This 2.5:1 scale Willys-Overland MB classic sits on 46-inch wheels, and will receive a Cummins R2.8 turbo diesel.
According to FCA, Willys-Overland began producing Jeeps with the introduction of the MB for the military in 1941. Jeep says that during WWII, “The tough, simple … 4×4 became the GI’s best friend—second only to his rifle. One MB was even awarded a Purple Heart and sent home. General George C. Marshall, U.S. Army Chief of Staff during World War II, … described the Jeep Brand 4×4 as ‘America’s greatest contribution to modern warfare.'”
In other words, the MB was a big deal, but it wasn’t as big a deal as this MB. Literally.
The Youtube channel OFF ROAD N Chill captured footage of an insane build called the Big Willy Jeep, a 2.5:1 scale recreation of the Willys MB military legend. As you can imagine, it’s a custom.
It uses what seems like acres of sheet metal and miles of welds. The hood latches could probably be used as anchors for RC boats. There’s a chance an entire rubber tree forest went into creating the massive tires, which the video’s host said are 46s in the comments section.
So what’s going to power this monster? A nuclear reactor? An Infinity Gem? Nope. Right now, it looks as if the people behind this bonkers build are going to use a Cummins R2.8 turbo diesel that generates 161 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque in stock tune. There’s a long way to go before that gets dropped in, though.
Provided that the Big Willy Jeep crew gets the funding it’s pursuing, it’s going to showcase the enormous one-off at this year’s Burning Man festival and then haul it to SEMA. We have a feeling if they get the Big Willy Jeep to Vegas, that it’ll be an outdoor display.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
