Willys Jeep

It all started in 2019, with a slightly modified, but mostly stock 1948 Willys CJ2a. Through the years it turned from a literal wreck, to a dependable and enjoyable little jeep I can use for things ranging from getting our Christmas tree, parades, or hauling 3/4 ton of concrete in the bed!
It is painted to represent the 140th medium tank battalion out of Korean Conflict

I found this jeep in 2019 and in my infinite wisdom figured 1100 miles isnt far to drive and pick this thing up, sight unseen.

Well lo and behold 150 miles and a few hours from home, my jeep finds a way off the tow dolley and launches up the side of the interstate embankment, demolishing a tree and its own bumper, hood, front frame horn and various other components.

Flipped it over with the help of a passerby, chained it back up and got it home.

It drew my blood turning the vehicle over, just as I had draw oil by rolling it upside down

After getting it home and letting it sit a few days, it was time to dig in.
See the extent of the damage. And get it rolling, at least we'll enough I could drive it around the yard.

First step of that was getting it runninf, after a few days the oil has time to drain back to the pan after sitting upside down for a few hours. Big issue now was the battery, it had fallen out and shorted on the hood when inverted. Using a jump box solved this, but melted the positive cable on the box due to the huge draw that the 6v starter took

It runs! Now, not very far as my tie rods and leaf springs are bent, toeing in my wheels quite a bit.

Over the course of the following year I was able to take it up and down the road to iron out issues as I noticed them, the dread death wobble popped up. Bit I was a simple no replacement fix. The bell crank was loose.
I gutted out the entire sound system and associated wiring, none of that would have been found on a jeep of this age. Changed alot of the rubber hoses due to age, and replaced the electric fuel pump with a stock mechanical. This revealed an issue with my carb and after rebuilding it, and slight adjustments the jeep runs like a sewing machine!

To this day I continue to work on this jeep. It may be something simple like a fluid change or brake adjustment or something more involving like valve adjustment or radiator repair. It continues to be a work in progress, but is something that I have been proud of for many years. A vehicle of this age is not for the faint of heart, to work on or drive.

But it is for me.

Its in no hurry to be anywhere, but it allows you to slow down and enjoy the world around you. Putting down a country road a 40 mph is a wonderful experience to have.

Some of the easter eggs found as I've been going though it were excess Ford parts. The degreaser and contact cleaner offered by WD40 were a huge help in finding these little secrets. The little script F was on every part for used during the war on their jeeps, and after they ceased, Willys Overland got the parts. Mine were hidden under 80 years of grime and paint

I have learned a tremendous amount from this jeep, there are alot of older mechanical principles, that newer mechanics don't know, and the ones that did are slowing disappearing.
Its up to people like us to keep the methods and knowledge alive. But also to keep these vehicles moving for the next generation to pay respect and learn from, so that way they know trucks like these meant business and nothing else.
Even if it meant realigning your spine to get to where you're going, you will get there