My '44 Willys MB
- Geromino3509
- G-Private First Class
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Wed Jun 28, 2017 5:33 pm
- Location: Conyngham, PA
My '44 Willys MB
Hey guys,
New to this site and a first time military vehicle owner. I've been searching about three years now for a good Willys MB and finally found this one about 2 weeks ago.
It is by no means perfect but it is clean and runs/drives very well. I'm looking forward to learning all I can and using this site and everyone here for help as the projects start to present themselves.
Here are a few pictures of my new toy...
New to this site and a first time military vehicle owner. I've been searching about three years now for a good Willys MB and finally found this one about 2 weeks ago.
It is by no means perfect but it is clean and runs/drives very well. I'm looking forward to learning all I can and using this site and everyone here for help as the projects start to present themselves.
Here are a few pictures of my new toy...
1944 Willys MB, DoD 12-7-44
Able Nation 3/509
Able Nation 3/509
-
- G-Colonel
- Posts: 1409
- Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2011 7:41 pm
- Location: Orinda, California
-
- G-Brigadier General
- Posts: 2473
- Joined: Sun Jun 12, 2016 4:56 am
- Location: Birmingham, England
Re: My '44 Willys MB
Welcome Geronimo, thats a good clean looking jeep, help awaits you if you need it. Looks like the 3 year wait was well worth it.
-
- G-Lieutenant General
- Posts: 4991
- Joined: Sat Jun 10, 2006 11:40 pm
- Location: Colorado
Re: My '44 Willys MB
That is a seriously nice looking jeep! I am absolutely OD with envy! What can it need besides combat rims???
Is it true real Jeeps have flat fenders?
Alone cannot you it resist!
Alone cannot you it resist!
- Geromino3509
- G-Private First Class
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Wed Jun 28, 2017 5:33 pm
- Location: Conyngham, PA
Re: My '44 Willys MB
Fortyeight2A wrote:That is a seriously nice looking jeep! I am absolutely OD with envy! What can it need besides combat rims???
Well...besides the correct rims...front bumper was bent in the middle one point and sort of hammered back, also as nice as the engine is the last owner took out the whole oil filter system! So that's up on the list.
It also drips a little gear oil from the tranny after it's warmed up, not uncommon I know, and not bad enough yet to warrant the major work involved.
I shouldn't complain, it is a sweet Jeep. I have to go into the garage every morning to make myself believe I finally own one!
1944 Willys MB, DoD 12-7-44
Able Nation 3/509
Able Nation 3/509
-
- G-Brigadier General
- Posts: 2473
- Joined: Sun Jun 12, 2016 4:56 am
- Location: Birmingham, England
Re: My '44 Willys MB
Its a great feeling Geronimo, looking in the garage at your pride and joy. The oil drip shouldnt be too much of a problem, most drip slightly, more so when its hot, keep us posted on your progress.
-
- G-Major General
- Posts: 3180
- Joined: Sat Jul 24, 2010 9:49 pm
- Location: Magnolia, Texas
- Contact:
Re: My '44 Willys MB
Hi Geromino,
Welcome to the G! That is one very nice, complete looking jeep. You have reason to be excited. One of the first things you may want to do is put correct stencils on the hood. There are a lot of resources to estimate your 8 digit hood number. It will always start with a 20.
What do you mean that the previous owner removed the oil filter system? They actually just disconnected it?
Make sure and take a lot more photos of the interior, data plates, underside, engine etc.
Welcome to the G! That is one very nice, complete looking jeep. You have reason to be excited. One of the first things you may want to do is put correct stencils on the hood. There are a lot of resources to estimate your 8 digit hood number. It will always start with a 20.
What do you mean that the previous owner removed the oil filter system? They actually just disconnected it?
Make sure and take a lot more photos of the interior, data plates, underside, engine etc.
- horrocks
- G-Colonel
- Posts: 1812
- Joined: Fri Aug 31, 2007 12:34 pm
- Location: Ongar, England
Re: My '44 Willys MB
If you find it is too 'by no means perfect' for you, I'll take it off of your hands for you!
I love the patina.
I love the patina.
Toby
Willys MB 3/13/42 127415
Willys MB 1/9/45 404620
Willys MB 3/13/42 127415
Willys MB 1/9/45 404620
- Geromino3509
- G-Private First Class
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Wed Jun 28, 2017 5:33 pm
- Location: Conyngham, PA
Re: My '44 Willys MB
thidisbogus,
I agree about putting the correct markings on the Jeep, my dilemma is that, like Horrocks said, I love the patina and overall paint. We shall see how that goes. I was just thinking yesterday about how I'd go about finding out the hood number though.
The oil system...they removed it completely. This may have been done some time ago when the engine was gone over, I'm not sure. At least it is still the 6 volt system. I've got most of the pieces listed out to search for and install the filter as it should be, biggest issue so far with that is finding anywhere that had the filter housing itself. I've attached a few pictures, you'll notice from the engine shot it also needs the correct crossover tube to the air cleaner as well as missing the horn assembly.
As far as the interior goes, you'll see I switched out the speedometer with a replacement the previous owner included. The original (on drivers seat) is, for now at least, not functioning. I'd like to send it out for rebuild.
Stamp on it is OCT 13 1944.
Engine #is MB517434, maybe a later engine for the MB? I know the serial numbers on the engines were ahead of the Jeeps but this seems a little high I think? Sorry the pictures are so big I'm still trying to figure out this image hosting thing.
I agree about putting the correct markings on the Jeep, my dilemma is that, like Horrocks said, I love the patina and overall paint. We shall see how that goes. I was just thinking yesterday about how I'd go about finding out the hood number though.
The oil system...they removed it completely. This may have been done some time ago when the engine was gone over, I'm not sure. At least it is still the 6 volt system. I've got most of the pieces listed out to search for and install the filter as it should be, biggest issue so far with that is finding anywhere that had the filter housing itself. I've attached a few pictures, you'll notice from the engine shot it also needs the correct crossover tube to the air cleaner as well as missing the horn assembly.
As far as the interior goes, you'll see I switched out the speedometer with a replacement the previous owner included. The original (on drivers seat) is, for now at least, not functioning. I'd like to send it out for rebuild.
Stamp on it is OCT 13 1944.
Engine #is MB517434, maybe a later engine for the MB? I know the serial numbers on the engines were ahead of the Jeeps but this seems a little high I think? Sorry the pictures are so big I'm still trying to figure out this image hosting thing.
1944 Willys MB, DoD 12-7-44
Able Nation 3/509
Able Nation 3/509
-
- G-Colonel
- Posts: 1409
- Joined: Sat Oct 22, 2011 7:41 pm
- Location: Orinda, California
Re: My '44 Willys MB
Geromino3509, that engine number is right in the range for your serial number.
I'd say you have a matched set there
I'd say you have a matched set there
1943 MB 213301 DOD 2-22-43
-
- G-Major General
- Posts: 3180
- Joined: Sat Jul 24, 2010 9:49 pm
- Location: Magnolia, Texas
- Contact:
Re: My '44 Willys MB
If Ron doesn't have the oil filter assembly, you should try Brent Mullins Jeep Parts out of College Station, Texas. He has a lot of NOS, used and Willys of France stuff.
- Geromino3509
- G-Private First Class
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Wed Jun 28, 2017 5:33 pm
- Location: Conyngham, PA
Re: My '44 Willys MB
Thanks for the info I will check them both out.thidisbogus wrote:If Ron doesn't have the oil filter assembly, you should try Brent Mullins Jeep Parts out of College Station, Texas. He has a lot of NOS, used and Willys of France stuff.
1944 Willys MB, DoD 12-7-44
Able Nation 3/509
Able Nation 3/509
- hell-fire
- G-Major General
- Posts: 3443
- Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2007 4:06 am
- Location:
Re: My '44 Willys MB
It looks real good but it is an older restoration with an early reproduction tub.
John
Australia
Member VMVC #192
1942 Willys MB-BRT 135673 D.O.D. 4-16-42 Now 97% finished
Australia
Member VMVC #192
1942 Willys MB-BRT 135673 D.O.D. 4-16-42 Now 97% finished
- horrocks
- G-Colonel
- Posts: 1812
- Joined: Fri Aug 31, 2007 12:34 pm
- Location: Ongar, England
Re: My '44 Willys MB
How can you tell that?
All I see is missing press studs.
Toby
Willys MB 3/13/42 127415
Willys MB 1/9/45 404620
Willys MB 3/13/42 127415
Willys MB 1/9/45 404620
- macaddict23
- G-Major General
- Posts: 2832
- Joined: Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:49 pm
- Location:
Re: My '44 Willys MB
Under the tub, next to the steering box is the driver-side toeboard gusset (big triangular support piece).
Is there a number stamped on the front?
Is there a number stamped on the front?
"Originality . . . It just needs to be what it is."
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: Walter and 36 guests