My '44 Willys MB

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Geromino3509
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My '44 Willys MB

Post by Geromino3509 » Fri Jun 30, 2017 5:14 pm

Hey guys,

New to this site and a first time military vehicle owner. I've been searching about three years now for a good Willys MB and finally found this one about 2 weeks ago.
It is by no means perfect but it is clean and runs/drives very well. I'm looking forward to learning all I can and using this site and everyone here for help as the projects start to present themselves.

Here are a few pictures of my new toy...

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1944 Willys MB, DoD 12-7-44
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Beers
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Re: My '44 Willys MB

Post by Beers » Fri Jun 30, 2017 8:05 pm

Very nice Geromino3509, welcome to the Gee! :)
1943 MB 213301 DOD 2-22-43

Mark Jesic
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Re: My '44 Willys MB

Post by Mark Jesic » Fri Jun 30, 2017 10:31 pm

Welcome Geronimo, thats a good clean looking jeep, help awaits you if you need it. Looks like the 3 year wait was well worth it. :D

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Re: My '44 Willys MB

Post by Fortyeight2A » Tue Jul 04, 2017 9:18 pm

That is a seriously nice looking jeep! I am absolutely OD with envy! :mrgreen: What can it need besides combat rims???
Is it true real Jeeps have flat fenders?
Alone cannot you it resist!

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Geromino3509
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Re: My '44 Willys MB

Post by Geromino3509 » Wed Jul 05, 2017 1:15 pm

Fortyeight2A wrote:That is a seriously nice looking jeep! I am absolutely OD with envy! :mrgreen: What can it need besides combat rims???

Well...besides the correct rims...front bumper was bent in the middle one point and sort of hammered back, also as nice as the engine is the last owner took out the whole oil filter system! So that's up on the list.
It also drips a little gear oil from the tranny after it's warmed up, not uncommon I know, and not bad enough yet to warrant the major work involved.

I shouldn't complain, it is a sweet Jeep. I have to go into the garage every morning to make myself believe I finally own one!
1944 Willys MB, DoD 12-7-44
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Mark Jesic
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Re: My '44 Willys MB

Post by Mark Jesic » Thu Jul 06, 2017 12:28 am

Its a great feeling Geronimo, looking in the garage at your pride and joy. The oil drip shouldnt be too much of a problem, most drip slightly, more so when its hot, keep us posted on your progress. :D

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Re: My '44 Willys MB

Post by thidisbogus » Fri Jul 07, 2017 9:29 pm

Hi Geromino,

Welcome to the G! That is one very nice, complete looking jeep. You have reason to be excited. One of the first things you may want to do is put correct stencils on the hood. There are a lot of resources to estimate your 8 digit hood number. It will always start with a 20.

What do you mean that the previous owner removed the oil filter system? They actually just disconnected it?

Make sure and take a lot more photos of the interior, data plates, underside, engine etc.

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horrocks
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Re: My '44 Willys MB

Post by horrocks » Sat Jul 08, 2017 2:33 am

If you find it is too 'by no means perfect' for you, I'll take it off of your hands for you!

I love the patina.
Toby

Willys MB 3/13/42 127415
Willys MB 1/9/45 404620

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Geromino3509
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Re: My '44 Willys MB

Post by Geromino3509 » Sat Jul 08, 2017 7:45 am

thidisbogus,

I agree about putting the correct markings on the Jeep, my dilemma is that, like Horrocks said, I love the patina and overall paint. We shall see how that goes. I was just thinking yesterday about how I'd go about finding out the hood number though.

The oil system...they removed it completely. This may have been done some time ago when the engine was gone over, I'm not sure. At least it is still the 6 volt system. I've got most of the pieces listed out to search for and install the filter as it should be, biggest issue so far with that is finding anywhere that had the filter housing itself. I've attached a few pictures, you'll notice from the engine shot it also needs the correct crossover tube to the air cleaner as well as missing the horn assembly.

As far as the interior goes, you'll see I switched out the speedometer with a replacement the previous owner included. The original (on drivers seat) is, for now at least, not functioning. I'd like to send it out for rebuild.
Stamp on it is OCT 13 1944.

Engine #is MB517434, maybe a later engine for the MB? I know the serial numbers on the engines were ahead of the Jeeps but this seems a little high I think? Sorry the pictures are so big I'm still trying to figure out this image hosting thing.

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1944 Willys MB, DoD 12-7-44
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Beers
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Re: My '44 Willys MB

Post by Beers » Sat Jul 08, 2017 2:01 pm

Geromino3509, that engine number is right in the range for your serial number.

I'd say you have a matched set there :D
1943 MB 213301 DOD 2-22-43

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Re: My '44 Willys MB

Post by thidisbogus » Sat Jul 08, 2017 7:42 pm

If Ron doesn't have the oil filter assembly, you should try Brent Mullins Jeep Parts out of College Station, Texas. He has a lot of NOS, used and Willys of France stuff.

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Geromino3509
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Re: My '44 Willys MB

Post by Geromino3509 » Sun Jul 09, 2017 10:46 am

thidisbogus wrote:If Ron doesn't have the oil filter assembly, you should try Brent Mullins Jeep Parts out of College Station, Texas. He has a lot of NOS, used and Willys of France stuff.
Thanks for the info I will check them both out.
1944 Willys MB, DoD 12-7-44
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hell-fire
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Re: My '44 Willys MB

Post by hell-fire » Fri Jul 14, 2017 12:57 am

It looks real good but it is an older restoration with an early reproduction tub.
John
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1942 Willys MB-BRT 135673 D.O.D. 4-16-42 Now 97% finished
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horrocks
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Re: My '44 Willys MB

Post by horrocks » Fri Jul 14, 2017 1:54 am

hell-fire wrote:
Fri Jul 14, 2017 12:57 am
It looks real good but it is an older restoration with an early reproduction tub.
How can you tell that?

All I see is missing press studs.
Toby

Willys MB 3/13/42 127415
Willys MB 1/9/45 404620

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macaddict23
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Re: My '44 Willys MB

Post by macaddict23 » Sat Jul 15, 2017 10:32 pm

Under the tub, next to the steering box is the driver-side toeboard gusset (big triangular support piece).

Is there a number stamped on the front?

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