Howdy, from Texas

Hi All,
I am very pleased to find and join your forum as I have just begun the full resto of a 63 wagon. The wagon has belonged to my father in law since 1971. He used it for a hunting buggy until 1985. Since then it has been tucked into the corner of his warehouse. A true barn find but with family background. My wife has always held affection for the old “Jeep” because of her childhood memories of those early morning trips with her dad. So, we finally got “around to it” and pulled the wagon out of the warehouse in Rosharon Tx. and hauled it to my shop in Granbury Tx. for a little TLC. I look forward to sharing the experience with you and calling on the experts here for help along the way.
Thanks,
Kenneth M.

Welcome to the forum from South Carolina, Kenneth. Great looking wagon and a great story. These projects seem to go better when there is a family connection. What engine does it have the Tornado or has it had an engine swap? Post plenty of pics of your progress.

Welcome aboard.

Steve and Dan - thanks for the welcome.

Steve - It had a swap to a 283 sbc before my FIL bought it. Also had a pretty primitive 2” lift. Otherwise, mostly original. My FIL is an old drag racer and motorhead. He overhauled the sbc in 1975. Did some head work then and says it ran strong. Though stored inside, it has not been run since 1985. I will take ithe sbc and drive train down for seals, bearings and over all inspection. Plan to keep an “original” look to the wagon. Because my wife will drive it allot and she, like the rest of us, is subject to birthdays, it will get power steering (engineering in progress). Also, because summer in Texas calls for it, we will sneak an A/C in there.

Going to be a fun project and a great truck that will remain a family heirloom.

I will start a build thread soon.

Attached are a couple of pictures of my last project - a 1972 C10.

Kenneth

Good job on your build Kenneth. That 283 was one of the best engines Chevy built and should give you many years of good service! If you still have the original drive train you might want to think about an upgrade to a later model at some point in the future to help with the higher speeds and lower the rpm's depending on what your plans are for it. The old stuff should work fine if you can keep your foot from going to deep into the throttle. My problem is I didn't master that very well. LOL!

Welcome to the forum, Kenneth

Looks like a nice old wagon. Have fun!

Welcome Ken,from Ohio. looking forward to seeing your progress.

Welcome from Colorado, Kenneth. Nice Wagon and even nicer that it has a Family History along with it. I have a 57 Willys Pickup and a 63 Willys Wagon. The 57 is "Built", with a complete GM Late Model Truck Chassis and Drive Line, Fuel Injected 350 V-8, 700R4 Automatic Transmission, One Ton Axles (and every thing else associated with that, Double Transfer Cases, Lockers, Cab Extension, Full Roll Cage, 5 Point Harnesses... Lots more modifications. It is a very capable Rock Crawler... My 63 Wagon is "More Calm". It too has a 283 SBC and the rest of the Drive Line is Stock. It is mainly my Homestead's Plow Truck. Post more Pics of your wagon when you get a chance. John (aka: Pivnic)

Welcome to the forum, looking forward to following your build thread.

Pete