A Good Day

Hey Guys. I just wanted to give a quick update about the starter in my Jeep. The original six volt from the 1946 Willys L-Head was completely toast. Everything in it was fried. Just the case was salvageable. So, I went with a Hi-Torque starter for it and got it hooked up today.
My oldest son, who will be 13 in January, has been asking me all week if we can put the starter in and get her going. But by the time everybody's home and everything it's already dark and the Jeep is outside. The previous week it was around 0 degrees for days, so the weekend was out too. But we got a nice day today.
So after the chores were all done, he and I hooked up the starter, and crank crank crank. Nada. Crank crank crank. Not yet. I figured that it might take a little while for the little fuel pump to get the fuel from the tank to the carb, so we were patient. It hadn't been started since 2010 or so too. My son said, can I try Dad? I said, you bet. So he jumped in, and I said, dont crank it too much, you'll burn up the starter. He said, just tell me when to stop. First turn of the key it fired and smoothed out, then ran so smooth! We both were pretty happy. I couldn't believe how quiet that little engine is.
We drove it around our property a little, and then got the whole family to come for a ride. I drove slowly down our dirt road to make sure all was good. Then I let my oldest boy drive. I put it in low range and with me outside and my wife beside him inside, we explained how to let out the clutch to go, and push it in to stop. It jerked a few times until he figured out the feathering of the clutch. We had him practice stopping a few times too. With it in low and first, I was able to walk outside down our dirt road beside them and take some pictures.
Time sure goes fast. I'm real thankful I got the old girl, and that our first time driving her was as a family having fun. Definitely a good day. The first upgrade will be the brakes. They worked, but just didn't feel real strong. Either doing the 11 inch drums up front, or doing the disc brake conversion with the master cylinder replacement too. Super fun Jeep! Was a really good time.

 

Great story! That is exactly what it is all about. Getting it running and including family too. Congrats!


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That's a great day! My son is 14 and he gets so excited to drive whenever we go out to the desert. I get excited that he is interested in how it works!

 

got our first two jeeps when my son turned 15 good times. Congrats I'd say your family now has the jeep thing. you are in good company here

 

Great post to read...early on a Sunday morning.