but I will keep it. Wanting one for a long time, traded a '83 Firebird for it, rolled off the trailer a few hours ago. I got me a '61 Willys Jeep JigSaw puzzle!!! Whooohooo!!! Running a vintage '68 307 w/stock three speed (won't go over 50 with the stock rear, but we'll fix that), sports the original Turquoise & Bondo color combo, new duals, springs, brakes, plumbing and tires. I've got boxes and boxes of original parts. Wish me luck! ....stoked!
I love those trucks and wagons.I've had a bunch of them over the years. V8 and the 4 wheel drive make them a blast to drive! I've got a few parts laying around if I can help. Good luck!
I had a 53 about 20 years ago. 4.56 rears. I almost had a heart attack when I priced changing both gear sets.
I'm thinking about an entire different rearend... wouldn't that be cheaper? They say they are geared so low, you have to be going downhill to hit 40. It's not running yet, but I'm getting closer.
Those Willys can be turned into really cool rides. Good luck with it. I knew a guy years ago, who ruined one trying to make a damn "street freak" out of it. He went to Sears, bought a welding set up and cut the shit out of it.
looks like u get plenty of head rm in that cab that norwegian willys is gr8;could give u some ideas if u put little wheels on exhuast tips they could also serve as wheely bars
I bought a rusty low mileage 74 3/4 ton Suburban for less than the price of the Willys gears. I shortened the frame 11"s, moved the engine and tranny forward in the frame to fit the engine compartment and transplanted the body and bed. V8 automatic with big disc brakes. The drive shafts were the most costly parts of the modifications. It was a heavy duty rough riding SOB but it was great for towing. With the short wheelbase, I could put the trailer anywhere I wanted it. The 3/4 ton springs for a Suburban were way too heavy for the light P/U but I left that can of worms alone. A 1/2 ton 4X4 would be better but I couldn't pass up the price. It rode ok on the highway but I needed a seatbelt of road.
mine had a 327 chebby,shortened stock frame, 4 paddle tires and would tear ass up devils-slide at pismo beach in the '70s,
Hey when did you get a garage? Like the little stump jumper. Give you a bit of advice though, If you don't change out the drive units either have a second key slot cut in the axle end (the old school solution) or get a floater kit for the rear. Those rears have a weak spot at the axle end, they have a nasty habit of shearing a key usually when it is a long walk back to the nearest road. Cool score anyway bro. Oh you can overcome the low gear thing to a certain extent with Tall tires. Tall military tires would give it an old school look or Kelly still makes the 6 ply 750x15 (or 16) bias mud tire ( not a monster mudder tire) I think they are around 34-36 inches tall. Changes your overall gearing and with the SBC you shouldn't have any trouble at all pulling the narrow tires. Look like an old timey 4WD and still get you down the road at Hyway speed.
slammed with a big caddy.........oh and about 3 inches off the topp=KOOL......good find.Whats with all the shifters? LOL
Very nice! I love those trucks. When I was 15 years old, that is the vehicle I wanted to buy when I turned 16. I looked at every truck I could find for sale at the time. They were all either too nice and I couldn't afford them, or beat to death and I didn't want them. When I turned 16, I found a 1970 Ford 4WD short bed and bought that instead. So, I have never realized my 15 year old Willy's Truck dream. But, I am living it through you! Mike
Congrats, Greg. I couldn't be happier for you. I miss my old '53 but "Fiddy" has done a nice job with it. I can't help but include a before-and-after photo of Fiddy's taken in my driveway and at the HAMB drags last year. They have "stick and rock" technology..........easy to work on. I gotta buddy here that started with a '52, slid an early camaro sub under it, notched the rear rails to get it down and put dark gray glass in it with navy blue paint. I took the gasser route with mine. Either way is cool.
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