UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
That’s an SAS-esque jeep.
“1943- Willys “radio jeep” during U.S. Army maneuvers “somewhere” in Oregon. Photo measures approx. 7″ x 9″”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
That’s an SAS-esque jeep.
“1943- Willys “radio jeep” during U.S. Army maneuvers “somewhere” in Oregon. Photo measures approx. 7″ x 9″”
Yesterday I assembled Rusty’s column shifter. In my head, I took all kinds of photos. One in particular I took (again in my mind) showed the layout of all the parts prior to assembly. Alas, somehow that photo never made it onto my phone!
The DJ-3A shifter is slightly different from a VEC CJ-2A shifter. I can’t say how much it differs from a Jeepster or wagon column shifter. But, i can say that following these VEC CJ-2A instructions were very helpful.
After laying out the parts (and not taking a photo) I began the assembly process by learning how to install the horn wiring. After looking up how to do it on a 3B (thanks CJ-3B Page!), it turned out to be quite easy.
Step 1) Thread some of my grandfather’s wire through steering shaft.
Step 2) Attach the wire to the horn wire end. In this case, I ran it through wire connector and then bent it so that the wire would not pull back out of the connector.
Step 3) Pull the wiring carefully through the end of the shaft.
With the wire installed, next on the list was assembling the shifter. The first step involved installing a washer, a spring, and a second washer onto the column shift tube Next, the interior shift lever must be screwed onto the shift housing. Then, slide the shift housing onto the column shift tube, pushing it far enough up so that a special metal pin can be inserted. Once that is done, you have to weld the end of the tube to the pin to secure it.
Another item I tackled yesterday was Patterson’s windshield, specifically the twisters and a rear view mirror.
It wasn’t until yesterday that I realized Patterson didn’t have a rear view mirror. Fortunately, I had the mount from Rusty and a nearly correct mirror thanks to Chris McKay. This is before I added the mirror:
Next I addressed a couple of broken twisters. These are one of the unique features of a DJ-3A Convertible. The windshield is nearly like a CJ-3B, accept for the way the convertible top is supposed to attach to the windshield. Instead of a sliding mechanism, it uses those twisters. Two of Patterson’s twisters were broken. I had a few that I removed from Rusty (most of Rusty’s were broken), so I installed two of those onto Patterson.
The windshield is now complete and ready for a convertible top.
Neat photo that includes names and places of origin.
“1942 Press Photo Lieut. Wesley T. Ballard & Lieut. John Kamer pile into Jeep. This is an original press photo. Piling into and upon an Army Jeep, crack American pilots head for a flight dispersal point in England. On hood (left to right): Lieut. Wesley T. Ballard, of Victoria, Texas; Lieut. John L. Kamer of Marion, Ohio; Lieut. Edwin Dalrymple of San Antonio, Texas, and Lieut. Monroe Smith of Jackson, MIss. The driver is Capt. Frank Hill of Hillsdale, N.J., Lieut. Gillas Johnson, of Willow, Okla., has his feet draped over Rear Jeep wheel. (In Rear left): Lieut. Charles Van Reed of Reading, Penn. and Lieut. D. Smith of Waterloo, Ind. Photo measures 9 x 7.25inches. Photo is dated 10-02-1942.”
Craig spotted this one. Just the bed is for sale.
“9′ rack body/flatbed for sale built for a fc-170 jeep but could be used on any truck.”
Just a few updates tonight. We’d changed plans slightly when we left Klamath Falls on Monday. We were supposed to go to Renton, but Ann was suffering from some brain fluid issues again (pressure, head ache, nausea), so we hightailed it straight to Pasco. I guess this trip was just a little too long for her. Once we got her home and she could lay down, she felt a little better.
On Wednesday, she still wasn’t feeling great, so I brought Patterson up to Renton by myself. Yesterday, I had the time to do some work. Unfortunately, I discovered something a little disheartening. More on that later ….
I began the morning with a simple task: remove the column shifter handle and replace it with Rusty’s. The lever at the top is Rusty’s (it should be chrome rather than black, but that will have to wait). On the bottom is Patterson’s broken one. Patterson’s may be repairable, but it will take some time.
For comparison, here’s a CJ-2A shifter (this site shows how to assemble a CJ-2A column shift mechanism). It’s got a little more primitive looking end:
One of the first things I had to figure out was how to mount the anti-rattle spring.
This spring is slightly different from the spring used on CJ-2A column shifters.
For comparison, here is a CJ-2A spring drawing:
If you are near Columbus, Indiana, this weekend, make sure to drop by the Midwest Willys Reunion. There’s a lot happening, including Alaska Or Rust tables with parts for sale, a raffle and at least one carb demonstration by Mr. Old Jeep Carbs himself, Richard Pacholski.
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
This was listed a couple months ago. Now back on eBay. I’d get it, but outside my budget at a starting price of $80. At that price, I can build my own in Photoshop and print it.
This married couple has quite the age difference: 61 years to be exact! The 2A is a column shift.
“This is an original press photo. Mrs. Mattie Lyons Large Sprouse, 79 and her 18 year old husband are ready for their 100 mile jeep trip to a Huntington amusement park tomorrow. It will be the first trip out of Lawrence county for Mrs. Sprouse, a widow for 17 years before her recent marriage.Photo measures 10.25 x 8.25inches. Photo is dated –1946.”
Great action photo. Interesting mix of tires.
“1941- U.S. soldiers hurtling over bump while taking Ford GP Jeep on a test drive. Photo measures approx. 7″ x 9″ ”
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
A Ford GPA to the rescue!
“1943 Press Photo Army amphibious jeep delivers food to flooded hotel. This is an original press photo. With downtown Logansport IN inundated by the Wabash River guests stranded at the Barnett Hotel received their food via an Army amphibious jeep during the worst flood the area has known since 1913. Photo measures 8 x 6.25inches. Photo is dated 06-19-1943.”
Nolan and his brother Heath used a drone and camera to create this video. It sure is gorgeous country!
Camas County, Sawtooth National Forest from Heath Watte on Vimeo.
Steve shared this video about reviving a rusty, dead looking jeep.
Karson Eilers (right), college graduate!
It was late Sunday night when I wrote this, so it’s going to be briefer than I’d like. We spent most of the day yesterday driving (after a long drive the day before). I believe I may be a little loopy; time to get some rest, so this is tonight’s only post.
For several weeks we’d been planning to go to Salt Lake City May 13th to celebrate my son’s graduation from Westminster University. It was only last week that this trip turned into a jeep purchase, this in turn led to a more circuitous route home. It is all the result of an ad I saw on Craigslist last week.
It was just another evening of reading through ads when I happened upon a Craigslist ad with no pics and a short description of a 1956 2WD jeep. Curious, as I thought it could be a DJ-3A, I sent an email, asking if it was wagon or truck. I quickly received a friendly email describing the jeep as a 1956 CJ-3A. What followed was me explaining what DJ-3A was, with my intent only being to educate and help the sellers find a good buyer. Pretty soon, I had a series of photos which depicted a very original 1956 DJ-3A with what appeared to be original seats, zero rust, and a variety of other parts.
At some point I showed Ann pictures of the jeep. Then, Ann’s mother piped up and said that she’d loan me the money if I wanted to purchase it. That led me to investigate the DJ-3A further.
The sellers, Nick and Erika, were wonderfully patient in their responses to my questions. When I asked for photos of some aspect, they were always quickly accommodating. After discovering there was a brake problem, some peeling paint, and a broken column shifter, I made an offer, which factored in my concern that there were other problems and one that also considered the distance we would have to travel to pick it up. The sellers accepted my offer, satisfied that it would go to someone who understood its value and would keep it stock. It was very generous of them.
Fast forward to Sunday (I won’t go into installing a hitch and activating the tow package in the jeep, which required a dealer), we arrived at 10am to meet Nick and Erika. They turned out to be as wonderful in person as they had been over email: gracious and kind.
Nick explained the history of the jeep. The city of Patterson (and reason behind the jeep’s name) is known as the apricot capital of the world. An apricot farmer there bought this DJ-3A new. The farmer used it on his farm and also drove it around town. I am even wondering if the color of this jeep is meant to be “apricot”, maybe special ordered? I looked extensively under the cowl and couldn’t find another color. And, it has an Apricot-themed license plate. I will keep investigating this.
There’s more to tell, but for now, here are some photos:
Note the early CJ-5 0-10 speedo. This appears to confirm that the earliest DJs came with that speedometer.
New radiator built by Nick’s friend. It looks great!
Several readers let me know that Hemmings had an article celebrating 60 years of the FC.
This article below was published 60 years ago this month in the May 1957 issue of Willys News.
Larry spotted this FC-170. He writes, “We are vacationing in Sedona. There are newer jeeps and jeep tours all over the place so we took one. As we were coming over the hill, there she was, an Fc170 tow truck. It was totally redone and beautiful. The kid in the shop had no idea what it was (some kinda jeep thing). It wasn’t for sale but it was great to see”.
Those familiar with this wrecker recognize it as Wayne Trent’s former FC. You can see some video of it here.
And here’s my photo of it from one of the FC-Roundups in Phoenix.
Looks like a slat grille behind the GP.
“1942 Press Photo Jeeps travel across unpaved section of Panama trans-highway.
This is an original press photo. Under the supervision of the U.S. Public Roads Administration fourteen hundred men are at work constructing a trans-ishmanian highway which is scheduled for completion (withal weather paving) by the end of March 1942, if the work is not hampered by rain during the present “dry season”. Photo shows part of the “Jeep” parade over a section of road which has not a yet been laid with concrete. The road is entirely within the Republic of Panama. Photo measures 9 x 7.25 inches. Photo is dated 02-06-1942″
Includes a newspaper clipping with the same photo.
“1942 Press Photo Marines and Jeeps land Ashore from United States Landing Barges
This is an original press photo. …up on the beach and the marines have landed. Bottom left, a seagoing tank plows its way through the jungle. Bottom right, more marines pour ashore from landing barges bringing with them jeeps and other equipment to reinforce the beach head. They quickly overcame opposition offered by the Japanese on island. Photo measures 6.75 x 6 inches. Photo is dated 09-01-1942.”
Staring price on these is $20 for all three. That’s a good price.
“This auction is for a Lot of 3 Vintage 1950’s Willys Jeep Dealership Automotive Car Brochures. They measure approx. 8.5″ X 11″. They are in pretty nice condition overall. The red one has some edge wear.”
Robert Flores shared these cool doodles.
The lighting of this photo looks perfect.
“1943- Jeep loaded with U.S. troops passes the body of a Japanese soldier on Makin.
Photo measures approx. 8″ x 10″”
The other day I spotted a set of 5 new Super Traxion tires and 4 all season tires mounted on four jeep rims for only $600 on Craigslist. The Traxion tires were perfect for his jeep and the four all season tires were great for Rusty, as both of us are headed to Alaska. Wade and I joined forces and bought the tires. Two days later, he and I met in Bellingham, Washington, so I could give him the tires and enjoy some Mexican food for dinner. At dinner, Wade gave me the follow sign and stickers he had printed up at his sign shop. The sign has a thick aluminum backing. It’s great! The Dispatcher Magazine shows the size of the sign and the stickers.
Thanks Wade!
I’d still like to get one of these.
“Willys Jeep sign. Dealership sign from 1960s . Light up sign for window display. good condition not cracked or broken. 2000.00 o.b.o. ”
These pics show Belgian para-commandos in the former Belgian territory of the Congo
The remainder of these look like Belgian military taken in Africa: