Willys MB - Any restorers out there?

i know nothing · 14 Oct 2006 at 15:56

I have an opportunity to purchase a Willys MB Jeep (Wiki link here). It is in running condition but has been altered from the original (mostly under the bonnet).

It occurred to me that there might be some restorers on these forums that have previous experience of such a car as they made a load of them.

Any Willys gurus out there?

Mechanical Arts · 14 Oct 2006 at 16:06

I suppose my dad could be considered a "Willys Guru" he has owned and restored 2 willys and 1 hotchkiss(french version I think).

Poppy · 14 Oct 2006 at 16:10

MUST RESIST!!

i know nothing · 14 Oct 2006 at 16:20

Mechanical Arts said:
I suppose my dad could be considered a "Willys Guru" he has owned and restored 2 willys and 1 hotchkiss(french version I think).

Next time you speak to him, I'd be interested to know if there any specific problems I should look out for, or if there is difficulty in getting particular parts.

Zuma · 14 Oct 2006 at 16:26

in the latest(novemeber) issue of practical classics there is an article about someone who restored several willys jeeps.
you should check it out. quickly though, cos i think the next issue must be out pretty soon.

Mechanical Arts · 14 Oct 2006 at 16:26

i know nothing said:
Next time you speak to him, I'd be interested to know if there any specific problems I should look out for, or if there is difficulty in getting particular parts.

I will ask him when I speak to him next but I'm pretty sure the parts are not that hard to get because they made so many of them. They are also pretty simple so not much to go wrong and easy to maintain, they had to be for all the different places they where used in.

i know nothing · 14 Oct 2006 at 16:34

Mechanical Arts said:
I will ask him when I speak to him next but I'm pretty sure the parts are not that hard to get because they made so many of them. They are also pretty simple so not much to go wrong and easy to maintain, they had to be for all the different places they where used in.

I'm hoping that's true. I suspect you're right but I know from experience that when you actually attempt to locate parts it can be very difficult.

I appreciate you asking your old man though, cheers!

i know nothing · 14 Oct 2006 at 16:35

Zuma said:
in the latest(novemeber) issue of practical classics there is an article about someone who restored several willys jeeps.
you should check it out. quickly though, cos i think the next issue must be out pretty soon.

Thanks for the tip!

The_Dark_Side · 14 Oct 2006 at 16:44

i know nothing said:
Any Willys gurus out there?

couple of mates of mine are into all this stuff.
their "group" all have ww2 vehicles including mobile x ray unit, amc troop transporter and a half track.
all parts you require are available mate.
IIRC there's a place in kent that specialises in all things military.