Jordan's 1944 Willys MB 305597

If you have an unrestored WWII jeep, we would like to see pictures, and hear your comments. NO EBAY or COMMERCIAL SALES.
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whatthecrunchyo
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Jordan's 1944 Willys MB 305597

Post by whatthecrunchyo » Fri Feb 03, 2017 12:50 pm

I bought my first Jeep on January 29, 2017 from a man in Arlington, Texas. He stated that this Jeep was his grandfather's that he inherited from him when he died in 2013. The Jeep came from California with him when he moved to Arlington. He stated that his grandfather was a Marine on Iwo Jima, and purchased this Jeep shortly after exiting the service. After it's military service, I am now the second owner.

I am not sure if I plan on restoring it or preserving it...only time can tell. I am creating this thread to chronicle the Jeep's life as I restore it mechanically. I am 29 years old and have never had a car project before, other than handy work I have done on my own vehicles. I know this will be a slow project, and a learning project, but I am greatly looking forward to it! I plan on being completely meticulous with this Jeep, not cutting any corners, and consulting with the "experts" before I do anything crazy. Enjoy!

Jordan

Here are the original photos that I took when my 1SG and I drove up from Fort Hood to pick it up in Arlington.

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Last edited by whatthecrunchyo on Fri Feb 03, 2017 1:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1944 Willys MB 305597 (2-15-44)


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Re: Jordan's 1944 Willys MB 305597

Post by whatthecrunchyo » Fri Feb 03, 2017 1:07 pm

In the first week, my goal was to give it a good baseline for normal driving. I started tinkering a bit.

-Replaced the oil with 5Qs of Rotella's 15W-40.
-Replaced the oil filter with a Wix 51100.
-Replaced the spark plugs with Autolite's Copper 295s.
-Removed the tow bar and brackets, and replaced the bumper bolts with some non-authentic temporary holdovers.
-Removed a wood bubba mod that was in the front windshield to hold a hunting rifle.
-Vacuumed the body out.

Here are the photos as she sits on February 3, 2017. I am about to leave for a 30 day training exercise in the Mojave, but upon my return I plan to bleed the brakes and adjust them because they are very stiff right now.

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1944 Willys MB 305597 (2-15-44)

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Re: Jordan's 1944 Willys MB 305597

Post by Frank » Fri Feb 03, 2017 2:55 pm

WOW!!! Very Nice and rustfree jeep! 8)
Willys MB`s
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Re: Jordan's 1944 Willys MB 305597

Post by GP1942 » Fri Feb 03, 2017 4:29 pm

:o

no rust there !!!!!!! it is brand new

Great find................. 8)
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Re: Jordan's 1944 Willys MB 305597

Post by 2/14Marine » Fri Feb 03, 2017 5:08 pm

Try some acetone and extra fine steel wool and see if any of that yellow paint comes off.
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Re: Jordan's 1944 Willys MB 305597

Post by Beers » Fri Feb 03, 2017 6:13 pm

Outstanding! Great jeep, great find. Shouldn't be too hard to get the yellow paint off.
1943 MB 213301 DOD 2-22-43

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Re: Jordan's 1944 Willys MB 305597

Post by whatthecrunchyo » Fri Feb 03, 2017 7:58 pm

Thanks everyone! Does anyone have advice on stripping the yellow? I read that paint stripper and paint thinner mixed together might be a good option?

I applied a bit of grease lightning to the engine bay this afternoon. She was dirty!

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Last edited by whatthecrunchyo on Fri Feb 03, 2017 9:22 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1944 Willys MB 305597 (2-15-44)

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Re: Jordan's 1944 Willys MB 305597

Post by macaddict23 » Fri Feb 03, 2017 8:49 pm

I agree with Jay-Dub. Try a hot pressure wash. Heck, even a razor blade and start chipping away that yellow paint. Your Jeep will be worth more, will have more character if you don't take it apart and restore.
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Re: Jordan's 1944 Willys MB 305597

Post by Mark Tombleson » Fri Feb 03, 2017 10:14 pm

I see a lot of gray underneath the yellow.

Just might see if a power wash strips off some of that yellow, but maybe not.

Humor me an see if there are any numbers above and below the side grab bars.

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Your jeep looks a lot like mine did... layers of post war paint, yellow, gray and what appears to be forest green on the running gear and frame... some underneath the body.
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Re: Jordan's 1944 Willys MB 305597

Post by 2/14Marine » Sat Feb 04, 2017 4:23 am

Mark I was thinking the same thing. It appears to have holes on the front frame for possible ram horns and between each bumperette for lifting shackles.
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1942 MB 121796, DOD 2-23-42, USMC 37141

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Re: Jordan's 1944 Willys MB 305597

Post by whatthecrunchyo » Sat Feb 04, 2017 7:23 am

I used the blow drier and a scraper to find out what layers of paint are on the Jeep. From top layer to bottom layer, it is yellow, black, shipboard gray, military green. When I get back home from my training exercise in mid March, I will see if I can strip off some more.

Jordan
1944 Willys MB 305597 (2-15-44)

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Re: Jordan's 1944 Willys MB 305597

Post by sjalbert » Sat Feb 04, 2017 8:13 am

2/14Marine wrote:Mark I was thinking the same thing. It appears to have holes on the front frame for possible ram horns and between each bumperette for lifting shackles.
I noticed those as well.
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Re: Jordan's 1944 Willys MB 305597

Post by Ralph » Sat Feb 04, 2017 10:54 am

A great new set of pics.Good job on the mechanical's being brought along...305597 in good hands,
Ralph

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Re: Jordan's 1944 Willys MB 305597

Post by whatthecrunchyo » Sat Feb 04, 2017 7:04 pm

Uncovered some remnants of stenciling! I am 98% confident that it says USN above the number. I am not confident if this is the original hood or not.
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1944 Willys MB 305597 (2-15-44)

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Re: Jordan's 1944 Willys MB 305597

Post by Einar » Tue Feb 07, 2017 1:06 am

Hi Jordan,

Very nice and solid jeep. Thanks for sharing pictures and the story you've told.
Your beauty have a true story, - with all those original markings and paint.
There are a major of restored WWII jeeps all over the world. But this kind of survivor that you've got here, will be valued "as is".
So please follow the advice from Dexter/Macaddict and the others, and preserve her as best as you can. The engine and drive train will certainly need some maintenance. Many rubber-seals will have to be replaced after all these years.

Good luck with her :)

Einar
Willys MB 1944
WIllys MB 1945
Willys MBT 1943
Bantam T3 1943
(preserved and unrestored)


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