My Willys Jeep Build "Noob Needs Advice"
01-11-2011, 03:16 PM
#23
JK Freak
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Grande Prairie, Alberta
Posts: 901
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by johnrb3b
If you want an authentic WWII MB or GPW, you're into money, especially if you want to restore it with real NOS parts instead of reproductions.
If what you want is a reasonable copy of a military Willys or Ford that looks cool and is a hoot to drive, start with a CJ-2A and "militarize" it. You can go as authentic as you want and can afford.
Any 4 cyl flathead (L134) will work. It will mate to the drive train of any CJ before the CJ-5. So look for CJ-2A, CJ-3A and CJ-3B parts. There are differences but most of the parts are interchangeable. The 2A looks the most like an MB - split windshield, etc. so that's why you want one for a base. The 3B body is very different so only drive train parts are useful.
Google up military jeeps and you'll find a wealth of info. As already mentioned above, the g503 site is one of the best. But understand that the military sites tend to be purist and won't be that enthusiastic about a Jeep Salad approach. If that's how you want to roll, for the most help, look to the CJ-2A, CJ-3A and CJ-3B civilian sites. They'll get your Willys up and running and the military sites will help with military accessories, paint jobs and the like.
The post in this forum by GreenTJ_2_BlackJK on 6 Jan shows a good example of a poorly done Jeep Salad. It could be passed off as a 1950s M606, but only to those who know nothing about the old Willys. If you start with a CJ-2A and don't pretend it's an MB, you'll have a working Jeep that looks like one and can fulfill your MB longings for a lot less money.
Good luck.
If what you want is a reasonable copy of a military Willys or Ford that looks cool and is a hoot to drive, start with a CJ-2A and "militarize" it. You can go as authentic as you want and can afford.
Any 4 cyl flathead (L134) will work. It will mate to the drive train of any CJ before the CJ-5. So look for CJ-2A, CJ-3A and CJ-3B parts. There are differences but most of the parts are interchangeable. The 2A looks the most like an MB - split windshield, etc. so that's why you want one for a base. The 3B body is very different so only drive train parts are useful.
Google up military jeeps and you'll find a wealth of info. As already mentioned above, the g503 site is one of the best. But understand that the military sites tend to be purist and won't be that enthusiastic about a Jeep Salad approach. If that's how you want to roll, for the most help, look to the CJ-2A, CJ-3A and CJ-3B civilian sites. They'll get your Willys up and running and the military sites will help with military accessories, paint jobs and the like.
The post in this forum by GreenTJ_2_BlackJK on 6 Jan shows a good example of a poorly done Jeep Salad. It could be passed off as a 1950s M606, but only to those who know nothing about the old Willys. If you start with a CJ-2A and don't pretend it's an MB, you'll have a working Jeep that looks like one and can fulfill your MB longings for a lot less money.
Good luck.
Thanks for the info, some of it I already looked into but many of this is new info for me.
Thanks
01-11-2011, 03:21 PM
#24
JK Freak
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Grande Prairie, Alberta
Posts: 901
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Davesrb
Thanks! A few more...
Rear view..
Required accessories...
Is this an MB frame? Remanufactured tub or a restored one?
6K is a pretty good budget
Do you have more info in your build?
01-11-2011, 03:36 PM
#25
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Destin, Florida
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dave