New member - ‘55 Willys truck in West Virginia

[55 6-226]

Hello everyone,

Thank you for the approval. My Name is Mike and I reside in West Virginia. My Willys is a 1955 pickup with a 6-226 engine. This Jeep has been in my family since it was new. My great grandfather purchased it new and it has gone down the line from there.

My father and I did a frame off restoration around 30 years ago. It's over due for another one... 3 years ago he passed away and I was recently granted possession of it. I plan to take it back to its glory days by restoring it once again.

I look forward to learning tips/tricks and where to find the missing correct parts for this bad boy from the group. It seems when we did the restoration there were some original parts missing and my dad decided to just throw whatever he could find at it.

Mike

 

[scramboleer]

Welcome aboard, Mike. That’s awesome about the family history on your truck. You’re in the right place here.

 

[Lookout Ranch]

Welcome, congratulations on keeping a really nice looking truck in the family, that's a great thing to take care of and pass down. Enjoy!

 

[rocket]

Welcome to the Forum.

 

[DzlFC]

What a gift for your family! Lots of threads and resources here. Let's see some pictures, especially vintage ones!

 

[Deleted member 12393]

Welcome to the forum Mike. Would love to see some pictures when you have an opportunity.

 

[55 6-226]

Here are a few photos of the old beast. 30 years of sitting around and bouncing from state to state hasn't been good on the old beast..

 

[Stakebed]

Better than most.

 

[55 6-226]

Better than most.

I have some work that needs done for sure. I would like to get it back as close to stock as possible. I wish I would have been older and wiser when my dad and I restored it the first time. Wish we had the internet back them too....

 

[Stakebed]

I have some work that needs done for sure. I would like to get it back as close to stock as possible. I wish I would have been older and wiser when my dad and I restored it the first time. Wish we had the internet back them too....

We all wish we knew then, what we know now.

 

[timd32]

Looks great, that thing is cool.

Welcome to the forum.

Any other family members going to be helping out on the next restoration?

 

[DzlFC]

Here are a few photos of the old beast. 30 years of sitting around and bouncing from state to state hasn't been good on the old beast..View attachment 106833View attachment 106834View attachment 106835View attachment 106836View attachment 106837View attachment 106838

Looks like a great project!

 

[55 6-226]

Looks great, that thing is cool.

Welcome to the forum.

Any other family members going to be helping out on the next restoration?

I have two boys in their 20's that are very interested in helping on this project. They both have lots of attachments to this Willys. I almost ran one of them over on a four-wheeler with it.... long story, but he's obviously safe.

 

[Coastal Joe]

Welcome aboard. Looks like your off to a good start

 

[timd32]

I have two boys in their 20's that are very interested in helping on this project. They both have lots of attachments to this Willys. I almost ran one of them over on a four-wheeler with it.... long story, but he's obviously safe.

That's great.. hope you guys have a fun time.

 

[55 6-226]

I was going to try and find the original oil bath air cleaner housing but I did a little cleaning today and realized my dad made this cover for the one thats on it.

 

[DzlFC]

I was going to try and find the original oil bath air cleaner housing but I did a little cleaning today and realized my dad made this cover for the one thats on it. View attachment 107159

Ayup! There is some family ties right there. How did he engrave that?

 

[55 6-226]

Ayup! There is some family ties right there. How did he engrave that?

He used to run a tool and die shop. Im guessing CNC and Bridgeport. Im going to give it a polish and slap it right back on.

 

[Gar]

Welcome and fun with the project
The adventure has just begun.

 

[55 6-226]

Welcome and fun with the project
The adventure has just begun.

Thank you! I'm sure I'll enjoy it much more than when I was 13 and we restored it. I was a horribly impatient kid....