Category Archives: Cars & Trucks

1940’s Jeeps in Junkyards

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“A look at vintage Willys Jeeps hidden away from the world in junkyards and barns across the United States. It’s amazing how much vintage iron out there needs rescuing. The Jeeps in this video range from pre-mass production WWII Jeep such as the 1941 Ford GP, to the standardized Willys MB, and of course post-war Jeeps such as the CJ2A, CJ5, and even a Korean-War era M38. They range from the 1940’s to the 1960’s.”

My friend John Middleton pointed me to a terrific YouTube channel called Turn N Burn. This young man has been restoring Jeeps since he was 17 and I’m finding his videos fascinating. The video below features a 1940’s Willys Jeep that as in a home garage when the place went up in flames and the Jeep burnt to the ground.”

After reviving the fire-surviving CJ2A, they take it to an off-road park for a proper break-in. I’ve yet to drive my new toy but watching these videos makes me think I might be a little more adventurous with the Jeep than I’ve been with the Land Rover.

Rebuilt carburetor for Jeep

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While the Jeep is in exceptionally good shape for a 76 year old vehicle, Paul decided to replace the carburetor with a rebuilt Carter.

Carter adapted carburetors for Willys Jeep four-cylinder engines, waterproofing them for water crossings and making it possible to keep the engine going even on a steep incline (the Y-S carburetor). (Wikipedia)

He found a guy who specializes in rebuilding these and tests them on a Jeep engine. All for a mere $310.00. (Old and new carb below)


Took a screwdriver, a spanner and about half an hour and the Jeep was running like a Singer sewing machine.

Paul declared this the quietest old Jeep engine he had seen/heard. He’s pretty sure the engine was rebuilt along the way. The odometer reads 2,932 miles and was probably reset following the rebuild. Just waiting on the new steering box. Watch this space.

Jeep: Steel Soldier

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(YouTube) “Best video-history of the initial creation of the “Original Jeep”. The video shows the story of the “Jeep” from its original Bantam roots, all the way through its initial civilian use.” Should come as no surprise the Jeep has a rich a history at the Land Rover but I learn something new every time I watch one of these. And there seems to be a lot of them.

The history of the Jeep is at least as rich as that of the Land Rover. The first clip below is Bill Travers, a Jeep driver with the 87th Infantry Division. (45 sec) Below that a 2 minute clip about the CJ2A:

 

Jeep: A few repairs needed

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Closed the deal on the Jeep today but won’t be driving it until a few repairs are made. Needs a new carburetor and a steering box.

In all fairness, the shaft (assuming it’s the original) lasted 76 years. And it would have been interesting if this had happened while I was motoring around town.

I’m learning more about this model Jeep. The engine –an L134– is a very reliable engine. No idea when I’ll drive this baby home but I’m looking forward to the adventure.

1947 Willys CJ2A (update)

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UPDATE (12/22/22): While Paul was test driving the Jeep the steering shaft broke. Which means new steering box and column. As well as a radiator cap and a carburetor (It runs but it won’t even attempt to idle). Nice to find these issues now. Suspect there will be more.

Paul is moving fast. New wheels and tires a big improvement. And a few rattle-cans of camouflage paint took care of the hideous camo. I love this flat green. Perfect.


Seats are in good shape so I’ll live with the camo there. Look close to see the 3-speed shifter, the 4WD lever, and the high/low lever. I’ll probably lose the old Igloo cooler/cubby. Looking forward to figuring out all of the dash gauges.

The hideous camo top will be the first to go. I’m planning on this being a spring/summer/fall ride. I’ll adios the flood lights, too.

I’m very excited about adding this old (there’s some question about whether ’46 art ’47) Jeep to what I guess I have to start calling my collection. Might have it by the first of the year. Late xmas present, or early birthday.

1947 Willys CJ2A

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I’ve always been fond of Jeeps. Not the current models, the “original” Jeep. I’ve spotted several around town in recent years but the owners would sooner give you a leg than their Jeep. I get that. Feel the same about my Land Rover. So when Paul Bandelier mentioned he had a 1946 1947 Willys CJ2A, I raced out for a look.


Paul says the engine is as simple as a lawn mower and anybody can work on them. That’s what they told me about the Land Rover and it’s sort of true.

What would I do with three vehicles? Drive each one for two days every week? I guess this would make me a collector.

1980 Ford Courier

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I really can’t explain my love of old pickup trucks and while I only have room in my life for one, I enjoy seeing what my friend Paul has for sale. (He gets most of his trucks from Colorado where rust is less of a problem.)

Today he was showing off a 1980 Ford Courier. I can’t say I remember these but I wasn’t thinking about pickup trucks back then. The truck has its own Wikipedia page. This beauty can be yours for $3000.

Land Rover go fast

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Dan Poettgen and Chief Mechanic Scotty worked some magic on the Land Rover.

Every so often I’ve had to take it in for them to adjust a cable (?) that fed fuel to the diesel engine. As it slipped, I had to push the accelerator pedal all the way to the floor and still wasn’t going very fast.

Like so many things with the Land Rover, this bit wasn’t really done properly the first time. So Dan and Scotty ordered some parts…made some parts and voila!

I have way more “throw” on the accelerator and it feels like the engine is (for the first time?) getting the fuel it needs. Drives like it has twice the power and acceleration it had before.