This 1945 Willys MB has lived on a family ranch since the 1950’s. In the last 20+ years it was used only sparingly until about 4 years ago when the starter gave up the ghost. From then it sat until I was told to take it, get it going, do what else I want to it and then send it back “someday.” The 6-volt starter was rebuilt quickly and easily by a tractor mechanic. After that it started, but did not run willingly. A whiff of gas tank told me all about the old gas in the system, so that all came apart for cleaning. A later-model gas tank had been installed, with a hole cut in the side of the body for it’s inlet tube. That also left an empty tub space under the tank, which had been occupied by a population of rats. The tank was cleaned out, the rat hole sealed off from critters and the carb was rebuilt.
It quickly became apparent this was not going to be a restoration, but more of a resurrection. As the result of a rollover there was a fiberglas hood and fender. I traded the trailer electrical outlet for an aftermarket metal fender and later model civilian hood. In the ranch garage I found a rifle bracket to attach under the windshield; this was traded for transportation assistance and mechanical help to be named later. The windshield was sold off and a civilian windshield (one piece of glass) was installed. Remember, this Jeep is meant to return to the ranch and serve as a working vehicle. The passenger seat was a Ford model, so it was traded for an MB version in better shape to someone restoring a Ford war jeep. This has turned into a local Jeep-community project, with plenty of fun-spirited bartering. I am now at the point where I have replaced the worst of the wiring, one-by-one. I have cleaned up and primered the body and most of the interior. I am getting better at reworking dents and smoothing the rough spots, but I am realizing the next time this vehicle comes back here it will be for a body-off-the-frame clean up and reworking everything. So for now I’ll get it running better (carb issues, or maybe gas flow), put a coat of paint on, adjust the damn brakes and take it back to its home. I’ll post more photos when it is more of a sparkling, shining version of itself. By the way, it will have a custom (not legal) license plate on the back that says, “RECYLT”, recognizing the mish-mash of parts it has acquired over he years.
Kaiser Willys Jeep Blog Story – Dave Clark
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really nice way to put em all together .
this will be a real story for the jeep to g et going and alive
love to see the final priceless wonder
good show
Luis,
The M-38 jeep had a special gas tank with a lower bottom underneath for more capacity, and the larger acceptance filler spout. Is the ground strap under the generator from the engine to the frame there? Particularly on the civilian versions they were very hard starters with out it. If it had the (” brakes they must be adjusted in the correct direction and order or they were very ineffective and would not stay adjusted for long. I don’t remember if they came with the full floating rear axles either. Many hours of fun for you to be had. The M-38 also had the one piece glass windshield, and some had a cut out for a recoiless rifle in the center.
Dave
These are the Jeeps I like the most. Cobbled together, not “Like New”, but fun to drive with solid floors and they almost stop when you want them to. You can buy a new ATV that seats 4 and will go as fast as a Jeep, sometimes faster. They have NO character. My ’49 CJ, on the other hand IS a character.
I’m anxious to see your progress.
Glenn