Jitterbug Jeep! Another random find.....

[Ryan_M]

I took the M38 out on the lake today for the first time. I'm uneasy on ice under any circumstances, especially in something with an enclosed cab. At least with my topless 3A, figure I could wear my wet suit and a life jacket and have half a chance for survival if the Jeep should fall through - I'd just bob around at the surface and eventually pull myself out. In the M38, any chance of escape would be a little more complex. I'd have to hope it rolled completely over so I could swim out through the holes in the floor boards.








Anyways, while I was cruising around I met an ice fisherman on the lake who flagged me over. Long story a little less long, he told me about a "Jitterbug" he had with a Willys drivetrain. I'm not sure if "Jitterbug" is a term known globally or just by a certain die-hard breed of rednecks up here in the Maine woods. Pretty much, a jitterbug is any vehicle cobbled together from bits and pieces of other vehicles (or other scavenged materials of any type) to be used, sort of, as a tractor. They started with Model T's back in the day but now you see them made from just about anything. This one was made from a scavenged Willys.

Intrigued, the fisherman gave me directions to his house just off the north end of the lake so I set out to find it. Here's what I saw. L-134, T-90A, D-18?, dana axles? Willys frame cut and lengthened....a real piece of work:



































This rig is slated to be hauled for scrap and I could buy it for scrap value. I'm told the motor runs and holds 50-60psi but who knows. I'm not sure I even want to deal with the logistics of dragging it home but I hate to see it scrapped out. The block is stamped GPW. Aside from being a supposed running motor, does the fact that it's a GPW engine make it anything special? Does anyone see any real value anywhere?

[Deleted]

Jump all over that GPW engine. If it's a runner and not cracked, quite valuable. I paid 600.00 for a real MB engine and if you can show how good it is, you could get the same for it. Wish I had the home for it sitting in my shop. Some day, a GPW will come my way. I'm just waiting for the right one to surface. John

[Deleted]

GPW engine would give you some cash over on the G. check for F stamped parts and you could make your scrap into a nice pile of money.

[Haines Garage]

I see a TON of value there...
Let me ask..what exactly is"scrap value"?

[Ryan_M]

He's asking $250. If I do end up buying it the easiest way to get it home may be to drag it (or drive it???) the 4 miles across the frozen lake to my house. Now THAT'LL be some good thread material....

[Haines Garage]

My Vote...GRAB IT!!! THAT WILL MAKE GOOD THREAD MATERIAL...For $250, that would have been at my house already...HOA would be PISSED!

[Deleted]

say the block is crap you still have over 250 there, i would go for it, but then again that is why my garages are packed full.

[Deleted]

Yes there is value there, But, There is not a ton of scrap there, unprepared scrap is $180.00 a ton, and you will have time invested, as would he taking it to the scrap yard. I would go see him with a crisp $100 and a crisp $50 and offer that and go from there. I have done this more times than I can count, and cash money talks. If the $150 doesent work then see if he is interested in selling parts off it, and take what you want for $150 and leave the scrap for him to sell.

MHO, Lee

[Ryan_M]

Thanks for your input, guys. I'll see what kind of deal I can get. My biggest hurdle is getting it all home. I'd rather just pluck the motor, tranny, and TC but

#1 - I don't have the equipment to do that and get it in the back of my truck while working in his driveway (but maybe he does?).
#2 - If I take the whole thing, as hideous as it is, I'll have a better platform to tinker with the motor. It'll be easier to work on and get running while sitting in that frame as opposed to sitting alone on my garage floor.

I'll let you know how it plays out.

[Deleted]

Think on the bright side, you are on your way to owning a correct GPW WW2 Jeep. I can't count how many GPW's I've seen for sale with a F head, or CJ engine stuffed into it. I'm sure we all will agree! John

[Ryan_M]

Does that mean I can put the whole jalopy on ebay and craigslist as a "Barn Find GPW" ?

I just went and talked to the guy. He's going to pull the drivetrain and call me when it's out. We'll see what happens.

[Deleted]

front axle is military rear may be swell, i would check the frame to see if anything else is worth it.

[Haines Garage]

Fantastic Pics on the ice as well my friend! Go Buy it...just be quiet about it...trust me!

[Deleted]

get the whole thing, worst that can happen is you build a whole jeep off it.

[Ryan_M]

Headed out a oh-seven-hundred tomorrow to retrieve this wreck and haul it across the lake and back to my house. So few ways for this to go right and so so so many ways for it to go bad. Stay tuned....

[Haines Garage]

Now that is what I am talking about...Cant wait to see this!! Ryan M Has...well you know! Good for you! Go Get It!

[athawk11]

Oh yah Ryan. I would go get it too. If it turns out that you get a running GPW, you will have hit the mother load. Even if the block is shot, I think you could recoup your investment by selling the bolt ons.

Tim

[Deleted]

I can't WAIT to see the serial number!! I love GPWs.

[Deleted]

worst case you know where the best fish crib on the lake will be for next year.

[Deleted]

Fish Crib------ good one Luke! I am very glad someone who now knows what a rare item it is , will care for it. Pickle it and turn it over a few times and tuck it in a nice warm place while it awaits a GPW that's been violated. The hunt for you begins! If you want, I'd love to help you find one and spend that moldy money in your wallet. Good save! John

[Ryan_M]

No watery grave for this relic...at least not yet! Operation Doodlebug was a success. The 4 mile trek across the lake went as well as could be expected. Mother Nature cooperated with a night of subzero temps in her gracious effort to firm up the ice as best she could.

Although I couldn't spend a lot of time pawing over it this morning (the urge to call in sick from work was extremely fierce) I did pop the oil filter off and found what I think is serial number "567305" stamped into the block. Can anyone shed some light on the history of the motor based on that number?

The distributor is an IAD 4008 which I think is correct and I've included some pics of the axles here. I am not familiar enough with GPW hardware to know if these are right or if they've been Bubba'd up. Is there anything else right off that I should be looking for? I'm in uncharted territory here.

[Deleted]

All I can add is that I think the distributor is from May 1945...which is cool. The engine block serial number is too high for a GPW, which is odd. Also, Ford had "GPW" stamped in the block preceding the number.

...but I'm not doubting your eyes...it does look like a 5!

Bo!

[Deleted]

rear looks like a full floater but still hard to tell you will need another few pics. front looks like it has an early cover on it and that would make since because i think it is military like 90% on that. i have no idea where the F stamp was for the axles. once you start blasting and wire wheeling you will know quick.

[Deleted]

Full floater rear end and I see a bellcrank pin on the front axle. You scored again, WW2. Is there GPW to the left of the block # on the pad? Wrong carb, should be 537S WO Carter. Metal topped AC lever fuel pump is also missing. Bring it out to the Black hills and I'll trade you a case of refreshment for it------- John

[Ryan_M]

Thanks for the offer, John, but I'll have to pass unless we determine this engine is actually out of a '83 Renault Alliance or something equally as horrible.

The is no "GPW" prefix on the serial number pad. Here's a slightly better pic. Could it have been ground and restamped for some reason?



The lower left of the block reads "GPW 6015". That makes it a GPW motor, right?? The head is definitely GPW as it says it and has the "F" stamp.