My Willys addiction began about a year ago when I ran across an ad for a CJ-2A for sale in my area. I had always been a Jeep fan since the day I could drive, but to own a legendary Willys Jeep had always been a dream of mine. The gentleman sold me his Jeep in November 2011. Little did I know, this addiction had just begun. As soon as it rolled off the trailer at home, I began tearing into it and started stock piling parts from Kaiser Willys. A little tune up on the motor and she fired right up. That is where the complete teardown began. My project was completed on my days off from the Fire Department.
At 23 years old and a lot of off time, the Jeep took me eight months to complete. During that eight month period, I had learned so much about mechanics, the Jeep and myself. I worked in a broke down garage with one door in the brutal cold, heat and even with a ton of rodents. But I knew what I wanted and in return I not only got a gorgeous and rugged Jeep, but a huge self reward that I and someday my kids will enjoy for the rest of my life. The Jeep is 99% original. The only things not original are the 1″ superlift suspension and the 31×9.5″ Super Swamper TSL’s. Everything including the motor is original to the Jeep.
I trailer the Willys to local offroad parks during the summer months. People just love seeing my old Jeep on the trails. I drive it to town on warm days to get the four squirrels running under the hood. It received third place in a parade as well. I love bringing out the history and listening to the war veterans tell their stories. It makes me want to own a fleet of these! I feel absolutely insane for saying this, but I am very excited to build many more of these Jeeps. And I would like to thank Kaiser Willys for helping me complete my dream Jeep.
Kaiser Willys Jeep Blog Story – Justin Kulacz
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Good I like to say I love this Jeeps and Have one that i am fixing.
Thanks
Augusto Barros
Ralph, the paint is Wanda brand and I believe is their only version of olive drab. I thought it would have turned out a bit darker, but I also love the color. If your not able to find it I could pull the code # from receipts. And Carl, thanks again for everything! Couldn’t be happier with the old Jeep!!
Justin,
Thanks for the link!
You know I will never get tired of seeing the pictures of how well your project turned out, especially knowing what you started with.
Best of luck,
Carl Zimmerman
Denton, Texas
P.S. Do you know where in Texas Jack Yarbrough is located? (just curious)
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Justin, The Jeep really looks great! What is the exact name and number of the paint you used? Its a nice looking color.
Jack, if you are looking for a project or simply just love seeing what Jeeps are out there, I suggest you go to Ewillys.com A guy named Dave spends countless hours searching the web for Willys Jeeps and posts all of them on one site (Ewillys.com) Check it out and pick up a Jeep for yourself!
LOOKS REALLY GREAT I AM A FIREMAN MYSELF IN TEXAS AND WOULD LOVE TO FIND A CJ2A MYSELF TO BEGIN A RESTORATION PROJECT. IF ANYONE KNOWS OF ONE LET ME KNOW.
JACK YARBROUGH
Nice looking Jeep ! Keep up the good work
I just want to thank Kaiser Willys and the readers for the recognition. It truly means a lot!
That last photo is incredible, I love the windshield.
Justin… Just a great looking jeep and the pictures are just awsome, looks like Northern Michigan in the fall.