View Full Version : How to get a lost title on a 1948 willys jeep?
I'm looking to get a Willies jeep and the guy selling it doesn't have a title. What should I do? What would you do about it?
I'm looking to get a Willies jeep and the guy selling it doesn't have a title. What should I do? What would you do about it?
Has it been licensed in Colorado in the last 10 years? If so, you can do a lost title search at the main DMV office in Lakewood for about 6 bucks. If the guy you're buying it from is not the last registered owner, things could become interesting, as you'll most likely have to do a bonded title.
I don't think he is the last registered owner. I think the last owner is dead and lost the title in a divorce. So what is a bonded title?
He lost the paper title. Not the ownership.
Great-Kazoo
10-04-2014, 12:44
I don't think he is the last registered owner. I think the last owner is dead and lost the title in a divorce. So what is a bonded title?
He lost the paper title. Not the ownership.
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dmv/duplicate-title
http://www.dmv.org/co-colorado/replacing-a-lost-title.php
Should I ask him to get the title? I really don't know what to do?
Should I ask him to get the title? I really don't know what to do?
A title with someone other than the seller's name on it is useless, unless the seller has executive power over the assets of the estate.
He is out hunting today but I will talk to him more later and get more information.
Thanks for all your help so far. I'm sure I will be getting back to this thread soon.
First off, it's WILLYS, not Willies. Or Willis. Says so right on the damn vehicle, yet people always get it wrong. And it's Willys Jeep, not "Jeep Willys", that one really chaps my ass. Sorry, sore spot w/me.
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/rinselman/1956%20CJ5%20body%20tub/10-26-07082.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b150/rinselman/1956%20CJ5%20body%20tub/Dcp_0055.jpg
Second, I suggest you hurry right down to the nearest DMV office, explain the situation, and ask for their advice. I'm sure they've seen it before. Old Jeeps of that era were typically farm, ranch, or work vehicles, probably seldom used on public roads, and people sometimes tended to be lax about legalities.
Third, bookmark www.earlycj5.net (http://www.earlycj5.net) This is a great forum for early Jeeps with tons of great info and great people. Good place to hang out and ask questions, and they'll be glad to have ya. Gonna want photos though.
Also bookmark www.walcks4wd.com (http://www.walcks4wd.com) , this is a great source for restoration parts. They have tons of repro parts, plus a lot of parts that they have made just for them that nobody else has. They're all about keeping Jeeps from WWII through the 60's running and restoring them.
This is another great site for info, especially about the early flat fender Jeeps. http://www.thecj2apage.com/ I'm not sure if a '48 would be a CJ2A or a CJ3A, but this site has more info about them that you can shake a stick at.
Main thing - don't let it get away! Especially if it's in reasonably original condition. If it's something that someone has hacked up and made into a rock crawler, or put a V8 in it, then it's not worth having IMO. If you want another set of eyes on it, gimme a holler, I ain't doing anything.
we do it all the time it's easy (3 - 4 x's a year). give me a pm.
He's still out hunting. But when I talked to him he was in the process of getting replacement title or doing a title search. He was looking for the number on it. He read one off the side of the (original) engine to me and said that was it. But I think that is where he stopped.
It hasn't ran in 6 years so I don't know how big of a hurry he was in? Its missing the carb on it and he didn't plug the intake hole so I can only imagine what's in there. All the video's that I seen online show the carb on the drivers side but this one is on the passengers. I don't know what that means but it was cool.
He's still out hunting. But when I talked to him he was in the process of getting replacement title or doing a title search. He was looking for the number on it. He read one off the side of the (original) engine to me and said that was it. But I think that is where he stopped.
It hasn't ran in 6 years so I don't know how big of a hurry he was in? Its missing the carb on it and he didn't plug the intake hole so I can only imagine what's in there. All the video's that I seen online show the carb on the drivers side but this one is on the passengers. I don't know what that means but it was cool.
VIN should be on a plate on the firewall, engine numbers mean nothing. It should also have a flathead 4 L-head engine in it, with the carb on the dr. side. If it has a valve cover on top of the engine and the carb on the pass. side, then it's probably had a later engine swapped in. If that's the case it probably has a hole cut in the hood too. The later F-head engines are too tall to fit in flatfendered Jeeps without cutting a hole in the hood. Like I said, contact me if you want an extra pair of eyeballs.
He's back and he wants me to come and get it. Ron Dog do you still want to help?
Sorry about the willies thing. I was writing from my phone and it must have auto corrected it.
Ok I towed it home and even stuck a battery on it to see if it would turn over. And it did.
I have a bill of sale but no title. Its mine but its not.
I couldn't find the plate that you were talking about. I'm guessing there is another one somewhere besides where the glove box should be and on the drivers side firewall?
50541505435054550547
Ah, I just replied to your PM! Been out shooting all day. Yeah, gimme a call.
That picture makes me. VW turnsignals, engine swap, rust, no title. Perfect time to swap in a V6, or even better find an old flat head. There was a guy in Lyons on Craigslist a while back that had a frame with a title for not much money. Something like that may be faster than bonding for title. Nice score.
That picture makes me. VW turnsignals, engine swap, rust, no title. Perfect time to swap in a V6, or even better find an old flat head. There was a guy in Lyons on Craigslist a while back that had a frame with a title for not much money. Something like that may be faster than bonding for title. Nice score.here are some more.
505495055150553
Yep, that's an F-head engine from a later Jeep. Good engines, just not the right one for your Jeep. It'll certainly work fine, makes a little more power, and the hood's already been cut. But that steering wheel has to go!
I agree with rondog. That steering wheel needs to go. Looks like someone may have did the GM steering swap. I have that engine in my CJ5, it is not a powerhouse. But I like the sound it makes. Don't you love the beginning of a project? All the potential and possibilities.
Get a chain steering wheel!
Get a chain steering wheel!
So I can drive with handcuffs on?
I agree with rondog. That steering wheel needs to go. Looks like someone may have did the GM steering swap. I have that engine in my CJ5, it is not a powerhouse. But I like the sound it makes. Don't you love the beginning of a project? All the potential and possibilities.
I am worried that I won't be able to to get a title or it will end up stolen.however, I am happy as hell to get it going if everything else works out. You wouldn't have an extra carb laying around would you?
I am worried that I won't be able to to get a title or it will end up stolen.however, I am happy as hell to get it going if everything else works out. You wouldn't have an extra carb laying around would you?
You'd better find out what's inside that manifold first, before you put a carb on it and try to start it! Might have a mouse nest or mud dauber nest in there, or a pile of acorns. No telling what could be in there. You've already tried to crank it, I wouldn't have even done that yet. Whatever shit is in that intake will just get sucked into the cylinders. Bad ju-ju.
I think the head is cast with the intake. So pulling it off easily is not an optiin. But I did spray it out with compressed air.
I am worried that I won't be able to to get a title or it will end up stolen.however, I am happy as hell to get it going if everything else works out. You wouldn't have an extra carb laying around would you?
Sorry no extra carb. Ebay or an aftermarket "close" replacement, not too expensive. give this guy a call, good deal, but offer less. How many people need an engine this old?http://denver.craigslist.org/pts/4646839803.html
5065150647506435064950645Here are some more.
50649Here are some more.
Ok what is with all those shifters? What do they do? Anyone know?
One for each gear + reverse. Good luck!
One for each gear + reverse. Good luck!
little bit of pee. The big one is for the 3 speed. one of the little ones turns the 4wd on and off. the next one turns the low range on and off. the last one is likely a PTO, even better would be an overdrive. I added the picture plate to my dash so I could remember. I would guess it does'nt have OD. If you are gonna get into old jeeps the early cj5 sight is great.
So funny I forgot to reply. Seriously.
I was looking into getting the vin verified but those jerk only take appointments on Tuesday at 8 am and it for later that week. Not Saturday! That's the gubment we pay for fellas.
Yep, that's an F-head engine from a later Jeep. Good engines, just not the right one for your Jeep. It'll certainly work fine, makes a little more power, and the hood's already been cut. But that steering wheel has to go!
What exactly is that engine? What car or truck did those come in?
WillysWagon
10-18-2014, 07:51
With some tinkering, you can get that engine running fine, here's what mine looks like.
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb290/1950WillysWagon/Willys%20May%202008/Willys20.jpg (http://s211.photobucket.com/user/1950WillysWagon/media/Willys%20May%202008/Willys20.jpg.html)
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb290/1950WillysWagon/Willys%20May%202008/Willys21.jpg (http://s211.photobucket.com/user/1950WillysWagon/media/Willys%20May%202008/Willys21.jpg.html)
Like Rondog has mentioned, tons of part places to get parts and web sites for info.
Mine is a 1950 Willys Overland Station Wagon and it came stock with the F4-134 engine, 3 speed on the tree and overdrive.
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb290/1950WillysWagon/Willys%20May%202008/Willys46.jpg (http://s211.photobucket.com/user/1950WillysWagon/media/Willys%20May%202008/Willys46.jpg.html)
Love the pics Man !!
Bring that baby back to life and have fun during the process.
Colorado_Outback
10-18-2014, 09:17
Looks like it might have an OD. Pics of the drive train? Most likely one for the 3 speed, 2 for the tcase and one for the OD.
Colorado_Outback
10-18-2014, 09:19
Also you need to join this forum if you haven't yet..
http://www.earlycj5.net/forums/forum.php
Ok what is with all those shifters? What do they do? Anyone know?
From the left -
1- the gear shift for the transmission
2- the overdrive lever. Either in or out, engaged or disengaged. For highway use, gives you a higher gear ratio to cruise better. (Overdrives are a huge bonus, highly sought after and valuable!!!)
3- 2wd/4wd selector. To select between 2wd or 4wd. You may have aftermarket hubs on the front wheels that are selectable between engaged/disengaged. Have to be engaged for 4wd.
4- high/low range selector.
hurley842002
10-18-2014, 09:27
From the left -
1- the gear shift for the transmission
2- the overdrive lever. Either in or out, engaged or disengaged. For highway use, gives you a higher gear ratio to cruise better. (Overdrives are a huge bonus, highly sought after and valuable!!!)
3- 2wd/4wd selector. To select between 2wd or 4wd. You may have aftermarket hubs on the front wheels that are selectable between engaged/disengaged. Have to be engaged for 4wd.
4- high/low range selector.
Wish Jeeps and trucks still came with a lever for every function. I'm fortunate my truck still has a shifter for 4wd lol
WillysWagon
10-18-2014, 10:01
rondog, you're spot on for the links for web sites and such !
I have a couple of pdf files Doc can use for carb & engine info (rebuilding).
Just print them out and make your own manual.
Wish Jeeps and trucks still came with a lever for every function. I'm fortunate my truck still has a shifter for 4wd lol
I know what you mean. I had a ford ranger that would not shift in or out of 4 wheel drive because it was push button and the sensor inside had a buffer that broke and threw everything out of wack. A sliver of 5/16 rubber hose about 1/4 inch thick fixed it. If it had a lever there would have been no problem.
hurley842002
10-18-2014, 10:42
I know what you mean. I had a ford ranger that would not shift in or out of 4 wheel drive because it was push button and the sensor inside had a buffer that broke and threw everything out of wack. A sliver of 5/16 rubber hose about 1/4 inch thick fixed it. If it had a lever there would have been no problem.
Yup, same issue with a GMC Jimmy.
Hey Doc, were you out dragging the Jeep around today? I was on Sheridan at 1st, and a guy in a white pickup went by on 1st pulling a yellow Willys that I'd swear was this one!
Yeah that was me. I was just getting back from getting the vin inspected. Over in golden. That place was top notch. Has anyone ever noticed all the military vehicles that they have there?
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.3 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.