The 1945 Willys MB World War II Jeep was… sorry, still is, as tough and rugged as they come. The concept of “comfort” wasn’t even mentioned once when it came to the original designs. But a soft and squishy suspension system for the patriotic rear end wasn’t the point. The U.S. Army built it to withstand just about anything you could throw at it, from forests to beaches to deserts to mountain trails and even stray bullets. It was also great for plowing fields and hauling planes. The ’45 Willys MB has a great PR department, but how well does it actually handle a rocky off-road trail in a Colorado mountain 80 years later?
Pulitzer Prize-winning World War II correspondent Ernie Pyle, who worked for the Scripps Howard newspaper, once accurately described the Willys MB Jeep by saying: “It did everything. It went everywhere. It was loyal as a dog, strong as a mule, and agile as a goat. It consistently carried twice what it was designed for and kept going. Not even that bad once you get used to it.“
The original spec sheet stated that the Jeep was intended to carry command personnel, reconnaissance personnel, and light cargo. However, the U.S. Army also used it as an ambulance or even strapped .30-caliber (7.62 mm) or .50-caliber (12.7 mm) machine guns to the back. But now, the civilian guys over at YouTube channel “TFLclassics” wanted to see if, 80 years later, the famous World War II Willys MB Jeep could survive a climb up the Switzerland Trail near Boulder, Colorado.
The 5-passenger military vehicle is powered by a 134 cubic inch or 2.2 liter inline 4-cylinder “Go Devil” engine that, in its heyday, produced 60 gross horsepower or 54 net horsepower at 4,000 rpm with 105 ft-lb (142 Nm) at 2,000 rpm. This soldier moves forward using its 3-speed transmission and four-wheel drive system. It weighs approximately 2,450 pounds or 1,111 kilograms, has a ground clearance of 8 3/4 inches (22.2 cm), and has a top straight-line speed of 65 mph or 105 km/h on asphalt.
While this is highly recommended for a WWII US Army vehicle, it is not the most comfortable in today's world. The lack of soft seats is one thing, but the huge steering angle is also annoying, as you have to turn the wheel a lot before the wheels start to follow.
Photo: Michael Scoggins
The guys at TFL even said that the 1915 Model T they recently raced is more maneuverable and comfortable. Other drawbacks include the use of hand-held windshield wipers, which isn’t exactly what you’d call ideal in a convertible when it’s pouring with rain outside. Fortunately, the rudimentary system was designed so that the passenger could take care of cleaning the windshield while the driver focused on the road. Now imagine trying to defrost it. To help you stay dry, you can also attach a partial tarp and canvas doors.
The Willys MB has three levers. The first on the driver's side is the actual gear shift lever. The second, smaller lever changes the transmission system, while the third lever switches sequentially between low, neutral and high range. There is even a metal plate screwed to the dashboard that tells the driver to “Disengage front-wheel drive when driving on dry, hard-surfaced roads.“
As it made its way to the top of the Switzerland Trail, the restored Willys proved that the legend surrounding it wasn’t just misplaced nostalgia. It ate up the mountain road like it was nothing. Sure, it wasn’t the most difficult 4×4 trail ever discovered by modern man, but newer nameplates like the Jeep Wrangler struggled to match the same “glide” performance.
It also drove through a large patch of mud and water and didn't mind at all. It wasn't too deep, only covering a quarter of the wheels, but there aren't many other 80 year old cars that would easily repeat that performance. In fact, the only problem they had (aside from comfort) was that the horn was sticky and wouldn't stop “screaming” once turned on.
Photo: uniquejeep.ca
As the “Private Willys MB” proved its worth by conquering the rocky, mountainous road inch by inch with ease, it became clear that it would not only survive the journey, but do it with flying colors, and it did. So let’s proudly pay homage to the World War II Jeep that could teach even modern SUVs that claim to be off-road capable a lesson in ruggedness and durability.
This unbeatable champion is one of the last mass-produced models of the 1941-1945 generation ever built as a military-spec Jeep. Its heroic relative was sent to fight wherever it was needed around the world, including the infamous beaches of Normandy, France.
In 1942, a model called “Old Faithful” was supposedly used only to transport high-ranking officers in the Battle of Guadalcanal. Legend has it that it was the first American vehicle to set foot, or rather, roll onto shore. After surviving Japanese bombing raids and suffering two holes in its windshield from shrapnel, it was awarded the Purple Heart for its service. After 18 months, Old Faithful was retired from service.
As soon as World War II ended, the US Army began producing the Civilian Jeep or CJ models that flooded the market and saw success and fame until 1986 when the Jeep Wrangler arrived. It is difficult to achieve the status and performance and enter the social zeitgeist like the Willys MB did. Others have tried, like the huge gas guzzling Humvee, but it never reached the same heights.