-I’ve wanted a Willys Jeep for a long time, and when I saw this ad in the "Trader's Guide" I knew I couldn’t pass up looking at it. Prior to this, I had looked at five different Jeeps. Some had no bodies, some without engines and broken transmissions. Only two Jeeps I saw were in better condition, and they weren’t for sale. After quitting time on July 26, 1998, I picked it up in a big dodge truck with a trailer, owned by Walt Miller. Danny Stripp and I rode with Walt’s son, Steve, all the way up and back. (Note: Steve Miller wants to see it when it’s finished.)
The Jeep rolled into my freshly cleaned and organized garage at 11:00 pm on Friday night, July 31. Saturday, August 1, I had to roof the garage with my dad so I wasn't able to work on it much. I started at it that Sunday. August 2, 1998 Danny, Bill, and I removed the fenders, hood, windshield, and grill. [parts are in Box A and Box B] Also on Sunday, I threw the jack into a bucket of diesel fuel and oil to loosen it up. It was rusted solid.
Aug 3, 1998- I wire brushed and painted the jack and handle with brown Rustoleum for rusty metal. I also organized and cleaned up the shop.
Aug 4, 1998- I learned that the windshield I have is a WWII windshield because it has the Ford symbol on the glass. I learned this from Dick Antram. I wire brushed half of the hood and painted it with Rustoleum car primer. One quarter of that was tack-ragged with gasoline. This made a much nicer paint job. Of course all the paint will be wire brushed off. I just wanted to see how it looked.
Aug 5, 1998- As I recall on Aug 2 the windshield was taken apart and the windshield wiper motor was in good condition- also the horn didn’t work on first test. – I tack-ragged the other half of the hood. A gasoline tack rag takes off a lot of dirt! I’ve heard you shouldn’t leave bare metal overnight but this time I will, besides maybe a thin coat of gasoline will protect it. Also, I am continuing to straighten out the little fins of the radiator.
