When you own a vintage Willys Jeep, you own a piece of history. This vehicle served alongside our nation’s soldiers, transporting supplies, helping with casualties, and so much more. Made for military purposes, the Willys Jeep still serves well in peacetime, whether on display at a car show or taking you out on the backroads. Obviously, you want to honor your vehicle’s history, but that doesn’t mean you can’t add a personal touch to it. Here are four tips for personalizing your M151A1 Willys Jeep.
What To Do?
Before personalizing your Jeep, take a moment to decide what you want to do with it and how you’ll achieve that vision. Making it historically accurate is a true challenge that can involve painstaking research, careful purchasing of original parts, perfect paint matching, and more. On the other hand, you can modernize it, making trips around town a bit cozier.
Why not do both? Just take the time to define your goals, set a budget, and establish your plans first.
Upgrade the Interior
If you decide to go the modern route, keep comfort in mind for the cabin. Jeeps were meant to be driven through rough terrain and circumstances, but that doesn’t mean you have to tough it out like the soldiers. Add padded seats for a more pleasant ride and new seatbelts for a safer one. Upgrade the internal electronics if you want a better sound system or want all the convenient weather, navigation, and similar apps out there. The exterior can still look like it’s ready for war, but inside the cabin you can take it easy and drive in style.
Gear Up for Off-Road Travel
While Jeeps are great in the boondocks and back roads, old-style car tech can’t beat many of the innovations of the last few decades. Modernize your Jeep’s off-road abilities by installing all-terrain tires, a heavy-duty suspension system, new shocks, and other upgrades that’ll let your old soldier keep fighting. Naturally, you’ll need to find compatible parts and possibly a mechanic who knows how to “Frankenstein” your Jeep.
Paint It Black (or Green, or Blue, or…)
The easiest way to customize any vehicle is to give it a new paint job. Olive green and navy blue are available, but don’t feel restricted to living in the past. Custom paint jobs and finishes bring flair to your vehicle. You could even add decals that replicate old military insignias or modern symbols that reflect your personality. Don’t be afraid to play around with designs. That’s part of the fun of vintage Jeep ownership!
Those are just four tips for personalizing your M151A1 Willys Jeep. If you require advice on upgrading your vehicle, contact us today. We offer compatible parts and military vehicle paint for sale. Get ready to gear up and get accustomed to customizing!