1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

"Willys" Jeep, Questions

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Dano50, Jul 23, 2007.

  1. Jul 23, 2007
    Dano50

    Dano50 New Member

    Keno, Oregon
    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2006
    Messages:
    38
    Haven't posted for a while...

    Currently fixing up my (new to me) 80 CJ5. Drive train and steering are (now) in good (read: safe) order. Need to do body work (remove cancer, sheet metal welding, etc.). But, enough about that.

    Retired friend down the street called me up, seems a neighbor of ours is selling an older jeep and the friend wants us to possibly buy it together. Currently the seller is out of town, have no idea as to asking price.

    The friend thinks we could pick it for a song and, (with my so-called experience, yea, right ;-}) fix it up and, maybe, sell for a proft. (Notice all the qualifiers). Took a look at it after work Friday...looks pretty darn good.

    Appearance

    1) It is a two seater, split bench seat with the spare tire mounted on the right side of the tub. Engine is a 4 cylinder.

    2) The shackles are not the two piece variety, but, are what appears to be L (or C) shape round stock with greasable zerk (?) fittings. Looks original.

    3) The front springs seems to be a factory spring reversal in that the main eye is in front, the "hangar" is in the rear. The rear springs appear to be a conventional set-up (Hangar to the rear, main eye to the front).

    4) The tail gate has "Willys" embossed in it. It has "through the floor" pedals (as apposed to my '80 hanging on the fire wall), a "twin stick" transfer case, and the fuel tank filler is on the drivers side with what appears to be an underseat tank. No rear seat. Overall the body appears smaller than my '80.

    5) Tub looks like the original paint...no evidence of rust through, rest looks solid.

    Could this be some kind of former postal jeep...especially with the spring hangars and the "spring reversal" in the front? Any clues as to a year/other tell-tale signs to look for?

    Thoughts, comments, facts...possibly some suggestions as to either value or somewhere to look (Jeep Traders?)

    Thought it would be of some interest.
     
  2. Jul 23, 2007
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    Re: "Wilys" Jeep, Questions

    Round front fenders or flat? VIN number?
     
  3. Jul 23, 2007
    Dano50

    Dano50 New Member

    Keno, Oregon
    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2006
    Messages:
    38
    Round fenders, sorry. Tail lights are "inset". No VIN available at this time, the seller is out of town so I don't have an avenue to ask more detailed questions. These were some of my initial observations.
     
  4. Jul 23, 2007
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    6,193
    Re: "Wilys" Jeep, Questions

    Could be an early-early CJ5 with a stock shackle reversal. '55 - '57ish.

    Postal Jeep would be 2WD.
     
  5. Jul 23, 2007
    SIDSCJ

    SIDSCJ Jeep addict

    14th State
    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2004
    Messages:
    1,189
    Re: "Wilys" Jeep, Questions

    If it's a CJ5 the spring shackles ID it as an early one, factory original up to 1957 or so. Look for fake battery box on the cowl, small, clear glass turn signal lenses, speedo #'s from 1-8 on the early ones, 1-9 from about '57 on. A pic or two would help as far as condition and value.
     
  6. Jul 23, 2007
    Dano50

    Dano50 New Member

    Keno, Oregon
    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2006
    Messages:
    38
    Thanks. I'll take a gander with all your suggestions.

    I'll see if my wife can take a few pics tonight and let you all see what this is.
     
  7. Jul 23, 2007
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

    Port Orange, FL
    Joined:
    Nov 6, 2002
    Messages:
    4,275
    Re: "Wilys" Jeep, Questions

    Biscuit fenders, inset tail lights and shackle reversal sound like an M-38A1 to me.

    Is there a glove box on the dash right in front of the driver?
     
  8. Jul 23, 2007
    Don X

    Don X The Prodigal Moderator Staff Member 2023 Sponsor

    San Diego,...
    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2007
    Messages:
    3,383
    Re: "Wilys" Jeep, Questions

    If the Willys tailgate is original it won't be an A1. Someone could have added it though.
     
  9. Jul 23, 2007
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    9,221
  10. Jul 23, 2007
    Dano50

    Dano50 New Member

    Keno, Oregon
    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2006
    Messages:
    38
    Thanks for all the replies.

    W3srl:

    "Biscuit fenders, inset tail lights and shackle reversal sound like an M-38A1 to me."

    "Is there a glove box on the dash right in front of the driver?"

    Glove box is in front of the passenger. Does that make a difference?

    I thought it was odd that the windshield wiper has an electic motor for the driver side, the passenger side is manual. Kinda neat looking. Oh, the rollbar is hooked into the floor behind the seats, and the rear attachment is actually bowed inward and attached to the rear floor pan as opposed to the top of the wheel well.

    I'll be double checking based on your suggestions. Until teh owner gets back, we won't have a clear idea until we can ask.

    I'll see if any of the pictures "remind me" of this vehicle. It would be kind of fun if it is this old (and, in what appears to be good shape).
     
  11. Jul 23, 2007
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    9,221
    Yes, it's an early Early CJ-5 as noted above.

    M38A1s have a "glove box" on the driver's side.
     
  12. Jul 23, 2007
    godevil

    godevil My Humor isnt appreciated

    Mt Pleasant SC
    Joined:
    Aug 17, 2005
    Messages:
    329
    Gonna turn a profit huh?
    Good Luck!
    You will be the 1st...........................R)
    Donnie
     
  13. Jul 23, 2007
    Dano50

    Dano50 New Member

    Keno, Oregon
    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2006
    Messages:
    38
    Profit? Nah...don't know what I've been smoking (considering I don't smoke).

    But, could be a fun little project assuming the right price. And, I do realize, that is a BIG assumption.

    Thanks for the input.
     
  14. Jul 23, 2007
    Don X

    Don X The Prodigal Moderator Staff Member 2023 Sponsor

    San Diego,...
    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2007
    Messages:
    3,383
    The driver's side electric wiper is probably an aftermarket modification and the passenger side is most likely the original vacumm driven wiper. They have a manual lever that you can operate it with. Look at the left side of the wiper assembly and there should be a port that a vacuum line would have been connected to.
     
  15. Jul 23, 2007
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    6,193
    IMHO the passenger side would have been a simple manual crank unless modified...
     
  16. Jul 23, 2007
    Don X

    Don X The Prodigal Moderator Staff Member 2023 Sponsor

    San Diego,...
    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2007
    Messages:
    3,383
    :oops: I could be wrong (again) and will have to defer to a more experienced owner. My 1953 M38A1 has dual vacuum wipers hooked up in series.
     
  17. Jul 24, 2007
    cj bob

    cj bob New Member

    Sydney. Australia
    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2006
    Messages:
    5
    front spring set up sounds like M38A1 chassis at least.
     
  18. Jul 24, 2007
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    9,221
    Please refer back to earlier posts that state it's an early Early CJ-5 and/or visit our tech section.

    It's well documented that CJ-5s up to a certain SN in 1957 did have a shackle reversal.

    :beer:
     
  19. Jul 24, 2007
    willysnut

    willysnut Banned

    Newnan, Ga.
    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2003
    Messages:
    654
     
    Last edited: Jul 24, 2007
  20. Jul 24, 2007
    willysnut

    willysnut Banned

    Newnan, Ga.
    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2003
    Messages:
    654
    I'd keep that one and sell the 80 model just 'cause we need to save another '56 model jeep from the flaming hacksaws. My S/N is 57348 33390 it's '56.
     
New Posts