Finally got started on construction of my '40 Willys pickup. Told myself that I wouldn't build one until I found a steel cab. It took almost 10 years to find one that I could afford. Finally picked it up 2 years ago and have spent until now rounding up parts. In addition to the cab, I found a 1 piece 'gl*** nose. Art Morrison ch***is, a pair of nice bobbed original fenders, dropped axle frontend and alot of misc. pieces. I want to build it similar to the Agitator pickup and plan on chopping it. Here's the rusty '40 Willys pickup cab that I'm starting with. No floor, lower cowl, rockers or lower cab back and the rear window is rusted out, but it is steel and a real Willys. This will be shop wall art.
The frame had been setup for a Mustang II type frontend which was cutoff when I got it. Spent last weekend installing new rails and mocking up the front axle. I just tacked the axle, I may have to move it to get the wheels centered in the wheelwells when I get the body mocked up.
Also got my motor last weekend. It's a blown 392 that was in a boat. Fresh rebuilt and been sitting for 10 years. The guy that owned the boat even brought it to the house so we could pull it. My buddy Troy came over to join in the fun. That's him on the left and Bob that owns the boat on the right. We pulled a valve cover and found a set of adjustable rockers, new pushrods and dual valve springs.
This should be an awesome build, I look forward to following along. I would love to have that engine! What wheels do you plan on running?
15 X 4 Cragars in front and 15 X 9 US Mags in the rear. I have a set of NOS Fenton Super Shark caps for the Cragars. Would love some Halibrands, but I spent all my money on the motor!
It sounds like one heck of a start. Always like those Willys trks, straight axles, cragars, 392s it all sounds great.
I don't know why, but that wheelbase just looks long for the Willys P/U. You sure you're not tryin to slide a couple inches in on us....?
Wheelbase is 102". I think the picture makes it look longer. Had a busy weekend. My pickup cabs' lower cowl is pretty much non existent from sitting in the mud. I got a '40 sedan as donor. It has a solid cowl & rear floor section and lots of the little pieces that I need. I will use the front half of the sedan and the back half of my pickup. Spent last night and today cutting it in half and mocking up the body.
"Would love some Halibrands, but I spent all my money on the motor!" Spending all your $$$ on a blown 392 would never be a bad decision in my book. (you'll make lots of friends talkin like that around here!). Great looking project. I look forward to following the build!
Probably not going to lengthen it. With the top chop, that might mess up the proportions. Just gonna stuff my middle age, beer drinking *** in around the rollbar and deal with it. I have a removable steering wheel and thin early Mustang seats for it. Picking up the metal to brace the cab for replacing the floors today. Hey Swade, you should make me a deal on that 7 gallon tank, it would look really good in the bed!
PM me a decent offer, I was thinking of cutting it in half length wise and drilling 1 1/2" air holes for the radiator so I could mount it up front in my truck..lol
We got the frontend mocked up Sunday and had a couple beers and celebrated a little. Also- thanks to swade41 for the deal on the tank, it's going in the bed. Hambers are great! Things to come. Making motor noises!
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