'43 Willys Jeep

If you have an unrestored WWII jeep, we would like to see pictures, and hear your comments. NO EBAY or COMMERCIAL SALES.
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Ez8
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'43 Willys Jeep

Post by Ez8 » Mon Aug 27, 2012 2:31 pm

Let be known by all and sundry that:

Willys MB with serial #215159, D.O.D 2-25-1943 and Engine Serial #: 230079

Has arrived and its restoration in imminent.
Based on the information above, I think this might be the original engine for this MB. The range of numbers is certainly correct. I cannot find a body number on the cowl, but more on that later.

Some pictures, followed by a brief description.
Image
Image
I don't think these fenders are stock. That hole there seems way too far forward for a blackout light.
Image
Chassis is relatively rust free!
Image
The cockpit:
Image
This bull's horns are all mangled.
Image
Well, this one didn't upload like the others, so here's a big image for you. Lots of wiring "upgrades", an alternator and bunch of fuses there. Rip 'em out, I say!
Image

I'm looking forward to all the stuff I'm going to learn while doing this project: the history, the reason my bank account is drained...

Anyway, one thing that is kind of concerning me is the body tub. There are almost no holes for "things" (shovel bracket, any of the exterior handles) and it doesn't have a body number on the cowl where I thought there might be one. This leads me to think that the body is a replacement. BUT! There are several layers of paint on this thing: Green, Brown, Orange, Yellow... What's going on here?
The frame tag and the data plate numbers match so either someone moved the tags over or this is an original body that just doesn't have holes in it. The chassis has all the familiar signs of being an MB: machine gun mount, tubed radiator cross member, etc. Any ideas?

Anyway, I'll keep G posted and I hope the favorable blessings from the Great Jeep God shine down on me.
MB# 215159 D.O.D 2-25-43
Build Thread: viewtopic.php?f=96&t=209632


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Ez8
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Re: '43 Willys Jeep

Post by Ez8 » Mon Aug 27, 2012 2:33 pm

I forgot to add: The reason this jeep holds a special place in my heart is because of it's DOD date: 2-25-1943. My dad entered the Army on 2-11-1943. They were practically brothers in arms!
MB# 215159 D.O.D 2-25-43
Build Thread: viewtopic.php?f=96&t=209632

Bill M
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Re: '43 Willys Jeep

Post by Bill M » Mon Aug 27, 2012 7:07 pm

Hello Ez8,
the tub may have smoothed with body filler/bondo for I cannot see any of the usual seams, have you checked the tub # on the drivers side front gusset? Hope the Jeep gods look after you!
Bill.
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GPW-178721 Under restoration.

sjalbert
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Re: '43 Willys Jeep

Post by sjalbert » Tue Aug 28, 2012 7:37 am

You should have an ACM1 body look for a number on the side of the drivers side gusset as shown in the first drawing at this link: http://web.archive.org/web/200305172131 ... ourn-a.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Could you post the casting date of the engine? It's found on the lower right side below the starter and should be 2-1X or 2-2X.

Thans
Seth
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Collecting Willys Engine Info. Please send me Engine #, Casting Date & Machining Date if known

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Ethan L
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Re: '43 Willys Jeep

Post by Ethan L » Tue Aug 28, 2012 8:52 am

Welcome Ez8,

I have a 1943 Willys as well. Your first questions were the same that I asked not too long ago. I know that my tub was frosted like a cake with bondo, so none of my holes were visible either. I know they are their because the bondo squeezed through the holes on the inside of the tub. If your tub has the holes, you'll find them with a flapper wheel or media blasting.

Since you have a February '43, you should have the ACM 1 tub. Seth sent you a good website on info about that. I was looking in the wrong area, but after reading that website, I found my numbers right where they should be

Image

Indeed, I hope the Jeep Gods are your friends. I think I'm their playtoy!
Ethan

1943 Willys MB "Hoot 'N' Nanny" MB 261080
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Ez8
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Re: '43 Willys Jeep

Post by Ez8 » Tue Aug 28, 2012 2:05 pm

Thanks, fellas.

sjalbert: I'll be sure to post the casting numbers for you this weekend along with the other body data.

Ethan: Thanks. We spoke on PM, but truth be told I've been using your thread as the barometer since you're only a few months ahead of me in the restoration. I'll let you make the mistakes and learn the knowledge and then learn from you! :P
MB# 215159 D.O.D 2-25-43
Build Thread: viewtopic.php?f=96&t=209632

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Ez8
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Re: '43 Willys Jeep

Post by Ez8 » Tue Aug 28, 2012 6:58 pm

An update:

This evening I had a little time so I decided to take my data plates off and work on getting the paint off the glove box. This has given me a little insight to the jeep's past.

The color progression from newest to oldest goes: Brown, Orange, Yellow, Gray (maybe robin's egg blue), Dark green (maybe OD, but seems a little dark), bare metal.
The brown and orange came off pretty easily, but the yellow and gray were quite difficult. I was able to take them off pretty much a layer at a time in the central part of the glove box lid where I was doing my testing.
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This is the weird dark green
Image

I also found a small metal disc with the characters:
8 A
50 23
(with the three rotated 90 degrees clockwise)
Image
The disc may be an asset tag. The oldest bit of paint on it is the Gray/Robin's egg blue layer.

The color progression leads me to believe that this jeep may have been used by some dept of transportation (the yellow) at some time. Didn't the CA highway dept use jeeps quite a bit post-war?

Also, is there any way to find out if my jeep was an Army or Navy jeep?

Thanks, fellows.
MB# 215159 D.O.D 2-25-43
Build Thread: viewtopic.php?f=96&t=209632

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Ez8
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Re: '43 Willys Jeep

Post by Ez8 » Mon Sep 03, 2012 4:18 pm

Whew. A pretty big labor day weekend filled with work on the MB and lots of parts to go through.

Anyway, some pics of my progress:

First, I was able to find the body number thanks to the comments posted in this thread. Thanks. Body number is #113759
Image

With panache I attacked the rear panel. The layers of paint came off real easy because of all the bondo. I was able to find all the weld lines and the original light hole as well. I also found all of the original holes for "things" (handles, etc) as well as a couple of bonus holes that "bubba" threw in for free. Awfully kind of him.
Image

Removing bondo with an angle grinder is kind of like picking at a scab. It is mesmerizing. I couldn't hold back.
Here's a close up of some of the bad rusty areas on the rear panel. They aren't really rusty any more, but you an see the typical erosion areas:
Image

I went for the gusto and decided to remove the air cleaner and radiator and the carburetor. They are all sitting on my workbench right now awaiting my attention.
Image
MB# 215159 D.O.D 2-25-43
Build Thread: viewtopic.php?f=96&t=209632

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Ez8
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Re: '43 Willys Jeep

Post by Ez8 » Mon Sep 03, 2012 4:46 pm

Sorry. I was over enthusiastic and hit "submit" prematurely.

Can anyone tell me what repair kit I need for my carburetor? Our benefactor's website has this for the Carter W-O carburetor, but is this what I need:
https://www.vintagejeeps.com/pc-208-40- ... 745-k.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The 647745 throws me. I don't see this anywhere on the carb. I also notice that he is out of stock right now...

No matter, here are pics of the carb and all of the mysterious runes inscribed on it.
Image
Image
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Thanks for all your help.
MB# 215159 D.O.D 2-25-43
Build Thread: viewtopic.php?f=96&t=209632

jedburgh
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Re: '43 Willys Jeep

Post by jedburgh » Tue Sep 04, 2012 11:03 am

Your carburator was a post war.
jedburgh
Jeep Willys "MP" 354074 dod: july 24 1944
Jeep Willys 288001 dod : december 9 1943
Bantam trailer sérial body 116858 dod august 44

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Mark Tombleson
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Re: '43 Willys Jeep

Post by Mark Tombleson » Tue Sep 04, 2012 3:17 pm

Ez8 wrote:An update:

Also, is there any way to find out if my jeep was an Army or Navy jeep?

Thanks, fellows.
You have the original rivets in your rear crossmember... therefore no lift rings as they were installed with bolts so it was not a USMC/Navy jeep from the factory.
MB-NAVY-MZ-1 352625 - 07/20/44 (DOD est.)
U.S.N. 133818
2nd place Restored Class 2008 Portland Convention
MVPA Hall of Fame - 2013

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Ez8
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Re: '43 Willys Jeep

Post by Ez8 » Tue Sep 04, 2012 5:28 pm

jedburgh wrote:Your carburator was a post war.
jedburgh
I'm ignorant so could you elaborate on how you can tell?

Thanks!
MB# 215159 D.O.D 2-25-43
Build Thread: viewtopic.php?f=96&t=209632

Rick O
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Re: '43 Willys Jeep

Post by Rick O » Tue Sep 04, 2012 9:44 pm

And is that a WOF(willys of France) steering box?

Tip on removing bondo. If you use a paint stripper heat gun on the opposite side of the bondo, I.e. the inside and bondo outside, and heat it up from the rear and use a putty knife or screwdriver, the bondo will peel off nicely, that way you won't need a wire wheel/grinder and get the dust all over the place.
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Re: '43 Willys Jeep

Post by jedburgh » Wed Sep 05, 2012 11:08 am

Ez8 wrote:
jedburgh wrote:Your carburator was a post war.
jedburgh
I'm ignorant so could you elaborate on how you can tell?

Thanks!
The original ww2 carburetor was 8 patents in the tank of carburator and it was estamped C in all parts:
Pics of my original carburetor :
Image
Image
Sorry for my english , i'am french !
jedburgh
Jeep Willys "MP" 354074 dod: july 24 1944
Jeep Willys 288001 dod : december 9 1943
Bantam trailer sérial body 116858 dod august 44

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Ez8
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Re: '43 Willys Jeep

Post by Ez8 » Wed Sep 05, 2012 3:04 pm

Rick O wrote:And is that a WOF(willys of France) steering box?

Tip on removing bondo. If you use a paint stripper heat gun on the opposite side of the bondo, I.e. the inside and bondo outside, and heat it up from the rear and use a putty knife or screwdriver, the bondo will peel off nicely, that way you won't need a wire wheel/grinder and get the dust all over the place.
Mon Dieu! I believe it is a WOF steering box. Is this something I should eject from the jeep? I'm surprised I haven't found more WOF parts.

Thanks for the tip on the bondo. The way things are going I'm sure I'll be taking a lot more off.

Also, thanks for the info on the carburetor, jedburgh. Now I know what to look for at swap meets and ebay.
MB# 215159 D.O.D 2-25-43
Build Thread: viewtopic.php?f=96&t=209632


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