Jim shared this photo from a cookbook of the McDonnell Aircraft Company’s Fire Vehicles, including several jeeps. I tried to learn more, but my searches were a bust. Anyone recognize how the modified CJ-5 might have been used?
Fire/Police/Industry Vehicles Research Archives
Riding to the Rescue: A look back at LA County’s Rescue Vehicles
UPDATE: This updated post from 2012 now includes photos taken by David Carr at LA County’s Cabrillo Beach. The three photos below are on a wall as part of a “wall-of-fame”.
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From June 28, 2012: Over the past 100 years Los Angeles County has used a variety of vehicles to manage their beaches. As part of a retrospective, the article below shows a few of them, along with welcoming some new hybrids into the County system. All photos belong to LA County’s Life Guard Association.
Here are two GPWs (the pics were from a now defunct blog):
Bathing beauties were still posing on county lifeguard trucks in 1959.
Buz unearthed this CJ-2A Life Guard Jeep used by the city of Los Angeles (vs. the county). Though the caption accompanying the jeep suggests this was war surplus, it’s clear this is a civilian rig. The rear extension is interesting, though doesn’t look neatly done.
1953 US Navy Smalley Port-O-Spot on ProxiBid
Andy shared this rarely seen US Navy Smalley Port-O-Spot. It’s another odd utility vehicle partly built with Willys-Overland parts. Only a couple hours left in the bidding; the high bid is currently $3100.
“Made by Oxnard Heavy Maintenance & Mfg Co. Oxnard California. It has a Willys drivetrain, and it does run and drive.”
Photos from Slides of a Modified Dually CJ-5 on eBay
UPDATE: Barney Goodwin (of Barney’s Jeep Parts) sent this 1973 photo out of Houston showing another possible example of an orange city-of-Houston CJ-5 painted similarly to the jeeps below.
Barney added, “This photo was taken in June, 1973 in my hometown of Houston. A neighbor who was an official for the City of Houston owned it. (His city car is to the left of the Jeep in the photo).
Like the Jeeps in the posting (below), I believe this had been a fleet Jeep, special ordered for a construction company, municipality or county. It had the same hard top as in the photos (see the doors propped against the wall behind it. Out of sight but in my copy is the windshield. It is orange also) Note the orange hinges, mirror arm, etc.
The changes he made to it were sand tires (the beach was 50 miles nearby) which I believe were on the Kelsey deep dish rims used on the Renegade and Renegade I, and also the white upholstery .
It was neat to see him cruise around on hot Houston summer days in this- just as it appears.”
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A 1968 image from a slide on eBay shows a dually CJ-5 that’s been modified in an unusual way. Too bad the quality isn’t better.
A second photo on eBay reveals there were two jeeps at the 1968 equipment show in Houston, the jeep above and a second dually CJ-5 with a back hoe. Unfortunately, the image isn’t hi res enough to reveal much about the jeeps:
From the top of this photo:
1957 Fire-CJ-3B-Wagon out of Poland $10,500
UPDATE: Price dropped to $10,500.
Ivan shared this rare jeep. It is a former fire jeep-wagon. It was likely part of a limited production model either from some Willys-licensee in Europe or a third party. It’s priced at 45,000 Plish Zlotych which equates to about $19,500 USD.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/4776713392390767
translated from Polish: “unique willys from 1957 1957 WILLYS OVERLAND JEEP CJ 3 willys overland jeep cj 7 seater foldable engine drives original car used for fire station registered for 7 people”
1952 M-38A1 Stockton, MO $5500
This non-running former brush M-38A1 includes an uninstalled engine.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/4665450366917099
“My Dad has a 1952 Willy’s keep he needs to sell. This is the M38A1 this is the 1st year of the CJ5 / Military Edition. He has everything there. The motor is not in the vehicle. It was pulled to rebuild but he wound up buying another complete used engine. He has just gotten older and no time to fix it back up. It includes the original mechanical winch as well. He may be open to trades.”
Year? Mil-Ner Ambulance Model 475-4WD Brochure
I missed out on winning this brochure on eBay. Though stamped “1960”, the early grille plus the Willys-Overland branding on the brochure suggests Mil-Ner’s ambulance modifications may have been one of the earliest example of the Jeep being turned into an ambulance.
There is only printing on the front of the page. The back was blank.
Burrillvile (RI) Fire/Brush Jeep Slide on eBay
This looks like a former M-38 that was modified into a brush jeep. Cool pic!
View all the information on eBay
“Burrillville (RI) 1952 Willys Jeep Brush/Forestry/Wildland – Glendale VFD. Credit to the original photographer, who retains any copyright.”
1947 CJ-2A Fire Jeep Bourbonnais, IL $41,500
Thanks to Joe for sharing this one with me. It looks beautiful. It’s not cheap, but I imagine neither was the restoration.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/WillysSwapMeet/posts/3119699734969951
“Completely Restored 1947 Willy’s Jeep CJ2A Fire Engine
This jeep served in South Haven, Michigan and Oxford, Michigan. We have completed a complete frame-off restoration including:
Frame, Body, and all associated parts media blasted, primed and painted.
Motor and Transmission completely rebuilt.
Added a Barton/American Crankshaft Driven Front Mount Pump
Second PTO Roller Pump for Small Brush Nozzle
60 Gallon Aluminum Diamond Plate Wrapped Poly Tank
New Booster Reel
New Seat Upholstery and Rubber Floor Matting
All new Emergency Lights and Siren restored by Gary Cahill
New Brakes, Radiator, Wiring, and Switches
Too many fabrications to list.
Real Gold Leaf accents professionally done by hand.
Everything works fine.
Clean Illinois Title and all Pictures and Documentation of Restoration upon request
Asking $41,500”
1956 Willys Fire Truck Mauston, WI $13,000
UPDATE: Still Available.
(08/23/2020) Needs work. This could have been a brush truck of some type or it was a utility truck.
https://lacrosse.craigslist.org/grd/d/mauston-willys/7412522587.html
“1956 Willys. 4 wheel drive. Runs and drives. Six cylinder inline flathead. Three speed manual. High and low transfer case.
Odometer does not work. Says 18,000 miles. Was told it was a fire truck? Owned for over eighteen years. Has been sitting inside for seventeen years. Needs work to be road worthy. Towaway.”
1957 CJ-5 Bellefontaine, OH $15,000
Nice looking Brush Jeep.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/283156267011128
“Price change: 1957 Willys CJ5 Brush Fire Jeep. In service around the Akron, Ohio area most of its life. 11,000 original miles, runs perfect. Gets a-lot of interest at shows and turns heads everywhere. Great vehicle to educate the public on how important Willys/Jeeps were in American history.”
Los Angeles Fire Museum Photos
Bob took these pics of a fire CJ-5 at the Los Angeles County Fire Museum.
Bob’s work colleague took this pic of an M-38 fire jeep at the LA City Fire Museum:
CJ-5 At the LA County Fire Museum
Bob shared this article that explains more about the CJ-5 fire jeep (see the original PDF here).
1981 CJ-5 Brush Fire Jeep Middle River, MD **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was auctioned.
Looks in very good shape. A price is listed in the ad, but I’m sure it is I just a place holder. Auction ends 11/28.
“The Middle River Volunteer Fire Rescue Company Is Accepting Bids for 1981 Jeep Brush Unit. Bid can be turned in and the Board of Director’s will approve the top bidder. Top bidder will be Notified by phone. Bids will be read 12/6/21. 1981 Jeep CJ 5 4×4 Manual Transmission AMC V-8 304 Motor Milage 40,636 Jeep Runs and Drive Pump Is Built-in Ramsey Winch, Works Water Tank Has Been Pulled, Steel Water Tank To Be Sold With Unit. Unit Sold As Is, Where Is, No Warranty. Buyer Is To Pick Up Within 10 Day Winning Bid Notification. All Lights And Siren Will Be Disconnected, But Left On The Unit. Bids Can Be Submit To Captain Fred Causey F[hidden information] Biding Will Be Open For 13 Days and Close on 11/28/21 at Midnight.
1957 Swedish Fire Truck in Germany 16,500 Euros
Craig shared this 1957 Swedish Fire Truck for sale ion Germany. It looks in great shape. The price is just over $19,000.
https://suchen.mobile.de/fahrzeuge/details.html
Roughly translated from German:
A very rare treasure. Forget all the assistance systems and all the other bells and whistles that today’s cars have.
This is pure driving!
Swedish Willys truck from 1957 with 3.6 liter Super Hurricane 6-cylinder engine.
An old master mechanic did a lot on the car in just under 100 hours.
Main work: The front was converted to disc brakes with a conversion kit from kaiserwillys.com from America. That’s why 17 inch rims from a Dodge Ram are now fitted. The rims were turned out to match and powder-coated in black.”
1955 CJ-5 Fire Engine Brochure
In 1954, as part of the newly developed marketing campaign following Kaiser’s purchase of the Willys assets in 1953, Willys Motors created ‘Jeep’ Fire engine brochure SX-229-4, the front page of which is seen below (thanks to the CJ-3B page):
I was able to finally purchase the subsequent version of the ‘Fire Engine’ brochure, Form # W-229-5. It’s essentially the same brochure as the 1954 version, accept they’ve replaced the 3B with a CJ-5 Fire Jeep. The rest of the art work uses the same CJ-3B images from the 1954 brochure.
Photo of a CJ-2A Fire Jeep **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
This black and white photo (free shipping) appears to show this CJ-2A fire jeep in a parade (based on the folks sitting in the background).
1953 CJ-3B Fire/Crash Jeep Chester, MA **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $4500.
It’s rough, but it’s unique. Will need work. Has a Navy data tag. Learn more about ANSUL equipped jeeps here: https://cj3b.info/Fire/AnsulCJ3B.html
“I’m looking to sell my 1953 CJ3b fire/crash truck. I do not have a title for it but have an old registration. No data plate either. Started off life as a civilian CJ3b but was turned into a military M-606 for the US Navy. The motor turns by hand, but needs a starter. I have a new Landcruiser starter in a box that will fit it. Sheet metal is real solid minus rear floor. Hat channels are good exterior metal is nice, mostly rear floor from the dry chemical powder being on it.
Continue reading
1954 M-170 Fire Jeep Columbiana, OH Auction
Bob shared this online-only auction for a converted M-170 jeep. It has a few updates, including the fire equipment. The auction ends July 21st.
https://baerauctions.hibid.com/catalog/293919/vehicles–tools–auto-parts–columbiana-7-21-21/?q=jeep
“Power Steering, Tilt Steering Wheel, Ss Sleeves & Piston”
1962 FC-150 Lincoln, NE **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was on eBay.
This may be Chicago Fire Jeep #757, which was converted into a hydrant thawing FC in 1978. As you can in the pics on the 3B page, it’s got the similar fenders and bumper.
“Mid-America Motors
2401 Fairfield Street
Lincoln Nebraska, 68521
Office/Fax 402-477-4426
Rod’s Cell 402-560-0766 Anytime….
For Sale Rare Hard To Find 1962 Willys Jeep CF150 4X4 Cab Forward 150″ Wheel Base Pickup….
Very Low Production Around 700 Units Built Of The CF150 Model In 1962….
Believed To Be A Former Chicago Fire Department Unit #757….
Miles Show 1,841 Can Not Confirm….
Clear Colorado Title In Hand….
Runs And Drove On The Trailer, No Brakes And The Fuel Pump Went Bad, Have Located A New Fuel Pump….
Has Some Rust (see the pictures)….
Needs Front And Rear Windshield Glass Also Both Door Glass….
Looks Like The Box Was Built For The Fire Department And No Tail Gate….
Will Help Load The Jeep….
Please Look At The Pictures….”
Year? Photo of a M-38 Fire/Brush Jeep on eBay
This m-38 fire/brush jeep has some unusual mods.
View all the information on eBay
“You are bidding on (1) 35mm Fire Apparatus Slide of Burrilville RI Brush 1 1952 Willy’s Jeep X-US Army
Slide is in excellent condition. If image appears to be cut off it is from my scanner. Actual image is fine in slide mount.
Original photographer retains the copyright on the image.”
1946 CJ-2A Fire Jeep Oxford, MI $3500
If you are near Oxford, MI, this may be worth a look.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/128762276795/permalink/10159387371586796/
“For Sale near Oxford, Mi. 1946 willys jeep converted to a brush truck. This was converted by the South Haven Fire Department and later went on to serve Oxford, Mi. It has not been run in about 10 years. Owner wants to find a good home from someone who will restore it. Asking $3500.”
1964 CJ-6 Camp Verde, AZ **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $7500.
The seller indicates this is a former fire brush or pumper jeep.
“1964 CJ6 Starts, Drives, stops. Practically rust free. Govt nomenclature tag, and former fire pumper. Includes, winch, and new Walcks front bumper and rivets. All sheet metal and bolts included. New exhaust manifold and exhaust system replaced.
Will need attention to: Hood, fenders and possibly a trans/transfer rebuild, gas tank needs cleaning.
Basically brought this home and secondary to exhaust repair it sat.
Super clean body for a Cj6 minus the fenders and hood. Clean AZ title”
1968 CJ-5 Moraga, CA **SOLD**
UPDATE: **SOLD** for $12,500 on BAT.
This was listed on for $10K on Craigslist; it’s now being auctioned on Bring-a-Trailer’s website: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1968-jeep-cj5-3/
Jay spotted this former Hartford, Ohio, Fire Department Jeep. It looks like the rear cargo area was rebuilt at some point.
“1968 Jeep CJ5
Jeep CJ5
16K Original Miles
Original 225 Dauntless V6
Original 3-speed manual transmission
4wd low and high
Original Red Paint
Runs great and has plenty of power.
New starter, alternator, wheels, tires, battery, aluminum radiator, brake lines, heater system, spark plugs, alternator, exhaust, top with soft doors, rear bumper with swing-out tailgate, shocks, steering damper, and air filter.
Has new top with doors also
The odometer is at 16XXX miles currently.
Have paperwork proving the miles from the government auction and on the title Continue reading
1955 Fire Truck at the Petrified National Park
Eric posted some pics of a modified 1955 Willys fire truck to Facebook the other day. Apparently, the truck was originally stationed at the Chiricahua National Monument, then at the Fort Bowie National Monument, before arriving in 2016 at the Petrified Forest National Park.
Somehow, I have never been to any one of these three national parks. As a boy, we’d go jeeping at the Beverly Sand Dunes and finding petrified wood was no big deal, so I’ve never seen a reason to stop at the Petrified Forest NP. There other two are definitely worth a stop on our next Arizona trip; When will that be? Maybe spring of 2022?.
My guess is the jeep pictured in this National Park sign is a Valley Fire modified truck, while, given the low rear bed, I think the white fire truck was likely originally modified by General Fire into a model they called “The General Commando”. According to the CJ-3B page, the General Commando came in both open top (similar to a Personnel Carrier) and a closed top, more typical of a standard truck.
I could imagine that for the forest service’s use, remove the interior portion of the fire truck bed, then covering it was a practical way to get more utility out of the truck.