| A good off-road vehicle doesn't have to cost you | | | | personnel vehicle. It had to be tough enough to |
| more than your house. Many four wheelers like older | | | | survive combat use. It had to be able to drive |
| models like the Willys Jeep. Parts for these classics | | | | anywhere from deserts to swamps. And it had to be |
| are still easy to find so it's easy to keep them | | | | cheap enough to supply an army. |
| running. | | | | The very characteristics that made the Jeep such a |
| What's a Willys? | | | | successful army vehicle are what make it so beloved |
| Although Willys is a name that brings a blank look to | | | | today. It's not fancy. It's not pretty except to |
| most people's faces, it's one of the most | | | | another jeeper. But it's rugged and never gives up. |
| recognizable vehicles out there: the World War II | | | | Willys Jeeps were built in the days when all you |
| Army jeep. These sturdy and reliable performers | | | | needed to fix your car was a screwdriver. When you |
| remained one of the most popular Army vehicles for | | | | need to replace Willys Jeep parts, you don't have to |
| decades, serving not only Americans in Korea and | | | | be a rocket scientist to do it. You don't need |
| Viet Nam but armies of other nations even to this | | | | expensive tools and computerized analysis. Invest a |
| day. | | | | little sweat and elbow grease and your Jeep is ready |
| The original MB model was named a critical tool of | | | | to roll again. |
| World War II by General Eisenhower and an | | | | The Off-Road Vehicle Built for Off-Roading |
| International Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark | | | | Most four-wheel vehicles built today are designed to |
| by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. | | | | look pretty sitting in your driveway. They are status |
| The late 1970s saw a change in the US military's | | | | symbols rather than rugged vehicles, no matter what |
| policy toward personnel and cargo transport. They | | | | the slick television ads say. |
| decided to go with larger and more advanced | | | | Willys Jeeps are all about function over form. These |
| vehicles, so the venerable jeeps and trucks were | | | | are not glorified minivans. These are vehicles for |
| replaced with the Humvee. | | | | people who want to come home covered in dust and |
| Although no longer used by the American military, | | | | mud. They are about adventure and exploration and |
| there is still a strong community of enthusiasts that | | | | genuine off-road experiences. |
| keeps their Willys fighting fit. Even 30 years after | | | | Since they aren't manufactured anymore, it can be |
| retirement, there is no lack of Willys Jeep parts and | | | | hard to find one - and even harder to find one that's |
| supplies. | | | | not obscenely overpriced. Patience will pay off, |
| Cheap, Tough, and Versatile | | | | particularly if you are willing to buy a junker and |
| With World War II looming on the horizon, the US | | | | replace a few of the Willys Jeep parts yourself. |
| Army had basically three specifications for its new | | | | |