Picked up a 1943 Willys MB with a Hurricane engine

Karumbaiah · 13th January 2023, 22:45

Hi All,

I happened to pick a MB frame with a 3B body recently with a running Hurricane engine. I am trying to restore it to Willys MB. Here are few pics of the Jeep when it was picked.

Thanks
Karumbaiah

Picked up a 1943 Willys MB with a Hurricane engine-orjk6713.jpg

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Picked up a 1943 Willys MB with a Hurricane engine-vabo3456.jpg

Picked up a 1943 Willys MB with a Hurricane engine-imke8790.jpg

Picked up a 1943 Willys MB with a Hurricane engine-lpde0069.jpg

Picked up a 1943 Willys MB with a Hurricane engine-klyi0472.jpg

Picked up a 1943 Willys MB with a Hurricane engine-jygb5178.jpg

Aroy · 14th January 2023, 11:23

I feel that only the chassis, transmission and engine will remain original. The body really needs replacement.

Karumbaiah · 14th January 2023, 12:16

Yes. Body will be replaced by replica manufactured by SGI, Jaipur. Currently under chassis correction going on.

headers · 14th January 2023, 12:25

wow, nice pick, wishing you a lovely restoration experience. Waiting to see the final result

Cheers

anjan_c2007 · 14th January 2023, 12:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karumbaiah

Hi All,

I happened to pick a MB frame with a 3B body recently with a running Hurricane engine. I am trying to restore it to Willys MB. Here are few pics of the Jeep when it was picked.

Thanks
Karumbaiah

That's a good piece of history. I would suggest you to look for a 1940's body shell for your MB and not plant a replica body as it will lose all its sheen. Please also try for a side valve Willys /Ford engine of that era.

These were fitted with side valve engines not Hurricane OHV's. With the OHV's that came possibly around 1953-54 the high bonnet CJ3B's came along to accommodate the increased height of the engine. Hence with the Hurricane OHV engine, the fitting has to be with fabricated, modified engine foundations. These will lower the ground clearance as the engine base/sump projects a bit below the chassis height.

The Jeep Body with perhaps its original LHD configuration that is planted, appears to be from around 1967 or so, when the last of LHD jeeps were rolling out. The Yenkay gauge cluster if original is also indicative of its post 1966 age. The name Willys had just changed over to Jeep by 1967. By mid 1968 RHD Jeeps had been launched.

Karumbaiah · 29th January 2023, 23:07

I agree Anjan ji. Thanks for the suggestion. Here are few pics of Frame getting ready

ruzbehxyz · 30th January 2023, 17:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karumbaiah

I happened to pick a MB frame with a 3B body recently with a running Hurricane engine. I am trying to restore it to Willys MB.

Wow congratulations!
Would love to see more and the final outcome. Please share pictures of every stage.

Rajain · 12th September 2023, 20:34

A Willyz MB will mean low bonnet. The engines that MB had were 'go devil'. The vehicle you have found is mostly a CJ3A or CJ3B...all of the conversions can be done. Which engine are you planning? Any update in the recent past?

Cheers
Rajain

Karumbaiah · 13th September 2023, 21:02

Here are few updates

Karumbaiah · 13th September 2023, 21:10

Final Pics of MB getting restored. Waiting for few cosmetics from USA to arrive next month. Split rims on its way.

KKDRAM · 7th December 2023, 13:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karumbaiah

Yes. Body will be replaced by replica manufactured by SGI, Jaipur. Currently under chassis correction going on.

Hope you will be making a/series of videos of restoration. I would love watch them. Bestwishes with your project

BABABOT · 26th August 2024, 16:56

hi Karumbaiah
I have also found a working CJ 3B jeep here in Rajasthan. the body of the same is in a bad state. I see you have changed the look from a high bonnet to a low bonnet one. Can you please share details as to where did you do all the restoration from? A detailed cost factor if possible can be a great help for me to plan my finances. Do share about the paper work also. Thank you

13th January 2023, 22:45	#1
Karumbaiah BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Coorg Posts: 75 Thanked: 74 Times View My Garage	Picked up a 1943 Willys MB with a Hurricane engine Hi All, I happened to pick a MB frame with a 3B body recently with a running Hurricane engine. I am trying to restore it to Willys MB. Here are few pics of the Jeep when it was picked. Thanks Karumbaiah
	(11) Thanks

14th January 2023, 11:23	#2
Aroy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Delhi Posts: 2,612 Thanked: 3,001 Times View My Garage	Re: Picked up a 1943 Willys MB with a Hurricane engine I feel that only the chassis, transmission and engine will remain original. The body really needs replacement.
	() Thanks

14th January 2023, 12:16	#3
Karumbaiah BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Coorg Posts: 75 Thanked: 74 Times View My Garage	Re: Picked up a 1943 Willys MB with a Hurricane engine Yes. Body will be replaced by replica manufactured by SGI, Jaipur. Currently under chassis correction going on. Attached Thumbnails
	(8) Thanks

14th January 2023, 12:25	#4
headers Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Greater Chennai Posts: 4,667 Thanked: 563 Times	Re: Picked up a 1943 Willys MB with a Hurricane engine wow, nice pick, wishing you a lovely restoration experience. Waiting to see the final result Cheers
	(1) Thanks

29th January 2023, 23:07	#6
Karumbaiah BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Coorg Posts: 75 Thanked: 74 Times View My Garage	Re: Picked up a 1943 Willys MB with a Hurricane engine I agree Anjan ji. Thanks for the suggestion. Here are few pics of Frame getting ready Attached Thumbnails
	(6) Thanks

12th September 2023, 20:34	#8
Rajain BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 567 Thanked: 1,276 Times	Re: Picked up a 1943 Willys MB with a Hurricane engine A Willyz MB will mean low bonnet. The engines that MB had were 'go devil'. The vehicle you have found is mostly a CJ3A or CJ3B...all of the conversions can be done. Which engine are you planning? Any update in the recent past? Cheers Rajain
	() Thanks

13th September 2023, 21:02	#9
Karumbaiah BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Coorg Posts: 75 Thanked: 74 Times View My Garage	Re: Picked up a 1943 Willys MB with a Hurricane engine Here are few updates Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

13th September 2023, 21:10	#10
Karumbaiah BHPian Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Coorg Posts: 75 Thanked: 74 Times View My Garage	Re: Picked up a 1943 Willys MB with a Hurricane engine Final Pics of MB getting restored. Waiting for few cosmetics from USA to arrive next month. Split rims on its way. Attached Thumbnails
	(2) Thanks

26th August 2024, 16:56	#12
BABABOT BHPian Join Date: Aug 2024 Location: Kota Posts: 102 Thanked: 214 Times	Re: Picked up a 1943 Willys MB with a Hurricane engine hi Karumbaiah I have also found a working CJ 3B jeep here in Rajasthan. the body of the same is in a bad state. I see you have changed the look from a high bonnet to a low bonnet one. Can you please share details as to where did you do all the restoration from? A detailed cost factor if possible can be a great help for me to plan my finances. Do share about the paper work also. Thank you Last edited by KarthikK : 26th August 2024 at 16:58.
	() Thanks