I spotted a potential project over the weekend, having been pining for an old car or truck to work on. I ran across a late 1940's-early 1950's Willys / Jeep truck, all original but in need of a restoration. THe body is in pretty good shape, but I am wondering if anyone has ever worked on these and knows how easy body parts are to come by, and I think I would rather rebuild the old I-4 motor than try hotrodding into a V8 or something. If I can get pictures later this week I will.

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Vaya con Dios

I've never tried to rebuild one so I can't help you too much there, but I do believe someone makes figerglass body parts for them, if that's acceptable.

Dad had one he put an inline 6 from a Studebaker Champion in around 1962. We got a lot of use out of it. I was 8 so I can't tell you much about the original engine.

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Front sight and squeeze

I've have CJ2 1945 model; 1954 Willys Overland; 1976 J2000 401.

Friends with a wide variety of newer stuff.

Answer a few questions for yourself:

Do you like the classical styling or the antique mechanical features:

Do you like wrenching/towing/fixing/parts chasing vs having a heater & defroster that work;

Do you like spending your time driving/exploring/ or laying on your back in the mud trying to hammer something back together;

Do you like paying the OTHER mechanic or the banker more?

My Overland just about like this: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://memimage.cardomain.com/ride_images/3/2912/4981/32279990005_large.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3227999&h=768&w=1024&sz=316&tbnid=NNZpPlO-FSwaeM:&tbnh=113&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwillys%2Boverland%2Bwagon&usg=__nXP_X1QO7NnmqxRF-mTn3yYSitc=&sa=X&ei=9MtETMf0KIumsQPGxu3dDA&ved=0CDIQ9QEwBQ

was the classic prototype SUV that was absolutely perfect for what it was. Straight body, no rust. Someone had carefully installed a nice Ford inline 6. It would climb a tree given the traction.

It had the deepDeepDEEP 5.89 diffs. Top speed was a bit under 50 absolute, depending on how much red line valve float you could endure.

Steering by Armstrong, turning radius measured in light years. Huge curb appeal. Long tiring drive if you wanted to go 300 miles on the pavement.

No power brakes; 3 speed floor shift. Primitive creature comforts...which was basically "you're not out in the rain". No defrost/minimal heater. Buckboard suspension, army-cot seat.

If I could have one with that exact body style with modern running gear/accessories, I'd go for it. I'd estimate it'll cost about $40,000 to get it in that shape if you do most of the work.

Otherwise....the Rubicon Wranger 4 door is better investment of time and you can actually drive it from day 1.

CJ2: stock 4; every week days wrenching to keep it working; absolutely go anywhere. Slowly. And possibly walk back. Ton of fun. Not worth upgrading IMHO.

J2000. "Brutus" 401. Make sure your Kidney replacement is available. Unreliable even with massive monthly 'throw money at it' governmental approach to problem solving. Didn't work. Enjoyable when it ran. Liked the styling, etc.....Went on 2000 mile road trip after meticulous mechanical prep. Died at least once each day on the pavement....sit for 1-4 hours; then would magically leap into working again. Multiple dealer/high tech electronic evals....no answer. Had a $800 tow bill to get it to town. Dealer : "nothing wrong". Etc. Finally crippled 1000 miles home. Dead in driveway next morning. Had it towed off for a GMC 4x4 pickup. Still loved it...the way you do an ex.....

Given the cost/time/effort/satisfaction....

I'm currently shopping in the "new 4-door Wrangler" market.

I'd rather pay the banker than the mechanic/tow shop/parts place/tool distributor/"See I told you" tribe of scoffers.

Good luck.

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Dum vivimus Vivamas

I owned a '48 Willys 4x4 pickup years ago. 4 banger gives nothing but trouble & underpowered. Most guys put a Studebaker 6 in as they bolt right in without an adaptor plate. I was glad to see that rig go down the driveway.

First vehicle I owned was a 57 Willys Overland. Great memories and fun as a kid in 67, a real $ pit.

I hope your pockets are deep.Parts are hard to find.Unless your a good fabricator.And you stated that you wanted to go the resto. route,That makes the project that much harder.If the body is good I'd put a later model running gear in it.May as well be fun to drive.
There are better/easier projects.
Food for thought and it didn't cost you a penny.

DG

Forget the Jeeps. If you want a real "Project" vehicle, find yourself an IH Scout to restore HOHoHoHoho!

Sounds like a great project to me! Between one source or another, you should be able to rebuild/replace just about everything on that truck. The only other trucks I would even concider over that Willies would be a '53-'56 F-100 or a '40 or '41 Ford. Guess I'd have to include a '37 to '41 Plymouth pickup, too. Remember, that Willies pickup looked the same up until '64, and I think they sold them in Canada until '68!

Dunno your location, but a place called Border Parts in Spring Valley (San Diego County) California has most parts, either used or new.
I had a 1948 CJ2A and bought lots o' stuff from them. Like most have already stated, it takes a lot of time and money to put one of these together.
Ended up installing a Chevy I-4 that were used in taxi-cabs for awhile. Basically a 283 cut in half as much of the 'innards' were interchangable.
Ended up selling it after tiring of all the work/money drained my enthusiasm. Got about one-fourth the value!
Good luck with what ever you decide to do!

Oh, the memories: '49 4x4 Willys-Overland flathead 4 wagon, '63 Jeep wagon with OHV 6; '72 AMC-Jeep CJ5. The last totalled and completely rebuilt from the frame up, still in the family. The '54 Land Rover in the mix for variety...

Those were the days of busted knuckles, pretty cheap parts, masochistic amounts of energy, and friends/kids who thought working on old Jeeps was fun. It was, sort of--but I don't do it anymore. However I now really appreciate my well-preserved '87 Toyota 4 banger 4x4; minimum upkeep, tough as an anvil, and no surprises.

These days I confine my restoration urges to guns; they are a lot lighter to lift than axles and transmissions. Better resale value, too.

I restored a CJ3B 1964 (tall square hood) circa 1987. You can get most parts. I kept the 4 cylinder engine and 3 speed transmition, military tires and all. Never had a problem exept crusing speed was 40mph. It has been the easiest proyect to work since you can get the diagrams and the layout is caveman simple. Service and maintenance are also uber easy.

I've found that the starting project purchase price aside, all full restorations can cost a bundle (and from Pinto to Porsche about the same). They say to triple your starting estimates for parts, labor and time and you'd be closer to the actual cost. That said, I've been thrilled with the outcome off some of the projects that cost almost nothing. I've put things back on the road for modest cost and effort, none of them are worthy of a "show". Bottom line, only you can decide if the project is worth doing.

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Eric

Wow, a lot of you guys just don't like working on jeeps! Here is the one I have been restoring for the past 4 or 5 years. It is a 1960 CJ-5. It was bought new in 1960 by my great uncle. It needed a lot of work, as it sat in a wet garage for about 20 years before I got my hands on it. It did not cost a whole lot, and I replaced just about everything that has a seal, had the starter rebuilt, replaced the entire brake system including the master cylinder, waterpump, plugs, wires, ignition system, fuel sending unit, and a good part of the drivers side floor.



There is absolutely nothing wrong with the 4-134 F motor. It is not a speed demon as mentioned above, but it is all torque. Great project if you are even halfway mechanically inclined. Parts are readily available at Kaiser Willy's in SC. I found everything I needed there.
Buy Willys Jeep parts, CJ Jeep parts, Willy Overland parts from Kaiser Willys Auto Supply

Is this what you are looking to get?




Go for it!


WG840

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Freedom above all else.

The last Willys pickup I saw for sale was eaten up with rust, and that was in OK. IIRC, you're in NY, so I wouldn't expect them to be any better. If you've not dealt with rust before, I wouldn't suggest it as a first project.

Parts are available. If that's what tickles your fancy, and you don't mind working on it, I say go for it. Just don't go in blindly thinking it's going to be a picnic.

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