eWillys | Your source for Jeep and Willys deals, mods and more (2024)

Brady Leetch shared his recent build. It’s got a great flat fender / scrambler feel to it. The snow is a nice touch, too. You might remember one of Brady’s other builds, this blue low-rider jeep.

Joe, a self-describedeWillys addict (aka – Joe in Mesa), createdthis post about the reasons why some jeeps never seem to sell.He’s organized the problems into four categories: seller issues, ad issues, buyer behavior, or the jeep itself.His examples reflect what I’ve experienced. No doubt there are more . . . Perhaps you’ll find this instructive or amusing. Thanks to Joe for assembling it.

SELLER ISSUES:

• Unrealistic seller (thinks jeep is worthy of Barrett-Jackson price).
• Reluctant seller (doesn’t really want to part with his/her “baby”).
• Seller won’t respond (doesn’t answer phone or email). Could be jaded from the SPAM attempts. Some people get slammed with email SPAM when posting to craigslist. Others have received telemarketers after posting their phone number.
• Email responses from buyers are going into seller’s junk mail. Dave hasrun into this problem when replying to a Craigslist ad usinga yahoo account.

AD ISSUES:

• Wrong contact info in ad (incorrect phone number or email address. Sometimes just a “type-O”).
• Misspelled “Willys” or other issue making ad hard to find (copy the spelling from your vehicle!). That’s why Dave uses a whole bunch of different spellings for “Willys” when searching Craigslist. He just got a great deal on a 25 pagebrochure off of eBay becausethe seller spelled misspelled the nameWYLLIS. Sometimes Willys nor Jeep is used in an ad. One alternative some sellers use is “flat fender” as in “Flat Fender for Sale”.
• Old ads, seldom updated. Only gets reposted with the same price, pics, and description every time. Buyers quickly tire of old ads.
• Poor pics or lack of pics in ad. Have great pics can really help. Conversely having poor or no pics will turn off many potential buyers,that sometimes no-pic ads are fantastic deals. But, you have to investigate a lot of bad ads to find a good deal.

BUYER BEHAVIOR:

• Not local to buyers: too far from the major metro area. Some folks don’t want to deal with an absent buyer. Some want the money quick and don’t trust paypal. Others don’t trust absent buyers.
• Particularbuyers. Many jeeps are worth the hard work but not everyone can afford the time it takes or don’t have the facilities torepaira mechanicallychallenging-jeep.
• Cheap local buyers (many people onlywant a deal, a “steal”, or a bargain).
• Scared, reluctant local buyers (see reasons for HARDER to sell, below)

JEEP ITSELF:

Technically the jeep itself should never be an issue that a low enough price can’t solve (a common example would be “no engine”: I bought one of those), but some jeeps are much HARDER to sell:

• – no title (in some states nearly impossible to resolve, and expensive in many others)
• – excessive rust
• – bad engine (cracked, seized, etc.. IMHO “no engine” jeeps sell better than “bad engine” ones).
• – horribly ugly (despite the current saying, there really isn’t a butt for EVERY seat)
• – similarly, “what the heck did Bubba do?… and why’d he do THAT?”
• – botched, incomplete “projects”
• – jeep covered by piles of misc. parts, furniture, dust, animal droppings, etc. (“barn find”? Really?)
• – jeep looks way better in the photos than in person.
• – seller places an ad without pics, but offers a description that doesn’t match with what a buyer finds when he or she sees the vehicle in person.
• – Bottom Line: insufficient value (cost too much to fix or restore… even if you gave it away for free)

Could there be other reasons? Poor economy (buyer issue), seller is a jerk, nearly impossible to move/get (tree growing up through frame, buried deep in a barn or basem*nt, holding up the corner of the structure, in window of Banana Republic mall store…)?

So, buying a jeep can be an adventure!

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $12,500.

Mark just listed this good looking M-38 over at warjeeps.com. Even includes a phone for that occasionally air strike you might need.

“M38 that drives great and is in great condition. Has always been garage kept and we’ll maintained. Everything works well and it has no rust or dents. Also has new tires.”

UPDATE: Pics now provided.

“Two Jeeps one has been restored to the metal body. Ready for paint. The other has a fiberglass body. 4 engines and transmissions, plus lots of other parts”

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/cto/4787196307.html

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $10,500.

The steps have been altered and a new bumper added.

“1948 Willys Jeep . All re-done, runs great. Just passed inspection . Come take a look.”

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was$15,800.

(11/01/2014) Nice looking wagon.

“For sale is a 1957 Willys 4X4 Station Wagon in excellent condition. We have done a complete overhaul on this vehicle, just short of a frame off restoration. The 226 Super Hurricane engine was rebuilt, the transmission was rebuilt, new paint job (interior and exterior), the seats were reupholstered and a new headliner installed, the bumpers were re-chromed, the oak strips were refinished, a new clutch was installed, floor mats are new, and too many other upgrades to mention”

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $1500.

This has a short wheelbase. Maybe this is a truck on a CJ-5 chassis?

“We have a 1955 or 1956 Willys Flatbed pickup would make an excellent crawler.

The transmission and transfer case look like a T89 transmission and a model 80 transfer case which wouldbe correct for this vehicle.

The engine in the photos is not the correct engine for this model regardless of the year, however, it looks like a 215 c.i. Buick V6 engine that was an optional engine in the Jeep CJ5 from about 1966 to 1969? (Jeep Corp. bought the engines from GM)The Buick engine in the CJ5
was matched to the T89 transmission and model 80 transfer case until about 1969 or so.

Continue reading →

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $3500.

It runs, but doesn’t drive.

“SEELING WILLYS JEEP 1947 MOTOR RUNS GREAT , SHOWS 46,2626MILES
NEEDS MASTERCYLINDER GREAT BODY
CLEAR TITLE, NEEDS TO BE TRAILER , NEW GAS TANK NEW BATTERY,.”

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $1200.

Sad reason for selling.

“1950 cj3a, complete, but rough. Did run when parked, but generator did not charge. Body is rough as a cobb. Plenty of bondo, and ugly welds. My son learned to drive a stick in this beauty…… and I lost him a month ago. I can’t stand to look at it, so it needs a new home. The little red devil flat head purred like a kitten.”

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $900.

Maybe some value? Looks straight.

“About 1951 Willys Overland Wagon has early 50s GM motor starts but needs work, body is very straight, original wheels included, (not the ones on the car) bill of sale only, $900 cash”

UPDATE: Price dropped to $1200.

“Dauntless odd fire 225 V6 installed some time ago that runs great, its a jeepster or 70s model cj5 motor. engine has chevy HEI ignition system thats and outside frame rail long tube headers with turbo mufflers thats all new. advance adapters headers. original axles, trans, and transfer case. Drove around some but not road worthy. disconnected brake and clutch pedal for hydraulic upgrade that never happened. body is rough as expected. I have flat towed behind my wrangler for over 1500 miles. title in hand. will entertain partial trades for home defense/ hunting items.”

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/4809745615.html

UPDATE: **SOLD ** Was $2750

It’s a project. Lots of pics provided.

“Complete 1947 Willys Jeep Project. This Jeep was converted to run with a 192 engine. It was a running driving Jeep before is was disassembled to be restored. Everything to get it going again is there. It has all been stripped and the frame was sand blasted and painted. The front and rear end were totally gone through. The entire brake system has been re done. Also, brand new springs were installed. The transmission has the warn overdrive installed on it!! The rims are in good shape. The tub needs a little bit of rust cut out on the front floor, painted and reassembled. I have both front seat frames and the hard to find rear seat frame.”

It’s a project, but appears to have potential.

“Selling my project 52 willys with a 283 small block chevy v8 and a 4 speed manual. My transmission went out in my truck so I’m forced to sell. I bought it from my uncle 1 year ago. It was sitting in his back yard for 10 years. sence then i rebuilt the carb. Replaced the rubber sections of fuel line and cleaned the hard lines. New fuel filters. New starter and alternater. Radiator was flushed at a shop. When I was running it i had it hooked up to a fuel cell. I have the fuel tank but the inside needs to be cleaned.
Still needs brake work and there is no clutch pressure. Its on 33s and a little lift but the tires are old and cracked. The floorboards have some rust.
It’s a project that’s worth finishing. ”

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/cto/4808706569.html

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $5000

“I’m selling my ’48 Willys project. I started off with a body off restoration. Frame sand blasted, primed and painted. Eng and trans painted. New yokes and seals on the transfer case. New brakes from the master cylinder to the wheel cylinders. Many new engine parts and new air intake. New rear crossmember/bumper. Refurbished radiator. New body panels that haven’t been installed. New gauges. I got a little in over my head when it comes to restoration.”

UPDATE: Was $9000. Now ‘Make Offer’.

(10/07/2014) Looks solid. Seller believes the jeep was built in 1945, though it seems to be missing the column shift and a couple other items. It does have full floating rear hubs.

“Total restoration from the frame up in 2012.
This Jeep was built in 1945, between July and December in 1945
The drive train is end run military parts.
Come and see it in Sycamore or go to the Franklin Park, Illinois. military show, October 10, 11 12.
I could deliver within a few hours of Chicago for $1.00 per mile figured by map quest, and paid in advance, after purchase.”

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/pts/4809853189.html

There were several articles that made the June 1955 issue of Willys News worth purchasing, even if the price was higher than I wanted. Case in point is the gravity dump box idea below. Perhaps someone can recreate this rare mod?

I may not be able to read this brochure from Sweden, but I like the pictures :-). I guess no one else on eBay could read iteither, which is why I got it for next to nothing.

Continue reading →

Dave fromExtremeTerrain shared their newest giveaway opportunity. There is no purchase necessary. You don’t even need to own a Jeep!View the entry form at their website.

Extreme Jeep Adventure: Win ARubicon Excursion!

ExtremeTerrain is going to be sending one lucky winner on a trip to the Rubicon Trail in California as a part of our Extreme Jeep Adventure: Win a Rubicon Excursion giveaway. The winner and one friend will get to explore the iconic trail in a modified Jeep Wrangler!

The trip includes:
– A Rubicon Jeep expert to help navigate the trail
– 3 Extreme days wheeling the Rubicon trail
– 2 nights of camping under the stars
– Free travel and lodging

From now through March 31st, 2015, you can enter to win this amazing trip which also includes your travel and lodging. All you have to do is fill out the Entry Form before the contest ends. There is no purchase necessary and you do not need to own a Jeep to enter this contest!

UPDATE: **Status Unknown** Was $15,000.

Looks like a nice truck.

“1951 Willys Jeep 3/4 ton 4 wheel drive pickup truck. Very rare and especially in this condition. Engine has had new gaskets, plugs and points installed. Transmission has had gears replaced and seals replaced. New radiator, new carburetor, new seat, new brake drums, calipers and shoes.
New front springs. Body is very solid. ”

Could be a solid jeep.

“Very nice willys jeep, show quality. All original parts looking to sell or trade for pickup of equal value”

http://maine.craigslist.org/cto/4803336172.html

UPDATE:Was $2000. **Status Unknown**

(12/04/2014) Hasn’t been started in a while. The body is fiberglass.

“cj2a willys jeep project 1948 frame and vin tag glass body and fenders,1946 grill, pto, was running haven’t started in a while. lots of spare parts, including 1946 rolling frame, steel fenders with no rot. gauges lights ,original 1946 steering column tube with 3 on the tree shifter on it, military heater, transmissions, transfer case, cj3a hood, and much more.no title. make good offer, need to get rid of no time to finish. when responding include phone number. no number no reply”

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $1000.

This may have some value.

“1958 CJ5. Strong engine rebuilt about 4000 miles ago. Older fiberglass body. Good restoration project. Comes with soft top.”

It is missing some front parking lights.

“For sale is a 1946 Willys CJ2a. This is first year jeeps were offered to civilians. It drives great, four wheel drive works, hubs lock out, engine is smooth. All work has been professionally done (have receipts.)
Listed as one of the three most important weapons for winning World War II, these jeeps are legendary. This one has been updated to feature very high quality and comfortable front and back seats from a 52 Jeep, all updated wiring (12v) and everything necessary to make it a reliable vehicle. It also has spare tire mount on the passenger side, rather than on the back.
This jeep will also come with all if the original steel wheels and functioning military spec tires. I have tires on it from a Scrambler, just because it’s a more comfortable ride. The jeep will also come with a t-bar so you can tow the jeep behind any vehicle with a 2″ hitch.
Can be easily outfitted to be a military parade jeep, or beefed up to be a monster. I’ve had a great time driving it around as is… It will go just about anywhere.
I get stopped everywhere I go, by guys with beefed up rubicon JKs, by military vets, or just people who remember these types of jeeps when they were growing up. People are really interested in a 68 year old Jeep that can still get around. It’s a conversation starter to say the least.
Text, email, or call to schedule a time to come by and look at it. ”

http://tulsa.craigslist.org/cto/4807604746.html

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $3250

(10/30/2014) Unusual step adapterhooked to the sides.

“Runs ,drives ,stops. Fairly solid ,but has had some bondo work. Early model with column shift. Still 6 volt. Would be good for driving as is or restoring.”

UPDATE: **STATUS UNKNOWN** Was $18,999

“For sale is an all original, non-restored, 1942 Ford GPW in very good working condition. This vehicle has had minor updates and maintenance performed to ensure drivability and proper functionality. A 12-volt conversion update has been done on the electrical system to accommodate a new 12-colt battery. Also, the original brake drums have been replaced. Runs and drives great. As an added bonus, this vehicle comes with the original radio which has had the crystal set replaced and is now in working order. Also includes the original weapon mounting post. Tires are in great shape with no dry rot. Garage kept during nights and inclement weather.”