Willys Jeeps

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NCM
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Willys Jeeps

Post by NCM »

My father has picked up some interest in vintage military vehicles since I got my M37. He wants something smaller, so he is looking at WWII Willys Jeeps. Anyone here have any experience with them, and can compare to an M37 in terms of driving experience, build quality, and parts availability?
CSCameron
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Re: Willys Jeeps

Post by CSCameron »

He should join this website...

http://g503.com/forums/index.php

Everything he needs to know about WWII jeeps.

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Re: Willys Jeeps

Post by just me »

Build quality was good enough to drive to victory.
Parts availability is excellent.
Ride is harsh. You know, harsh.
It is 5mph faster than an M37
"It may be ugly, but at least it is slow!"
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Re: Willys Jeeps

Post by NCM »

Thanks, that's exactly what I'm looking for
Sal
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Re: Willys Jeeps

Post by Sal »

Here is another good forum to look at...

http://www.willysmjeeps.com/v2/modules.php?name=Forums


Sal
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Cal_Gary
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Re: Willys Jeeps

Post by Cal_Gary »

And most everyone not dedicated to the Dodges in the hobby has one.... To me, you'd get lost in the shuffle of GPWs, MB, GPAs Willys' etc. yet they're small and easy to work on, with parts suppliers everywhere.
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Re: Willys Jeeps

Post by just me »

The fleet here is a '43 Ford GPW, '50 Willy's M38 and '53 Dodge M37. The Dodge is my favorite.
"It may be ugly, but at least it is slow!"
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Re: Willys Jeeps

Post by DJ »

For older people Jeeps are harder to get in and out of,and if you have eaten well all your life belly room is a little limited. I still like driving my M38 the best. A M38 A1 has a little more belly room and easier to get in,so I have been told.
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Re: Willys Jeeps

Post by just me »

If no one has ever told you the trick to getting in and out of a Jeep, it can be difficult. Even and old fat guy like me can get in and out easily. But, spending my life with British sports cars and hot rods taught me the moves.
"It may be ugly, but at least it is slow!"
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Re: Willys Jeeps

Post by sturmtyger380 »

An old timer told me once when I was hunting a M38 steering column that it was common practice on the post he was stationed on, was to take new M38 steering columns and fit them in place of the M38A1 columns! This made for a larger space between the driver and the steering wheel. The steering for the M38A1 would be a little slower but still okay. You can't go back the other way as the M38 would become unstable with the M38A1 column.
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Re: Willys Jeeps

Post by wadefreedomvehicles »

Jeeps are smaller and easier to work on, they are fun to drive, and if you have them restored the right way, and tuned the right way can be a great vehicle with a good ride and reliable. M37s sometimes look cooler, and are easier to get in and out of for elderly people. We have an M38 Jeep and 2 M37s, they are probably the favorite vehicles out of all I have drove. So either way its good.
If you are looking for an M38, it has a 24 volt system like the M37, and it has fording capabilities, which make it harder to work on vs the WWII MB, and GPW.
MBs and GPWs have a simpler wiring system, and mechanically, a little similar. The engines are the same in an M38 and MB, The MB sits lower than the M38, and has smaller tires originally than the M38. steering wheel on the MB is a little smaller than the m38.
I don't know if any of this helps. But thought I would try to give some input.
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Re: Willys Jeeps

Post by NAM VET »

Long ago, about '73 or so, when I was a SF A team commander at Bragg, I was sent out to Boise, Idaho, to evaluate a National Guard unit. The unit was sent out into the dry desert just south of Boise (I never knew the NW could have such a dry desert and so many rattlesnakes), and one day I decided to take one of the Armory jeeps, I don't know what version, out and drive up this huge rocky hill, on top of which there was some sort of commo station. Of course, there was winding road up, but it was on the far side of the hill, and being just stupid and unfamiliar with four wheel drive vehicles, I thought I would just drive straight up the side. So up I went, scratching and clawing, and soon realized that if I had to stop or got stuck I was not going to be able to proceed, and even more frightful, that if I started rolling backwards down the hill, I would roll the jeep and surely die. I just kept the gas down, throwing rocks and sand and grit all over and when I finally crawled up over the top's edge, was just so thankful I had made it alive, and reflected how dumb I had just been.

all the best....

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Re: Willys Jeeps

Post by DJ »

So, just me, care to tell the secret.
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Re: Willys Jeeps

Post by just me »

Back to the Jeep. Just sit into the chair And then slide in to center up. Now it is easy to bring the feet in one at a time. No jumping up or long stretching of the legs. No grabbing the windshield frame and torquing it. Getting out is the same. If you can't bend your legs enough to get your feet in, slide more to the Jeep center. Easy peasy.
"It may be ugly, but at least it is slow!"
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Re: Willys Jeeps

Post by Mobilized Medic »

From an older guy with a penchant for quality machines, tell your dad to jump in both feet. I have enjoyed the G741 trucks for their overall penacche and ease of care, but I now own an M38A1, and currently doing ALL the work on a 1942 Willys MB "model kit" restoration, and an M274A5 mule. My ego is not afraid to admit smaller can be better. :lol:
The G503 website is awesome, and the Willys civilian Jeep websites are full of folks in whatever situation your dad is in.
The best thing is that there are more and more folks reproducing rare parts, and body panels are of very high quality.
My restoration of an M43 is moving along slowly, more because of the size of it. The Willys sitting along site of it in the shop is a complete salvage job and takes up far less room even with it is completely disassembled.
Advice from a "grey beard" ... buy the best most complete vehicle he can afford. Enjoying the Jeep right away will go a long way to firing up the passion that extends from it to others.
I have escorted many veterans in my vehicles, but my Jeep is the one they walk to first when given a choice (maybe a ride in an ambulance is little scary :) ) and the one that evokes the most memories.
Like any historic military vehicle, once purchased it's too late to vaccinate against OD fever and remember, JEEP really means Just Empty Every Pocket. :lol:
And too, from his viewpoint, your father's quest for a Jeep may be a signal to work alongside you more. DO NOT MISS OUT!
Highest regards,
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