Just starting a thread to document the build of the 1955 Willys Wagon I just bought. It's going to take awhile, so don't be impatient.
I have wanted a Willys Wagon for many years, but things just never worked out. So, when I saw this one listed in the classifieds recently, I took a long look at it, then decided against. Too far gone, they wanted too much, all sorts of reasons NOT to buy it. I just kept looking back at it and finally floated an offer I really didn't think they would accept. Turns out they did. I got it for $400. It's rough, but not beyond my capabilities.
I drove up last Monday and took a look at it, paid for it, and received the title. It is sitting on a contractor trailer. The Willys is on a variety of just barely standing jacks with the front and rear wheels on the driver's side off. Both hubs and drums are missing, but I was able to find the front hub and drum. The passenger side tires are dry rotted and flat - no chance of holding air. There is rust cancer on the bottom of the door and the rear wheel well on the driver's side, but otherwise the body isn't too bad, except for the driver's side front fender, which has seen better days. Every piece of glass is cracked or missing. Some rust-out in the passenger side floor, but I couldn't see the driver's side floor - a lot of junk in the way. It has a PTO driven winch, which is cool. The gauge cluster is trash. Looks like something smashed into it.
I was hoping the original engine was there, but no. It has what I believe to be a Chevy 235 straight 6 in it. The engine is fairly clean, the air filter is on the carb, the starter appears to be new, and the engine is free (not seized up). I'm hoping it is in running condition. It still has the original T-90 and Spicer 18 in it and the T-90 felt good shifting through the gears.
Underneath, the frame has a lot of surface rust, but appears to be solid and undamaged. However, a previous owner made and installed some pretty hefty skid plates under the engine/trans and fuel tank areas, so I expect this Willys has seen some hard use.
So, my first efforts are simply to get this clunker off the PO's trailer and onto mine, to get it home. I just ordered new 11" drums, a new rear hub, new wheel bearings front and rear, and assorted little parts that were missing, as well as five 15X8 rims (I'm wishing now that I had thought a little more about it and ordered 17" rims, as there are used off-road tires all over the place in that size). I plan to have 33x10.50 tires put on them. Looking forward to getting those installed and the truck loaded onto my trailer next week.
My plan for the wagon, at least initially, is to go through the drive train, bit by bit, and make it solid and reliable, while leaving the body pretty much as it is. I'll have to find decent seats for it, but I plan to leave the body rough, like it is, and start having fun with it. I'll eventually take care of all the rust and replace the glass. Eventually, this Willys will come back to "good condition," but it may be awhile.
I have wanted a Willys Wagon for many years, but things just never worked out. So, when I saw this one listed in the classifieds recently, I took a long look at it, then decided against. Too far gone, they wanted too much, all sorts of reasons NOT to buy it. I just kept looking back at it and finally floated an offer I really didn't think they would accept. Turns out they did. I got it for $400. It's rough, but not beyond my capabilities.
I drove up last Monday and took a look at it, paid for it, and received the title. It is sitting on a contractor trailer. The Willys is on a variety of just barely standing jacks with the front and rear wheels on the driver's side off. Both hubs and drums are missing, but I was able to find the front hub and drum. The passenger side tires are dry rotted and flat - no chance of holding air. There is rust cancer on the bottom of the door and the rear wheel well on the driver's side, but otherwise the body isn't too bad, except for the driver's side front fender, which has seen better days. Every piece of glass is cracked or missing. Some rust-out in the passenger side floor, but I couldn't see the driver's side floor - a lot of junk in the way. It has a PTO driven winch, which is cool. The gauge cluster is trash. Looks like something smashed into it.
I was hoping the original engine was there, but no. It has what I believe to be a Chevy 235 straight 6 in it. The engine is fairly clean, the air filter is on the carb, the starter appears to be new, and the engine is free (not seized up). I'm hoping it is in running condition. It still has the original T-90 and Spicer 18 in it and the T-90 felt good shifting through the gears.
Underneath, the frame has a lot of surface rust, but appears to be solid and undamaged. However, a previous owner made and installed some pretty hefty skid plates under the engine/trans and fuel tank areas, so I expect this Willys has seen some hard use.
So, my first efforts are simply to get this clunker off the PO's trailer and onto mine, to get it home. I just ordered new 11" drums, a new rear hub, new wheel bearings front and rear, and assorted little parts that were missing, as well as five 15X8 rims (I'm wishing now that I had thought a little more about it and ordered 17" rims, as there are used off-road tires all over the place in that size). I plan to have 33x10.50 tires put on them. Looking forward to getting those installed and the truck loaded onto my trailer next week.
My plan for the wagon, at least initially, is to go through the drive train, bit by bit, and make it solid and reliable, while leaving the body pretty much as it is. I'll have to find decent seats for it, but I plan to leave the body rough, like it is, and start having fun with it. I'll eventually take care of all the rust and replace the glass. Eventually, this Willys will come back to "good condition," but it may be awhile.
