3D Model of Jeep Willys MB

The forefather of the Jeep is the Willys MB. This 4x4 vehicle was intended to be small, relatively affordable, and produced in large quantities. Soldiers loved it for its endurance and agility.

This small model, made from seven layers of plywood, features distinctive details such as the nine-slot steel grille, spare tire, and gasoline canister mounted on the back. I opted against adding more details to avoid fragile elements.

The assembly can be somewhat tricky, but the parts are cut quickly. I used 6.3 mm beech plywood and 5 mm beech rods for the axles. The components were cut on a Stepcraft desktop CNC machine using a 1.2 mm spiral-toothed flute.

The orientation of the body parts is specifically chosen to achieve a perfect alternating pattern of the plywood. Closer nesting would have been possible if orientation didn't matter. The same applies for using a laser cutter.

I added a set of 3D parts, but due to a lack of a 3D printer, I did not test them. The STL of the complete model is for three-dimensional viewing purposes only and will not print well on an FDM printer!

The design was completely done in 2D using Illustrator. I used SketchUp to create a 3D model beforehand to spot design errors and get an overall feel for the model.

For print settings and instructions, visit this link for toy car designs.