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Builds – 1942 GPW

May 23, 2008 • CATEGORIES: Builds, MB This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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This 1942 GPW has been extensively rebuilt into a rock climber.  No hack job here as the builder documents his efforts through a series of words and pictures.  The builder writes that the jeep was featured in the December 2006 issue of 4 Wheel Drive & Sport Utility Magazine; however, I couldn't locate the article nor the builder's name.  

 "I stripped the Jeep down to the bare frame and started work. The frame was a stock GPW frame that had some previous 'fixes' done to it and it had a few cracks. I completely boxed and strapped the top and bottom of the frame. If I were to do it again I would definitely make my own frame from scratch using 2"x4" box tube. To strap the frame I used 2"x1/4" steel and stitch welded it along the length of the frame. I made cardboard templates of the sections to be boxed and then cut them out of some plate steel."

Learn more about the details of this rebuild here. He also details how he turned a Pro Tools 105 HD bender into a hydraulic bender.

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Crankshaft Update – Success

May 20, 2008 • CATEGORIES: Biscuit This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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I've got my crankshaft problem solved 🙂

Yesterday I drove out to Caldwell to meet Terry Zabel and checkout a $50 buick v6.  This craigslist find was my least expensive crankshaft option, so I had low expectations, but high hopes.  The engine came without an intake, rocker arms and a few misc pieces, but one useful item they did include for me (thanks to his brother Tony) was an even-fired flywheel, which I had been seeking (but couldn't find) in case I wanted to move back to a manual tranny.  As soon as I saw the flywheel, I figured the crankshaft was gravy, so I told them I would take it.

Back home, I quickly pulled it apart (which wasn't too difficult as most of the timing chain bolts and oil pan bolts were missing anyway).  When I finally got to the crankshaft and pulled off the first rod, I was relieved to see virtually no wear.  It didn't take long to pull out the crankshaft and see that it had been turned .010 and was in excellent shape … whew!  So, I took it to Bob's today and Lyle mic'd it, confirming my assumptions and telling me the same thing, "much better than the other one".  Also, the block itself looks to be in great shape, though it's been bored .030 already.  So, I'll save this block and use it as the base for a backup v6 for future use.

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1945 MB Los Angeles, eBay — the last MB produced? (link now works)

May 20, 2008 • CATEGORIES: MB This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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UPDATE:  Oops, that was programmer (and QA control) error .. now check out the pics — thanks Mitch! Note the bid price, already at $15k.

With a starting bid of $10k, this is one restored jeep whose price might just rise beyond the $10k bid.  The seller makes a strong argument that this was the VERY LAST WWII jeep to be made. It comes equipped with all kinds of extras and its pictures are worth browsing.

"Let me start by saying that this is the finest World War Two Jeep on the planet!!This 1945 Willys jeep is the last know jeep delivered in World War Two,if you look at the picture of the original dash plaque it is dated 8/20/1945.This is the last day of delivery and the last jeep KNOWN built that day!!!!So lets get past the early historic aspect of this jeep and lets look a little more at its more recent history.This Jeep belonged to Hillcrest Cadillac in Beverly Hills…."

View more pics on eBay 

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1952 Sand Rail Yuma, AZ **SOLD**

May 16, 2008 • CATEGORIES: Racing, Unique Jeeps • TAGS: , . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.

This is a 2wd Sand Rail.  I suspect the body is fiberglass.  Looks well built.

“This is a two wheel drive, sand drag,off road dune jeep.  Here is a partial list of features it has:  a Narrowed 9 inch Posi Rear; Turbo 350 rebuilt transmission with a 3500 stall converter; 4 bolt main 400 HP Chevy 350 with Vortec angle plug heads; big hydraulic cam; 850 Holley double pumper carb; MSD ignition; 200 HP Edelbrock NO2 system.  The Jeep has been lengthened about 10 inches in the front.”

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Bad Engine News … Anyone have an extra v6 crankshaft?

May 16, 2008 • CATEGORIES: Biscuit This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Last October, I bought a 1980 buick v6 with approx 50k miles that had been built to put out approx 250hp. The engine details included:  "9.1 Compression, Hypereutectic Pistons, Balanced, 288 Duration Cam, Head is Ported with 174-150 Stainless Valves, Aluminum Edelbrock Performer Intake 4 Barrel, Holley Aluminum Valve Covers,High Volume Oil Pump".  Those are the kind of v6 specs I wanted, so it sounded ideal.

The guy I purchased it from (off craigslist of course) said it would likely need new rings and cam bearings, but everything else should be good to go.  So, I've been looking forward to the engine rebuild as I figured it would be pretty straight forward.

So, yesterday I started taking apart the engine.  Everything looked as expected until I pulled off the heads.  Inside number 1 & 2 chambers were some rust, thick carbon deposits and dust (see upper right pick — it's not horrible, but dirtier than I expected).  At that point, I decided the entire engine needed an inspection, so I pulled everything out.  When I got to the crankshaft, I could see there was definitely some wear — I would need to take it to a machine shop and have them review it.

This morning, I did just that.  First we discovered it had already been turned 010 and, after pulling out his micrometer, he determined that we'd have to go at least to 030, but he wasn't sure there was enough metal left to make that work.

So, I'm on the hunt for a cheap v6 with a good crank, or find a crank by itself (perhaps at a junkyard?), or buy a new one — approx $500 that I didn't intend to spend.

Stay tuned … 

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1963 M170 Ambulance Gig Harbor, Wa $2500 obo

May 15, 2008 • CATEGORIES: M-170 This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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I’ve never heard of this type of jeep (this is becoming an all to familiar statement!). Here’s some more info on this jeep from the Olive-drab.com website

“I am moving and need to get rid on this project, its a military ambulance. It comes with a fuel injected 4.3 with NV 3500 and NV 231 case, Wiring harness and computer, steering column, peddle assembly, Ford 9″ with Strange 31 spline shafts, HP Dana 30, the original top and doors (brand new), tailgate, windshield frame, hood, grill, gas tank, fenders. The frame already has YJ leafs mounted to it and they have been out boarded for a better ride. The jeep just needs to be put together. Have title. 2500 obo”

Here is a pic of the M-170.  Note the extra wide entrance on the passenger side vs.  the normal looking CJ-5 looking entrance on driver’s side.

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Builds — Chris Olson

May 14, 2008 • CATEGORIES: Builds, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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This is a build done by Chris Olson that I found at the BC4x4 website.  He found a beat up '48 CJ-2A, made a variety of mods, and ended up with a highly modified, but ordinary looking, CJ-2A.

"At first glance, Chris Olson's 1948 CJ2A Willys looks rather plain next to his brother's LJ80 Suzuki. Your first impression would be that it's another flat fender Jeep with big tires and a spring-over-axle conversion. But like his brother's Suzuki, Chris' Jeep isn't what it appears to be. In fact, it is more Toyota than Jeep. This flat fender reflects Chris' pragmatic attitude toward building a 4×4. Choices were made due to cost, availability and functionality. He has no loyalty to any make or model of vehicle and because of that, he has ended up with a very unique vehicle.

When Chris first set eyes upon the Willys in 1997, it was sitting in a backyard, partially hidden by knee-height grass. It had a seized engine, the front axle housing was gutted, all four tires were useless, the interior was a rat home, and it sported a rollbar made of old driveshafts (including the yokes!). The important thing to Chris was that the body was in pretty good condition, especially for a vehicle built half a century earlier. For $400, it was his."

Read more at the BC4x4.com website

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My Build — Fixing a Power Steering Leak

May 14, 2008 • CATEGORIES: Biscuit, Features This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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One of the minor fixes on my list of things to repair (a never ending list it seems) was to replace the seals on the input shaft of my power steering unit to stop a small fluid leak.  At $15 (from my local NAPA dealer) for replacement seals this is an inexpensive fix. So, to make the fix more interesting, I taped my efforts for your viewing amusement and edification.

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1960 DJ-3A South Paris, ME **SOLD**

May 12, 2008 • CATEGORIES: DJ-3A • TAGS: , . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.

” Condition –  Used.  Good condition.  “Jeep C” is painted in script of the door.  Repairable approx 2″ tear in Willys roof.  Visor hem is loose. Roof is Cerulean and white stripes. Fringe, seats, roll down/up windows are in good condition.  Expected paint wear on pedals.   Hub caps are cerulean blue with “W” in the chrome.  Has spare tire with cover.  Stored in self-contained Car-Mate (PA)  It has a side door, roof window and ramp.  Car-Mate is included in the price to tow your surrey.  Important:  Gallery picture is generic.  My Willys has black side steps, not blue!

Features:  All original as far as I am aware.  Windows, braces, visor, steps and keys are in the vehicle.  Frame and serial numbers match.  Plate is on fire wall.  NOTE:  Historical records on surreys are sketchy.  According to hand written notes from factory 1959-1960 start and end numbers are 16643-19367…..”

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Builds: Brian’s CJ-3B resurrection cont.

May 12, 2008 • CATEGORIES: Builds This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Brian from Michigan sent me some updated pics from his efforts to bring his CJ-3B body back from the dead. Here are several body pics (some I’ve posted before).  Below the body pics you’ll see his latest unexpected issue, the engine he’s dropped into the jeep has an oil pan that hangs too low — a problem seeking a solution (note his clever use of some plastic pipe in place of a yet to procured front drive line).  Finally, he shows a picture of his unabashed stripping of a parts Blazer.

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