For those of you who know Willys Jeeps, you know there comes a time in every Jeep Owner’s life when you must make the steering wheel sacrifice. Yes Sports fans, as you can see the horn button mount was buggered up and it just needed to be replaced. This is a big job because NOBODY can remove a steering wheel that has been in place for 69 years. Ok, I know a few of you got lucky but for the most part it can’t be done. So you have to make the sacrifice and cut the wheel off. This steering shaft was not in good shape so a new shaft will be needed as well. Now once you replace the steering shaft you end up rebuilding the steering box too as you will see.

Cutting wheel angle grinder does the trick everytime.

Wheel removed time to spend more money buying parts….

Now we pull the steering box and tear it down. Remove all the parts inspect them for replacement and reuild.

A look at what is inside….$$ more parts needed.

The guts inside the steering box…

Very nasty dirty. Time to get the hands dirty. Steering shaft, ball bearings, sector shaft and seal.

Bushings, bearings, seal, steering shaft and wheel on the way…just another set back. But it is winter and things are moving slow now.

Good time to work on the instrument panel and guages. More parts and more $. The Captain has already pulled parts from another project to save some money. But we will still need some parts. Back to the work bench we go.

I would like to wish all those that have helped me and all those that are visiting my web page a very Merry Christmas. My thoughts and prayers are with those on the front lines serving our nation in the armed forces and our first responders. Have a safe Christmas and a productive New Year. Ohra!

Ok Sports fans we had to go out there and obtain another 1952 Willys M38 military Jeep body. This was a must to speed this build up. Yes the other body we had was going to work but required more work and TIME to get it right. Captain with the help of Colonial Flag Company of Sandy, Utah purchased this tub from someone who was not willing to help with the cause. Despite the price, it still needed work. But the mission must go on.

The Jet Fighter truck hauled the Jeep tub into the yard and to the Vehicle Maintenance Facility. Power washed and degreased she is ready for a little body work.

The Captain’s friend Lalo and good neighbor who wanted to help, went to work on the project.

Lalo is an expert at body repair and maintenance. Thanks to Lalo, despite the short window of time the Captain was ready to prime and paint the body after the repairs were made.

The Captain shot the body with a good coat of primer in preparation of good things to come.

Looking good, she has a day to dry in prep for her next treatment.

Hoisted up high to get underneath and all around the body she is sealed up and ready for the best.

Yes thats right sports fans its OD day. For you military veterans No the Captain doesn’t have Officer of the Day Duty (OD)….But he does have his paint hood on. The Captain’s favorite color of all time besides Red-White and Blue….is OLIVE DRAB. So the M38 is coming back to life…Military life that is!!

Oh yes the glory of Olive Drab. Its beautiful isn’t it!

In the shop drying as we speak, Engine install to be completed next. She “Little Glory as she is named” will be ready come Spring.

Made in the USA the 1952 M38 Willys!

The parade was well attended and the weather was magnificant. Thank You to all the veterans and parade organizers who made this parade possible.

Another Veterans Day Holiday has come. I pray that all Veterans have embraced this day that has been dedicated to all who have served. I pray that those future generations who have not served in uniform continue to appreciate the sacrifices. Sacrifices made by Veterans to preserve our country as it was founded on the principals of Liberty, Freedom, and the pursuit of happiness.

Today we see a divide in many sectors of American society. One example is in the business community. Well lets not get to deep. These businesses have it right. Although I can’t list them all, I want to recogognize four that I ran into this year.

Jiffy Lube! Can you imagine the cost, the effort, the labor, and most important the THOUGHT, behind the offer of this great company to provide to all our veterans who have served us all. Jiffy Lube gave free oil changes on Veterans Day to all Veterans. Thank You Jiffy Lube! I just learned of this on Veterans Day and decided I must honor them as they honor us all. What a great day. The Captain took the Jet Fighter Truck in for an oil change and had a great time meeting the young hard working kids at Jiffy Lube. The Captain also met fellow Veterans who also appreciated Jiffy Lube’s oil change offer of thanks. God Bless America and this company who knows what Veterans Day means.

The Captain and a great American Vietnam Veteran at Jiffy Lube Sandy, Utah.

Lowes

Applebees

Colonial Flag

October 2nd was a special day for many riders at the Buzzard’s Motorcycle Club’s Snowville Desert Sprint Enduro Race.

It was extra special for the Captain celebrating another decade of life’s experiences. In true vintage historic fashion, the Captain made the race special by completeing the race on a vintage 1981 Yamaha YZ250. Fresh out of the barn, last raced in 2003, it was an all guts and glory ride. Despite the rider’s age and the difficulty of the terrain, the bike and rider completed the race after completing the one lap minumum to finish. Yes folks the bike was worn to pieces but not the Captain. Captain was ready to go for a second lap. The bike had no compression left as the piston and rings gave up the ghost, but did accomplish the mission of finishing the race. What more can a rider ask for than a good finish. The Captain met many riders who enjoyed the day as mush as he. From a first time racer rider Nathan, to the experienced and even two other nostalgic vintage riders Jeff and Jeff. A great day was had by all. Thank You to the Utah Military History Group and friends for the awesome race pit crew efforts. Many thanks to the private land owner who made the entire 75 mile race track availible and possible that glorious day.

A rough dusty start for sure!

The calm before the storm at mission start.

Another Vintage Man of History Jeff and the Captain

Saddle up! Off to the races. What will be next!

To date: Greg and and Camellia have purchased most of the internal parts of the Engine rebuild – Pistons, rings, gaskets, valves, timing chains, oil pump, bearings and such $1000.00

Pete and Alice have purchased front and rear brakes, front Disc brake conversion parts, rear drums, brake shoes, master cyclinder, bearings, gaskets and seals. $1000.00.

Steve from Bountiful, Utah purchased the battery cables, terminals and battery hold down.

The Captain has purchased and donated the Jeep itself, gas tank, paint, body work, external engine parts, alternator conversion, body parts, front bumper, shock absorbers, canvas top, water pump, fuel pump, front end parts, body parts, overdrive transmission, dash instruments, wheels. $7800.00.

Can you help? Contact the Captain please. 385-261-4083

The Captain wonder off back east to North Carolina to celebrate the birthday of one the Marines most celebrated leaders and legendary fighter pilots. MajGen M.P. Sullivan professionally known by call sign Lancer.

Not only was this a birthday party, but it was a reunion for former Commanding Officer Mike Sullivan’s beloved figher pilot’s from VMFA-323 “Death Rattlers and VMFA-112 “Cowboys”. What a reunion it was.

No birthday is official without a cake. Naturally the cake is cut with the Mameluke Marine Officer’s sword. Lancer made quick work of that cake.

As a retired Marine and lover of Marine Aviation, there was one project and birthday gift the Captain had in mind for the one and only Lancer.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LANCER shooting for 100!

WORDS FROM A TRUE PATRIOT CLICK AND SHARE:

https://www.davebrayusa.com/so/44NlGbwNU?languageTag=en&cid=ddabd41d-1105-44fb-8a47-d9d83e11f3fb#/main

Come ride with the Captain in the 9/11 MC ride:

From Barbary Coast Bar 4242 South State Street to The Sandy Healing Field 10150 Centennial Parkway, Sandy. Click link below. Be at Barbary at 5:00 pm sing up. Kick stands up 6:00 PM SHARP! CLICK LINK BELOW FOR DETAILS:

https://www.healingfield.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/911MemorialRide_Flyer-Final-Rev.pdf

Please come help set up or visit the Healing Field where 3600 American flags will be set up to reperesnt all victims and those who died 9/11 and in the war on terror. This year starting on 9/11 at 7pm there will be a F35 fly over and the Utah Symphony in a free 2 hour outdoor concert. More details other events September 8-13th at the Healing Field on link below.

https://www.healingfield.org/event/sandyut21/

The Captain in true military style received the completely rebuilt engine from Ramco Machine in Salt Lake City. The engine was picked up in the Marine Fighter Truck and transported to the Vehicle Maintenance Facility (VMF) to ready it for install. Next goal is to try to assemble the entire Jeep in time to put her in the prade on Veterans Day.