Willys Wagon Camper Build

Seems like enough room now that it’s mostly cleaned out.

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Like any camper, I think the layout of the needed/wanted creature comforts is the critical factor here:

1) Bed.
2) Water storage/distrbution.
3) Wood burning stove for the PNW winters.
3) Supply storage.
4) Toilet?

Further cleaning, and dismantling of unnecessary things and body work/paint is in order- so is proper insulation!
 
54Stepside said:
Seems like enough room now that it’s mostly cleaned out.

View attachment 185814

Like any camper, I think the layout of the needed/wanted creature comforts is the critical factor here:

1) Bed.
2) Water storage/distrbution.
3) Wood burning stove for the PNW winters.
3) Supply storage.
4) Toilet?

Further cleaning, and dismantling of unnecessary things and body work/paint is in order- so is proper insulation!
Click to expand...
@Tralehead and others on here have the overlanding rigs and experience. Of course, prior to the overlanding craze, we just called it camping.
 
I’m a few months away from doing anything but cleaning, some body work, fabrication, then painting. i’m stowing all the parts that she housed while it is still cool outside.

I scrubbed the windows, then I reworked an old roof rack I fab’d up for a CJ5. It’s stretched to fit the wagon better.

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I’ll snag some 1” tubing to attach it to the roof properly. Then run some oak slats front to back for more stability.

I found an old vintage Cargo Holder locally online. No key, but it will get disassembled and cleaned up, maybe repainted. Definitely insulated.

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I attached the upper window frame on the back. It’s obvious I’m missing some pieces to keep It all easily accessible and properly closed. I think I have the windows for the upper door somewhere.

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With any luck I’ll have everything off the dash by the weekend, then some welding up the flaws, and reinforcing weak spots.

Back onto the cycle of cleaning, stowing parts, dismantling, body work, fabrication, and, hopefully painting (but not necessarily in that order!).
 
54Stepside said:
I’m a few months away from doing anything but cleaning, some body work, fabrication, then painting. i’m stowing all the parts that she housed while it is still cool outside.

I scrubbed the windows, then I reworked an old roof rack I fab’d up for a CJ5. It’s stretched to fit the wagon better.

View attachment 185880

I’ll snag some 1” tubing to attach it to the roof properly. Then run some oak slats front to back for more stability.

I found an old vintage Cargo Holder locally online. No key, but it will get disassembled and cleaned up, maybe repainted. Definitely insulated.

View attachment 185883View attachment 185884

I attached the upper window frame on the back. It’s obvious I’m missing some pieces to keep It all easily accessible and properly closed. I think I have the windows for the upper door somewhere.

View attachment 185881

With any luck I’ll have everything off the dash by the weekend, then some welding up the flaws, and reinforcing weak spots.

Back onto the cycle of cleaning, stowing parts, dismantling, body work, fabrication, and, hopefully painting (but not necessarily in that order!).
Click to expand...
Oh man, that looks like a Traveller tire rack. You'll make @scramboleer cry.
 
Stakebed said:
Oh man, that looks like a Traveller tire rack. You'll make @scramboleer cry.
Click to expand...
My son, a fellow Jeep enthusiast, also wasn’t too enthralled with the idea either. So it’s up for sale, or trade. I’m glad someone spoke up!

This week, I’ve started tackling all four wheel well corners the PO “fabricated”.

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We’ll see if there is enough salvageable existing metal to do something better with the body lines.
 
It’s as if the universe has conspired to keep me busy for ever…IMG_7783.jpegIMG_7779.jpegIMG_7786.jpeg

She’s a 1951 2wd wagon all complete and original minus the Hudson inline 6.

I’m not sure what I’m doing with her: restore, restomod, 4wd conversion, trade it for a 49-50 Jeepster? I’ll clean it up and out and assess her when I get the chance…

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

after selling of some parts, I ventured to a local swap meet and found a Hudson Hornet hood visor, plus an old school roof rack set up. I’ve got a busy few days ahead of me.

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The visor needs to be narrowed a bit. I’ll make it work.
 
Stakebed said:
Paint preparation is kinda like Rocket's fabrication motto of weld, grind, repeat. Paint prep is paint, sand, repeat. Just about when you no longer have any fingerprints, your paint prep is done.
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Painting is easy, getting the body work right and all the prep that goes into a paint job is hard for sure.

I can see some blemishes for sure- both I suppose I can either live with them, or fix them when I have more time.

Either way, I’m moving on for now. I have to prep the inside for paint and bedliner, fabricate something to hide the firewall and provide generator storage… paints on and we’re due for a storm.
 
The Dana 60 5 lug is out and the sterling 10.XX is on with a set of 17” dually rims (spare rims from my fc170).IMG_7841.jpeg

I set it up Spring Over Axle (SOA)as per Ford’s stock configuration. Pros: storage space for water/batteries, cons: more fabrication/body mods, but after thinking, stewing and processing… 22” of ground clearance is too much. The typical Overlander camper has 12-20’ ground clearance.

Besides, the 16” wheel on the Dana 60 5 lug wheel is taller than the dually wheel.
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So the next battle royale is a spring under on the axle. The dually wheel is slightly smaller than the wheel that was on the 5 lug Dana 60, so it should work out reasonably well. I’ll take on any body mods that need to be done once the spring under is done.

My FC170 (401/th400/dana 60’s front and rear):

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She’s spring under, trim has been cleaned, polished a wee bit and installed on both sides. I’ve still got to replace one side window, too.
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Next up, finalizing the roof rack, topside storage, an access ladder?, and then prepping the interior for paint, but first: cleaning, polishing and installing the tail lights, and license plate holder and tailgate trim. I’ll be rewiring for LED lights to make her backside a bit more visible.

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Things are progressing slower because the detail work is tedious. I’ve started on the grill and hood mods:


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Lame pics, I know, but I usually work straight through and don’t always stop for photos. I did have to take a pic of the camper with my cj7 (401/t18/dana 300, air locked all the way around).
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I’m experimenting with LEDs for the taillights:
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I took off the circular reflectors at the bottom of the tail lights and drilled out the space to fit some old school blue dot lenses to aide in visibility.

I’m also fabricating a mounting bracket for the old roof rack (no pics yet).

I’m researching different heating methods aside from a wood burning stove.
 

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AgarAgar said:
Hey Adam, some campers up north use a natural method of staying warm during long, cold nights………depending on the outside temperature it requires one, two, or three dogs and a sleeping bag. Next morning you’ll be singin ‘Joy to the World’! :D
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That's actually where the group "Three Dog Night" got their name. A very cool night.
 
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