What is a Willys?

[Lo Tek]

So … Willys ‘41, sticker says it’s a Sport, and I understand that … but it seems to have inherited a Mojave style hood, and wider (but not higher) fenders from(?), etc. Anyone know of a place where there’s a full comparison that would be useful for getting the correct pieces, parts, and goodies the first time without a lot of order return replace etc.?

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[Dilly’S Willy]

Correct, it STARTED as a variant of the Sport/Sport S but as a "package" including many optional features: "anti-spin" rear diff (clutch based, think Posi/Viscous), blacked out grill and fog light trim, 7" radio, color-matched fenders, upgraded shocks (red, made by Rancho iirc, but not rubicon shocks), the convenience group (heated seats/steering wheel, auto climate, and All-Weather mats), tow package (not max tow, still not an option weirdly), and 32" MTs. IIRC it also came standard with the Freedom top vs the soft top the Sport/S came with standard.

NOW it comes closer to a Sport/Mojave mix since they come standard with the rear locker like the Mojave/Rubicon.
- I'd personally rather have the "anti-spin" rear diff as they handle better in slippery conditions than an open diff does. Sure you COULD lock the locker, but I wouldn't on pavement. And when it's not locked, it's an open diff.
-- Some may argue the TC/VSC work fine for them, but I prefer purely mechanical LSD over a computer allowing/denying control/wheel spin...especially in slippery conditions. Maybe in DEEP mud a locker would be better, but in my experience the "anti-spin" diff is more than capable. This experience is in rain, mud, ice, 2" of snow, snow berms, off-road, spirited on-road, etc.
---A gear-based LSD would be ideal, but they don't offer one OEM. Never wears out, no maintenance unlike a clutch/locker (okay, you SHOULD do fluids regardless), and basically never breaks. The OEM locker is known to fail due to poor design over time. Yes there are ways to overcome this, or extend the life, but it's known.

TLDR: It's still mostly a Sport/Sport S, but now standard with a rear locker. And no Max-Tow option.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

- I'd personally rather have the "anti-spin" rear diff as they handle better in slippery conditions than an open diff does. Sure you COULD lock the locker, but I wouldn't on pavement. And when it's not locked, it's an open diff.

Agreed!!! The G80 in the old 14bolts was a WIZARD off road and on for keeping you moving no matter what.

 

[Lo Tek]

NOW it comes closer to a Sport/Mojave mix since they come standard with the rear locker

TLDR: It's still mostly a Sport/Sport S, but now standard with a rear locker. And no Max-Tow option.

Thanks. all good info. Agree with you on the LSD, though I’ve never had issues with the Dodge version on pickups as long as I made sure the whale oil was in ‘em.
My last Willys was a ‘61 3/4 ton with the super Hurricane 6 (and a rear PTO) which was a whole different animal. If you weren’t in a hurry it would climb trees in low first.

 

[Dilly’S Willy]

Agreed!!! The G80 in the old 14bolts was a WIZARD off road and on for keeping you moving no matter what.

My 2002 WRX came with the same thing in the rear diff too. 200k+ miles and she's finally starting to wear out the gears in the diff. But to be fair I launch the ever living piss outta that car, drift it, rally it, and am the 8th owner. I'd say the clutch LSD for a stock unit can be more than adequate for 98% of uses.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Mine was behind a 454 and 4l80e. She’d move if I pressed the skinny pedal but she drank gas in gallons per minute.

 

[Gvsukids]

And no Max-Tow option.

Never did.

 

[Dilly’S Willy]

Never did.

That's why you just swap better suspension and tires rated for it. You don't NEED the extra couple axle splines or 1/2" wider wheelbase to tow. The Class IV tow package is plenty and the auto has plenty of slop by design in fluid dynamics through the torque converter and clutch packs.

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