Will an 80-Year-Old WW2 Jeep Still Climb a Mountain?

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[hsavietto]

"This thing is unstoppable!"
A few minutes later...
"The brakes are... not good."
Are those two statements related? 😅

[nathanieladams]

Cool to see an 80 year old WWII Jeep still serve its purpose off road. Without the Jeeps, WWII would have had a different outcome. They played a big part in the success by the Allies.

[Wheelman]

If it can't do something now, it never could. A well kept and properly maintained machine is never out of its prime.

[TheGtrjim]

Guys— I remember reading an article where Mr. Willys stated he used his last name for the company and was discouraged it was mispronounced as ‘Willy’s’

My grandfather purchased new a 50’s Willys truck on his ranch until he retired from ranching/harvesting in 1992… that truck had practically no floor board, but it still climbed those 500acres of hills effortlessly.

I loved driving it too. So reliable and fun. It was basically a Jeep with a bed.

[craigtiano]

If you were an infantryman in WWII and you were offered a ride in a jeep versus a truck outfitted with wooden slat seats, or walking, you'd take the jeep ride in a second. Unless that seat is in the back. The back is so ridiculously uncomfortable that guys would prefer to walk. There's a famous story where a jeep showed up at an MP checkpoint. In the front were two NCO's. In the back was an officer. The MP immediately shot the officer and the two NCO's immediately put up their hands. The officer in charge was screaming that the MP shot an officer, and the MP replied that he shot a German spy. How did he know? No officer would sit in the back while an NCO sat in the passenger seat, unless that officer was German used to riding in the back of a typical German staff car.

[gregc]

One reason this old jeep does so good with open diffs is the skinny tires, people nowadays want a 12.5" wide tire, a skinny tire in most situations will provide more traction, I installed the Mickey Thompson 35x10 Baja cross tires on my 2022 Bronco base with open diffs and it made a world of difference on the trails, I can't think of maybe one time I wish I had locking diffs.

[johnbertram]

Proof, if any were needed, that light weight and compact size rule off-road. What a fantastic design that original Jeep was. I am so envious of you guys getting to use it out there!

[architypeone]

Another great vehicle that was tested in battle was the Dodge Power Wagon. A lot of GI's came back home and wanted the rugged, dependable and capable truck for farm use, logging and construction applications. Dodge saw a domestic market and made it available to the public as "The truck that doesn't need roads" . Maybe TFL can find an old Power Wagon from the '40's and give it a workout on Colorado's trails.

[deejayimm]

You guys make me smile.
I love to see the vintage stuff out on the trail.
You should get your hands on a Sherman tank, and take on Tumbleweed.

[johncornell]

What an awesome Jeep. It really proved what they are capable of in an offroad environment. Thanks guys!

[bryonmorgan]

My grandfather bought a couple of surplus Jeeps after the war to work the ranch. Got lots of stories of him teaching my mom and aunt how to drive in those. He kept using those things until he retired in the 1960s.

[cheyennedogsoldiers]

I built a Ford GPW last year for a buddies nephew and it was so cool, I really enjoyed driving around in it. Well other than me being 6, 4' and not fitting behind the wheel very well lol. But another buddy has a Brit desert spec GPW and a Willys that is sitting waiting for restoration.

[stevekniess]

Another great video thank you Tommy and kase

[GabeMayernik]

7:48 I feel that by taking an old Jeep, or really any old vehicle, out into the world and driving it gives it more history and character… Every new dent and scratch is a new story, a new little piece of history that gives every vehicle a slightly different personality than any other one that came before it, even if it was the same model.

[colink]

I don’t remember a willys having that much play in the steering but maybe I was enjoying the ride too much to notice. Would love to have one of those today! Great video!

[tomlivesay]

This video honors the greatest generation, and makes me want to salute.

[abqcrutch]

Love the jeep! In the late 80's, I was stationed on the USS Enterprise home-ported at Alameda Naval Air Station. I bought a '58 Willys to get me and my shipmates around the bay area. It was great around Alameda and CAL univ. 55mph top speed on the freeway with a sloppy steering wheel was a challenge. Lol

[PhillipBrodginski]

Very impressive for a vehicle that age! I'm also pretty impressed by the little Renegade also making it up the hill.

[lazras]

WW2 Jeep is my favorite thing on this channel.

[RazingthenRaising]

I grew up a few miles (but 3 or more hours) from Mt. Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi. I went to visit one time, and the day was beautifully clear.

We saw a ranger there, and they said that we were very lucky to have a clear day because it was only clear up there about 1 day out of 10.

So, you having fog on the top of a mountain is NOT surprising! ;)

Awesome driving, awesome drive!