Big Boys Toys

[Gatorade]

In an effort to continue draining the pension fund my wife has offered a deal, whereby if I get rid of my motorbike, funding will be released to acquire a jeep. I have always lusted after the Willys/US Army jeep and enjoyed driving one albeit briefly, as a kid.

I have noticed one or two in excellent condition around the island and wonder if any of you Samuians have any idea of the sort of prices (should I find one for sale) I should be looking at. Also spares, service costs, general running etc.

Grateful for any advice and experience.

Cheers, Gator

[SamuiJens]

All I got is I have that same wish, Willys are a cool ride! Good Luck, Gaterade.

[chiang mai]

In an effort to continue draining the pension fund my wife has offered a deal, whereby if I get rid of my motorbike, funding will be released to acquire a jeep. I have always lusted after the Willys/US Army jeep and enjoyed driving one albeit briefly, as a kid.

I have noticed one or two in excellent condition around the island and wonder if any of you Samuians have any idea of the sort of prices (should I find one for sale) I should be looking at. Also spares, service costs, general running etc.

Grateful for any advice and experience.

Cheers, Gator

There's a Brit in Phuket who restores them and seems to have quite a supply, he's frequently seen driving around Patong et al. Not sure if he's a member of this forum or if anyone else has contact details - he lives in Patong Beach, somewhere.

[T_Dog]

My college room mate let me drive his quite a bit. They are really short-coupled so if you let off the gas too quick on an icy road they tend to swap ends real quick. Watch out for that... er...... never mind! They are great rigs. Good luck in your search.

BTW, there is one usually parked up here in Chiang Mai in front of Gecko Books near Tapae Gate.

[Tony121]

I think you might struggle to find one with completely original parts most have different engine's, gearbox's etc usually replaced with jap parts so easy for those spare's.

I friend of mine had one here before i think he paid 80,000 needed a bit of work done on it though.

[Dingojoe]

Had one when I was in India,

they are cool, mine had tiger stripes painted on it and was a bit of a show ponys.

Thing was in India the Indian army in Puna has thousands of theM and lots of parts.

Here i dont know, but yeah they are cool and just seem to go for ever.

[bigchang]

My college room mate let me drive his quite a bit. They are really short-coupled so if you let off the gas too quick on an icy road they tend to swap ends real quick. Watch out for that... er...... never mind! They are great rigs. Good luck in your search.

BTW, there is one usually parked up here in Chiang Mai in front of Gecko Books near Tapae Gate.

i like that icy road bit

bc

[Gatorade]

Thanks for the positive views. I will start hunting!

[simey]

I've got a MUTT - commonly referred to as a baby hummer, the jeep that was used in Vietnam. Still with original engine, gearbox, M151A1 body and A2 windshield. All this cost me 350k and I had to go over to Phuket to get it, but it's a fun drive even though the steering wheel is on the left. There is a willys high-hood jeep at the auto shop between Maenam and Bhoput parked in the driveway, not sure of the price. There is also another as you go down the big hill towards Nathon on the left, again no price indicated.

Most have the engines replaced and the steering gear moced over, I wanted something more original. As regards servicing, it's very cheap as the things are made to be serviced in the field and are very tough. However they need regular (every month) checkups - so far mine has had to have the clutch adjusted, oil replaced, now a short circuit has killed one of the batteries, but thats part of the fun.

PM me if you want to know more about it or the others I looked at before I bought this one.

[Gatorade]

I've got a MUTT - commonly referred to as a baby hummer, the jeep that was used in Vietnam. Still with original engine, gearbox, M151A1 body and A2 windshield. All this cost me 350k and I had to go over to Phuket to get it, but it's a fun drive even though the steering wheel is on the left. There is a willys high-hood jeep at the auto shop between Maenam and Bhoput parked in the driveway, not sure of the price. There is also another as you go down the big hill towards Nathon on the left, again no price indicated.

Most have the engines replaced and the steering gear moced over, I wanted something more original. As regards servicing, it's very cheap as the things are made to be serviced in the field and are very tough. However they need regular (every month) checkups - so far mine has had to have the clutch adjusted, oil replaced, now a short circuit has killed one of the batteries, but thats part of the fun.

PM me if you want to know more about it or the others I looked at before I bought this one.

Many thanks Simey, I will PM you tomorrow or next day. Much appreciated! I think that I have seen the Nathon jeep, it looks good!

Cheers Gator

[jeztennis]

if you want ti travel and get a better deal there are two in khon kaen near the train station look in very good nick but not sure about price perhaps put a message on the khon kaen forum and ask for more info

[MrAG]

There used to be one for sale outside the flag shop near Tesco's. Had a price (I think?) of 180,000 baht. Also (used to be) a place on the ring road Lipa Noi area, near the Ford dealership, who had 2 or 3 for sale. Look for the large timberyard and it is next to that.

Here's a link (slow to load) to 4 for sale with prices from 145,000 baht up:

http://www.taladrod.com/Search/TbRst.aspx?...p;p1=0&p2=0

[Gatorade]

Thanks everyone for all the help. I will follow up the leads.

Happy New year to all.

Gator

[jacksparrow]

Got a korean war vintage Willy's Jeep fully restored all original for 250k baht. Will deliver to samui at cost. I can send pics later.

Interested?

FWIW, can get a newer one as well.

[sayitaintso]

former owner of several cj-7's checking in.

greatest thing about the jeep was that you could take the crap AMC engine, tranny and suspension out and replace them with quality chevy and ford parts.

i am looking for an old cj5 or 7 here as well. would consider toyota parts for this part of the world.

[Gatorade]

Got a korean war vintage Willy's Jeep fully restored all original for 250k baht. Will deliver to samui at cost. I can send pics later.

Interested?

FWIW, can get a newer one as well.

Thank you, I'm very interested and so far have had a lot of good response. However, since putting in this post

my earmarked funds for the jeep have been hi-jacked for other pressing family needs. This has caused me to shelve

plans for the time being.

Hopefully will be able start the process again in a few months time!

[highdiver]

Got a korean war vintage Willy's Jeep fully restored all original for 250k baht. Will deliver to samui at cost. I can send pics later.

Interested?

FWIW, can get a newer one as well.

Thank you, I'm very interested and so far have had a lot of good response. However, since putting in this post

my earmarked funds for the jeep have been hi-jacked for other pressing family needs. This has caused me to shelve

plans for the time being.

Hopefully will be able start the process again in a few months time!

she has been out with the credit card again... my wife does it all the time.

[Gatorade]

Got a korean war vintage Willy's Jeep fully restored all original for 250k baht. Will deliver to samui at cost. I can send pics later.

Interested?

FWIW, can get a newer one as well.

Thank you, I'm very interested and so far have had a lot of good response. However, since putting in this post

my earmarked funds for the jeep have been hi-jacked for other pressing family needs. This has caused me to shelve

plans for the time being.

Hopefully will be able start the process again in a few months time!

she has been out with the credit card again... my wife does it all the time.

Yes, but I didn't see this one coming!

[highdiver]

Gator

if you buy one of those make sure you get the civilian model.

the militery ones as used in WW2 and Vietnam are designated for off road and they have an individual suspension for each weel . it makes it great of road but extremly dangerous on road as they tend to flip over in tight turns.

[Gatorade]

Gator

if you buy one of those make sure you get the civilian model.

the militery ones as used in WW2 and Vietnam are designated for off road and they have an individual suspension for each weel . it makes it great of road but extremly dangerous on road as they tend to flip over in tight turns.

Good to know. Many thanks!