WW2 Willy Jeep

[Damian Murray]

I'll be shortly moving to Udon thani and was wondering if it is still possible to pick up an old WW2 Willy Jeep somewhere and roughly what price you'd pay for one please, thank you.

[KhunBENQ]

3 hours ago, Damian Murray said:

somewhere

I see some from time to time.

And the internet shows offers (for quite crazy prices like 350k to 600k).

Refraining search to Isaan seems difficult.

 

I think this thread would be better in the Motor forum?

[MatteoBassini]

https://www.one2car.com/for-sale/jeep-willys-กรุงเทพและปริมณฑล-อ่อนนุช/4597041

 

300,000 baht

[DILLIGAD]

I'll be shortly moving to Udon thani and was wondering if it is still possible to pick up an old WW2 Willy Jeep somewhere and roughly what price you'd pay for one please, thank you.

My mate here in Sisaket has a LWB Radio car version for sale. PM me if your interested/want more details. It was in very good condition the last time that I saw it. Dont think it’s used much now by him.


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[Damian Murray]

On 9/9/2018 at 5:34 AM, KhunBENQ said:

I see some from time to time.

And the internet shows offers (for quite crazy prices like 350k to 600k).

Refraining search to Isaan seems difficult.

 

I think this thread would be better in the Motor forum?

Thank you KhunBENQ, I'll POST a message there as well

[Tagaa]

I bought my first Jeep when I was 17 years old and have dabbled in old Jeeps in the US & restored one to end of the assembly line condition prior to moving here in 2004 -2005.

 

I have been looking at them here, whenever I see one, and I am not impressed. I saw one 2 years ago...it was a CJ5,  1969 Kaiser model, (IIRC) per the VIN plate. I ran the serial number & it was originally purchased by the Thai gov't, not as a military vehicle, but probably for some ministry, agriculture or whatever. It had been repainted OD green, although the original color was more blue than green (see the flaking paint on the cowl around the Kaiser VIN plate). It even had the original 4 cyl gasoline engine. It was the most correct one I have ever seen here. It ran great & I would have bought it, but the seller wanted 280,000 Bt. About $8,500 or so at that time. I could buy that same Jeep in the US for $2000 or less, as similar types all need major work or restoration, as did this one.

 

Most that I have seen here have had the original 4WD drive train replaced with a Toyota 4 cyl engine and transmission assy, and since they are from a old pick up, they are no longer 4WD, as the original transfer case will not fit with the Toyota (or whatever) replacement parts . Most that I see on a lot are a collection of parts, made to look like a Jeep. I saw one in Leung Nok Tha, on the lot across from the Tesco, that sat there for sale for well over a year. It had a Philippine after market tub, a Toyota diesel engine & all I can tell you about the frame is that it was not manufactured by Willys, Kaiser or American Motors . The top was wrong, lights & dash were wrong, steering column was wrong, and on & on. The guy wanted 280 or 300,000 Bt...I can't remember for sure. I passed on that one as well.

 

My point is that most of the Jeeps you see here are not Jeeps at all, just a collection of parts made to fit under a repop Philippine after market tub & front end. All seem to be priced so as to remove as much cash from the farangs wallet as possible as quickly as possible.

 

My advice is to stay away from them unless you are intimately familiar with the old girls. Just because it's OD green & has a few white stars painted on it does not make it a an old Army Jeep or even a civilian Jeep.

 

The photos below are from the one I mentioned above that was purchased by the Thai govt.

Edited September 13, 2018 by Tagaa

[Tagaa]

On 9/9/2018 at 11:46 AM, MatteoBassini said:

https://www.one2car.com/for-sale/jeep-willys-กรุงเทพและปริมณฑล-อ่อนนุช/4597041

This one linked above was made under license by Mitsubishi (note the 3 diamond logo stamped into the grill panel). After WWII, Japan needed jobs and the occupying US Army need vehicles, so Mitsubishi was put to work making these. I believe they made them into the late 1990's...maybe longer, I'm not sure. I saw one for sale sitting on Sukhumvit in Pattaya 6 or 7 years ago. They wanted 300,000Bt for that one as well. Again, I passed.

 

No matter, it's not a real Jeep in the true sense of the word. I would doubt it's even 4WD, as there is no transfer case shifter visible in the photo. .  I would't pay $10,000 US for it, but that's just me.

 

Mahindra in India made these as well & may still be making them.

[Damian Murray]

Great advice, thank you very much. I was offered this Mahindra jeep beside me at home in Ireland for £6500 it's a 1994 model with a 2.2 diesel engine, a very clean motor but I want one in Thailand,  maybe when I get there I'll go looking for a barn find lol

[NCC1701A]

I bought a new CJ-5 Jeep in 1975. In line 6 engine. Great vehicle I had it for 10 years. One reoccurring problem was the doughnut gasket in the  exhaust pipe would need replacing every six months or so. $5 part and I would change it my self. You could literally touch every part under the hood with ease.

 

I agree the jeeps I have seen in Thailand are sort of weird "suggestions" of what a Jeep should be. I guess you can't blame the Thais as parts are so expensive here and hard to get.

 

1 hour ago, Tagaa said:

I bought my first Jeep when I was 17 years old

 

[NCC1701A]

Suzuki is bring the Jimny back to Thailand next year. I might buy one of those.

 

https://paultan.org/2018/07/24/new-fourth-gen-suzuki-jimny-confirmed-for-thailand/

[Rhys]

Well if the Jimmy returns to Thailand then so be it... The Jeep...has always had that "Want" factor.  I  had a chance to drive in one gas tank as the seat well, an interesting discovery...  I wonder if the Hummer will ever reach this popularity?

[NCC1701A]

1 minute ago, Rhys said:

Well if the Jimmy returns to Thailand then so be it... The Jeep...has always had that "Want" factor.  I  had a chance to drive in one gas tank as the seat well, an interesting discovery...  I wonder if the Hummer will ever reach this popularity?

my CJ had the gas cap on the drivers side just below the "door". The tank was under the drivers seat. There was a storage hatch under the passengers seat. I also had a K5 blazer, Sierra Suburban with 6" lift kit, TWELVE SHOCKS and $18,000 in after market modifications and two Land Rover Discovery II. The Land Rovers were shit. Now I have Honda Click 125cc scooter.   

 

I wanted a H1 Hummer but they were so frickin' expensive, even in the states.

[Rhys]

1 minute ago, NCC1701A said:

my CJ had the gas cap on the drivers side just below the "door". The tank was under the drivers seat. There was a storage hatch under the passengers seat. I also had a K5 blazer, Sierra Suburban with 6" lift kit, TWELVE SHOCKS and $18,000 in after market modifications and two Land Rover Discovery II. The Land Rovers were shit. Now I have Honda Click 125cc scooter.   

 

I wanted a H1 Hummer but they were so frickin' expensive, even in the states.

 

Every now and then you see these Jeeps at the Army Surplus stores in Thailand.  I had the chance to drive a Big ARSE green Land Rover...kept only a week and got rid of it..  Still have my CBR 300R... camshaft  RnR... runs fine..