Man abandoned 1955 Willys Jeep in the trees years ago as a ‘one day’ project and then that day finally came
- The Willys Jeep is one of the most famous vehicles ever made
- It was a massive part of the Allied war efforts during World War II
- One man abandoned his Willys Jeep years ago and now wants it to run again
Published on Mar 12, 2025 at 3:34 PM (UTC+4)
by Keelin McNamara
Last updated on Mar 12, 2025 at 6:48 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
The Willys Jeep is one of the world’s most significant vehicles.
Despite being one of the most famous vehicles ever made, though, it’s origin was extremely muddled.
A YouTuber abandoned one of these very same vehicles years ago in his yard.
Now, he wants to see if it will run and work again.
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Willys Jeep: An icon of liberation
If you’ve ever seen anything related to World War II, then you have more than likely seen the Willys Jeep.
The 1/4 ton truck was the first ever, mass-produced 4×4 vehicle.
By 1940, the U.S. Army realised they needed a light, robust, and reliable off-road vehicle, capable of serving on the battlefield.
Three companies answered the call to build this now-legendary vehicle.
Those were Bantam, Willys, and Ford.
Bantam was, technically, the original creator of the jeep.

However, Willys and Ford soon took over production due to concerns about Bantam’s lack of ability to mass-produce.
The vehicle soon became lauded for it’s incredible toughness, reliability, and versatility.
Some were used as ambulances. Some were used to transport officers and troops from one place to another.
Others were used to tow artillery across brutal terrain, or came with a Browning M2 .50 caliber machine gun mounted on the back.
General George Marshall, who served as the Chief of Staff of the US Army during the war, claimed the Willys Jeep was, ‘America’s greatest contribution to modern warfare.’
Willys Jeep nestled in the trees
Brent, who runs the YouTube channel Halfass Kustoms, owns a Willys Jeep.
However, it has been abandoned for years – in fact, it looks like it’s been on the losing end of a battle.
He explains that there has been a lot of intrigue in seeing if his Jeep can be turned into a “yard mule.”
After checking the engine, Brent brings the Jeep into his garage to check it.
The YouTuber explains that he got it running years ago, but he never tried to drive it because the brake and clutch were seized.
Brent realizes that his classic workhorse needs a few parts before it’ll be the yard mule he needs.
He takes a Carb Gasket off of a 1953 Chevrolet he has lying around his shop.
And, after a little more working around, the Willys Jeep roars into life!
Clutch and brakes come stuck
The big issue Brent faces is the clutch and the brakes – which were both stuck.
He takes a blowtorch to the undercarriage to try and unfreeze some of the system.
The Jeep is then taken around the yard for its first test drive.
Next up are the brake discs, which are badly worn and weathered.
Brent gets to work on installing a new master cylinder to try and fix the hydraulic issues.
The fixed brakes then get re-installed onto the Jeep, with the hope that they work with the new master cylinder.
Lastly, Brent modifies his existing fuel system in order to supply life to his 50s classic.
One man and his dog – in a Willys Jeep
Finally, Brent’s Willys Jeep is ready to hit the yard.
After firing up the ignition, the YouTuber reverses out of his garage and into his yard.
He takes his new vehicle for some loops of the field to test it out.

He stops by to pick up his dog, and then they hit the trail.
We applaud Brent for his craftsmanship and effort in reviving such an awesome old machine.
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Keelin McNamara is a content writer at Supercar Blondie from Ireland, covering cars, technology, and lifestyle. Despite being a Law graduate, he discovered his passion for journalism during the COVID-19 pandemic, and has worked in the industry ever since. Outside of work, he is an avid MotoGP fan, and is a self-confessed addict of the sport.