Willys Jeep - Jeep Community Official Blog - Latest Jeep News

Technical Changes for Willys Jeep All Done!

admin — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 22:48:24 +0000

Update 9-6-2010
11:12 P.M.

All Done!

Earlier this evening, we told you about a transfer we were making for technical reasons. We are done ahead of schedule!!!

We just finished all the technical stuff with transferring the willysjeep site and blog to the new provider. You should not notice any changes when using the site. Please feel free to use the site.

If you do have any problem at all with the site, please e-mail us by clicking here.

Thank you for being a member of our forum at WillysJeep.com

Thanks very much, we look forward to seeing you on the forum!

Posted 6:00 P.M.

Were making some behind the scene changes to Willysjeep.com. Willysjeep.com will be on a new server by Wednesday 9-8-2010. This move is for technical reasons and will not change how you interact with willysjeep.com.

Please hold off on making any new posts to the forum, as Between Now 6:00 P.M. Monday 9-6-2010 and when the transfer is complete, anything posted to the forum or uploaded to the forum will be lost.

There will be an updated message posted here as soon as we confirm the DNS is all updated and the forum transfer has been completed.

We apologize for the delay period in the transfer, we will make the change today, but we have to wait for DNS to update. Every Internet Providers system has to sync up with the new DNS data, and this can at times take 24-48 hours.

Thank you for your time and understanding.

Poster Summer Sale

timdolan — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 18:04:14 +0000

Hope everyone is enjoying the summer and their rides. Our poster lineup is undergoing some changes so we have decided to offer the existing stock at great sale pricing. Buy three get 2 FREE. You will not find these anywhere else on the planet but here. Thats only $6.00 each for a unique 12 x 18 poster which helps support this non profit website. Choose from any shown on the store page. Just use the regular order form to purchase three and then email me your other 2 choices: willysjeep@gmail.com .

* The free posters will be available until stock runs out. We reserve the right to substitute. Do it now as stock is limited

Tim

CJ2A Wiring Diagram

timdolan — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:02:32 +0000

Hello All;

A reader has requested help with wiring a 2A with a 3 wire alternator. I am posting the original diagram with generator,but as I do only 100% original restorations, I can’t advise on the alternator hookup. If anyone can help, please look on the forum for the link. I will send a better image of the wiring if you request it directly from me. tim@willysjeep.com

Thanks,

Tim

Jeep War Bond

timdolan — Tue, 11 May 2010 13:05:40 +0000

The last time a war bond was issued by the US Government in 1945, a good many of our readers were not yet born. Originally called defense bonds, there were seen as a way to help reduce inflation by saving the publics money. In effect,this was a form of rationing the amount of cash people had to spend while providing funds to finance military operations. On average, the return was 2.9% after 10 years of maturity. The average income during those years was $2000 for a family. The bonds were sold at 75% of their face value starting at $25.00. A massive radio and print campaign went to work by the government and private industry to not only sell, but refrain from cashing the bonds ahead of time.

Comic strip writers had their characters hawk the bonds. Movie stars were always recruited to do “road shows” and theaters had free days; all to promote the purchase of war bonds. One set of shows known as “Stars over America” featured Bette Davis, Greer Garson , Rita Hayworth and hundreds of volunteer performers. This tour sold $838,540,000 worth of bonds. Over the course of the war,more than 85 million Americans (half the population) purchased $185.7 billion dollars of them.

While the above photo was never a real bond, it undoubtably helped in the promotion and marketing of them. This particular picture was found on the cover of the July 1944 issue of Hunting and Fishing magazine. The real bonds were offered on the inside of this cover. One more use of the Jeep in Marketing.

Early Spring Interrupts Blogging

timdolan — Fri, 07 May 2010 19:32:32 +0000

Here in Wisconsin it’s not often that we have warm, clear weather conditions in April. This is absolutely the best Spring I have ever seen in 60 years. Because of the nice weather, I have been “Up North” getting the cottage cleaned , the yard mowed and watching the river flow. Trout season just opened, but no luck so far. The Jeep and ATV’s are all charged up and ready to ride. I have no computer or Internet up there so my writing has been on hold. As of today , I am faced with a week of unseasonably cold weather and rain so…. it’s back home to the computer. I will begin anew to provide useful tidbits of info and hope you are enjoying them.

Tim

Super Hurricane FC-170

timdolan — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 14:27:28 +0000

By the time 1963 rolled around,the FC-170 had been around for about 6 years. Its sales were not staggering and Kaiser was doing all it could to save the lineup. While the FC-170 had always had a 6 cylinder, the Super Hurricane was now providing 190 Ft.lbs. of torque at 1,400 rpm. Its 226.2 CI displacement was utilized to haul heavier cargo , particularly when using a larger stakebed and the dual rear wheel version. This FC-170 was equipped with a full floating axle, heavy duty suspension and could haul 4000 lbs of cargo.

It had a 103.62 in wheelbase and could turn in a “compact” 21′ 11″ circle.

The ads stated “Big truck action with smooth handling” were the trademarks of this heavy duty 4 wheel drive truck. It provided more loadspace per inch of wheelbase than any competitive truck and it was reasonably priced for the average person. The total production of the FC-170 was under 15,000

Willys Jeep Guarantee

timdolan — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 13:50:15 +0000

As with all automobiles, Willys Overland offered a Warranty with their vehicles. It is surprising that compared to today’s vehicles, the terms were hardly favorable to the owner. Those “built to last” Jeeps had coverage for a term of 90 DAYS! It was also extended to an operational mileage of 4000 as long as that occured within those 3 months. All service was required to be performed by the original selling dealer unless the vehicle had broken down and was over 50 miles from the dealership. In that case, the nearest Willys Motors dealer could do the job. No outside service shops would be reimbursed.

A 1000 mile inspection was necessary to validate the remainder of the warranty period. They would check all fluids for proper levels and leaks, add water to the battery, reset timing if necessary and adjust carburetor.

By todays standards with our 100,000 mile warrantys and long service intervals, these standards seem ridiculous , especially when dealing with the most basic of drivetrains and no electronics. It is certainly a testimonial to the durability of the Jeep that so many are still operational after more than 50 years.

The Jeep Camper CJ5

timdolan — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 14:55:37 +0000

In 1970, as ownership of the Jeep name was in transition, this camper edition was offered for CJ5 or CJ6 with the V-6 powerplant. The Dauntless engine was 160 hp and its lightweight V configuration allowed for less weight on the front end and greater fuel economy.

According to the sales literature, in could take you to the ‘boondocks” for hunting, fishing and easily run back to town for supplies. It slept 4 and had a kitchen, toilet and running water.They even pictured two kids peering out the front window of the camper while driving. (A really SAFE practice- NOT) Of course, there was no other place to ride as the Jeep was still a two seater.

Its hard to believe the strain this weight must have put on a small CJ and I doubt many were sold, but it was another foresighted effort to find uses for the Jeep.

How to Cut costs on your Farm

timdolan — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 14:29:34 +0000

The Farm usage of the CJ2A had long been promoted. When a new model arrived on the scene in 1949, it was welcomed as being a stronger, more powerful model with a few other improvements. This CJ3A offered better seats, larger windshield visibility and a better horsepower rating for the 4 cylinder powerplant. The salesforce offered to bring one to your farm and show what it could do using your implements. At 3500 lbs., it had better drawbar torque (1200 #) than the previous 2A’s. Its beefier leaf springs could handle a better payload and stronger axles were a bonus.

Its powerful 7″ sealed beam headlights prepared the vehicle for night work and seat padding made it a more comfortable ride, although by todays standards, it was still primitive.

Th CJ3A is a great all around Jeep and for some reason, I don’t see many around or for sale. The production numbers were high enough, but I think the manufacturers of farm machinery had almost 5 years to get back to production and the Jeep really could not compete with a real tractor. It is interesting that the supplanting model, the CJ3B was still offered as a Farm Jeep to be used with implements.

1964 Jeep Wagoneer

timdolan — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 13:57:19 +0000

Beginning this year, the name “WILLYS” had officially been dropped from all vehicles. Kaiser had owned the company for 10 years and was ready to move on. The markets had changed and the sporty family vehicle (read : SUV) had become the targeted machine to be produced. People were on the move and a station wagon that could haul the family and cargo was a hot commodity. Of course, in additiion to its roominess, it was the “drivepower” that made this car so distinctive. Kaiser touted the fact that this 4-wheel drive system was safer on wet and snowy roads and more fun to drive. The Wagoneer had many options, including: Automatic transmission, air conditioning, power steering and brakes, Independent front suspension (2WD) and electrically operated tailgate window… all items that are standard today. Plush carpeting, foam filled seats (No belts) color keyed accents and easy entry were all items that set this apart from your traditional station wagons. The concept was sound and the same type of vehicles are still being made today by Chrysler and many other manufacturers.