138: Alan St. Germain’s 1954 Willys Truck
This is my 1954 Willys Truck. It has an AMC 360 V8, Turbo 400 transmission, the Borg Warmer 1339 QuadraTrac transfer case, Dana 44 front and rear axles, all four power disk brakes, and power steering. This was a high school senior project of a young man. He almost had it completed when it was involved in an car accident. Instead of repairing it, he sold this green beauty to me. A thirty year dream of mine had now came to pass, I started a frame off repair to asses the damage. The frame was broken in three places with the engine sitting on the frame. After many attempt to find a replacement frame failed, I hired an amazing welder to rebuild the existing frame from the firewall forward. After 15 months, I now have the truck back to the point the young man had it with a few improvements. The interior is now my goal for 2013 to have finished. Doing the work myself, this may take some doing.
– Alan St. Germain
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juust beautiful, owner of CJ5, live in the Caribbean, with quite a few spares for willys, not for sale though.
juust beautiful, owner of CJ5, live in the Caribbean, with quite a few spares for willys, not for sale though.
Truck looks good, and I know it took a lot of work to get it to this condition. Old Jeep/Willys/Kaiser pickups always look better when they are bone stock, however, and this means chrome or wide wheels ruin the authentic look. Stamped steel wheels (preferably in off-white/cream) with no hubcap of any kind ALWAYS complete the vintage look of these old classics. The lug nuts must show, and the wheel should always be narrow and white. Tires should also be 7.00 or 7.50 X 16 – never more wide than this.
Imagine lowering or lifting one of these trucks – ruins the entire restoration. I have even seen guys mounting WHITE LETTER tires on ancient Jeep/Willys/Kaiser vehicles. This, I am reasonably certain, is a misdemeanor, and a possible felony in 44 states.
Please think before you spend a fortune on these trucks and wagons, lest you ruin the whole vehicle by adding anything that is not factory stock and correct.
Truck looks good, and I know it took a lot of work to get it to this condition. Old Jeep/Willys/Kaiser pickups always look better when they are bone stock, however, and this means chrome or wide wheels ruin the authentic look. Stamped steel wheels (preferably in off-white/cream) with no hubcap of any kind ALWAYS complete the vintage look of these old classics. The lug nuts must show, and the wheel should always be narrow and white. Tires should also be 7.00 or 7.50 X 16 – never more wide than this.
Imagine lowering or lifting one of these trucks – ruins the entire restoration. I have even seen guys mounting WHITE LETTER tires on ancient Jeep/Willys/Kaiser vehicles. This, I am reasonably certain, is a misdemeanor, and a possible felony in 44 states.
Please think before you spend a fortune on these trucks and wagons, lest you ruin the whole vehicle by adding anything that is not factory stock and correct.
In response to Allen Wallace: Everyone is entitled to their own opinion about restorations and modifications but that is no reason to bash someones choice. I do prefer original restorations but have seen some pretty good mods out there also. It is everyones own personal choice what they do with their own vehicle, as long as they enjoy it.
In response to Allen Wallace: Everyone is entitled to their own opinion about restorations and modifications but that is no reason to bash someones choice. I do prefer original restorations but have seen some pretty good mods out there also. It is everyones own personal choice what they do with their own vehicle, as long as they enjoy it.
Yeah, dont worry about the wheels! that truck is beautiful. I also have a ’54 that i have started to work on. One problem I am having with the late model tires is that the steering is a pain. How did you add your power steering? I have the 6-226 engine so I doubt I will be able to repeat, but I was curious how your linkages worked. Thanks!
Yeah, dont worry about the wheels! that truck is beautiful. I also have a ’54 that i have started to work on. One problem I am having with the late model tires is that the steering is a pain. How did you add your power steering? I have the 6-226 engine so I doubt I will be able to repeat, but I was curious how your linkages worked. Thanks!
Good effort on the repair, that’s a fine looking pickup you have there; Don Morgan
Good effort on the repair, that’s a fine looking pickup you have there; Don Morgan
Thanks for all the great complements and critiquing. All is welcomed.
This has been a two year in the working project. All the modifications were done by the previous owner, except for the steering. The power steering was done by him, however, I removed the tilt wheel he had, and went back to the original setup. (with some modifications in adapting to the power steering box.)
The wheels and rims will be replace someday. (need more $$$$)
It is not cost effective to put this truck back to original. I read once that there are only two ways to do a project truck correctly. Ether stay All original, or do a complete power train conversion. So, complete power train it was and is.
Now I am working on getting the interior all original. I have the bench seat, but it needs major work. The bed of the truck is also not original. That too is in the future for replacement. I know this is a ’54, but I really, really want a ’53 tailgate! I know, I am not much of a purest.
When I get my second Willys truck someday, it will be 100% original.
Allen Wallac: I agree with most of what you said. However, if a person finds a truck that is too far gone from original, I believe it is better to keep the truck a live then to scrap it out. So, if you have or know of a ’53 for sale that is 100% original and very cheap to buy, I am all for it. If not, this ’54 will be my baby for a very long time….
Mike VanArsdale: I can send pictures of the steering if you like. (Not sure if I can give you an exact part description, as some of the parts I am not sure what they are out of.)
Thanks again for all your great comments.
Thanks for all the great complements and critiquing. All is welcomed.
This has been a two year in the working project. All the modifications were done by the previous owner, except for the steering. The power steering was done by him, however, I removed the tilt wheel he had, and went back to the original setup. (with some modifications in adapting to the power steering box.)
The wheels and rims will be replace someday. (need more $$$$)
It is not cost effective to put this truck back to original. I read once that there are only two ways to do a project truck correctly. Ether stay All original, or do a complete power train conversion. So, complete power train it was and is.
Now I am working on getting the interior all original. I have the bench seat, but it needs major work. The bed of the truck is also not original. That too is in the future for replacement. I know this is a ’54, but I really, really want a ’53 tailgate! I know, I am not much of a purest.
When I get my second Willys truck someday, it will be 100% original.
Allen Wallac: I agree with most of what you said. However, if a person finds a truck that is too far gone from original, I believe it is better to keep the truck a live then to scrap it out. So, if you have or know of a ’53 for sale that is 100% original and very cheap to buy, I am all for it. If not, this ’54 will be my baby for a very long time….
Mike VanArsdale: I can send pictures of the steering if you like. (Not sure if I can give you an exact part description, as some of the parts I am not sure what they are out of.)
Thanks again for all your great comments.
Alan,
Reviewing the Kaiser-WiIlys blog, I came across your project vehicle and the fact that you have a AMC 360 installed.
Your final result is a beautiful labor of love, patience and endurance!
I started off on my project of resto-moding a 1951 Willys wagon and finally closing the door on the project after a total of three wagons. The acronym of JEEP applies in my situation! (Just Empty Every Pocket)
As you have addressed various issues in your project (power steering, Dana 44’s(front), steering linkages, and firewall modifications I thought I’d drop a line to see if you would share your discoveries.
Hoping to hear from you soon!
Alan,
Reviewing the Kaiser-WiIlys blog, I came across your project vehicle and the fact that you have a AMC 360 installed.
Your final result is a beautiful labor of love, patience and endurance!
I started off on my project of resto-moding a 1951 Willys wagon and finally closing the door on the project after a total of three wagons. The acronym of JEEP applies in my situation! (Just Empty Every Pocket)
As you have addressed various issues in your project (power steering, Dana 44’s(front), steering linkages, and firewall modifications I thought I’d drop a line to see if you would share your discoveries.
Hoping to hear from you soon!