CJ-V35U Research Archives

The CJ-V35/U is one of the rarest military Jeeps ever built by Willys. Ironically, it isn’t a mutated M-38, but rather a mutated CJ-3A, hence that likely explains the model derivation. They were built in 1950 for the Navy and Marines as radio trucks. Essentially, they were modified CJ-3As design to be capable of underwater travel (hence the U at the end of the name). They came with snorkels, extended exhaust pipes, unusual headlight bezels, and 6- or 12-volt generators to power radios; Only 1,000 were built (serial numbers are prefixed with CJ-V3 and numbered 10001 – 11000). The engine serial numbers are prefixed with the letter ‘V’ and start with number 10001.
The G503 forum has a very educational analysis of a CJ-V35/U that wasn’t perfectly
Visit the CJ-3A Page for a detailed article about the CJ-V35/U.

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1950 CJV-35/U Glendale, AZ **SOLD**

October 3, 2010 • CATEGORIES: CJ-3A • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $4200.

A reader named Rich spotted this ad and checked it out.  He reports that he went to look at it and learned that the floor is pretty badly rusted, but drive train, engine, dash plaque, verify a V-35/U that might be rescued.  This is a very rare find. Thanks Rich!

“1949 or 1950 not exactly sure it is titled as a 1949 but believe it may be a 1950 it is a miilitary issue jeep issued to the usmc and navy it’s a v-35/u the motor is original i know that and the frame is in good condition as well it was used for hunting. e-mail if you have any questions thanks.”

 
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1950 CJV-35U Raymond, Me $5100

June 19, 2010 • CATEGORIES: CJ-3A, Unusual • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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This is very much a project.  Despite what the seller says, I’m less certain that grille is stock.  It looks like a MB grille to me.  The body, along with the V35U specific data plate, appear to be correct.  Here are some pics I was using from the G503as a comparison.

“I am selling a VERY RARE military jeep. Here is an article on them: http://www.cj-3a.com/CJ-V35U.htm

It is a 1950 Willys CJ-V35-U. They made only 1000 of these jeeps for the USMC in 1950. It is factory built using a mixture of MB, And CJ3A parts, and is very very rare. The one that i am selling is in VERY restore-able condition, and mostly complete, and un-molested.  It has been stored indoors for several years.  This jeep retains a lot of the original, hard to find parts, like: Ram horn tow hooks, Starter, generator, voltage regulator, front seats, pintle hook, Fuel tank, front bumper, bumperetts, tail gate, lower spare tire carrier half, air cleaner, cross over tube, fording exhaust with shroud, head light switch, Transmission locking chain, all gauges (minus temp), two correct windshield frames. NOS voltage regulator, NOS fording tail pipe bracket.

It comes with the following reproduction parts: Upper spare tire carrier, Lift rings, and antenna mount. This is a NUMBERS MATCHING JEEP, the engine is the correct serial number for this jeep!! the engine number is V-10125, and the chassi is believed to be chassi number V-10115. They started production @ number V-10101, so this was #115 of 1000 to be built. It has the correct hood, fenders, grill, body. There is a little controversy over the nose of this jeep, but there are things i can point out that are factory and that no one would have been able to change. It is very early production in a very limited production run. Asking $5100.00, Sorry no trades”

http://maine.craigslist.org/cto/1799846403.html

 
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A CJV-35U and a Lost Opportunity

May 11, 2010 • CATEGORIES: CJ-3A, News • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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Well, I completely blew it.  I’m ashamed, embarrassed.  Truly, I wasn’t thinking clearly.  Too much stuff was clogging my brain tunnels to put the pieces together.  Here’s the sad, brief tale …

Late yesterday afternoon the ‘staff’ (also known as Brett) at the Utah Bureau of eWillys spotted a great deal:  A 1948 flattie for only $1000.  It appeared almost completely stock, with no obvious rust, though there was plenty of paint oxidation.

It had unusual bezels, a CJ-3Aish windshield, a cutout for a breather on the passenger side of the hood and hooks on the front.  It was an odd combo of a M-38, a CJ-3A and titled with a year of 1948. Also, strangely, it had no willys script on the hood that I could see.

My gut said go get it.  My practical side said no, so I put it out of my head.  I should have listened to my gut, because after thinking about, I now realize it was  CJV-35U that was running, extremely stock (except for the installation of the bench seat), and in great shape.

OHHH THE PAINNN!!!!  How did I not put those clues together?  Unfortunately, only an hour or so after I made my decision not to get it, it disappeared from the KSL classified list.  So, the decision was made for me and I put it out of my mind.  It wasn’t until this morning that I realized how big my mistake had been.

Alas, this too shall pass, slowly, painfully, like a kidney stone.

Here’s a perfect example of what it looked like (I didn’t get the chance to download the pics of it).  Imagine this, unrestored, without the breathers for the intake and exhaust … and with a hardtop: http://www.cj3a.info/sibling/cjv35u/photos/p158.html (or click on the above link)

 
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I got to thinking, what about Navy CJ-2As and other Navy Models?

April 29, 2010 • CATEGORIES: CJ-2A • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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This morning, I got wondering if the Navy ordered any other vehicles besides CJ-3As.  Well, I found some information across the net on various Navy Jeeps.  I list some different flattie models below, but some CJ-5s and others also spent time with the Navy.

Navy CJ-2A
Over at the CJ-2A page, Bob posted an article from the Toledo Times (8/24/1946) about the Navy ordering 200 Willys Overland Jeeps in 1946 for use along the great lakes and the coasts.  Bob also mentioned the Navy ordered both CJ-3As & DJ-3As.

This G503.com thread has a some images of Navy CJ-2As and examples of tags (an example tag is seen above).

Stretched Navy CJ-2A, the CJ-2E, and the CJ-2L?
According to JP Magazine, a rumor persists that WO built an extended CJ-2A for the army in 1948 called the CJ-2E.  However, they feel this is a rumor because there are no records for such a creation.  In addition, experts they asked said the extended CJ-2As often came on a later model frame.  While I have not personally seen any of the extended CJ-2As in person, I have seen enough of them for sale to make me think that they might have produced on a very limited basis.

And speaking of streched CJ-2As,
it looks like someone picked up that pinkish ‘2A that I had listed from Bonsall, Ca.  He reports that he was a told a dealer (likely somewhere on the west coast) bought some CJ-2As, stretched them, and then called them a CJ-2L. Well, sure enough, the pinkish CJ-2A’s registration lists it as a CJ-2L (though not a navy jeep).

Navy CJ-3B Navy
According to the JeepDr. website, they have restored a Navy CJ-3B and have the Navy paperwork to back up the claim.  Now, this might be a M-606 as the site doesn’t specifically answer this question.

You can see another example of a Navy CJ-3B at the CJ-3B Page (scroll most of the way to the bottom).

CJ-V35/U for the Navy & USMC
Of course, there is also highly sought after CJ-V35/U made for the Navy & the United States Marine Corp. These were actually CJ-3As modified into CJ-V35/Us

 
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The Evolution of Water Fording

April 9, 2009 • CATEGORIES: CJ-3A, Features, Old Images • TAGS: , . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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One of the more interesting early modifications for water fording is visible  in the picture below.  Note how the jeep facing the reader has the exhaust vented out the front of the grill with the muffler laying parrallel to the grille.  I can’t say I’d ever seen that before.

The CJ-3A.info page notes: “The recommended maximum fording depth of an unmodified jeep was 21 inches. That is about the height of the fuel pump and transfer case vents. Any deeper and things would start to fill up with water. Even at this relatively shallow depth the Technical Manual (2) advised that the generator brace should be “pulled up to release tension on the fan belt and stop the fan from throwing water over the engine”. That would be important in order to keep water off the ignition system. During a combat landing the 21″ maximum fording depth was not adequate.”

Read more about the Evolution of Water Fording here

 
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1950 CJV-35U Stewartville, MN **SOLD**

August 29, 2008 • CATEGORIES: M-38 • TAGS: . This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.
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UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay..

“1950 WILLYS JEEP, VERY RARE NAVY AIRFORCE RADIO BEACH LANDING FORWARD COMMUNICATION UNIT ORIGINALY.  HAS LIFTING LOOPS FRONT AND REAR FOR HELICOPTER OR CRANE LIFTING. IT IS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION AND RUNS AND DRIVES VERY NICE.  STUDY THE PHOTO’S AND SEE FOR YOURSELF.  TIRES ARE GREAT, STEERS LIKE NEW, AND RUNS QUIET WITH NEW MUFFLER.  THE SEATS ARE GOOD, THE ENGINE HAS PLENTY OF POWER FOR OFF ROAD PLUS A GREAT PARADE UNIT AND JUST CRUISING AROUND TOWN OR ON THE HIGHWAY.”