Willy's Jeep

[Netnorske]

Want proof the Willy's Jeep -- the original military-spec off-roader -- was a work of engineering genius? Watch six soldiers drive up, hop out, tear one apart, put it back together and drive away in four minutes.


http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v...layer_embedded

[glwilson]

The jeep was truly a work of genius engineering.

I have a friend that owns an original. He has owned it for 40 years. His father owned it new as a military surplus.

Unfortunately, I still have a battle-scar from riding in it when my friend had to turn sharply to avoid another car. His attempt was unsuccessful and my leg fell out of the jeep and ended up between the jeep and car when they hit. I still have my leg; but my right knee is shot to hell.

But hey... still love taking a ride in it to this day.

I cannot remember what he was recently offered; but if it were me... I might have sold it!

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Sure hated to see the Army do away with their jeeps. Loved riding in and driving them back in my early days in the Army. Hum V's just weren't the same.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by Netnorske

Want proof the Willy's Jeep -- the original military-spec off-roader -- was a work of engineering genius? Watch six soldiers drive up, hop out, tear one apart, put it back together and drive away in four minutes.


http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v...layer_embedded

it would seem the bolts weren't torqued to spec, just saying. Also, that's not an original. This is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willys_MB

That one looks more like a CJ5.

They are great vehicles though, but I am not sure I would want one for my daily driver. Geared real low and the engines aren't made for continuous high speed running. My sister had one from the early 60's and it was doing all it could to go 55mph. My guess is that the gearing was 5.38 in the differentials.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep_CJ#CJ-3B

I've always wanted a Jeep, but it never happened. If I was going to get one, it would probably be a Rubicon.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by AlabamaNomadRider

Sure hated to see the Army do away with their jeeps. Loved riding in and driving them back in my early days in the Army. Hum V's just weren't the same.

Functionally though, the humvees work pretty well. Ugly though...

[cactusjack]

I owned a '75 CJ5 in high school. 304 V8, headers, 32" tires. That baby was quick. We used to go cruising in it and would end up racing it between lights. It would beat most cars off the line. For some reason, it went through u-joints faster than BD goes through silk shirts. ::) The sheet metal was thin and it rusted easily. It was fun to drive.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

I owned a '75 CJ5 in high school. 304 V8, headers, 32" tires. That baby was quick. We used to go cruising in it and would end up racing it between lights. It would beat most cars off the line. For some reason, it went through u-joints faster than BD goes through silk shirts. ::) The sheet metal was thin and it rusted easily. It was fun to drive.

Did the floor and the fender wells rot out? My first 4x4 was a 1984 K10 shortbed. Not bad, but a little tight in the woods. I'd like to get a late model rubicon and put a 5.7 hemi in it. That would be fun. The new ones don't use u-joints in the axles. CV joints with boots. I don't think they fair any better.

[audiogooroo]

Back in 1980 I had a 1966 CJ5 built by Willys, 5:38 differentials with a Buick 225 V6. That thing would crawl right up a tree and was a blast off road. Top highway speed (without an overdrive) was about 45 mph though. If you didn't have the overdrive, you would trailer it to where you wanted to 4x4. Great machine.
I also had a 1972 CJ5 that was alright, (slightly modified) and a 1973 CJ5. The 73 had an inline 258 6 cyl, 11" brakes and a 4 speed transmission, all factory. It was a bit of a rare breed, and I would still have it today if some lady hadn't run a red light and t-boned it. Totaled it. :'(
I've always been a Jeep fan.

[ponch]

My sister's CJ had a 4 cylinder. I remember riding with her on the parkway and it was revving pretty good at 50. I remember she tried to drive it to Maine and it broke down. The gearing just wasn't meant for the highway.

Originally Posted by audiogooroo

Back in 1980 I had a 1966 CJ5 built by Willys, 5:38 differentials with a Buick 225 V6. That thing would crawl right up a tree and was a blast off road. Top highway speed (without an overdrive) was about 45 mph though. If you didn't have the overdrive, you would trailer it to where you wanted to 4x4. Great machine.
I also had a 1972 CJ5 that was alright, (slightly modified) and a 1973 CJ5. The 73 had an inline 258 6 cyl, 11" brakes and a 4 speed transmission, all factory. It was a bit of a rare breed, and I would still have it today if some lady hadn't run a red light and t-boned it. Totaled it. :'(
I've always been a Jeep fan.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by ponch

Did the floor and the fender wells rot out? My first 4x4 was a 1984 K10 shortbed. Not bad, but a little tight in the woods. I'd like to get a late model rubicon and put a 5.7 hemi in it. That would be fun. The new ones don't use u-joints in the axles. CV joints with boots. I don't think they fair any better.

Yeah, the front fenders started to rot where they bolted to the firewall. I was talking about the driveshaft u-joints, by the way. I used to carry a spare set in the box in the floor under the passenger seat. I'd rev that thing up and dump the clutch and sometimes it would snap the u-joints.

I was only 17. I didn't know any better. ::)

[ponch]

I am too. The new wranglers don't use u-joints on the drive shafts.

I broke u-joints once. Actually the yoke going into the transfer case too. A friend of mine had a 4x4 3/4 ton suburban with a 454 in it. I tried to push him as he was trying to go back. I had it in 4lo and my tires spun. Well, some caught and some didn't. Blew the rear drive shaft out. I could here it rolling on the ground. Ah, the good old days. That taught me.

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Yeah, the front fenders started to rot where they bolted to the firewall. I was talking about the driveshaft u-joints, by the way. I used to carry a spare set in the box in the floor under the passenger seat. I'd rev that thing up and dump the clutch and sometimes it would snap the u-joints.

I was only 17. I didn't know any better. ::)

[dabull]

that was cool ;)

[ponch]

Originally Posted by DaBull

that was cool ;)

I have plenty more like that. It was like Road Warrior at times. We did a lot of crazy stuff then.

[qvcjim]

great video.........