. It’s arguably overbuilt for carrying a jeep, but we felt that there’s every possibility that we could 1) take another trip to Alaska, which can be a rough ride at times, and/or 2) take a jeep with us cross country for a show or two. In addition, we wanted something capable of carrying our tractor, which weighs around 4500lbs.

Unfortunately, the slowing of the global supply chain combined with the pandemic has hit several trailer manufacturers (according to several dealers I spoke with while researching a trailer). Basically, these companies lack crucial parts to complete trailers, so they are waiting on any parts they can get to assemble trailers and get them to dealers. Multiple dealers told me they couldn’t say when their next delivery of trailers would be or even what models they might get.

The nut of it is, we didn’t have much choice on what we could purchase. But, we got what we could and it should serve us well.

So, on Thursday we’ll head for Seattle and pick up Biscuit and its various parts.

Biscuit from 2013 ….

We’ve been extra busy here tending to Ann’s mom. She’s in home hospice and is bed ridden, so Ann and I are trading off evening shifts, with some help from family members during the day. She’s somewhat lucid, better during the day and worse at night and in the morning. We don’t know if she has a day or a week to live, but she doesn’t appear to have long. She’s kept us fairly busy throughout  most of the pandemic (since about Nov 2019). Hopefully, she passes soon in her sleep. This is part of the reason eWillys continues to be on hiatus.