Like a Hurricane - 1960 Willys Pickup Project

[willyswonka]

Regarding the oil filter, it looks like someone may have removed it. I had a '54 wagon with that engine and it had a filter canister mounted where your ignition coil is. The coil was mounted further forward and the bracket for the oil filter bolted on where that bare stud is in front of the coil on your engine.

 

[1/2 Cup]

Eric, absolutely fantastic stuff, thanks for posting..

Regards

 

[ddawg16]

As a Jeep guy....I'm subscribing....nice work

What is it about these old beasts that drags us in?

 

[Mr. 360]

yeah high heat engine enamel if i'm not mistaken, it's been a few years since i painted it. The Jeep has been on the back burner for a little while.

Haha, aren't they all on the back burner at some point?

Hey 360: Great thread; it's in amazing condition! You got a smokin deal on that Jeep. I've seen some of those Jeep pickups from the 50's, and many/most appear to have a lot of cab rot behind the door, as well as frame rot near the back of the cab/front of the bed.

RM209

Thanks for the comment! I like to think I got a good deal, given the prices I've seen over the years for basically hulks (the fact that mine can move under its own power is promising). By no means is this an Arizona truck, it does have its own rot issues. The floor for instance, is the typical patchwork of welded in bits, with little of the support structure underneath remaining. Actually, whoever did the fix the last time removed most of the passenger floor and substructure, and didn't quite get the door gap right when they buttoned it all back up. I'll have to gut the floors and basically rebuild the bottom-end of the cab to get the door back in place.

Otherwise, the bed is shot, no secret there. I was able though to get the measurements so I could get that repro made. Honestly I think that will be one of the best parts of this whole deal. New fresh 14 gauge steel, thicker than the factory spec 16 gauge will be nice, not to mention the fact that it was $350 while real repops are $3500. The only other rotten spot, like you said, is the frame right behind the cab. they all seem to go there. Mine isnt terrible, but I will need to do some fabricating where the cross-rail is. No biggie, I like that kind of thing.

Hello Mr. 360

Nice project you have going there. Also my
son has the engine, transmission & axles out of a 62 wagon. If you need any, let me know as I'm sure he would part with them.

Capt
Chrysler

Thanks for that, I'll have to keep that in mind parts are fairly scarce these days, especially in Canada.

Regarding the oil filter, it looks like someone may have removed it. I had a '54 wagon with that engine and it had a filter canister mounted where your ignition coil is. The coil was mounted further forward and the bracket for the oil filter bolted on where that bare stud is in front of the coil on your engine.

You know, I was wondering what that stud was for. I was even thinking to myself 'gee, i could just mount a filter there'. Thanks for the tip, I'll have to source one at some point.

Eric, absolutely fantastic stuff, thanks for posting..

Regards

No sweat. And not to worry, I haven't abandoned my garage . Think of them as going hand in hand.

As a Jeep guy....I'm subscribing....nice work

What is it about these old beasts that drags us in?

For me, I've always loved the design. I love how it's just the stuff you need, and no extra frills. I have a '51 pickup as a farm truck, and let me tell you, I'm surprised where that thing can go.

https://scontent-a-ord.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/184777_17518240448_7645_n.jpg?oh=b3f9f7449a1a431e28b70493db64efce&oe=54DE3D81

This truck may make sporadic appearances here. It was the first vehicle I ever bought, when I was 17 I think, back in 2005. It has a swapped in Ford flathead 6. My wife absolutely adores this truck, It's her favourite vehicle in the world she tells me.

 

[RacerRick]

Is your trucks frame gone at the cross member or at the skid plate for the gas tank? later trucks are really bad for rusting out at the skid plate. One of mine is rusted out there (the one with the good cab and front clip of course).

Both of my trucks are 258 I6's. One is an auto and one is a T18. I am going to take the two and build one good one. Does your truck have D44's in it or does it predate them being used?

 

[Mr. 360]

Is your trucks frame gone at the cross member or at the skid plate for the gas tank? later trucks are really bad for rusting out at the skid plate. One of mine is rusted out there (the one with the good cab and front clip of course).

Both of my trucks are 258 I6's. One is an auto and one is a T18. I am going to take the two and build one good one. Does your truck have D44's in it or does it predate them being used?

This might depend what truck you're talking about. My reference to frame rot a little bit earlier was in reference to my 1960 Willys, which has some rust that needs curing in behind where the arrow is pointing. The gas tank on these trucks is at the back though, between the frame rails.

View media item 44895
However, my Grand Wagoneer (which closely follows the design of your J10's) did have frame rot at the gas tank skid plate, as you mentioned. Jeep didnt seem to realize the plate acted as a shelf for dirt and salt to sit on and eat the frame. My plate was actually completely rusted out, and I had to weld a long piece of stock to the frame to replace what was missing.

 

[longlivepunk]

Man, the farm truck is gorgeous too. Love the Willys, like you said, they're utilitarian. Just no frills tough cool trucks.

I'm sure every man here is jealous of the guy with two Willys! (GOD, that was a bad joke, but just had to)

 

[madoc1]

I used to have a 50 1/2 truck the frame was packed with dirt and rust when I bought it. this was pre internet. bought some 1/8 inch steel and plated it. then went on a search for original suspension parts. thru hemmings I finally found the spring bushings in missippi. rebuilt and clean the rear diff , rebushed the brake pedal, etc a bunch more. got a divorce and sold to a guy who thinks he will turn it into a rat rod. no bed tho. I sorta miss it.

jim

 

[Mr. 360]

Managed to get the bed and cab cleaned out over the weekend. I had stuck some bits and pieces inside for the move, along with the spare tires and bumper in the back. Temporarily remounted the bumper on the front of the truck, and grabbed a few interior shots.

The interior is pretty-well intact for its age. I know the interior of my willys farm truck looks like a Cole Hersee catalogue threw up all over it. For the post part, the switches and dials are all accounted for here and most of them work. Hi-Beams on the floor, heater, even the speedo clocks relatively accurate (noticed that on the test tow around the neighbourhood). The fuel gauge and the temp however, nada. I'm not overly worried though, I'll give fixing them a go. Seems someone smashed the glass out at some point too, but that's not a critical fix at this point. As a side note, that is the original paint in the interior. I havent been able to match it up though with one of those paint swatches online of all the colours Willys used. It's like it's somewhere between amber metallic and foam green...

I've mentioned the floor before, and from my experience, they actually didnt do an altogether terrible job. My Wagoneer had a slab off the side of an enameled appliance loosely riveted to the floor when I bought it, so this looks like they at least tried. However, I'd like to do it right. The passenger door is missing prettywell everything, though I found the old armrest in the glovebox. The roofliner is gone too, no sweat. As far as the seats go, the back is still original. It swings up on hinges and can be 'adjusted' by flipping a piece of 1x2 oak up or down. That's about the only adjustable thing Willys gave the driver, 1 1/2" of seat back movement. I'm not tall by any means, I'm 5-11, but I still find the truck a little cramped, specifically in the brake/clutch arena. It's part of the charm I guess, and you get used to it. Also interesting to note is the bottom half of the seat. I don't know what it's out of, but it's the rear bench and it just sits in place. That's gotta go.

I also picked up a compression tester from Crappy tire so i can check the health of the cylinders and valves. Will be good to check my other vehicles as well.

lastly, It's a good thing I moved this beast last weekend, because look what uninvited guest has shown up.

 

[Mr. 360]

Man, the farm truck is gorgeous too. Love the Willys, like you said, they're utilitarian. Just no frills tough cool trucks.

I'm sure every man here is jealous of the guy with two Willys! (GOD, that was a bad joke, but just had to)

I love the old farm truck too, It just has so much character. It's actually an old tow truck with a boom and PTO winch. (pardon the modified grille. I think someone did that to clear the upright for the plow harness).

https://scontent-a-ord.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/199859_17518220448_6428_n.jpg?oh=46aa8b41d889ec7d85020b651ac0f153&oe=5513D220

https://scontent-b-ord.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/200323_17518210448_5132_n.jpg?oh=298201091cfc1ceca99ab24675245ee2&oe=54E7A641

I used to have a 50 1/2 truck the frame was packed with dirt and rust when I bought it. this was pre internet. bought some 1/8 inch steel and plated it. then went on a search for original suspension parts. thru hemmings I finally found the spring bushings in missippi. rebuilt and clean the rear diff , rebushed the brake pedal, etc a bunch more. got a divorce and sold to a guy who thinks he will turn it into a rat rod. no bed tho. I sorta miss it.

jim

A rat rod? Oh the Humanity... I guess to each their own, I just get -no pun intended- the willies when I see one of these trucks chopped up and channelled over an S-10 frame with a sbc. Too bad you had to part with it.

 

[Stuart in MN]

As a side note, that is the original paint in the interior. I havent been able to match it up though with one of those paint swatches online of all the colours Willys used. It's like it's somewhere between amber metallic and foam green...

Looking at the color chip charts at http://www.autocolorlibrary.com/aclchip.aspx?image=1960-Willys-pg01.jpg I wonder if the interior paint is Palm Beach Ivory. It looks pretty close on my screen, but of course on-screen colors aren't necessarily accurate.

Sometimes the color chip charts will have information on the back side of the page about interior colors, but it doesn't appear they did that for Jeep (at least in this year.)

As for the seat cushion, my guess is it's out of the back seat of a 1960 or so Chevy - at least that's what the upholstery pattern looks like to me.

 

[Mr. 360]

Looking at the color chip charts at http://www.autocolorlibrary.com/aclchip.aspx?image=1960-Willys-pg01.jpg I wonder if the interior paint is Palm Beach Ivory. It looks pretty close on my screen, but of course on-screen colors aren't necessarily accurate.

Sometimes the color chip charts will have information on the back side of the page about interior colors, but it doesn't appear they did that for Jeep (at least in this year.)

As for the seat cushion, my guess is it's out of the back seat of a 1960 or so Chevy - at least that's what the upholstery pattern looks like to me.

That site you mentioned looks like a dead ringer with some of the pics off my cam. The site I was using http://www.kaiserwillys.com/about_willys_jeep_cj3b_history_specs has it in 1960 as well but the screen made it look way too light. thanks for the input on the possible origins of the seat too. If I could find what it came out of I could probably try to stick it on ebay and see if I get any bites.

 

[Mr. 360]

For your viewing pleasure, or mainly because I have nothing to report until some snow melts, here are a few links to a couple of youtube videos of the truck running.

Video 1 was the first startup back in April of 2012 after I had boiled out the carb and reassembled. I had tossed in new battery cables and spark plugs, and she fired right up after maybe 1-2 seconds of rolling, if that.

Video 2 was the second or third run after I got the fuel system sorta drinkin with the help of a bulb pump. Not sure what that high pitched tapping noise is though, perhaps my compression test will find that if its a valve or something.

Video 3 was once I got it drinking on its own. Note that all 3 videos have the truck running on 40:1 mixed fuel, so it's probably a little sootier than normal. It was the only fuel I had on hand at the time. That or it's running a little rich, I never tuned the carb after putting it all back together, just stuck it on the engine and went.

Hopefully this weekend if I get a few minutes I can do a quick compression test and see how healthy it really is.

 

[Mr. 360]

A little bit of an unrelated post here, but I was out on the weekend for a day trip with my wife, and we like to check out antique stores. One thing you rarely find among the old decoupage plates and souvenir spoons from Atlanta is vintage car parts. One booth was nothing but old iron, so naturally that's where I spent a good chunk of time. I ended up spotting this little Stromberg in a corner with some old snowmobile carbs piled around it. I gambled and picked it up for $40, I'm really not sure as to its actual market value, but just having a Stromberg in the collection felt good. It's a BXV-3 model, which I believe is off a 39-41 Dodge. While it wasn't a Stromberg 97 (which for $40 would have been amazing), I have been thinking of running a dual carb setup on the willys someday, and a pair of these might just look the part, assuming I can find another.

If you know better than me, tell me - did I get hosed on this?

 

[BuickFarmer]

OK, finally caught up, though must admit to having done a little speed reading as it is getting late and the sandman has arrived. Man what a score!!! Looking forward to following what you do with this. That flat head is so sweet looking just the way it is but am sure you will make it look awesome. I may have missed it but is there a tailgate for it anywhere?

If the old Stromberg is rebuildable, it is worth what you paid. I'm more familiar with the AAVB267 which were on 53-55 Buicks and would certainly pay that for one of them.

Man I love seeing all your sketches!!!

 

[rmalkow2]

Another good thread to follow. Are you pulling everything off the frame? It seems necessary to assess rust damage and repair.

 

[DieselDent]

Great project, I have a '55 PU and my dad has two '50 Jeepsters all projects but I lucked out and recently found a rust free bed and tailgate for mine just need to get started on it.

 

[Mr. 360]

OK, finally caught up, though must admit to having done a little speed reading as it is getting late and the sandman has arrived. Man what a score!!! Looking forward to following what you do with this. That flat head is so sweet looking just the way it is but am sure you will make it look awesome. I may have missed it but is there a tailgate for it anywhere?

If the old Stromberg is rebuildable, it is worth what you paid. I'm more familiar with the AAVB267 which were on 53-55 Buicks and would certainly pay that for one of them.

Man I love seeing all your sketches!!!

Thanks for the comment, I agree the flathead looks great, I'm hoping it's one of those "better than imagined" cases where the engine is in better shape than I thought. I mean, the super hurricane alone is worth what I paid for the whole truck. Unfortunately no tailgate on this one, probably destroyed or in the attic of some barn somewhere.

I think the Strom is rebuildable. Everything on it moves and seems to operate as intended, no corrosion that I can see. I've seen rebuild kits too (more than I paid for the whole carb). I'll have to try a sketch of the willys at some point.

Another good thread to follow. Are you pulling everything off the frame? It seems necessary to assess rust damage and repair.

This is sort of a yes and no answer... Given the space I have available, I'm pulling the bed first and addressing the back half of the frame, then the cab will lift off for the floor/structure repairs, at which point the front half will get a go over. Given that im not wealthy or retired, I won't be able to throw true body off resto time and money at this thing, so the frame won't be sandblasted and powder coated. I'll strip the rust that I can and paint it, etc to the best I can manage. Remember it's going to be a shop truck so trailer queen isn't the goal. Solid workhorse is more the speed on this one.

Great project, I have a '55 PU and my dad has two '50 Jeepsters all projects but I lucked out and recently found a rust free bed and tailgate for mine just need to get started on it.

They are fun trucks, good score on the bed and gate. Toss up a pic if you like

 

[rmalkow2]

Sounds like a good plan to tackle half the truck at a time and obviously do as much as you have time, money and space for. I definitely know that drill well. Having only a small work space and never enough time and money together makes for a slow build. But slow and steady gets it done! You will have a nice shop truck when finished and very unique.
Just a suggestion to not totally discount having the bare frame sand blasted and maybe a few heavy components. I found a local blaster to do my Ford Model A frame and it was the best $75 I ever spent compared to the hours it would have taken me to get every nook and cranny clean and exposed. No powder coating for me either. After boxing the frame I painted it myself to save cost but I felt better to have such an old structural item fully cleaned and fixed.

 

[Mr. 360]

Honestly I had no idea sandblasting could be that inexpensive. I had always figured it was really pricey. I do have a small cheapie gravity feed unit but I will now have to remember to look into that when the time comes. As you say it would be worth the time and effort savings to shell out $100 or so.

 

[austinaubinoe]

Hey pretty sure the grille on that blue wrecker is unmodified. 1947-early 1950 grilles were flat from the factory.

Also, I think your truck is the same OEM color as mine. I believe the body on mine is early 1960s because of the trim.

AMBER METALLIC: http://www.kaiserwillys.com/willys_overland_paint_colors

Here is my paint code, this was after i cleaned it, so maybe yours is still there.

Here is my current build thread for my truck, doing a bed build aswell. All 1/8" steel
http://www.oldwillysforum.com/forum/showthread.php?6454-1955-pickup-restoration-and-bed-build

 

[Mr. 360]

Hey pretty sure the grille on that blue wrecker is unmodified. 1947-early 1950 grilles were flat from the factory.

Also, I think your truck is the same OEM color as mine. I believe the body on mine is early 1960s because of the trim.

AMBER METALLIC: http://www.kaiserwillys.com/willys_overland_paint_colors

Here is my paint code, this was after i cleaned it, so maybe yours is still there.

Here is my current build thread for my truck, doing a bed build aswell. All 1/8" steel
http://www.oldwillysforum.com/forum/showthread.php?6454-1955-pickup-restoration-and-bed-build

Thanks for the paint info, where did you happen to find that tag? The colour does look similar, but then so does the Palm Beach Ivory I saw earlier.. if I found a tag like this it would help a lot. Good job on using the 1/8" steel for the bed, that should be very durable for years and years.

As far as the grille goes, years ago when I was 17 and first saw it, that's what I thought too. It's not enough bars though in the grille, and the fenders and instrument cluster are definitely post 1950. Actually, there is a straight cut line across the peak of the hood which is then bondo'd flat. They did a decent job of the grille mod though. Looks like they cut out the peak and grafted in the centre bars from a CJ. I guess that makes it a 'custom' (that, and the heavy mods to the bed).

 

[austinaubinoe]

hey they code is originally on the passenger side firewall near the heater core box. There is a few good spots of original paint on mine, ill try and take a picture. I also have an original paint sheet somewhere.

Guess I was wrong about that blue truck!

 

[RacerRick]

I love the J-10s, they're a great truck. a friend of mine has a late model with the 360 mated to a 4 speed. it's their $200 farm truck. I keep reminding them that someday if it dies, i'll kindly take it off their hands. I'd like to use the motor-****** combo in my 91 Grand Wag, since auto just isn't anywhere near as fun.

If you need a 4 spd setup, I will have one soon out of my parts truck. It should be a T18. I have a friend who has several trucks that he will sell parts off also. At least two of them are stick shift.

 

[Mr. 360]

So, the truck sat all winter and I didn't touch it, that seems to happen when it sits outside in Canada. Couple that with a new baby and I haven't had much time on the rig. I did get a chance yesterday however to steal a few minutes, slot a battery in, and tune the carb a little. She fired right up and set into a very nice sounding idle. I've still gotta bypass that restrictive fuel filter, I think it's the cause of the starvation that stalls the truck out after 30 seconds or so. Have a watch here.

Disclaimer: I filmed it in portrait mode again, so if the aspect ratio of a camera phone bugs you, just don't click the link

 

[Mr. 360]

If you need a 4 spd setup, I will have one soon out of my parts truck. It should be a T18. I have a friend who has several trucks that he will sell parts off also. At least two of them are stick shift.

That's interesting... though I'd probably need the pedals, clutch, and bell-housing to go with (everything to swap). I wonder if the 360 with auto would allow a bolt up of a stick shift from a 360-stick... I seem to recall they were just a little bit different.

Man would stick be fun on that truck if I did a few basic engine mods.

Thanks for the offer! who knows, If all the stars align it might work out sometime.

 

[RacerRick]

It's a 1980ish J10 setup with a 258. I do not know what shape the trans is in since this truck does not run, and hasn't for years.

 

[rtessier]

Love this thread, will keep coming back to it. My setup is a bit different as the entire bed inclusig base is not even there, the engine is from a Powerwagon, but still a flat 6 and no floors to talk about.

 

[Richard D]

You should jack that thing up fifteen feet tall, with flourescent green lift blocks, and lots of skullz. LOTS of skullz! Don't forget the blue headlights to blind other drivers and 12" exhaust stacks in the bed! Yea bro

 

[fourjeepin]

Re: Home Depot Clearance Thread 2015

That's interesting... though I'd probably need the pedals, clutch, and bell-housing to go with (everything to swap). I wonder if the 360 with auto would allow a bolt up of a stick shift from a 360-stick... I seem to recall they were just a little bit different.

I put an auto 360 in my CJ. It came from an AMC wagon and now runs in front of a Ford T18. Only difficult part to find was the bushing that goes in the end of the crank. I swapped from a 304 and used whatever was in the best condition. Most everything was interchangeable. The flywheel is the only thing I remember needing to be 360 specific.

 

[Seagoon]

Has this thread succumbed to the lightning? It was so interesting.

 

[Mr. 360]

Has this thread succumbed to the lightning? It was so interesting.

I have been a bit awol I will admit. Seems between family and work I don't seem to get much time lately to work on the truck or post about it. I have been chipping away a little lately at stripping the olive green paint to reveal the 60's looking aqua colour beneath. It's all worn and looks very "patina'd." Frankly, I dig it.

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View media item 81600
I'm thinking to just strip the olive and buff/wax the truck, after just fixing up what it needs for certification. I've had this truck 6 years now and it would be nice to just enjoy it. I can always do a full restore later.

 

[rmalkow2]

The blue original color underneath is way better than the green. You got the plan, strip it back to original and preserve that while making it safe and fun to drive.

 

[Seagoon]

The blue original color underneath is way better than the green. You got the plan, strip it back to original and preserve that while making it safe and fun to drive.

x2
That blue is much rarer than the khaki.

 

[shedfullatools]

I like the green but damn the Blue looks good

 

[1/2 Cup]

Eric, thank you for the update..

 

[Mr. 360]

Thanks guys. I don't get much time with 2 little girls to get out to the shop/truck (not that I can complain, I get more than enough snuggles to compensate). However it's been a fun little work at it here and there project. The area I've done only took a half hour or so. This paint colour is actually colour No. 5 for the truck. It goes; original palm beach ivory, fire red, black, dark aqua, lighter aqua, army green. The light aqua just seems to be quality paint, though very worn.

 

[pelletman]

Great thread! I learned to drive on a 59 Willys wagon.

 

[SteveH-CO]

I've had this truck 6 years now and it would be nice to just enjoy it. I can always do a full restore later.

Very solid thinking. This will keep you from losing interest. Drive it as you restore it.