My new Willys MB - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

chris93263 · 02-23-2011, 05:19 PM

My grandparents-in-law just gave me and my wife a willys mb. the title says it's a 47, but that probably isn't accurate. it has been in the family for 16 years. it has 5.38 gears and 31x10.50s. other than that, it's original. I plan to clean it up with some paint, upgrade the steering, add a roll bar, and put some other safety stuff in; seats, harnesses, etc. I am a newby when it comes to jeeps this old, so i have a lot to learn.

chris93263 · 02-23-2011, 05:22 PM

http://img231.imageshack.us/i/1000891u.jpg/
http://img155.imageshack.us/i/1000897nl.jpg/
http://img194.imageshack.us/i/1000901cv.jpg/ http://img824.imageshack.us/i/1000904q.jpg/

KW01TJ · 02-23-2011, 05:25 PM

lets see some pics of that thing

personally i'd leave it completely stock and just cruise it in the summer around town

edit: beat me to it

chris93263 · 02-23-2011, 05:26 PM

pics up. i don't know how to get them embedded in the post, so i posted a link.

djljeep · 02-23-2011, 05:39 PM

Yep thats not a 47. 42ish-45 and i bet if you took better pictures of specific areas or someone better versed in mbs/gpws got on here you could narrow it down further than that. If your in cali than no huge deal, but if that was here on the east coast, people would pay $$$ to have one that clean to restore, my dad being one of them. I'm not gonna be one of those guys that says don't modify it at all, its your families willys, but alot of people consider that a piece of history. Moral of the story- upgrade the steering, the stock stuff is crap but if you start comp cutting and and swapping in ls1s alot of people will cringe. Granted not so much on pirate, everything here needs a custom frame, 4 links and a stretch to be cool

djljeep · 02-23-2011, 05:40 PM

oh and heres your pics

chris93263 · 02-23-2011, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djljeep

Yep thats not a 47. 42ish-45 and i bet if you took better pictures of specific areas or someone better versed in mbs/gpws got on here you could narrow it down further than that. If your in cali than no huge deal, but if that was here on the east coast, people would pay $$$ to have one that clean to restore, my dad being one of them. I'm not gonna be one of those guys that says don't modify it at all, its your families willys, but alot of people consider that a piece of history. Moral of the story- upgrade the steering, the stock stuff is crap but if you start comp cutting and and swapping in ls1s alot of people will cringe. Granted not so much on pirate, everything here needs a custom frame, 4 links and a stretch to be cool

Thanks for the input. I think you're right about not hacking it up. It's a lot of fun as is. Any suggestions for the steering? I've been looking around, but i'm still unsure of which route to take.

Do any of you MB experts know which areas I need to take pictures of to identify the year?

And thanks for posting the pics.

djljeep · 02-23-2011, 07:13 PM

There are some mb/gpw specificish sites, I'll edit them in if i can remember them. If your serial number is still on the cowl or on a data plate somewhere you can look it up that way. It's been a while for me all i remember are the spots but not what things mean. some unique features are whether you have a glove compartment, is there some sort of script on the rear corner of the tub, storage pockets in the wheel wells little stuff like that. also i don't doubt its the original frame but check to see if the front cross member is round (if the stock one is still there (MB thing) and if you have a machine gun mount on the frame(it is a plate on a crossmember above the rear axle that goes up towards the tub, just confirms its a military frame)

brownbagg · 02-23-2011, 07:34 PM

could be a 47 but looking at the side dents I would say 43. also that windshield frame is not right.

chris93263 · 02-23-2011, 07:58 PM

it appears to have the crossmember and machine gun mount in the picture above. it has a glove box and storage/ammo boxes in the back corners.

i noticed the windshield is a different color, but what makes it wrong?

chris93263 · 02-23-2011, 08:22 PM

i just went outside and checked the front crossmember. it is tubular, not u-shaped, so it's an mb not a ford. i couldn't find a serial number, but i may have better luck during the day.

norcal45gpw · 02-23-2011, 08:37 PM

Cool little Jeep.
Nice to see one that hasn't been cut up.
Here are some sites for info.
http://www.g503.com/
http://www.42fordgpw.com/
http://ww2jeeps.com/
http://www.jeeptech.com/
http://www.ewillys.com/
http://www.olive-drab.com/

norcal45gpw · 02-23-2011, 08:52 PM

One more for dating tub/frame.
http://www.rensjeep.com/
http://www.rensjeep.com/sernum.html

djljeep · 02-23-2011, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brownbagg

could be a 47 but looking at the side dents I would say 43. also that windshield frame is not right.

I kind of thought the same thing about the windshield, but it almost looks like someone added to the top of it, above the top channel to maybe make the top sit higher?

Given that you have all the features of a MB/GPW in the tub its for sure not a 47.
Much past this stuff I think If you are researching the stock aspect to this, i think you'd be better off on the other sites.
Earlycj5.com also has a decent flatfender section that may help with figuring out what to do with your steering.

RageM880 · 02-23-2011, 09:00 PM

Quote:

i noticed the windshield is a different color, but what makes it wrong

The top of the frame looks like it has an extension on it. Is it part of the frame or screwed on?

chris93263 · 02-23-2011, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RageM880

The top of the frame looks like it has an extension on it. Is it part of the frame or screwed on?

Quote:

Originally Posted by djljeep

I kind of thought the same thing about the windshield, but it almost looks like someone added to the top of it, above the top channel to maybe make the top sit higher?

Given that you have all the features of a MB/GPW in the tub its for sure not a 47.
Much past this stuff I think If you are researching the stock aspect to this, i think you'd be better off on the other sites.
Earlycj5.com also has a decent flatfender section that may help with figuring out what to do with your steering.

i know what you guys are talking about with the windshield. i don't know why it is like that. it does seem different than other MBs' windshields i've seen.

I looked on my registration for the vin. the vin is a 6 digit number that coincides with a serial numbers issued to the MBs in 1942.

brownbagg · 02-24-2011, 04:36 AM

what happen to the fuel tank filler under the driver seat, an mb had a huge hole, cj was smaller.

MrWillys · 02-24-2011, 05:05 AM

That windshield is somewhat rare, and i think it's from a CJ. Also, didn't MB's have front shackles mounted aft the axle? edit: I think I'm wrong on both counts here. Nice Jeep and good luck on keeping her clean and running.

djljeep · 02-24-2011, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris93263

I looked on my registration for the vin. the vin is a 6 digit number that coincides with a serial numbers issued to the MBs in 1942.

Grats dude

chris93263 · 02-24-2011, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brownbagg

what happen to the fuel tank filler under the driver seat, an mb had a huge hole, cj was smaller.

i filled her up yesterday, and the hole is huge. it's about 4" diameter.

chris93263 · 02-24-2011, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrWillys

That windshield is somewhat rare, and i think it's from a CJ. Also, didn't MB's have front shackles mounted aft the axle?

hmm maybe i can sell it and buy a correct piece.

does this shackle seem to be correct?

MrWillys · 02-24-2011, 05:49 AM

At some point the shackle went to the rear. That may have been the M38A? After taking a second look. Your does appear to be an MB. Sorry for my confusion.

djljeep · 02-24-2011, 06:24 AM

m38a1s have the reversed shackles

SVARAS · 02-24-2011, 08:26 AM

Nice MB !
You will have a lot of fun with it.

chris93263 · 02-24-2011, 09:41 PM

I picked up a saginaw manual gear box and tie rods today. I couldn't find a good column and intermediate shaft out at the junk yard because all of the vehicles that came with them were stripped.

I think I will build my own column and shaft. The column will be similar to SVARAS's with a pipe attached to the cage by a heim joint and a quick disconnect steering wheel. The intermediate shaft will be made made of two square tubes, one inside the other, with a u-joint on one end and the toothed piece that goes to the saginaw on the other. Thoughts? Suggestions?

Gramps and I will cage it this weekend if the weather permits. We've already gathered some 1.5" standard wall pipe. Instead of bending the pipe, I plan on just using 90s. The middle hoop with have 90s facing inward toward each other. I will point the back and front 90s to the middle hoop. I will run a 1.5" bar across the top of the windshield, and a 1" bar across the top of the dash to keep from cluttering up the dash too much. Thoughts? Suggestions?

02-23-2011, 05:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
chris93263 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Member # 86065 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 142	My new Willys MB My grandparents-in-law just gave me and my wife a willys mb. the title says it's a 47, but that probably isn't accurate. it has been in the family for 16 years. it has 5.38 gears and 31x10.50s. other than that, it's original. I plan to clean it up with some paint, upgrade the steering, add a roll bar, and put some other safety stuff in; seats, harnesses, etc. I am a newby when it comes to jeeps this old, so i have a lot to learn. __________________ MB

02-23-2011, 05:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
chris93263 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Member # 86065 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 142	http://img231.imageshack.us/i/1000891u.jpg/ http://img155.imageshack.us/i/1000897nl.jpg/ http://img194.imageshack.us/i/1000901cv.jpg/ http://img824.imageshack.us/i/1000904q.jpg/ __________________ MB Last edited by chris93263; 02-23-2011 at 05:24 PM.

02-23-2011, 05:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
KW01TJ Wheeler Join Date: Feb 2007 Member # 86508 Location: Nampa, ID Posts: 107	lets see some pics of that thing personally i'd leave it completely stock and just cruise it in the summer around town edit: beat me to it Last edited by KW01TJ; 02-23-2011 at 05:27 PM.

02-23-2011, 05:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
chris93263 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Member # 86065 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 142	pics up. i don't know how to get them embedded in the post, so i posted a link. __________________ MB

02-23-2011, 05:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
djljeep Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Member # 110248 Location: Western Maine Posts: 395	Yep thats not a 47. 42ish-45 and i bet if you took better pictures of specific areas or someone better versed in mbs/gpws got on here you could narrow it down further than that. If your in cali than no huge deal, but if that was here on the east coast, people would pay $$$ to have one that clean to restore, my dad being one of them. I'm not gonna be one of those guys that says don't modify it at all, its your families willys, but alot of people consider that a piece of history. Moral of the story- upgrade the steering, the stock stuff is crap but if you start comp cutting and and swapping in ls1s alot of people will cringe. Granted not so much on pirate, everything here needs a custom frame, 4 links and a stretch to be cool __________________ Western Maine Mountain Jeepers A shortcut is the longest distance between any two points

02-23-2011, 05:40 PM	#6 (permalink)
djljeep Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Member # 110248 Location: Western Maine Posts: 395	oh and heres your pics __________________ Western Maine Mountain Jeepers A shortcut is the longest distance between any two points Last edited by djljeep; 02-23-2011 at 05:43 PM.

02-23-2011, 07:13 PM	#8 (permalink)
djljeep Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Member # 110248 Location: Western Maine Posts: 395	There are some mb/gpw specificish sites, I'll edit them in if i can remember them. If your serial number is still on the cowl or on a data plate somewhere you can look it up that way. It's been a while for me all i remember are the spots but not what things mean. some unique features are whether you have a glove compartment, is there some sort of script on the rear corner of the tub, storage pockets in the wheel wells little stuff like that. also i don't doubt its the original frame but check to see if the front cross member is round (if the stock one is still there (MB thing) and if you have a machine gun mount on the frame(it is a plate on a crossmember above the rear axle that goes up towards the tub, just confirms its a military frame) __________________ Western Maine Mountain Jeepers A shortcut is the longest distance between any two points

02-23-2011, 07:34 PM	#9 (permalink)
brownbagg Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 102 Location: grand bay al usa Posts: 1,002	could be a 47 but looking at the side dents I would say 43. also that windshield frame is not right.

02-23-2011, 07:58 PM	#10 (permalink)
chris93263 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Member # 86065 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 142	it appears to have the crossmember and machine gun mount in the picture above. it has a glove box and storage/ammo boxes in the back corners. i noticed the windshield is a different color, but what makes it wrong? __________________ MB

02-23-2011, 08:22 PM	#11 (permalink)
chris93263 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Member # 86065 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 142	i just went outside and checked the front crossmember. it is tubular, not u-shaped, so it's an mb not a ford. i couldn't find a serial number, but i may have better luck during the day. __________________ MB

02-23-2011, 08:37 PM	#12 (permalink)
norcal45gpw Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Member # 63608 Location: Manteca,CA. Posts: 61	Cool little Jeep. Nice to see one that hasn't been cut up. Here are some sites for info. http://www.g503.com/ http://www.42fordgpw.com/ http://ww2jeeps.com/ http://www.jeeptech.com/ http://www.ewillys.com/ http://www.olive-drab.com/

02-23-2011, 08:52 PM	#13 (permalink)
norcal45gpw Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Member # 63608 Location: Manteca,CA. Posts: 61	One more for dating tub/frame. http://www.rensjeep.com/ http://www.rensjeep.com/sernum.html

02-24-2011, 04:36 AM	#17 (permalink)
brownbagg Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 102 Location: grand bay al usa Posts: 1,002	what happen to the fuel tank filler under the driver seat, an mb had a huge hole, cj was smaller.

02-24-2011, 05:05 AM	#18 (permalink)
MrWillys Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Member # 9991 Location: Cold Springs, NV Posts: 2,367	That windshield is somewhat rare, and i think it's from a CJ. Also, didn't MB's have front shackles mounted aft the axle? edit: I think I'm wrong on both counts here. Nice Jeep and good luck on keeping her clean and running. __________________ [url]www.scotthansen.net[/url] Last edited by MrWillys; 02-24-2011 at 05:40 AM.

02-24-2011, 05:49 AM	#22 (permalink)
MrWillys Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Member # 9991 Location: Cold Springs, NV Posts: 2,367	At some point the shackle went to the rear. That may have been the M38A? After taking a second look. Your does appear to be an MB. Sorry for my confusion. __________________ [url]www.scotthansen.net[/url]

02-24-2011, 06:24 AM	#23 (permalink)
djljeep Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Member # 110248 Location: Western Maine Posts: 395	m38a1s have the reversed shackles __________________ Western Maine Mountain Jeepers A shortcut is the longest distance between any two points

02-24-2011, 08:26 AM	#24 (permalink)
SVARAS Willys LS Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9310 Location: Chile Posts: 1,086	Nice MB ! You will have a lot of fun with it. __________________ Wagoneer 6.0L / RAM 2500 Cummins 5.9 4WOR 2012 Ultimate Adventure Invited Reader Willys LSX in Progress

02-24-2011, 09:41 PM	#25 (permalink)
chris93263 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Member # 86065 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 142	I picked up a saginaw manual gear box and tie rods today. I couldn't find a good column and intermediate shaft out at the junk yard because all of the vehicles that came with them were stripped. I think I will build my own column and shaft. The column will be similar to SVARAS's with a pipe attached to the cage by a heim joint and a quick disconnect steering wheel. The intermediate shaft will be made made of two square tubes, one inside the other, with a u-joint on one end and the toothed piece that goes to the saginaw on the other. Thoughts? Suggestions? Gramps and I will cage it this weekend if the weather permits. We've already gathered some 1.5" standard wall pipe. Instead of bending the pipe, I plan on just using 90s. The middle hoop with have 90s facing inward toward each other. I will point the back and front 90s to the middle hoop. I will run a 1.5" bar across the top of the windshield, and a 1" bar across the top of the dash to keep from cluttering up the dash too much. Thoughts? Suggestions? __________________ MB

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