RI Willys

[Kirkski]

Working through the wood project that the upholstery will attach too in the rear.

Wish I could take credit for this myself, but I hired this out, I feel like he is doing a great job, retired carpenter that absolutely loves this Jeep.

 

[RickP]

That's some nice looking woodwork -- I can't wait to see it with the cushions and seat covers!

When you're finished, that will be a heck of a lot more comfortable than my experience bouncing around in the back of my uncle's 1960 Jeep. Nice job on the refurb -- it looks great.

 

[Kirkski]

Here is the completed interior, pretty happy with the results

 

[speed bump]

The upholstery turned out really nice.

 

[ndnchf]

Very nice indeed. Just need to add seat belts to keep the passengers from bouncing out!

 

[Kirkski]

Thanks speed bump and ndnchf, lol no seat belts, living on the edge...

 

[chrispyny]

Fantastic build. Again, well done. Well done indeed.

 

[lowrider2]

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.

I have a first year FC 150 (1957) that is running but needs work to be right...I'll work on it as soon as I finish the airplane (Bearhawk LSA) I'm building. Oh yeah, I need to build a hanger and a new house...but I'll get to it. This is my 9th "old" jeep...last was a '49 2A with a 360 AMC...first was Kaiser CJ-5 that I dropped a rebuilt 283 chevy into...great vehicle for a high school junior...gotta love old Jeeps.

 

[Kirkski]

Finally got to take my Uncle in the Memorial Day Parade. He was thrilled and so was I

 

[xtremek]

To quote Kenny Chesney, "that's the good stuff". The Willys looks really good, and Unc makes it icing on the cake.

 

[ndnchf]

That's is awesome - well done sir!

 

[Strouty]

Not only did you end up with an awesome Jeep, you scored tons of Karma points with the entire world!

This is one of those priceless projects for sure.

 

[Kirkski]

Thanks guys, he was so proud of that Jeep it really made me glad!

 

[American Locomotive]

Cool project, whereabouts in RI do you live?

 

[bluebolt]

Great job with the restoration, glad your uncle got to ride in it in the parade!

 

[Kirkski]

North Kingstown near Quonset

 

[dogzbody1]

Quonset! One has to wonder if that jeep did any time with the Sea Bees...

 

[Kirkski]

It did not for sure, its a Farm Jeep and this particular one was used in hunting Game Birds

 

[Jolomite]

Working through the wood project that the upholstery will attach too in the rear.

Wish I could take credit for this myself, but I hired this out, I feel like he is doing a great job, retired carpenter that absolutely loves this Jeep.

Hey Kirkski, that is some nice carpentry work you had done. I'm curious from looking at the pictures- Do you know if anything was anything done to reinforce the corners after they were slotted to bend?

I can picture that they are strong as upright 'slats,' but with only a ply or two remaining holding them together, would anything need to be done to keep them from ripping apart? Like if someone climbed in over the top of them. I hope my question makes sense. Excellent work and I appreciate you sharing the journey!

-Joe

 

[Bad Eye Bill]

Nice piece of work there Kirkski, well done. Great that your uncle can enjoy it too.

 

[Kirkski]

Dolomite, Each kerf in the plywood was hot glued as well, the kerf'd section is about 1 foot of an overall length of the side board. It holds together very wel. The Carpenter that did it works for an upholsterer and they do a lot of this for custom boat interiors which as you can imagine in Rhode Island is a big business.

He is an awesome carpenter and a great all around guy as well.

 

[Kirkski]

Wow I cannot believe that I have not posted anything here since 6-15-18... where has time gone. Since then wife asked for and received a divorce, I met another woman who is wonderful and we got married... WOW

To write it down seems out there, but thats what happened.

Anyway, my wife and I love the Willys and so do the grand babies. See below pics of the Jeep all done.

As a note of interest I was able to take my Uncle now 95 and drive him in his old Jeep in the memorial Day Parade again in 2019...

 

[slowtwitch73]

That's great. I like the colors, and that rear seating is nice addition/mod.

 

[Kirkski]

slowtwitch73Thanks, grand babies love riding in it and packs them all in there pretty easily

Wheels are Hugger Orange and body is current Jeep color "Anvil"

 

[PugetDude]

Kirksi,
The jeep turned out great, so happy your Uncle finally got a ride in it.
Congrats on the domestic upgrade!
PD

 

[Kirkski]

Congrats on the domestic upgrade!
PD

Yessir that’s the truth !! Thanks!

 

[danielbuck]

It always amazes me how many people love old Willys jeeps! From little kids, to grandparents, and everywhere in between. Almost every time I drive mine around, I hear people telling me how either their father had one, they learned to drive in one, or they are looking for one.

 

[ChefRex]

Well I'm glad you posted as I just read the entire story, great work! Glad your uncle got that ride and congrats on the new bride!

 

[Kirkski]

It always amazes me how many people love old Willys jeeps! From little kids, to grandparents, and everywhere in between. Almost every time I drive mine around, I hear people telling me how either their father had one, they learned to drive in one, or they are looking for one.

That’s one of the best things about this Jeep, people come to walk the time and want to talk about it and share stories. People really relate to it. I suppose they may with all classic cars, but everywhere I go people like it, lots of times they ask to take pictures.

Best thing is grandkids love to play in and on it ... lots of fun

 

[Kirkski]

Well I'm glad you posted as I just read the entire story, great work! Glad your uncle got that ride and congrats on the new bride!

Blessed beyond belief, pinch myself everyday!

 

[Kirkski]

Change of pace yesterday had to change the wheel bearings in my daily driver

Suckers just fought me all the way, but in the end we got'em

 

[Kirkski]

Todays project helping my dear wife plant 10 rose bushes... She does a great job

Next up ride in the Willys

 

[xtremek]

What fought you on the wheel bearings? Nice place, very nice.

 

[Kirkski]

Getting the old ones out was a real pain. Bigger hammer got the job done.

Really satisfying to do it, save all the labor money at the garage with a little sweat. Also “had” to buy a new 32mm socket from Snap On.. lol

 

[nadogail]

Gotta love an excuse to buy a new tool.

 

[Kirkski]

Gotta love an excuse to buy a new tool.

Isn’t that the truth!

 

[Kirkski]

Went fishing with my father in law, my son and son in law, had a real blast

 

[xtremek]

What is it? Family is ALMOST always good times.

 

[Kirkski]

What is it? Family is ALMOST always good times.

That is a Skate, I guess they are pretty good eating some shady restaurants try to pass it off as scallop.

We tossed it, I think I was smiling so much because of my sons reaction when I turned toward him for the pic just too funny.

 

[Kirkski]

Pictures of Willys

1. Back in the Day about 1979
2. March 2013
3. Recent ride 2020