276: John Rodriguez’ Willys Truck
This is our 1951 body on a 1958 chassis with the 6-226 engine. I bought this for my 14 year old son for his first truck. We have been restoring it since December. It has been a complete frame off restoration and we are almost ready for paint. Trying to keep it stock.
– John Rodriguez
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Thanks for all of the kind words. Mike the biggest problem I ran into was not mechanical but mental. I found that sandblasting and priming the parts went a long ways towards being able to visualize the potential. My son at first was very discouraged but once we had some halfway decent parts and started priming and assembling he was much better. They are really simple vehicles. We are getting ready to paint it in the next couple of weeks. Big milestone will be being able to put the glass back in and assemble the doors. Thank you. Let me m is if you have any more questions sorry it took so long to respond. Gracias!
Hi, i inherited my dads Willys pickup. I remember when he purchased it from the forestry service in 59. I was 5 years old. It had a little 4 cylinder in it and we used to gold mine in the feather river area. So he dropped a 283 smallblock in it and an overdrive unit for highway runs. It has been used on the 10 acre ranch for the last 20 years. The engine still purrs when it runs. Fuel tank leaks like a strainer. No through body rust. Interior needs complete rebuild. Would you be willing to share some problem solvers when i run into them. I would like to do a frame up restore. Your’s looks great. Do you remember your biggest headbutt problem when you did your disassembly? I won’t be to much of a pest, honest. Thank’s Mike
Looks fantastic, my wife bought me a 1952 Willys pick up. I’ll just started last week
the best of both, ’51 small window cab with the WO tailgate and the 6-226 flat head engine. looks great. good show.
The motor looks beautiful. I would add a jumper ground wire from the head to the distributor body. Without that, the distributor grounds through the mechanical connections to the motor. The distributor adaptor is aluminum and everything else is steel and it can corrode pretty badly if the juice does not pass right… good luck
FELICIDADES JOHN EXELENTE TRABAJO, Y YA CON SU MOTOR 6 CILL TENDRA MAS POTENCIA, YO HICE LO MISMO CON UNA WILLYS 54 4 CIL, SE LE CAMBIO A 6 Y MEJORO MUCHO SU POTENCIA, SE VENDIO BIEN, RECIBE SALUDOS Y FELICITACIONES DESDE COATEPEC, VERACRUZ MEXICO, CLUB WILLYS COATEPEC, ATTE, JUAN LOPEZ BADILLO
Beautifull , Congratulations!!!
John,
I see the door below the passengers seat is missing. I recently saw one in Lesueur Minn. When I was there. I am not sure if it is from a CJ or not, but if you measure it, it should be easily enough determined. If you need it I still have his calling card and can easily get a hold of him.
Dave Jones
Gussey2003@yahoo.com
Very nice job!!!! Good luck with it!