178: David Holder’s 1948 Willys CJ-2A
My Willys was built by Howe Fire Apparatus Company into a Fire Truck. I bought Willys in 1981 for Grouse Hunting. I removed all the Fire Equipment, restored the engine, and replaced all seals shortly after. Years of birds later in 2012 I finally removed the body for a complete restoration. My first attempt at body and paint.. I have a new respect for those Guys… Dismantled engine, drives, steering, brakes and repaired as needed. New springs, gauges, wiring harness and seats.. On the road again as of last week…
– David Holder
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RE; Victor Dahiquist ..I will have to agree with the Willys Fans on the flatheads…Their just to dependable. .Less moving parts to fail, ie no push rods or rocker arms.. I would think about the early 50s station wagon model with flat 6 for extra weight and speed requirements. ID on My Willys engine is L134 and the paint is flat Desert Storm..
Great restoration. I too have a tan/beige Willys that looks VERY similar to yours! Check it out at: https://blog.kaiserwillys.com/m38-customer-photos/bob-moledor
David, sure cannot afford the high priced auction. Was hoping to set up a forestry Willys used one on a PU as a distant project.
Now would like a Willys SW that is in reasonable shape . ie no major body damage or major rust thru.
Does not need to be as perfect as your Willys CJ2A which is the best I have seen!!
Like the tan paint body paint , engine and others . Could you ID them for me since yours probably stands up better then most.
Also asked the Willys folks about the flat head 6 s vs the later OHC 6 for reliability and and reasonable maintenance still need a better answer. Most experienced Willys Folks said stick to flat head.
Also want over drive so I can get up to 60mph on highway for safety
Plan to use as part of my living history tool program demo , and a survival vehicle for my family
Keep up good work
Also volunteered on AM-151 Ford engine Vietnam era at a friend in Cocoa Fl restoration facility ( now closed ) wished I was able to have one
Victor Dahlquist ( out of work space shuttle worker due to end of USA space program and tens of thousands of jobs )
Here to Support Consulting. dahlquistvictor@yahoo.com
SME, Subject Matter Expert, Aerospace, Defense, Govt, Safety Training, Security Analysis, can travel
Living history presentations of old tools and others.
Wow is very good restesion
What a nice job. That is a great restoration. I have done many. My hat off to you. Enjoy that fine JEEP as I’m sure you have and will. I get mine on here some day. working on 3 of them. A 48 and a 50 and 61 truck.
Your attention to detail is amazing. Beautiful job.
Thanks Victor, I gave the Pump to My Brother-in-law years ago for his farm pond, The ladder rack and reel housing was left in West Virginia. You can search Barrett Jackson Willys Fire truck on Google to see a exact replica of mine..
Looks great, all the hard work shows in the detail!
Awesome Willys upgrade.
Do you still have the fire fighting equipment? I was a young park Ranger years ago so try to research and present living history programs. Thanks, Victor Dahlquist dahlquistvictor@yahoo.com