emailNeed to contact me and don't have my email? Click on email button.
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.
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: See Comments. This is an old style parking assist for a trailer. See Comments.
Dexter found another MB deal, but this item was installed on the steering column. Anyone know what it is? It looks to be a hydraulic unit, but not sure why it says “not for parking”?
My guess, given that it says “not for parking,” is it may be some sort of braking unit, possibly for heavy towing or maybe it is even related to a PTO set up. Can’t really tell without seeing where those hoses go underneath the body.
Looks very similar to a semi trailer brake handle. Any chance there was some sort of additional brake system for emergency that was operated by the handle?
I’ve never seen one of these devices, but I’m going to guess that it’s a brake locking device for winching. Mico locks have been used for this purpose since the 60’s which prevents your brakes from releasing after you apply the brakes. The braking system will hold pressure on the wheel cylinders while you are out of the vehicle until you get back in and release the valve. I used Mico locks in the 1970’s on a ’64 Ford 1 Ton concrete core drilling rig. Also, Mico locks were installed on my ’66 Ford F-350 before I bought it.
It looks like the braided lines in the photo are headed for the master cylinder under the driver’s side frame rail.
**Steve E.**
Yep, looks like an ancestor to the micro lock. I still have one off my old ’51 pickup. In recent years I’ve seen a version that was used as a theft deterent. It’s line lock was a keyed design. Lock the device, mash on the brake pedal and all 4 brakes were locked until the key unlocked the system. Pretty cool design.
I’ll take a look at where the hoses lead to in the morning.
LOOKS LIKE A TROLLY BRAKE HANDLE FOR USE WITH MILLITARY TRAYLOR.
It is a hand brake control for vacuum over hydraulic trailer brakes. The trailer would have had a hydraulic brake system similar to automotive power brakes only rather than a pedal actuating the vacuum servo this hand valve did. The trailer would have had a vacuum tank as well. This system was quite common on medium duty trucks from the 40s and 50s, but I maintain one on a 70s Ford F800 well into the 90s (in fact that truck and trailer are still no the road today, just not seeing everyday service) The reason that is is marked “not for parking” is that without the engine running supplying vacuum if there is the slightest leak in the system the brakes will eventually release. I have heard lots of stories of runaway trucks because of this or a similar situation with early air brakes before the advent of spring-applied-air-released parking brakes.
Oh, I should have added that there were also some straight vacuum brakes but that wasn’t as common. Vacuum “pods” actuated brake shoes in a similar fashion to air brakes of the era.
You guys can view more pics of my Jeep here: http://s895.photobucket.com/albums/ac157/macaddict23/1943MB_Modesto/
One braided line snakes all the way back. You’ll notice the tip just to the bottom-right of the license plate: http://i895.photobucket.com/albums/ac157/macaddict23/1943MB_Modesto/IMG_4214.jpg
Well, I guess mystery solved. It’s a cool piece 🙂
It’s a trailer brake. It’s justed to apply air pressure to trailer brakes to slow the vehicle. They are mostly found on old semi tractors.
My guess is that its used for braking.. Iv seen the same thing In Universal studios tour.. last week I took the tour around the park and on the downhill the driver uses a handel and keeps pulling it to slow down. it looks very similar.
UPDATE: I have updated this post. This is an early parking assist for a trailer. See Comments.