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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: I posted this Thor post over a decade ago (how times flies). Below is a look at the switch used to engage the Thor “Lectro-Matic” Hub, which came from this post. Since the below post was first published, there’s also been some history about Thor Products on a shared on another post.
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Originally posted January 2010:
Dan dropped this into my inbox this evening. It’s a detailed look at the Thor “Lectro-Matic” Hub (or lectromatic hub). Dan completed this 18 page document, with disassembling the hubs and discussing each step. You can download the PDF here. Great work Dan!
Dan writes, The Thor “Lectro-Matic” hubs off of my 1955 CJ-5 were a bit of a mystery. These must have been some of the first “push button” 4WD systems to come out. There was little to no information on them so I decided to take them apart and see just how they work. Here is what I have learned.
When my Dad said that they were electric, I assumed that they had a little motor that would “spin” them in or out of engagement. What I realized was that they were more like a solenoid or electromagnet.
There is a coil of wire on the wheel side of the hub. When power is applied to the coil it becomes a magnet and draws itself to the axle side of the hub. There are little “teeth” machined into the facing sides of the hub. These teeth engage and the axle side of the hub turns the wheel or magnet side of the hub. A wire is ran through the back of the backing plate through a hole and provides the electricity to the magnetic coil. A contact mounted on a spring transmits this electric power through a slip ring inside the brake drum to the hub.
I imagine that the hubs could be engaged while the vehicle is moving, but I think this would cause the teeth to slip for a moment and lead to premature wear of the teeth. A toggle switch or a maintained push button could be used to turn the hubs on and off. One could even use a limit switch on the 4WD lever of the transfer case to automatically turn them on when the vehicle was shifted into 4WD. The hubs would only remain engaged as long as power is applied to the magnetic coil. If you left the switch on and had run power directly off of the battery to the switch, it would eventually drain your battery after the engine is shut off. If you ran power from the ignition switch to the on/off switch, your hubs would automatically disengage as soon as you shut off your engine.
If for some reason they didn’t want to work, there was a little screw on the outside face of the hub that you could turn to manually engage or disengage the hubs (as you can see below).
On the top of the hub you can see the wire that passes through the brake drum to power the magnetic coil.
These sold on eBay a few days ago for $16. It’s the second set that has sold on eBay in as many weeks.
“Offered is a Vintage Willys Overland Jeep 3 Pc Cufflink & Tie Clip Set … This set is NOS and was part of a lifelong Willys Overland Jeep executive’s estate. It is marked/made by Mercury Industries on the back of the tie clip. Crisp and clean! Sorry, no box”
This includes a working set of Thor Electronic Hubs (and the first pic I’ve seen of the switch to engage the hubs). These are the “Lectro-Matic” version of the hubs (there was also an automatic version). Dan documented a set of the “Lectro-Matric” hubs here.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/513933489290838/
“Anyone looking for the coolest 62 Jeep CJ5 on the planet. I got this handsome little guy up for sale. It’s beyond amazing! Everything works, every light, all gauges, the chrome winch ect…oh and there’s chrome all over the place. Original paint, Original interior.. both are in incredible condition. It’s a very unique Jeep and it’s running a Corvette engine that was installed by the original owner in the mid sixties.He was a aircraft mechanic so everything is perfect .It also has very rare Thor electronic locking front hub set . No rust anywhere and super straight. I have the those crazy off road wide white wall tires in the pics and the hubcaps. I just threw on a new set of Power King black walls to drive it around. The Jeep runs amazing! It’s got really good power and not geared that low. I have not taken it on the freeway but got it up to 60mph with no issues. This is a very special Jeep with history. Ca title & current registration in my name”
UPDATE: **Status Unknown** Was $14,500.
(03/15/2020) Nice jeep. Has a replacement body.
“1943 Will’s Jeep Chevy 350 4 bolt main, LT connector rods, hypereutectic pistons, 64cc chambers, 11.5 to 1 compression, competition cams 286H cam, hardened pushrods, Ford late 60’s 4 speed, Hurst linkage. Dani 19 rear, dana 25 front Late model jeep disc brakes front, M38 tub, griffin radiator, alarm, 5100 bilstein shocks. Really one of a kind. Note it’s registered as a 1943 Willy’s, it is most likely a early 50’s. $14,500.00 or best offer.”
UPDATE: Still Available.
(03/15/2020) Appears worth a look.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/2747262338688872/
“1945 willys mb. Runs and drives. Needs some tlc but in great condition for the year. New tires. Title in hand. 7,500 obo”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $9500.
(02/16/2020) Has some updates. Looks solid.
“Cj3-B with original drivetrain. Has about 7500 miles on rebuilt motor and trans. Has stereo and a heater as well. Full soft top with doors and best top front and rear seats. Super bright LED headlights. Has a warn 8000 lb winch. I believe it’s a 2 1/2 inch lift, has 31” tires now could easily fit 33’s. Homemade spare tire carrier with hi lift jack and place for two Jerry cans(someone stole mine) has power steering from a Cherokee. The only bad, the power steering reservoir leaks.”
UPDATE: Still Available.
(02/09/2020) Listed as a 1942, I don’t see any WWII stuff, other than the full floating rear hubs, which could be an aftermarket addition as well.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1041484652884145/
“1942 Jeep Willys. A great jeep for a purest looking for a piece of history. Manufacturer is actually Ford because of the year it was made. Starts and runs without issues. Original engine. Electrical was upgraded to a 12 volt system. Lived in Kern County last several decades. Vehicle is currently registered as Non-Op. Currently stored indoors and away from the elements”
UPDATE: Price dropped to $400.
(10/28/2019) John shared this ad. The plow was used behind a CJ-2A.
“Ames Plow Company 45 antique single bottom plow. It was used on the rear of a Jeep CJ2A back in the mid 40s. Its been stored indoors for 70+ years.
Good condition $650”
UPDATE: Still Available.
(01/26/2020) I am puzzled by the image choices. This might have a DJ-3A convertible body or a fiberglass body.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/3055608854517396/
“Completely Restored. V8 350 Small Block. New 3 Speed Transmission and Transfer Case. 4WD. Low and High. New Seats. New Flooring. Stereo System. Interior LED Lighting. New Wiring for All Lights.”
