So I'm watching a new reality show- odd one. But they are taking a '47 Willys out into the swamp as a survival job. The owner knows the car is valuable, and tells the guys not to break it.
Which makes me ask a question- is there a Jeep out there that one can retro into looking like a Willys? One that is common and not worth a lot?
I'm big into WWII stuff, and it's 99% unlikely that this idea will go beyond this thread for me. But it's kind of interesting to think about.
CJs are prevalent and cheap around here?
Running 2A, 3A, 3B, and CJ5s can be had for <$5K, I've seen a lot of $2K runners, but they usually don't have floor boards, or much other sheet metal left when they get much cheaper.
There was a decent 3B tub on the local FB group for ~$500 not too long ago.
Legit MB Jeeps though, they hold their value quite a bit better.
Paint a 2A OD, put a star on the hood, and 97% of the world wont' know any better.
I thought Jeep was making Willy's again.
http://www.jeep.com/en/limited-editions/wrangler-willys-wheeler/
bigdaddylee82 wrote: Paint a 2A OD, put a star on the hood, and 97% of the world wont' know any better.
You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time.
I always wanted to take a TJ, cut down the factory fenders and try to weld on the outer half of a set of early Willys fenders. Now it looks as if there's an easier approach. Maybe you can start here.
http://modernclassicenterprises.com/tj/
Just make your own like this guy did:
http://www.metalmeet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12688&highlight=jeep&page=3
The original being that he is cloning:
I only go over to Metalmeet when I am feeling good about myself and need a good reason to feel inadequate!
Woody wrote: I always wanted to take a TJ, cut down the factory fenders and try to weld on the outer half of a set of early Willys fenders. Now it looks as if there's an easier approach. Maybe you can start here. http://modernclassicenterprises.com/tj/
A lot of guys cut the Rusty tj fenders and then run a tube around the edge and make their own tube fenders.
Joey
Woody wrote: I always wanted to take a TJ, cut down the factory fenders and try to weld on the outer half of a set of early Willys fenders. Now it looks as if there's an easier approach. Maybe you can start here. http://modernclassicenterprises.com/tj/
So with that picture, I would still want the small and skinny tires. I think that would make it more interesting. I'd also want it to be lower like a Willys.
But getting a TJ with the squared off fenders, no top, close enough paint, low, and skinny tires. That would be a good one.
Id say find the earliest CJ you can find and throw miltary style wheels and tires on it. As long as its a flat fender it should look the part. The one pictured above, is that the Bantam prototype or something?
Like this! http://www.tmrcustoms.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=211_214&products_id=2058
This isn't too bad- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVX0Gv-Y5IE
Not bad - tires look a little out of proportion - need a little taller profile. The yj grill is a let down - btw a CJ hood and grill will work on a YJ with minor tweaking.
Just had a friend sell an early Willys about a month ago. It ran & drove fine, and wasn't rusty - although he'd bed-linered the whole thing inside and out. I think he let it go for $3k or less.
I always wanted one of the Ford versions. I know Willys was awarded the contract, but seeing that Ford logo is always a surprise.
oldtin wrote: Not bad - tires look a little out of proportion - need a little taller profile. The yj grill is a let down - btw a CJ hood and grill will work on a YJ with minor tweaking.
Both with bigger tires, and a lower platform.
I know the height of the jeeps turned into a rather big problem with them for military use- as they got higher, yes, they could go over more stuff. But they were easier to turn over. Which is one reason the Hummer has the proportions that it has.
The problem with all of the modern Jeeps is the axles are too wide and the springs are too far apart. This keeps you from getting skinny tires completely under the sheet metal which is one of the key visual cues of the old Jeeps. I've thought about this, and measured, and decided that I'd be better off trying to find and old one and go from there. This only works because I'm not a very big guy. The old ones are tiny and very tough to fit in if you have any kind of size to you.
Find TJ wrangler willys. Remove bumeperettes. install flat fenders.. paint everything body color..
Done.
In reply to Fueled by Caffeine:
Didn't even know those existed. Interesting.
I would still want it lower like the original willys. And probably flat paint, too. And skinnier tires.
The funny thing- the cost of that is probably higher than an original Willys, but I'd fear so much destroying something that old.
Import a Mitsubishi from Malaysia?
In reply to mtn:
There's more than a few here in the US already, the same FB group I mentioned earlier had one that appeared to be in great shape.
A Suzuki LJ20 would be a good option too, there are a lot more out west, they were all imported to California if I remember right. Twin cylinder 2 stroke pint sized "jeep" what's not to love? I'd take one of those over a new side by side any day.
Speaking of Willys vs. Side by Sides. Of course this isn't biased at all...
https://www.youtube.com/embed/fgGm0mA1FLY?list=PLGvTvFzdMg_Mlk222V60pPCj_uohycX_P
Buy this mahindra CJ3B for sale in the US?
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/5203482958.html
So for the aesthetics: Flat fenders, 'correct' track width, simple curved hood, round head lights, military styled tires/wheels, and OD paint?
I think that any CJ could be turned into a 'Willy's'-esque Jeep.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Willys-Cj3b-/181881924470?forcerrptr=true&hash=item2a5901eb76&item=181881924470
Just go original, They aren't that expensive..
BoostedBrandon wrote: I always wanted one of the Ford versions. I know Willys was awarded the contract, but seeing that Ford logo is always a surprise.
Just to prove THEY were FORD and not Willys, Ford stamped F into every bolt on their Jeeps.
You'll need to log in to post.
