RI Willys

[coby65]

I didn't say it doesn't run, I said it hasn't run. Probably needs fluids changed. Battery is on a tender.

Kirkski, look inside those body stiffeners under the floor. They have wood strips in them!

I think we need pictures!

 

[csp]

So how many folks are aware that Willys is actually pronounced Willis?

 

[Kirkski]

So how many folks are aware that Willys is actually pronounced Willis?

Fun fact for sure... I still find myself saying "Will-eze"

 

[Kirkski]

I wish I could figure out how to do more than one pic at a time on this Forum using my iPad. Other Forums are not a problem...

 

[58Yeoman]

Back in the 80's I lucked out. I bought an FC150 that had been sitting for many years. I got the 4 cylinder engine running, but not very well. I went to my local machine shop and asked how much to rebuild it. He said $300. Actually, he had rebuilt a same engine, but the guy never picked it up; it was sitting under a workbench. Just had to trade him my engine, so if the guy ever came back, he'd get my engine.

It ran great, later traded it for a '72 Ford PU.

 

[Kirkski]

Here is some more of the restoration photographs…

I have worked part time at a garage for 30 years on and off. The boss and I have become very friendly over that time. He has been generous to allow me to keep the Jeep in his first bay for a few weeks while I do some of the major work requiring a lift

Result!

 

[Strouty]

You are moving right along, looking good. Maybe some of this ambition will rub off on me.

 

[SweetD]

Great progress! Keep it coming...



Dave

 

[jb3]

Are there conversion kits to go to disc brakes on a that kind of jeep?

 

[Kirkski]

jb3 There are conversion kits.

Personally I am really not interested in that. I am trying to keep it as original as possible and the facts are there isn't a lot of horsepower in this machine, and no real speed to worry about. Drum brakes for me will do fine.

 

[Strouty]

The drums are simple, I would not worry too much.

 

[Lippyp]

Hell, the manual drums on my 67 Chevy C10 stop it just fine (well the first couple of times anyway!) and that's pushing 300hp!

 

[jb3]

Drums can be fine sure, i was curious what could be had for a willys this old.

Personally any definite changes to the brakes for me would be upgrading to a dual channel master if it has a single chamber.

 

[Strouty]

Drums can be fine sure, i was curious what could be had for a willys this old.

Personally any definite changes to the brakes for me would be upgrading to a dual channel master if it has a single chamber.

That is a great point, then at least you still have front or rear brakes, instead of no brakes.

 

[Kirkski]

Drums can be fine sure, i was curious what could be had for a willys this old.

Personally any definite changes to the brakes for me would be upgrading to a dual channel master if it has a single chamber.

Single chamber master cylinder as well, living on the edge!

 

[crab]

Nice project, keep us up to date.

 

[coby65]

The bad thing about the original drums are they only 9 inches in diameter and they are manual adjustment. Add to that the single master cylinder and they are marginal at best even with the stock engine.
A lot of guys upgrade to the 11 inch self adjusting drums from the 72-76, they bolt in, and a dual master cyl. This makes stopping much safer and you can do this upgrade later if you feel the need after driving with stock brakes.

 

[Strouty]

Coby, that is some good info.

 

[Kirkski]

The bad thing about the original drums are they only 9 inches in diameter and they are manual adjustment. Add to that the single master cylinder and they are marginal at best even with the stock engine.
A lot of guys upgrade to the 11 inch self adjusting drums from the 72-76, they bolt in, and a dual master cyl. This makes stopping much safer and you can do this upgrade later if you feel the need after driving with stock brakes.

Good info for the future, I am in a rush to get this done, at 90 my Uncle is in good shape, but I really want him to ride in it...

Thanks again

 

[Kirkski]

Tires are going on! Looking like a Jeep again almost...

 

[Strouty]

I love those old aggressive tires.

 

[Kirkski]

I'm with you, nothing like them

 

[Lippyp]

Tyres look to be a very similar pattern to the old Avon Traction Mileage tyres that were original fitment on series Landrovers.

 

[ffjeeper]

Keep in mind if you change the brakes the stock wheels might not fit anymore. I haven't seen a disc brake kit that will work with stock wheels yet. The 11" drum setup might work.

 

[Kirkski]

Got the rest of the tires mounted all new tie rod ends etc. Also ran new brake lines and master cylinder replaced.

 

[Strouty]

Looking good! It will be really nice to see his face when he gets to drive it!

 

[AnthonyJ124]

Nice progress!! The simplicity and how neatly these jeeps go together really makes me want one.

Can't wait to see more progress.

 

[Kirkski]

Today I spent a little while tearing apart my Ross Steering box from my Willys, pretty straight forward. I have not put it together yet because I am looking to get the rebuild kit from Walcks

When I pulled off the steering wheel, which was very difficult, no matter what the You Tube people say, I gaffed up my steering shaft and needed a replacement. The used one I purchased unfortunately is the wrong length… so the search is on…

 

[xtremek]

This is great. I'm subbing to this. I hope that when you take Unc for a ride, someone is there to take a video, I'd love to see that.

 

[Kirkski]

Awaiting parts on the Willys, decided to change the oil on the road king. Took my oldest daughter for a ride on Father's Day! Great present to me!!

 

[Zeke]

The bad thing about the original drums are they only 9 inches in diameter and they are manual adjustment. Add to that the single master cylinder and they are marginal at best even with the stock engine.
A lot of guys upgrade to the 11 inch self adjusting drums from the 72-76, they bolt in, and a dual master cyl. This makes stopping much safer and you can do this upgrade later if you feel the need after driving with stock brakes.

I have the 11" and I can tell you that I have more brake than I'll ever need. That is unless I lived in the mountains. Still have the single cylinder M/C but the 11" have a good e-brake and I used a lever out of a Porsche to work those.

 

[goingtoarizona]

Nice project ! Did you strip the frame or have it done? Blasted or ? It's coming along very nice!

 

[dbabicky]

Love it !! I daily drove a 1946 CJ-2A for about 5 years. Loved it. If you want power steering look into a late 60's GM Saginaw pwr steering box. I had it on mine. Loved it. I know you're heading the stock route, which is way cool, but a few newer mods would make it a lot more fun to drive. Just my opinion if you plan to drive it a lot. If not, stick with stock. Love the work you're doing. I can appreciate them either way.

 

[Kirkski]

Goingtoarizonia thanks there is a local place I took it too, they blasted the rolling chassis, epoxy primed and urethane painted for $600, which I thought was a great price. I was taking the brakes, steering apart anyway so it worked out.

Dbabickythanks for the input, yea modifications will be done down the road if I need too. Right now I just need to get the thing done, so I can take my Uncle in it. Restorations happen a lot faster on TV!!

 

[Strouty]

$600 is an awesome price. I am going to blast a frame for one of my trucks, then get it hot dip galvanized. Will probably end up costing me $800 or more, plus I have to haul it a bit to get it there and back.

 

[coby65]

I have the 11" and I can tell you that I have more brake than I'll ever need. That is unless I lived in the mountains. Still have the single cylinder M/C but the 11" have a good e-brake and I used a lever out of a Porsche to work those.

Yea I went from the stock 9" brakes to the 11" brakes on a 54 CJ3b and what a difference!
Like going from drums to disc on a regular vehicle.

 

[Spareparts]

Really like the jeep and the work you are doing to it, your uncle will be impressed i'am sure. Check out TheCJ3B page it has a lot of good information. 55 CJ3B, 84 CJ7.

 

[Kirkski]

Engine is all machined,, next step is waiting for the distributor to come back from rebuild. Once I have that the machine shop will set the engine in the stand and fire it up. That will be the first time this has breathed life since 1981!

 

[jeepntxj]

Nice CJ; you'll have a lot of fun with it when it's done! Here's a '50 I brought back from the dead about 8 years ago.




And a '53 M38A1 a few years later






Keep us updated!

 

[Kirkski]

jeepntxj Really nice lot of jeeps you have there, I am noticing that most people don't just have one.

Thanks for sharing!