Newbie with a 1945 MB S/N 433154

[918jeeper]

Hello everybody! I just signed up here after purchasing a 1945 Willys MB over the weekend. I'm a Jeep enthusiast and always wanted an old flat fender CJ and came across this Willys MB that looked in pretty good shape so I snatched it up. I didn't know anything about military jeeps until I started to do some research. Now I'm totally hooked on this stuff. I find it very interesting and fun.

Anyway I bought it from a guy who acquired it from his uncle in New Mexico who had it for many years and passed away a couple years ago. The jeep was registered in New Mexico as a 1946 MB, so when his nephew brought it to Arizona it was also registered as a 1946 MB. While he was in the process of restoring the jeep he researched the serial number on the frame and it comes back as a 1945.

The Jeep is in good shape, very little rust except for the windshield frame, and runs great. It was converted to 12 volts and the original transmission was replace with a T-90. It also has had some other modifications including front and rear bumpers and appears to have had a rear shackle lift for towing purposes. The ID plates were removed by his uncle for some reason and they are nowhere to be found.

The engine appears to be the original Go Devil. It has a casting # of 638632W2A.

After looking it over real good and reading the AAW books the previous owner gave to me with the jeep, I found out that the hood is from a GPW. I also noticed that the toe board gussets are from a GPW. Everything else according to the books shows it's an MB.

I bought it to have fun with it and to restore it to what my budget will allow. I know it will not be perfect.

Please feel free to give me any feedback or advice.

Here's some pics of my new toy.

[gtbpappy]

welcome!!!! great find, and this is the place for info, and parts. good luck!!

[Tom Wolboldt]

Hello 918jeeper,

Welcome also!!!!

While I am mainly a GPW guy, I can help with a few of your questions.

In 1944 and 1945 95% of MBs / GPWs used a common body that had both MB and GPW features. This included a Ford type hood and Ford style body gussets. The body number will be stamped into the front face of the driver's side body gusset.

The motor should have a serial number stamped into an oval machined pad behind the oil filter. Also to the left of the 638632 casting mark will be a month - day date of when the block was cast.

There are many MB guys here on the G503 that will help you with your more detailed questions as they pop up.

[Mike Wright]

Nice find! If memory serves (and Tom will correct me if i'm incorrect) didn't some late MB's have ford hoods and fenders

[918jeeper]

Thanks for the info! For a minute there I was thinking the jeep was a salvage and put back together from cannibalized parts.

I found the following serial numbers:

Tub gusset #220039
Engine #MB579994
Engine Cast Date 3-21? (this was before #638632W2A on the engine block)

Do these numbers match for a 45 MB?

I attempted to lift the hood numbers but no luck. You can tell they were sanded off.

[gtbpappy]

engine may have been one of the generators built with the serial number in that range, or just leftover late 45 production? i had a generator with a serial number close to yours.

[918jeeper]

engine may have been one of the generators built with the serial number in that range, or just leftover late 45 production? i had a generator with a serial number close to yours.

Does that mean the engine is not the original one that was installed at the factory?

[Tom Wolboldt]

Hello 918jeeper,

Great Find! and thanks for posting the numbers!

From my little MB knowledge and comparing GPW composite body numbers to GPW DODs, Your MB should be a matching MB ( at least by body, frame, and motor ). I would put the DOD at about April 1, 45.

The MB guys can better confirm this.

[918jeeper]

Does this make it any more or less collectable?

[gtbpappy]

tom, engine stamp and frame plate are off by 146840. i think it was aleft over engine? regardless, great find and well worth doing. very rere to find an all 3's matching jeep. engine is most common to be replaced.

[918jeeper]

I really appreciate all the info everybody has given me! This is very interesting!

[Tom Wolboldt]

Hi Greg,

engine stamp and frame plate are off by 146840.

From what I have seen in other MB posts I believe that spread is about correct for a spring of 45 MB.

[gtbpappy]

ok, thanks tom!! i did not know that? i thought they would be a numbers match on that? is that the same as on the gpw's? i know that mine is a 42, but engine number is about 15,000 numbers lower?

[Mike Seymour]

918jeeper,
Ron Fitzpatrick and I will be at the Phoenix meet on the 24th and 25th. If you like, haul your Jeep over and we'll go over it with you. Sorta' let you know what's correct and what's not. We'll also be bringing a selection of books and manuals you might find of interest.
Hope to see you there...with or without your Jeep.

[918jeeper]

918jeeper,
Ron Fitzpatrick and I will be at the Phoenix meet on the 24th and 25th. If you like, haul your Jeep over and we'll go over it with you. Sorta' let you know what's correct and what's not. We'll also be bringing a selection of books and manuals you might find of interest.
Hope to see you there...with or without your Jeep.

Very Cool! I'm looking forward to meeting you guys!