Willys and Boos

Jeepster47 · May 2016

Met up with friends in Effingham, IL, this past weekend for the Spring Willys Reunion. My friend brought his latest Jeep modification to the reunion. It started out as a 1965 CJ3B Willys jeep. He then cut it in half and added 41 inches of length to accommodate a second row of seats, tool box, and aux fuel tank. His idea was to create a Willys Unlimited that would look like a true model that Willys would have built. Most folks thought he was successful.

And yes, that's a Texas flag on the right rear corner. He's a true Texan ... notice the dual rear tires? If you look under the USA flag you'll see a red 1948 Jeepster with the top down.

Here's a picture as it arrived:

It was a full frame-off restoration and looked exceptional ... could have brought it home for a measly $45K.

We didn't have much time, but had to at least stop at the Boos outlet. Don't know if it's possible to get a factory tour - you can see it in the background behind the GMC.

Looking for a round chopping block ... this one was just inside the front door:

Here's a shot of the rest of the front showroom:

And here's some of the backroom:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5017260/uploads/editor/z4/jw5wl9xbm2tu.jpg

Some excellent bargains on slightly flawed boards ... some good bargains on special product-runs and over stocked boards. It was hard to leave without an arm full of boards.

Boos boards seem to be quite common in Effingham ... every restaurant we ate at had Boos table tops.

WeberWho · May 2016

Great post! That Jeep is awesome

bgebrent · May 2016

Super cool. Love the modified Jeep! I'd like that round block in my kitchen!

NPHuskerFL · May 2016

Sweet rides & Boos

NC_Egghead · May 2016

Thanks for sharing. I would say your friend was definitely successful in making an Unlimited model of the CJ3B Willys. I've been casually looking at CJ-7's available. They really run the gamut to projects I wouldn't want to get near (also selling the wife on bringing a heap home) to folks that are VERY proud of their vehicles, if you know what I mean. Also considering TJ or KJ's all as possible beach mobiles. We're currently on Jeeps #'s 3 & 4. My son drives an 04 Liberty and Wife drives an 06 GC Limited (her 3rd GC). The Hemi is a beast and a great towing vehicle but really sucks the fuel down.

Jeepster47 · May 2016

@NC_Egghead ... the 2014 Grand Cherokee was redesigned to be a little less like a brick for aerodynamics. There's a noticeable bump in gas mileage with the 2014 redesign ... in addition to the aerodynamic improvement, the body drops about 2.5 inches at speed, and the eight speed transmission keeps the engine close to optimum rpms. When we travel on the highway, mine usually gets about 20 mpg. For a 5.7 liter engine with a towing ratio, that's not bad ... and it passes fantastic.

Here's my best mileage ... I really behaved that day:

NC_Egghead · May 2016

We will never see fuel mileage like that on the GC, no matter how much we behave! What I did to solve the fuel mileage issue was I bought a '12 VW Jetta diesel last June. Gives at least 45 mpg on the hwy, over 600 miles on a tank of fuel. So we drive the crap out of that and save the GC for every now and then. I've put almost 20k miles on the V-dub and have spent about 1/3 what I would have on fuel if it was the GC.

blasting · May 2016

great post Jeepster

RRP · May 2016

Interesting post, Tom!

I don't think I ever told you, but when I turned 15 years old in 1959 I dug $50 cash money from my yard mowing money jar and bought a 1953 Henry-J. It had a 4 banger flathead Willys motor. Other than washing it I didn't do much, but a year later I sold it for $150 and I thought I was a financial whiz at age 16 for making a "cool" $100 profit for not doing Jack Sh*t! LOL

Jeepster47 · May 2016

One more modified Jeep ... my friend loves to mess around modifying and stretching Jeeps. Here's the first one he did in about 2003 ... it was both a prototype and a working (non-show) Jeep:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5017260/uploads/editor/hg/ooapw20qk4wp.jpg

He sold Bubba, but a couple of years ago he bought a condo in Galveston and wanted a Jeep to drive around on the beach. He checked back with the owner and was able to buy it back. But, he couldn't leave it alone, so modified and upgraded it once again:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5017260/uploads/editor/5y/yvycmgnd3rfp.jpg

NC_Egghead · May 2016

Your friend has a real knack with Jeeps!

yljkt · May 2016

Flame suit on: Can't stand to see real deal steel cut up and turned into something it ain't. That 65 will never be the same. And never worth the same butchered.

Jeepster47 · May 2016

@yljkt ... you would fit in with a part of the group that was in Effingham this last weekend. Some folks spend their energy rebuilding old Willys with nothing but OEM parts ... even spending heavily to recondition a part that I would throw in the trash. Others want a Willys in pure OEM condition ... worn paint is not a problem ... new paint is not acceptable. Others, like my friend, are in it for the creativity.

It looked like everyone there respected the goals of each other and were appreciative of the work they invested in their Jeeps.

After completing the original Bubba above, my friend created a company to do Jeep modifications. Folks would drive a new or used Jeep into his shop with an idea in mind ... and several weeks later and many dollars lighter, they would drive their ideal Jeep out of the shop. So, his butcher jobs were never worth less. Before he sold the company, he said he modified over 800 Jeeps.

Ozzie_Isaac · May 2016

yljkt said:

Flame suit on: Can't stand to see real deal steel cut up and turned into something it ain't. That 65 will never be the same. And never worth the same butchered.

Good thing you didn't have to watch.

It is funny how different people assign their values of "worth" to other peoples' passions.

yljkt · May 2016

You guys are right. Not my business. It is a cool creation.

Willys and Boos

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