Where was your Willys today?

RunThruDaJungle said:
Very nice looking wagon you got there!
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Thank you but I can’t take credit for it. I bought this wagon last September from a fella in Oregon. Prior owner installed a GM crate 350 with Holley Sniper electronic fuel injection, serpentine belt system, aluminum radiator, power steering, power disc brakes, and rear adjustable air shocks. He also installed a GM 700R4 4-spd automatic transmission. He put in the functional 8-way power seats from a ‘99 Suburban.
I had the wagon transported to Florida in October and currently working on making it mine. Some existing issues with the steering geometry that I’m working through. Replaced the steering wheel, column, and linkage to the power steering box as well as boxing the frame behind the front bumper to mitigate some frame-rail torque twist. Found a lot of nuts under the chassis needed tightening. Mice made a nest in the subwoofer and ate the speaker wiring to the rear speakers. Pulled out a bunch of extra wiring under the dash by removing the amplifier, subwoofer, and rewiring the speakers directly to the stereo … sounds so much better than before. Getting rid of the existing carpet and wiping down the cab with 409 eliminated the mouse piss smell. Installed a layer of heat and sound deadener and the correct front rubber floor mat. Cab looks great. also, reinstalled the correct flooring wood strips in the rear of the wagon. Now onto the headliner ….
 
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Frank-P said:
Thank you but I can’t take credit for it. I bought this wagon last September from a fella in Oregon. Prior owner installed a GM crate 350 with Holley Sniper electronic fuel injection, serpentine belt system, aluminum radiator, power steering, power disc brakes, and rear adjustable air shocks. He also installed a GM 700R4 4-sod automatic transmission. He also installed the functional 8-way power seats from a ‘99 Suburban.
I had the wagon transported to Florida in October and currently working on making it mine. Some existing issues with the steering geometry that I’m working through. Replaced the steering wheel, column, and linkage to the power steering box as well as boxing the frame behind the front bumper to mitigate some frame-rail torque twist. Found a lot of nuts under the chassis needed tightening. Mice made a nest in the subwoofer and ate the speaker wiring to the rear speakers. Pulled out a bunch of extra wiring under the dash by removing the amplifier, subwoofer, and rewiring the speakers directly to the stereo … sounds so much better than before. Getting rid of the existing carpet and wiping down the cab with 409 eliminated the mouse piss smell. Installed a layer of heat and sound deadener and the correct front rubber floor mat. Cab looks great. also, reinstalled the correct flooring wood strips in the rear of the wagon. Now onto the headliner ….
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I know the seller of your wagon very well. He's excellent. Your wagon was a labor of love. Bummer about the mice, but sounds like you're on it.
 
scramboleer said:
I know the seller of your wagon very well. He's excellent. Your wagon was a labor of love. Bummer about the mice, but sounds like you're on it.
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Mr. Russell did a great job with this wagon and treated me exceptionally generously with the sale. He sent a bunch of pics of the build from 10 years ago as well as videos of the current pre-sale condition. I’m very happy with this wagon and get a LOT of thumbs-up when on the road!

You just don’t see many of these old Willys here in Florida.
 
Frank-P said:
Thank you but I can’t take credit for it. I bought this wagon last September from a fella in Oregon. Prior owner installed a GM crate 350 with Holley Sniper electronic fuel injection, serpentine belt system, aluminum radiator, power steering, power disc brakes, and rear adjustable air shocks. He also installed a GM 700R4 4-spd automatic transmission. He put in the functional 8-way power seats from a ‘99 Suburban.
I had the wagon transported to Florida in October and currently working on making it mine. Some existing issues with the steering geometry that I’m working through. Replaced the steering wheel, column, and linkage to the power steering box as well as boxing the frame behind the front bumper to mitigate some frame-rail torque twist. Found a lot of nuts under the chassis needed tightening. Mice made a nest in the subwoofer and ate the speaker wiring to the rear speakers. Pulled out a bunch of extra wiring under the dash by removing the amplifier, subwoofer, and rewiring the speakers directly to the stereo … sounds so much better than before. Getting rid of the existing carpet and wiping down the cab with 409 eliminated the mouse piss smell. Installed a layer of heat and sound deadener and the correct front rubber floor mat. Cab looks great. also, reinstalled the correct flooring wood strips in the rear of the wagon. Now onto the headliner ….
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Nice! I bought mine from a guy Oregon just under 2 years ago and trailered it home to Southern California. I can't take credit for the build either, just the woodgraining. I have received a lot of help on this forum with minor to major issues I've had in making it mine, including sourcing and helping with a new transfer case.
 
The Wife wanted paver bricks that were on sale. A whole pallet that weighs 3000 lbs. OUCH The Willys pulled it but it did start to fish tail at about 50 mph so it was fine at 45 mph. NOTHING LIKE THE TAiL WAGGING THE DOG
 

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Lookout Ranch said:
Good job Willys! The fish-tailing is just a weight distribution issue. Too much in the rear of the trailer, not enough in the front. Speed exacerbates it as wind resistance tends to reduce weight on the tongue.
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I found this out trailering our utility tractor to my son's house. Unloaded the tractor and backed it onto the trailer. Problem solved. No more pucker the rest of the trip.
 
Yes understand the weight distribution issue. When l hauled horses l always put them up front or over the tandem axle and wheels. The fork lift could not extend out to be over the wheels thus it was tipping back and no tongue weight. When l unhooked the trailer the jack wheel was in the air all the weight in the back.
 
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RunThruDaJungle said:
Very nice looking wagon you got there!
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Sir, I saw a post that mentioned you had painted the “Willys” embossed script in your bumper and posted a picture of it. I am considering doing the same with my bumper script; where might I find the picture of your bumper? Is your paint holding up well?
** UPDATE ** Disregard, I found the picture! Looks great!
 
Frank-P said:
Sir, I saw a post that mentioned you had painted the “Willys” embossed script in your bumper and posted a picture of it. I am considering doing the same with my bumper script; where might I find the picture of your bumper? Is your paint holding up well?
** UPDATE ** Disregard, I found the picture! Looks great!
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I used pinstriper's paint that I had on hand. I think it's an enamel paint. I got the idea from and credit @jimbob57 when I saw it on his beautiful Jeepster.
 
RunThruDaJungle said:
I used pinstriper's paint that I had on hand. I think it's an enamel paint. I got the idea from and credit @jimbob57 when I saw it on his beautiful Jeepster.
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i bought a sticker from JeepsterJim out of Florida. you can get them in red or black. i don't have a steady hand to paint.
 

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Not mine, but here are a couple Willys in NM for a great cause.

Annual ‘Honor Flight’ car show held at Veterans Memorial Park​


www.krqe.com

Annual ‘Honor Flight’ car show held at Veterans Memorial Park

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Honor Flight of Northern New Mexico held a car show Sunday, looking to raise funds for their annual flight to the nation’s capital. The club, which is a nonpro…
www.krqe.com

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Went to public spring in nearby Willimantic, Conn. to refill water containers. I used to do same when I was a student at UCONN a million years ago.

Stopped at Mansfield Hollow reservoir parking lot to reattach turn signal switch - guess the hose clamp on the column wasn’t tight enough.

On the way home, saw Tolland Country Butcher was open and bought some meat.

Had my 25 year old son with me, bright and sunny, trees popping here … my favorite time of year.

Gears a bit grindy after truck got some heat in drivetrain so need to adjust clutch a hair.

Happy Easter All,
John

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jjeffries said:
Went to public spring in nearby Willimantic, Conn. to refill water containers. I used to do same when I was a student at UCONN a million years ago.

Stopped at Mansfield Hollow reservoir parking lot to reattach turn signal switch - guess the hose clamp on the column wasn’t tight enough.

On the way home, saw Tolland Country Butcher was open and bought some meat.

Had my 25 year old son with me, bright and sunny, trees popping here … my favorite time of year.

Gears a bit grindy after truck got some heat in drivetrain so need to adjust clutch a bit.

Happy Easter All,
John

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Nice day, nice truck, great photos. Thanks for sharing!
 
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