127: Larry Carroll’s 1961 Willys Truck
My truck was rescued from a scrap yard by my son and I. It was rough, a fair amount of rust and body damage, a bent rear drive shaft, and a trashed front differential. But it was complete and looked to be fairly original. Aside from the hack job spring over lift and the massive bumpers. When we got it home we cleaned the carburetor, filed the points, and rigged up a gas tank it coughed sputtered and smoked to life. We then decided a full restoration was in order. It was stripped down to bare frame and body, we then had everything sand blasted and primed. The parts were then sent to be sprayed with truck bed liner. All Over. We used this instead of paint because we had never seen one done before. After rebuilding the entire driveline everything was mated back together, along with a reupholstered interior. The finished product is what you see here. The best part about this truck is, we can use it and not hurt it.
We believe this truck was used for hard work originally. The massive bumpers and roll bar appear to be as old as the truck, and professionally made. Perhaps it was a forestry, oil rig or a farm truck. Regardless, the truck has a pretty easy life now. But it still has to earn it’s keep. We drive it around 150 miles a day, as well as use it around the house. In this picture we are using it to haul mud by the flat bed full. When loaded with mud the trailer weighed close to if not over 10000 pounds. Without the skid steer. We made over a dozen trips using the Willys to tow the trailer around 1/4 mile from Lake to dump site. When locked in low range and 4×4 it did just what we needed.
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How does it steer with the larger tires?
Thanks for all the comments! The tires are 9.00×16 (34-35″ tall, around 9″ wide) They do rub the steering linkage at full turn to the left but we’ve gotten used to it. Plus the look of the big tires makes it worth the rubbing in our eyes. We also had to trim the rear fenders slightly to clear the tires when loaded.
Nice job! It looks very intimidating. Not unlike a Cape Buffalo. And hauling that loaded trailer speaks volumes of the torque these little bulls can put on the ground. Very well thought out. Donbydand
Yes ! very nice job !
What size are those tires and do they contact the frame at full turn?
Wow…..I like the fact this rig is being used after RR…..(rescue and restore.)
I need to get off my duff and get my 61 – FC150 going……pray for me.
great work,
Cheers,
Jay
Nice truck!
I have a 1958 truck similar in color.
Great looking Willys. What size are htose tires? 9.00×16?