I am a Swiss national living for the past 30 plus years all over South East and East Asia. I have now retired and settled in Thailand. My CJ-3B is actually a Japan built Mitsubishi J-3, licensed by the Kaiser-Jeep Corporation. I do not know the exact year of production, but my best guesstimate is between 1960 and 1964. The engine is the original JH-4 (Japan Hurricane 4-Cylinder), F-head Hurricane motor. This vehicle was originally built for the Thai Military as a right hand drive.
I purchased my Jeep about 3 years ago from a retired paratroop instructor of the Thai military. I have been told that this particular vehicle was serving with the Thai troops in Vietnam during the war. This could well be as the US Forces too, were using the very same model in large numbers in Vietnam.
When I bought this Jeep, it was showing its age, but it was of very good substance. So I decided to do only soft refurbishing and leave it as authentic as possible. The instrumentation was in poor condition, thus I changed it with VDO instruments fitting the original cluster. The seat were redone with canvas. For safety reasons and to accommodate 3-point belts I added an rollover cage. I could locally buy new tires with the original Jeep profile produced for the Thai Military. I also required a new starter so a local auto electrician (a real savvy craftsman) fitted a Toyota starter with a Land Rover flange adapter in between, without making any changes to the Jeep.
Most other parts I have obtained from Kaiser Willys which fit my Japanese made Jeep perfectly. Recently, I have completely reconditioned by myself the T-90 transmission with your retrofit kit and my Jeep now shifts like dream. I am very pleased with this result.
On some of the attached pictures you see my youngest daughter and my son in law (a former US Navy pilot) enjoying the Jeep rides in the warm Thai climate.
The last picture shows 3 experts inspecting my Jeep thoroughly… They didn’t find anything wrong with it so they left… These monkeys are just about everywhere and they become quite often a nuisance…
Kaiser Willys Jeep Blog Story – Gustav Erne
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Looking for, Willys Jeep Parts, Willys Jeep replacement parts, Willys Jeep body parts and much more for your 1941-1971 Willys vehicle, you have come to the right place!
I just found a similar one in Thailand but it says Willys on tub at the back it also has an aluminium body and stencilled on is 1943 Willys M 38 , a front winch, I’m thinking of shipping it home to Scotland but I’m not sure how original it it is, it has the wrong wheels but the spare is the split rim which Willys fitted, I’d like to know what you think it might be, thanks
Hi Gustav
Thanks for this great story. Very happy I could discover the neighborhood with you and enjoyed very much the Jeep on and off the roads. I confirm that the Jeeps in the Swiss Army are left hand driven. I wish you many exciting drives in the future.
Lieber Gruess
Pierre
Hi Gustav, great job. The workshop doesn’t look very Thai, rather Swiss, is it yours? I still remember, with a smile, the ride in your 1963 silver Corvette with split rear window at night in Bangkok, must have been around 1990. Do you still own it?
Cheers, Erich
This is a great post and thank you for teaching us something. I was unaware that these existed. I have a 47 CJ2A with 19,000 original miles. I completed a comprehensive restoration of all mechanicals but left the tub alone as I wanted it to look like an original. Perhaps some day I’ll post some pics on this site.
George
Gustav, thanks so much for the photo history. You have a magnificent jeep. I spent a little time with the Australians in Vietnam, and they had versions of CJ-3’s. I have a M38A1 that I have kept in original fit. That jeep and my 200+ year old family grandfather clock and 1860 Colt pistol are my prized possessions that I will pass on to family members.
A very nice little buggy! I like the gauge set up! Currently building an M38, M38A1,and a WWII Gpw. Looks like you really enjoy your jeep and get lots of use with it! Enjoy your retirement and hope you and your family get many years of fun with your jeep! ——Dave Hollingsworth in New London,Ohio P.S. 2 of these jeeps have been for sale with the Diesel Engine version!
Gustav! Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your pictures of such excellent committed work with such excellent results.
I’m a septuagenarian and was with my parents when they bought our 1946 CJ-2A which I still drive but only in nice weather!
The cleverness of the starter adaptation is quite something. All your work is so very well done.
Again, thanks for your story.
The Stokes family, Idaho Falls, Idaho
PS- Was a helicopter pilot in (officially) Vietnam in 1969 so know a bit about your weather and the beauty of your land.
Hi Gusti
Great Story! The Swiss license plate is a fake just for fun and probably nostalgy. As I know the Swiss Army did never had right hand driven Jeeps. Congratulation for your amazing work. Even the tires are originally.
Saludos desde Costa Rica – André
Hi Gustav
Great story. You did not mention that this is a Swiss Military Jeep – at least I can see the license plate.
An Air-Conditioner is probably also not an option, though you could probably need one in the bloody hot April season in Southern Thailand. So, park the jeep and go swimming…
Best regards
Hans
Nice story!
Great pictures and lovely jeep!
Enjoy driving!