Willys "M38"



Willys M38





The Willys "M38" was a U.S. Army Jeep which had replaced the World war Ford and Willys MB Jeeps. Manufactured from 1949 to 1952, it saw action in the 1953 Korean war. It had a unique 24V electrical system as compared to the 6V

found in the other Jeeps during that time. It was later replaced by the M38A1in 1952. It was also called the military version of the CJ3A, as they were made during the same time and looked similar.

The M38 had a unique 24V electrical system which was water proof

making it able to drive easily in water. Like the CJ3A, it too had similar looks as they both were made on similar blueprints, but the M38 had a reinforced chassis and body. It's windshield could be fully folded for firing up front. It too like the other Jeeps of that era was powered by the "Go Devil" 4 cylinder engine, producing 60H.P. It had a T-90 gearbox with a Dana 18 transfer case and Dana 25 ( full float) and Dana 44 (semi float) axles in the front and rear respectively. It was also able to drive fully underwater and had a air intake and axle system which was vented for crossing rivers, swamps, etc.



M38 with a Snorkel.



A total of some 60-61000 M38's were ever produced. Ford Canada produced some 2300 for Canada Army, but here it was called the M38-MDN. Like in the war, here Ford wasn't asked to forcefully build Jeeps, but it chose to make them on the blueprints provided by the Willys Overland company. These Jeeps had their tools on the passenger side (right side) instead of the driver side (left side).

It's uniqueness was:

1. Like it's civilian counterpart, the CJ3A, the M38 too had a low bonnet and a low grille with big headlights, but it had a waterproof 24V electrical system and a reinforced structure as compared to other Jeeps.

2. It wasn't solely made by the Willys Overland company but made by the Ford Motor company in Canada.

3. It had it's spare equipment tools on the passenger side, instead of the driver side.

4. It was capable of drving fully under water.





M38 Interior.

 

M38 with equipment mounted on the passenger side.





CJ4

The CJ4 proto-type.

It is said that there were only a few CJ4 were ever made, which too were proto-types. It was never put to full production and a hence remained unknown to a lot of people. It was said to have been made in 1951-52 and was mainly made keeping the military in mind. The project never saw light and was scrapped by the Willys Overland company.

It is said to have the "Hurricane" engine, which was a proto-type then (1951-52),  also put in the CJ3B, which came in 1953. It also had a T-90 gearbox, Dana transfer-case and Dana axles. It is said to have had a high bonnet which was curved, resembling the CJ5 which came out later.

The High bonnet which was curved like the CJ5

A military CJ4

There are rumours that it was a experimental Jeep made for the U.S. Army, but somehow the Army didn't show interest and the Jeep wasn't made. There are no fixed numbers suggesting how many were made, some say there were only 2, some say there were even 200-300. 

There are no exact  specifications known about the CJ4, but it is said to have a high bonnet, which had a curved body style of the later seen CJ5.

CJ3B

A Willys CJ3B.

The CJ3B came into production in 1953, when Willys Overland was sold to Kaiser. It was in production till 1968, when it was shut down. The newer CJ3B became the only "Jeep" to feature a High Bonnet for the newer and powerful "Hurricane" engine. Although it stopped manufacturing in the States in late 60's it continued to manufacture in countries like Japan and India. In India it was manufactured till 2010.

The CJ3B had a higher front grille, higher bonnet ( hence it's name ) and a powerful "Hurricane" engine. It also had a T-90 gearbox. The 2.2L "Hurricane" produced 75H.P at 6500 R.P.M. It's 80in. wheelbase made it easy to take it Off-road. Willys 'high bonnet' had "WILLYS" stamped on the front grille, tail gate and on the sides of the bonnet. It was a major success all round the world. Many companies manufactured CJ3B on license from Willys Kaiser.

A Government Willys CJ3B in India

JEEP CJ3B (India) Made in the 70's 

In India, CJ3B was manufactured by Mahindra & Mahindra, on license from Willys Kaiser. Earlier, back in the 40's, K.C Mahindra of India started assembling Willys Jeeps in India. Till the 70's Mahindra assembled and sold Willys CJ3B's in India. When the license expired, it started making Mahindra Jeeps, powered by the International Harvester diesel engine (during the oil crisis of the 70's)  and then their own DI engines. These Jeeps were made on the same blueprint of the CJ3B, but were called Major and Commander.

Mahindra also made CJ3B's on license from "JEEP" in the early 70's. they had "JEEP" stamped on the front grille and the tail gate. These too were powered by  the "Hurricane" engine. Such Jeeps were made for a very short duration and were widely used by the Government agencies like the police, agricultural department, etc.

In Japan, CJ3B were made by Mitsubishi, on license from Willys Kaiser. Here they were called J3, instead of CJ. Mitsubishi made CJ3B's till 1998, when production had to be stopped because of stricter emission laws. It was powered by a 2.2L "Hurricane" which was Japan produced, giving 70H.P at 3000 R.P.M.  In later years, it featured a longer wheelbase and a locallly produced overhead valves diesel engines, but it was only after 1955. It was produced from 1953 until 1998. Here too it was widely used by Government agencies, mainly the Forest office.

A Mitsubishi made CJ3B

Some common traits:

1. It had a high bonnet, unlike any other Jeep.

2. First Jeep to have the more powerful, more economic "Hurricane" engine.

3. They were also made by brands like Mahindra and Mitsubishi.

The world famous "Hurricane" engine

The High Bonnet and High Grille, found only on the CJ3B

CJ3A 

Willys CJ3A (1949-1953)

After the success of the CJ2A "Agri Jeep", Willys Overland came up with the idea to make a Jeep which wasn't just for the farmer, but for the urban people as well. The result was the CJ3A which became the first Jeep which was also made on foreign soil. It was a success, which resulted in  Willys coming up with the "High Bonnet" or the CJ3B, which too was a success, not only on American soil but worldwide too.

The CJ3A featured a stark resemblance to it's predecessor, the CJ2A except for the fact that it featured a vent on the single piece windshield. Also it had a shorter rear wheel well. Like the CJ2A, it too had additional accessories for farming ( hoe, plow, etc) on order.

The CJ3A was powered by the "Go Devil" which was the same engine that powered the 3 generations of the Jeep. It had a 3-speed T-90 gearbox and a Dana 18 transfer case. It also had a power drive option which was available since 1951. The CJ3A  was made from early 1949 to 1953, when Willys Overland was sold to Kaiser.

Some things i would like to point out about this Jeep are:

Windshield with Vent

1. It had a vent in the windshield, which is not seen in earlier Jeeps.

2.It had a T-90 gearbox.

T-90 Gear box with Dana 18 Transfer case

Willys CJ2A 

Willys CJ2A

After the war, the Willys Overland decided to come up with a Civilian model of the now world famous "Jeep". The CJ2 was made after the war contract  finished. There were only a few differences in the CJ2 and the MB like the CJ2 had no military fittings like the MB. It was also only made for testing as they were prototypes. They had the same "Go Devil" engine but also had JEEP stamped on the hood and windshield. Also they had the new T-90 transmission and now had tailgates.

After it was fully tested, the CJ2 was developed into the CJ2A which was into production from late 1945 to early 1949. The new CJ2A had a tailgate which had "WILLYS" stamped on it, was also stamped on the windscreen. The spare tyre was now mounted on the right instead of the rear. CJ2A also features bigger head lights and a newer 7 slot grille, instead of the 9 slot grille.

 CJ2A is also known as the "Agri Jeep" as it was in  demand by the farmers and so it got the T-90 transmission which was much easier to change. It was still powered by the "Go Devil" which was only replaced in the successor, the CJ3A. Single seat came standard, as did the mirror.  Other accessories like plower, generator, etc were available on request. 

A total of 214,780-90 CJ2A's were made from 1945-1949. It was replaced by the newer and powerful CJ3A. 

Some people get confused in a CJ2A and a CJ3A. The CJ2A had:

1. Also had Willys stamped on the windshield frame. A CJ3A didn't have it.

2.It came with a "Go Devil" engine. It was later replaced by the "Hurricane"in the later models

3.It was more of a farmer's vehicle and had accessories for farming. The CJ3A was made for the more urbane people.

Snow Plow(accessory)

Plow (accessory)

CJ2A Interior

Ford GPW   

Ford GPW

The Ford GPW went into production in October 1941. It came into production when the government demanded 16,000 vehicles and the Willys Overland Company said that they couldn't keep up with the production. Ford was given the contract to manufacture the vehicle, which was made on the design of the Willys Overland Company. During the war Ford produced some 280,000 jeeps. The contract ended in July 1945 when the far was won. Some 51,000 jeeps were sent to former U.S.S.R under the "Lend Lease" programme. After the war, as the Ford Motor Company stopped production, Willys Overland emerged as the sole contractor to the U.S Army, until it was brought by Kaiser in 1953. Willys also started making Civilian Jeeps after 1947 to sell it to the public.

The Ford featured a front engine, rear wheel drive and four wheel drive layout. A 2.2L "Go Devil" engine with a 3 speed manual gear and a 2 speed "Dana" transfer case.It weighed around 1040kg and was 80in wide.It also had a system of two rims (combat rims) where the rims could be separated enabling the Jeep to ride on rail tracks.

Combat Rims

Many people get confused between a Ford GPW and a Willys MB. I would like to clear their doubts.

1. Ford was the company who designed the flat grille, which we now see in all the jeeps.

2. Early 1942 Ford's featured a Ford stamp under the jerry can holder. 

3. Ford stamped a F on all it's nuts.

4. Ford stamped GPW in front of the serial number on the engine block.

5. Ford had a flat frame behind the grille, unlike Willys who had a pipe.

Ford stamped on the tail.( only early 1942)

GPW stamped serial number

Interior of a 1944 GPW

History of Jeeps

The common jeep is the successor of the Willys MB, Ford GPW and the Bantham Reconnaissance vehicle. 

It may also be defined as:

 A four-wheel drive vehicle of one-half- to one-and-one-half-ton capacity for reconnaissance or other army duty. A term applied to the bantam-cars, and occasionally to other motor vehicles (U.S.A.) in the Air Corps, the Link Trainer; in the armored forces, the ½-ton command vehicle. Also referred to as "any small plane, helicopter, or gadget.

Over the years, the Jeep has evolved from being a military vehicle to being a civilian vehicle and has been used as a tractor, reconnaissance vehicle to even being used as a off road racer, due to it's short,easily maneuverable and being able to go anywhere capability.

 

Willys MB/ Ford GPW

Jeep Wrangler

                                                

Willys CJ 3B     

Willys CJ3A (1952)