My wife and I purchased our 47 CJ-2A in June of 2016. Although we were working opposite schedules at the time (her a night shift Nurse), we spent as many days as possible working together on our project. After serving for 20 years in the US Army, I had always wanted to have my very own piece of military history. We shopped around and were becoming disheartened by the condition of an original MB so we opted for a CJ-2A that had good “bones.” Although you always find more work once you dig in, we really enjoyed the fruits of our labor and watching our project emerge into a tribute to the Willys MB.
We modified the front end with an MB grill and lights, fabricated the drivers side tub to accept the axe and shovel handles, added a canvas summer top, non-directional tires, OD green seat cushions, black out marker on the fender and used my old Army unit bumper numbers for the stencils. My wife helped me one night as I lifted the tub from the chassis by hoisting it on each of the four corners using rope thrown over the rafters in our garage. A slow but effective process since I didn’t have a crew to help lift the tub any other way. Fortunately, what little rust and/or body damage was repaired with new sheet metal and the help of a buddy with a welder. My wife also assisted me with the rebuilding of the transmission and transfer case after we found that it had filled with water and rust having sat out in the weather for years.
We painted the entire Jeep in our garage, from the frame up. Then, my brother flew down for a visit to assist with the final paint, the reassembly, installation of the new wiring harness and with getting the engine fired up for the first time in many years. Of course Kaiser Willys was a main contributor for those pieces and parts that were needed to put my project together. It’s great to have a company that is responsive to the needs, and shipped out my orders in a timely manner. We love our Willys MB Tribute, and have had nothing but great feedback from people at car shows and just driving around town enjoying our beautiful Southern California weather.
Kaiser Willys Jeep Blog Story – Andrew Jones
If you would like to share your Willys Jeep Story please send us a line. We ‘d love to meet your Jeep.
Like Us. Facebook
Looking for, Willys Jeep Parts, Willys Jeep replacement parts, Willys Jeep body parts and much more for your 1941-1971 Willys vehicle, you have come to the right place!
Rachel
love the orinal look and and thats what a jeep shud be
when we think willys jeep this is what comes to mind
what a beauty
keep it going ,great job
Felicitaciones,prolijo y hermoso trabajo de restauración,saludos
Rachel,
Many of the 2-A’s were built with parts left over from WW2 production. a nice restoration job. Some people have all of the luck by getting real wives also!
Dave
Excellent job! – Where did you get the fuel filter highlighted in your pictures (make & model #) ?
Best & Thanks
CAW
She’s a beauty! A friend of mine did an early 2A and at my suggestion rebodied it with an MB body kit. I turned a set of Front hubs on my lathe for him and he slipped them over the rear wheel studs and put tinnerman clips on it now it looks like it has an MB rearend. He’s ecstatic! Like yours, it’s a head turner.And it is a big hit at the shows which I’m sure your’s is A very nice job! hope you have many good years and good times with your buggy! And..it’s great to have a wonderful wife and good friends to share a project with you! God Bless and Nice Job!