Kubota Swapped Willys Jeep 4000 Mile Update (I love this thing) 

I have around 30,000 miles in my 46 willys with the Kubota, still going strong :) I expect at some point a valve adjustment will be needed?

Isn't it funny how a swap not being an LS automatically makes a build 10× more interesting?

This would make a perfect little farm truck and cooler than any side by side! Nicely done.

Jeep: The vehicle you pressure wash inside and out.

It’s a great toy that will have great value for many years. ( it can’t easily be replaced) . Only a true outdoorsman can appreciate this machine

In Japan, the Japanese made Mitzubitchi Jeeps with deisels. they were willie copies, under licence from jeep. You can still buy them and import them as long as they are 25 years old or more. they are right hand drive, but are legal to drive in the USA.

Outstanding build. Since I am not that mechanical I bought a 2019 Mahindra Roxor and love the diesel.

Cool Jeep!. It looks just like the Jeep I had in high school around 1974-75. Obviously I was just a kid at the time, and did not know much of anything. It was sold to me as a 1952 CJ-3A. It had a Ford 289 engine, 3 speed floor shift transmission, and an electric overdrive. We had a great time with that Jeep. As usual, I always wish I still had that rig, like I wish I still had my 1974 Bronco and my 1979 F-150. I own two Kubota diesel tractors, so when I saw the Kubota swap, I wanted to check it out. Looks like you did a great job. Thanks again. Doug

Still light but with more torque and HP. Smart upgrade.

This Jeep looks good!!! I’d say those leaf springs sprung out perfect! Great looking ride height!

that little thing looks like it chooches right along lol!

Thanks for the mention! Great to see my parts out in the world!

I LOVE IT. I own 2 Kubota tractors and a diesel swapped Toyota 4Runner (factory JDM Toyota 1KZ from a halfcut). Youre playing my song mate. Such a cool swap and all-ariund rig.

I have 2 older jeeps, a cj5, & an M38A1, they are both 1955. I just happen to have a couple of kubota engines!! I'm glad I happened onto this vid. I am going to get started on the engine swaps. I always wondered if those little engines would have enough oomph to push those older jeeps along!! Now I know! Thanx

I have one with a T90C wide ratio and a 30% overdrive. The 30% is what you want. 60mph maxed out...cruise easy at 50-55. The 30% splits the gears perfectly, so basically you have a 6 speed. Swapped about 5 years ago. The only thing I wish it had is a variable timing injection pump. I would love to get below 1000rpm idle and up to 3500 rpm max. That would be ideal. I can get down to about 900 rpm before it starts loping. Above 2800 rpm it starts to make EGTs ride presumably because it should ideally have more injection advance. Still way...waaay better than the Go Devil.

That air filter back by the firewall is in a good spot for not getting water in the intake but is definitely in one of the worst places for power and longevity. It is picking up nothing but hot air from the engine and radiator, and without an intercooler, it is really going to effect power. when thin air, overheated air is inducted a turbo has to spin faster (waste gate) stays shut longer to make "boost" This can often overspeed a turbo and fail. While you will probably make the same "boost" it will greatly improve your turbo life if you can reduce your turbo inlet intake temperatures. awesome jeep, just route that air intake to some colder air.

a ragtop and one of those Chinese diesel fired RV heaters might be a great addition to that rig!

Very cool machine. My '73 CJ5 is going to be Kubota orange. As a former diesel mechanic and fellow Cummins owner I really appreciate what you've built. That's an awesome build.

Out of the box thinking is awesome. That's a really nice way to go

Hell yeah. I live in Wayne County, grew up in Geauga County. Lived in Portage County 2011-2013. Awesome ride.

You an Mike have some awesome Jeeps. I climbed the little beach hill with you guys with my buddy in his Bronco. Those are GOATS!!!

You can get an app on your smartphone for the speedometer, I got one for my old Power Wagon. Jeep looks great, nice job! You can get a Gates Green fan belt that should help with the squeak.

Interesting conversion. Takes me back. I had a 53’ m38a1 in the 60’s which looked identical to the m38 except it had the rounded fenders. Mine had 8.56 gears and would “climb a tree” but not that speedy for highway use. It had the faded military insignia, stars etc. still intact. I remember one saying maximum speed 45 mph. As I recall the m38 had the wheels that when jacked up would turn in at the bottom like the Volkswagen did but mine was a straight axle. Enjoyed the memories, Thanks for the video

Sweet! I have been looking high and low for a flatty, had one in the late 80s put a Ford pinto motor in it out of an aircraft tug that thing was phenom! Really cool build!

SooooSweet. I am officially jealous. That's just an awesome little rig.

You did a fabulous job on your little orange crate. I agree with gears instead of timing belts. As one commenter stated, if you have a lunch box locker, they will make noise when there is an uneven rotation of axles.

This thing is SIIIIIIIIICK. I need to see more of it! I love everything about it. Would love to see more vid of it driving from the outside as well.

Wow, I love everything about this Willys especially the color! Nice build and video!!

Right now I know I want one ASAP!!!

Great video!!! Been thinking about the Kubota for my CJ3B….she’s a basket case but your video sold me. Going ground up on this one and so I won’t be pounding the pavement anytime soon, but still going to be a fun build. I think I found a ‘46 that’s a tug conversion (like for an airport) so I want to check that out before I tear into the 3b.

As long as it stays cool last forever

Cool rig! Nice conversion, too. Very clean.

Coming from a kubota mechanic and technician, very well done!

Love that orange paint. Same color as my '54 3B...

Very cool, if the engine in my Suzuki super carry ever goes, that’s probably the direction I’m headed in.

For a more advanced backyard casting project I'd like to create a mirror pattern of the SM420 case so the reverse gear lump can be moved over to the left side, along with providing the Dana/Spicer 18/20 Transfer case mounting points and output shaft.

You built what I want to build ...engine, brakes, T90 trans and of course the Overdrive unit.

Man this thing is very cool. Id love to have something like this to play with in the summer.🙂

Ideal engine for a light Jeep like that.

Very cool I would love to do something like this just finding the time is going to be key lol I'm an over the road trucker Thanks for the video

Very cool machine! Wish I had one like it

Wow! What a beautiful project Jeep! This vehicle is a Diamond, her preservation is a noble project. Thanks for a great video, I learned a lot. Please, I hope you have a roll cage (custom built to respect the vintage look of course) in the near future. Your Safety is important to keep bringing us great video. Carry On Sir!

Nice install... I think the combo is great...congratulations

That Jeep is straight fire!

Looks great and a very practical conversion.

That is a cool Willy’s!

Epic little Jeep. I'd love to have that engine in my '85 CJ7. I just swapped in a 4.2 reman tho

This thing is awesome good work !

Beautiful! As Spartan as it is, I don’t think it needs to go any faster!

Nice swap, cool M38. Idle rpm would be nice if you could slow it some but I know those Kubota Reefer engines don't idle much slower

I'm impressed I love honestly the simplicity of it it never came away from the original just better I wish you were closer to me I'd love to check this thing out in person. I've got a CJ to a that I'm putting together and haven't really decided what I want to do with it I got two gas stock original ones kind of thinking with the third one doing something fun with it I think I might go this route maybe something different but definitely diesel keep up the good work Buddy keep us updated it's pretty cool!!!

thats a vantastic ride

I put a Kubota 905 diesel in a Geo Metro convertible. The Kubota injection pump sucks in an automotive application. It was made to run a pump, refrigeration compressor or generator at constant speed. If you rev the engine to the governor limit, it abruptly cuts the fuel and it feels like you hit the brakes instead of the clutch. You have to shift well before the governor cuts in. Automotive injection pumps feel less severe. Also, almost all automotive injection pumps have the means to advance the fuel injection timing according to load or engine RPM. The Kubota injection pump timing is set with shims and is forever stuck throughout the RPM range at the one setting like a lawnmower engine. Same timing from idle to full open. The Kubota governor just feels less drivable as compared to other diesel vehicles. What is weird is that you can put your foot to the floor in first gear until the engine will not rev any more. Keep the foot to the floor, push the clutch in, the engine stays the same RPM, gently shift into the next gear taking your sweet time, then let the clutch out... only then will the engine drop RPM and start to accelerate. It's such an odd sensation. I have an old CJ2A and could see how the Kubota diesel downsides would not really affect its use off road. The engine is absolutely reliable. As far as the diesel Geo Metro, I gave up on it after being disappointed and the State would not license it. You have a nice build and it certainly beats dropping $11 grand on the new Cummins package swap engine.

New obsession.. ✅️

Use your phone to get a speed reading, also the belt is an easy fix. They can size you one at the parts dealer, I’ve had to do it before. Very nice ride, and the first time I have seen it done. Bet it’s a blast to rip around in.

Looks good, sounds great. Nicely done.

Had a CJ5 with the 304 and 3 speed manual. Was fun and I bought it for 400 bucks as a rust bucket from NJ. (Parted her out for 3800 and never looked back). Jeeps and diesels go together like Fred and Ginger, Lester and Earl. You wouldn’t believe how good the new diesel powered wranglers are. 260hp 445tq stock.. that being said, it would sure be fun building a trick little machine like yours… thanks for sharing!

Sweet ride man

Nice build! Seems like the bota is a great match. Looks like tons of roadability and of course grunt for the trails.

That’s freaking awesome 😎 😎😎thank you for sharing

Hint. A dab of silicone on the end of governor springs prevents springs from jumping off. I do this to brake springs.

I learned to drive on a WWII Willys Jeep.

From your shifts I detected a close ratio t-19 Got one in my scout and a wide in another scout…. Your idle is higher than needed….but it really smooths out after 2,000rpm. Nice!

very cool,on your belt noise try a wrapped belt add a w to the end of your belt part # at napa

Troppo cool, I like your Jeep!

I've had many different jeeps from my 84 cj with currie 9" front and back and 40s to an old 50 something Willy's. Something about an old flexing frame and some skinny mudders is just hard to beat. The diffs we're pretty stout back then and you may have a rough ride and take a different line than the guys running 40s but they are hard to beat.

Awesome I did a dauntless v6 and t18 on my 46 2a that diesel is the way to go

Counterintuitive but spray that belt down with Armor All, or similar, once every 3mo and you never hear it squeak again. Been doing this to my 7.3 serpentine belt for years.

Pretty cool. I've got a 65 CJ5 with a 4 cyl.

I am now thinking of ordering a jeep in a box and getting a Kubota power train for it.

If I won the lottery I would buy that from you to have my wife drive to Maverick to get me BEER.

A smaller alternator belt then tighten it will stop the squealing.

SAWEEEET swap!! I wanted to do a Kubota swap into my 1987 Dodge D-100 pick up but couldn't find the engine. Any way is it supposed to idle that fast? Great job I'm subscribing right now!!

What a great Idea. I could use this on the farm.

Absolutely badass! I've always wanted to do something like this. Maybe after my tdi swap. Also, is it just me or is the idle kind of fast? I seem to remember Kubota's idling lower than that but haven't been around one in a while.

Awesome job..love it .just a neighbor of yours here in Shalersville ohio..we sport a 21 gladiator..not as cool as your rig..

Very cool and beautifully done.

100k hours 😂😂 I would really like to see that

Pretty cool little rig!

AWesome job. That thing looks amazing

Dam i love that thing! It's perfect!

Awesome rig, bone simple swap. great job. Cheers

Thanks for your video. I'm in England. I'm currently trying to see if one of these can be converted to right-hand drive. It's hard to find an answer, so the only way might be to build it up from scratch (we can buy the tubs from a company in Belgium) and use all the running gear from a Suzuki Jimny or Toyota Rav4. Ideally though, I would like just a 1950s Willys in right-hand drive!

Ive been thinking about doing a swap in My 86 Samurai

These videos are better then the one hipity makes

Ive been considering the Kubota engine into my sand rail. Ive got a few used Td04 turbos that could easily pep up the little diesel

Definitely seems fast enough

Have you thought about building a roll cage for it?

This thing is great really like it

Add a GPS controlled speedometer/ odometer and problem solved. It looks like a regular speedometer. I have one in my classic car to solve the wheel size difference and love it.

Commenting for the algorithm

Balmar makes an alternator adjuster that will stop that belt squeal

I would have to agree, sounds like it runs far too fast, the idle/ engine rpms need to come down a bit.

Where did you get your headlights from? Cool build btw.

Very nice Jeep! I need one.

I enjoyed owning a 240sx. Twas fun.

Couldn’t you put all the sound proofing around the hood , fire wall , fenders , like it’s used on the TK unit, make it a bit more user friendly??!

Nice looking jeep

Nice build

Sick build man!