Willys Jeep

[Imaplumber]

I have been offered a 1942 jeep, it looks in pretty good nick

Lots of renovations done, lots of genuine bits on it

I have been looking for one for a long time, first one that I have seen that is in this condition

Got a genuine 1942-43 engine, it runs well, couldn’t see any rust or corrosion, don’t seem to have any problems with the gear box

Anyone got one of these or similar ?

Anything I should look for that I haven’t seen ?

Not really interested in replies as to why I would want a vehicle like this (I always seem to attract nasty replies)

Just decent replies, helpful replies, please

[andy_s]

No, but they are great little things - I used to drive one in the army in France - mind you, once the axle somehow became detached and I ended up looking like a latter day Ben Hur with one wheel sticking out about 2 feet from the body work! Same with the Dodge 6x6's we used in Africa, some had Normandy on the log books, all held together with coat hangars and duct tape - I recall sitting on the bonnet with two flashlights as the electrics had conked out once. We kept them operational for years - which was the worst thing to do as everyone assumed they must be fine and we didn't get the newer VLRA until much later than anyone else!

[unsprung]

andy_s said:

No, but they are great little things - I used to drive one in the army in France - mind you, once the axle somehow became detached and I ended up looking like a latter day Ben Hur with one wheel sticking out about 2 feet from the body work! Same with the Dodge 6x6's we used in Africa, some had Normandy on the log books, all held together with coat hangars and duct tape - I recall sitting on the bonnet with two flashlights as the electrics had conked out once. We kept them operational for years - which was the worst thing to do as everyone assumed they must be fine and we didn't get the newer VLRA until much later than anyone else!

Almost cinematic, that. Some absurdities, there. Kit in ridiculous nick.

[Imaplumber]

Andy_s said
Please tell me what you are on about?

Edited by Imaplumber on Thursday 26th December 15:18

[andy_s]

Imaplumber said:

Andy_s sad
Please tell me what you are on about?

? It's a Willys Jeep story, thought you'd be interested. No worries if not.

[CanAm]

Imaplumber said:

Andy_s ........
Please tell me what you are on about?

Imaplumber said:

(I always seem to attract nasty replies)

I think there may be a clue there.

[Imaplumber]

Yes I was interested, made a nice read, but I couldn’t see the relevance to what I was asking

I drove land rovers and 432 apc’s when I was in the forces but they are the last thing I would consider driving

I just wanted to know if there is anything I should look for on a 70 odd year old jeep

[Imaplumber]

Can am/ unsprung.
When I posted about the car I currently drive, there were several pages of slating me off
This is just a question I was asking about a jeep I was offered

Edited by Imaplumber on Thursday 26th December 15:25

[aeropilot]

Imaplumber said:

I have been offered a 1942 jeep, it looks in pretty good nick

Lots of renovations done, lots of genuine bits on it

I have been looking for one for a long time, first one that I have seen that is in this condition

Got a genuine 1942-43 engine, it runs well, couldn’t see any rust or corrosion, don’t seem to have any problems with the gear box

Anyone got one of these or similar ?

Anything I should look for that I haven’t seen ?

Mark_AS on here has one, hopefully he'll chime in.

I've spent many hours at the wheel of both Willys and Ford versions, and I'd love one. They are so much fun to drive and own.
1942 is an early one though, but I've not been around them since the early 2000's, and my memory isn't so good, so I can't remember the differences with the early ones, if it still retains any of these bits.

Are you a member of IMPS or MVT, as I would recommend joining either for swatting up on them before buying.

[CATD8H]

Originals seem to be fetching good money, and chatting with owners at shows.... all bits are readily available. Go for it!

[Imaplumber]

Hi arropilot

Nope not a member of anything, just here

It is a Ford willys jeep, comes with a trailer

I know it’s a 1942-43 model, they say it’s a cracking vehicle, but I think I can take that with a pinch of salt

He sent me photos, it looks okay, but I haven’t seen underneath it

I was watching wheeler dealers, they had to change the rear floor pan and a few other bits and bobs (it went for a ridiculous price, but when that program was made it was a good price I think)

Maybe an owner of a jeep will get on here

Thanks for your reply

[Imaplumber]

CATD8H
He has all the papers, is part of some french group, been to France several times and various WW2 shows, a couple of best in show, handful of trophies

But that is just something to sell it with, sounds nice but it’s not something I’m looking for, just as long as it’s in good nick and minimum work (I don’t have a garage for anything major)

I have seen plenty of parts out there, some say they are genuine, some replicas

Again thanks for your reply

[aeropilot]

Imaplumber said:

It is a Ford willys jeep, comes with a trailer

Well, its either a Willys or a Ford

Unless its a mish-mash of Ford and Willys bits, which is very likely given very few are all original. Although these days more likely mostly repro parts used in rebuilds as the stock of NOS parts started drying up in the 90's.

Imaplumber said:

I was watching wheeler dealers, they had to change the rear floor pan and a few other bits and bobs (it went for a ridiculous price

Not the best source of info on the Jeep it must be said......

Seriously suggest joining MVT or IMPS before buying. Very easy to get burned when buying a Jeep.
But it depends on what you want of it.
Is it a mint, shiny better than it left the factory look, like a lot of the expensive (15-16k upwards) are than owners get all anal about at shows....
Or.....
Do you want to have fun with and treat it like the ex-mil vehicle it is, and therefore not as concerned over small inconsistancies in the rebuild?

[Imaplumber]

Just had a closer look at it, it’s a DWP Ford

It has the 3 original plates riveted on the dash or just below it

The canvas hood looks good but has been made by a company that does lots of work for renovations

I might take it to a show, but only to get free entry and free parking 😄

It seems to look okay but I’m going to have a look in the new year kick the tyres and try and get a deal

I know wheeler dealers isn’t the best as a recommendation, Mike is a bit of a dick, but Ed seems a pretty competent fitter ( just my impression of him)

What are these organisations or groups you posted about?

[CanAm]

Imaplumber said:

Can am/ unsprung.
When I posted about the car I currently drive, there were several pages of slating me off
This is just a question I was asking about a jeep I was offered

Edited by Imaplumber on Thursday 26th December 15:25

There'll be no adverse comments from me about your prospective purchase. If it feels right, do it.

[100SRV]

Friend of mine has a 1946 CJ2A, it's a lovely little truck and drives very nicely. He rebuilt it worth his dad over the course of a few years. It's very compact and has simple mechanicals too. If you wish PM me and I'll see if he'll give you some pointers of things to watch for.

[aeropilot]

Imaplumber said:

Just had a closer look at it, it’s a DWP Ford

It has the 3 original plates riveted on the dash or just below it

If its a Ford GPW, and a '42 it should have the embossed 'Ford' script on the rear panel of the body tub.

Imaplumber said:

What are these organisations or groups you posted about?

MVT is the Military Vehicle Trust.

https://www.mvt.org.uk/

IMPS is the Invicta Military Vehicle Preservation Society.

https://www.imps.org.uk/

These days, for insurance on a historic ex-mil vehicle, it makes life a lot easier if you have membership of an ex-mil vehicle group. Plus access to parts directory and info either of these two groups are an invaluable source.

[Imaplumber]

Here are a couple of pictures (if they turn out okay)

[url][img]

https://thumbsnap.com/sc/DMtgbqZZ.jpg[/img]|https:/...

[Imaplumber]

[retrom]

From the picture above it looks like repro tub and repro tags, so proceed with care.