Kaiser Willys has been the greatest sponsor to date. They have been helping the Captain complete the build by shipping me parts as needed since April. We are getting close….details are coming together. Electricians hat is on now old Captain Sparky is in the wire room. This week will be OD week again….the Captain’s favorite color.

Lights camera action, you know we are getting close when we start working on the lights. These 24v blackout drive lights have been converted and put back in working order for 12 volt use. Fronts will be amber signal and park lights. Rear will be brake, signal, and blackout tails. Of course the blackout drive light on the fender will work as well for tactical driving.

The Body fitting has begun and wire harness install too!

Well now time to say we are cool. Thanks to Mike Meditz and KaiserWillys.com we are as cool as it gets. Check it out, new reproduction radiator is a drop in perfect replacement.

Now we did encounter a few things the Captain did not like, so the Transmission and Transfer case was removed and redone. Now new seals again, and a few gears and bearings she is reinstalled. Guess what will go into that PTO opening?

If you don’t get your hands dirty then it just isn’t fun.

We are talking Jeep starter day! Generator exchange of West Jordan, Utah has donated the labor to rebuild “Little Glory’s” starter motor. One more part off the list and ready to install.

Covid be damned. Captain had it and beat it in a week. The mission goes on!

Still to be purchased

5 new tires $800; new new 12 volt starting battery and accessory Battery $180; 12 volt stereo and speakers $300; GPS vehicle tracking device. Can you help? Contact the Captain please. 385-261-4083

December 15, 2021. Another Jeep Body purchased in order to speed this build up. Despite the cost, The Captain and Colonial Flag Company of Sandy, Utah purchased this Jeep Body.

A good friend and great neighbor of the Captain went to work on some of the body repairs needed. Lalo is an expert and made fast work of the repairs in preparation for the Captains shop.

With body repairs made the Captain is next up.

The Captain made quick work of getting the body all primed for the big day!

OD day Olive Drap paint party. Back to military glory!

The Captain’s favorite color “Olive Drab”. Now on to complete the Engine install. Little Glory is coming together.

As we begin the engine install. I want to start recognizng not only the business entities that are helping the Captain on this Jeep build, but all the individuals.

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

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

The Captain has purchased and donated the Jeep itself, gas tank, paint, external engine parts, alternator conversion, body parts, front bumper, shock absorbers, canvas top, water pump, fuel pump, front end parts.

September 10, 2021. Drive Shafts complete thanks to Dale Mitchell of Driveshafts Utah! Two shafts ready to rock I can feel the power now!

September 9, 2021. The Captain in true military style received the completly 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.

February 23, 2021. New Year behind us, the winter cold has stalled my progress in the garage. The engine will be secured in March. The transmission and transfer case been installed. So much to do but it will make for a very busy Spring.

 

Saddle up! More parts have been secured and installed! The very best part is the Captain has broke out his favorite color paint…Olive Drab. The jeep was paint stripped and red oxide painted as you have seen. Now with all the brakes done to include a front disc brakes conversion. All brake lines, hoses, axels seals, bearings, steering linkage and steering bell crank have been replaced. A few body parts have been sand blasted primed and painted (the hood, tailgate new gas tank and fenders. So the OD paint came out and boom we are on our way. Next up is to install the transmission and transfer case.

September 3, 2020! Secured…Yes sports fans the Captain has been given a rebuildable L134 engine block to work with for the Gartforvets Jeep. Two great Jeep loving Willy’s fanatic brothers who have several awesome original WW2, Korean War and Civilian model Willys Jeeps has donated the workable engine block. The engine block has been delivered to the engine builder and the complete engine parts kit has been ordered. The engine will be bored .20 over pistons and main bearings and rod bearings will be cut to .10 over. Complete new valves, guides, lifters will be installed. By the way, these Willys Jeep brothers are in need of a WW2 engine block. They are restoring a WW2 Jeep and would like to keep it original. If anyone has a lead on an engine block please reach out to me. It is a part of my mission to help them as they have helped me.

August has been busy on the build. We have advanced on the front and had one set back, but will overcome it all and keep moving forward.

We had a huge bump in the form of a very generous “In Kind Donation” from Brad at Rad Jeeper in Salt Lake City, Utah. Brad has been the owner of a total Jeep restoration and custom Jeep fabrications for over 20 years. He just happen to have a used 1952 M38 Jeep tub body that was sand blasted and ready for finishing body work. This “tub” was better than the original one on hand and should give us a bump in time to get the body work going. Thank you Brad! If you are a Jeep fanatic, need work done you can’t do yourself or need parts check his web page out. Brad know it all and he has it all new and used. https://radjeeper.com/

John Egbert (US ARMY Veteran) has given his all and completed a rebuild of the transfer case and T-90 transmission. This included complete total tear down. Replaced gears, gaskets bearing and seals. This is ready to rock and be re-installed on the frame after the frame is painted our favorite color “OD” Olive Drab!

The Captain attacked the frame and axels taking it all the way down to bare metal, what we call “BMS” Bare Medal Syndrome. Then came the Red Oxide Primer as the anti-rust primer.

With the frame prepared for OD Paint, work has started on the rear brakes, differentials and axels.

Then came a shot across our bow. The engine shop advised that the heart of the Jeep, The Go Devil L134 4 cyl. engine would need to be bored out to .80 over size pistons or have all four cylinders re-sleeved. After much discussion, we decided to avoid risking a over bore that far out. We also wanted to keep costs down and the labor involved in re-sleeving all four cylinders. We are now on the hunt for a new engine block. The Captain is networking and has a few hot leads on another block. Have no fear. A good Motor T officer is a good scrounger and networker and one will be found. By the way do you know of one in someone’s back yard out there? Call me!

As always the Captain can’t thank all those who have supported the effort so far, and knows this project can’t be done alone. Thank you everyone. Back to work!

Ok Sports Fans, here is a “sitrep” Situation Report. The transmission and Tranfer case is out to Army Paratrooper Veteran John Egbert who is an expert in the drive train systems on these Jeeps. He has torn it down to the gears and found some issues for which we have parts ordered. I pulled it from the Jeep one night and steamed it and clean it for rebuild. John took it up as his contribution to the project. The Captain has also pulled the “tub” or the body from the frame. I will begin to restore the frame, brakes, steering, cables and lines. The body will be redone and we may have a used tub that may be in better shape to work with. A recent sponsor may donate a “New Tub” which would be crazy great! Here are some shots of the progress.

 

June 23, 2020:  The build continues…Ryan At Ramco Machine has really gotten into the machining.  The block is bored to .60 over and one cylinder will be re-sleeved in the block.  Nothing but perfection for this build!

Also on the way is a brand new gas tank for the M38, along with some small body parts and the paint “Olive Drab” correct Korean War vintage color.  The body work will begin just as soon as I get the transmission and transfer case removed this weekend.   Moving forward on many fronts, don’t worry more photos and updates to follow.

June 11, 2020:  Ok Sports Fans!  Game on and we are moving fast with the help of Ramco Machine in Salt Lake City, Utah.  M38 L134 Flathead four is torn down to the nitty gritty and headed to the washer.  As previous analysis revealed one bad cylinder due to excessive cylinder wear was discovered as well as a few broken piston rings.  The tesr doiw also revealed well worn valve seats.  But this tough little guy will now get bored for over sized pistons, new rings, valves, valve guides, bearings, timing chain and gears as well as a new oil pump.  She will be depot fresh brand new for the epic year of promotions and the trip across America.  Photos of the heart and soul of “Little Glory”

June 3, 2020:  It was a busy week for the Captain and his many projects, but let us not get bogged down on that list.  It was a busy week for Gartforvets too!  The Jeep build is really moving alone thanks to many who have already jumped in to lend a hand.

Wednesday the 3rd of June, John a fellow Veteran and jeep lover helped the Captain pull the engine from the 1953 M38 Jeep.  This is the very Jeep the Captain will use to make this epic trip from San Francisco to New York City.  This is also the Jeep some lucky person will win when the Jeep is given away in New York City.

The plan for the day was to have the engine pulled and staged in the Captain’s F-4 Phantom Chevy pickup truck.  The engine is scheduled for delivery to the engine rebuild machine shop on Friday the 5th of June.  John and I wasted no time,  but just prior to pulling the engine we did some data and analysis on the currently running engine.  She had good oil pressure 20 psi at idle and 40 psi at rpms.  She had 100 psi on three cylinders and one low one at 80 psi.  She did burn a little oil with a bit of blue smoke keeping which did keep the mosquitos away.  It is our feeling that perhaps we have some worn valve guides and at least one worn vale where the low cylinder was registered.  No worries though,  as the entire engine will be gone through and new parts will be installed which will include bearings, pistons, rings.  As the saying goes “the whole 9 yards”  so to speak.

So John and I tore into “Little Glory” as the Captain has named her.  It was not to long before Aaron and Alyse showed up to lend a hand.  Aaron and Alyse are fellow members of the Utah Military History Group of which the Captain so proudly joined a few years ago.

Well you know Marines always accomplish the mission they set out to do right?  So the engine was pulled and staged in the pickup for transport without a hitch.  Yes a few curse words here and the there and a busted knuckle as well, but mission accomplished.

Friday June 5th as scheduled the Captain delivered the goods…the L134 Go Devil Willys four cylinder engine was delivered to a very special person who works at Ramco Automotive Machine in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Ryan is his name and he is also an owner partner in a huge start up Machine shop named Dynamic Machining, in Salt Lake City.  Ryan has extensive experience working in the automotive machine shop and has built hundreds of engines over the years.  The Captain has had his 1948, Plymouth 6 cylinder rebuilt by Ryan and his Dad as well as another Jeep engine which is in one of the Captain’s favorite WW2 Jeeps he has now owned for more than 25 years!  Ryan’s machine and engineering experience has led him to step up the machining game in his new business.  This unlike his automotive machine shop specializes in fine fabrications machining with virtually unlimited capabilities.  They have the lated most sought after equipment and have provided productions for many large corporations.  Ryan’s partner Jason at Dynamic Machining just happens to be a Marine just like the Captain.  Jason served as a Light Armor Vehicle (LAV) mechanic based at Camp Williams, Utah as a member of Charlie Company, 4th LAR.

So now you know where the heart of “Little Glory” is and that her rebuild has begun.  More to follow as the schedule is being updated.  Next up is the removal of the T-90 Transmission and Transfer case to be rehabed, inspection, cleaned, painted with new gaskets and seals installed.

May, 2020:  Well Sports fans the Captain has been very busy with veteran’s affairs. Primarily caring for and assisting Sgt. Edgar Harrell USMC, age 95, and the last USS Indianapolis Marine survivor travel the country to share his story. The Jeep build has been slow but the harvesting and parts gathering has been continuous. This Jeep will be built and this trip WILL HAPPEN. Date push backs have happen but this is due to the busy times for the Captain. The Captain did retire full time during the delay and now attention is turned back to the trip. So here is the Situation Report (SITREP).

I had many parts sand blasted and I painted others, have collected all sorts of drive line and body parts. Some donated but most purchased with Captain’s own funds. I have decided in true Military honor to use one of my own Military Jeeps for the trip and to donate it and give it away at the end of the trip.

She is a 1953 M38 Korean War Jeep Willy’s. Needs restoration but it was a runner and driver and the body is not to bad. I will pull the engine and drive train and start on the body work now Memorial Day 2020.

So she looks rough but this is not that bad.

Here is the plan and the new time line:

Jeep will be completed, rolling driving and field tested by Thanks Giving November, 2020. Captain will get Administratively prepared for 2021 advertising and promotion tour beginning just as soon as Spring Breaks 2021. The Kickoff for the one year count down will be on May 23, 2021, for when I will depart for New York on May 23, 2022. I will reach New York on July 26, 2022 after 63 days on the road. 100% all proceeds collected and the Jeep will go to Veterans 501C Nonprofit organizations.

During 2021, the Captain will attend every public function he can find in Utah from swap meets, to show and shine car shows, to patriotic events and visits with veterans to promote the trip. During these public events, the public will have a chance to purchase a hat or shirt or some other promotional items for a chance to win and take the Jeep home. This of course after the Captain reaches New York after the 63 day drive! I will keep you all posted now. Keep in touch….and as always, Semper Fi America!!!