Many years ago I stopped by a neighbor’s farm. We chatted awhile and then I asked about the old Willys and ’36 Ford in his woods. I have known Gene for some time, he had been farming there when I was a youngster staying at Granddad’s farm, where we are today. He laughed, said I could have them no problem. I came back later with a jack and 20 feet of chain, used my tractor to pull the Willys out of the dirt. The rear tires still had air, the fronts were flat and in the ground, both rims rusted away. This was a major problem years later when the restoration work began, those original wheels are not easy to find. I had the hubcaps and I wanted everything original form in all respects. After much hunting we did find three, the extra is now the inside spare.
I found a usable 134 Go Devil out in South Dakota, gave it new rings and bearings, and did a complete valve job in my farm shop. It runs like new. I re-wired everything including the overdrive system, welded in a new front floor and made new wood strips for the rear. I varnished them and then installed them with stainless screws. We found exact headliner material at a place in Minneapolis. My wife Bonnie did all the sewing including the nice brown Naugahyde seats, everything was repainted as when new, the wagon was finished. Gene is in his nineties now and is still able to drive for coffee in town. So I drove the Willys there, he came and saw it again after 40 years. He couldn’t believe his eyes! He has since seen his ’36 Ford completely restored also, it was worth all the work just to see the tears, his reminiscing, telling of days gone by.
We use the car almost every day, it’s great for hauling items, going for groceries or just a nice easy drive through the country. It turns heads everywhere we go, in a parking lot at Menard’s recently two gals came running, shouting “We want THAT CAR!” We have other cars also but the Willys is the most unique.
Kaiser Willys Jeep Blog Story – Warren Sjoberg
If you would like to share your Willys Jeep Story please send us a line. We ‘d love to meet your Jeep.
Like Us. Facebook
Looking for, Willys Jeep Parts, Willys Jeep replacement parts, Willys Jeep body parts and much more for your 1941-1971 Willys vehicle, you have come to the right place!
Warren:
What an amazing Willys Overland. THE ONE AND ONLY…. smile
Interesting civil tires !
What is a 63 Willies???
Hugh Ubercrumby
Thanks to all that responded to my story and wagon, so many things to cover here:
We get all upholstery materials at S.R. Harris Co. in Minneapolis. They may have other outlets in other cities as well. Google to find out …
Gene, the guy that bought it new in ’48 is still living, doing well actually, I see him every week or so. He has since had a nice long ride in his old wagon, it’s the least I could do.
My solid copper oil lines will be fine, I made a very solid mounting for this filter, far better than it was on the hurricane it came from. Vibration and ‘wiggle’ is the problem, mine is rock-solid.
OK, I did change polarity to positive ground, put in a Ford 6v generator & regulator, reason was because I also put in a ’54 Ford tube radio in the left side dash, this looks really nice and works super.
The vehicle has a heater, one that Gene put in in ’49. I fixed the leak/crack, it works really well.
As to the ‘woody’ look, this is not a kit, it’s original tin, just repaired and painted, we mix our own colors that imitate the “wood”. The wood strips on the interior floor are real wood.
Again, thanks to all that wrote,
Warren & Bonnie, in Minnesota
Thanks to all for the nice comments, so many questions… where do I start ??
No kits or templates here, it is what it is, just repaired, pieces made when or where needed, lots of welding and grinding… it’s all steel.
Headliner material came from S.R. Harris Fabrics in Minneapolis, they have millions of yards of any fabric you’ve ever seen, we do all our cars’ upholstery with their ‘stuff’. That headliner is the EXACT pattern and color as original.
Oil line: That line and filter are only bypass, has nothing to do with oil supply or volume. The 134 does not have full flow filter, many have none, i got this one off a Hurricane, hooked it up.
Later on, my rear end went bad, I took it out completely, took it apart. Lucky a guy gave me a ’50 Studebaker rear end, the same Dana 23, used all the internal parts from that to fix my Willys, this work is not for the novice, bearings, gear teeth have to be aligned right, proper gear lash, pre-loads and such, the nice part about this repair is … the ratio is higher speed, the Stude’ used the 4.1 to one with their overdrive, this will make my Wagon cruise better on the freeway, also in overdrive.
Thanks again guys ……
Warren, in MN
Love your wagon, I’m on my 15th Jeep, A 52 Willys 4×4 wagon. My Grandfather had a 34 Ford I always wished I had gotten that too. Can you send pictures of that.
very nice job haven’t seen one like this for some time good job.
Great story and great job.
I’m curious which kit or templates you used to
make the “woody” ?
I have a 64 4×4 I’m thinking of doing the same thing to.
Thanks in advance.
Excellent job !!! Where did you find the headliner material ? Thanks Bill
Your wagon takes me back to when I was about six years old. My Uncle Clarence had one the same color. The old Germans in north St.Louis called automobiles ‘machines’. I guess because when they were young, they thought that cars were just that: a machine. I think Uncle Clarence’s Willys was the reason I love all old Jeeps. Thank you for the trip in the way-back ‘machine’.
Bon Vie
Glenn
Hi Warren,
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the restoration of your Willys Wagon. A very engaging and well-written story!
Congratulations on a job well done!
Happy motoring!
Mel
Jim : great story, beautiful restoration!
Beautiful! I used to have a ’57 Jeep wagon, 2WD, no Overdrive, 6-226 engine (flat head). I burnt a valve, and eventually traded for a 1958 Karmann-Ghia VW. I went through an XK-140, Mark VII, and XK-120 Jags, then an Alfa-Romeo and an MGA. The MGA became a new Pinto in 197, etc. including 3 VW vans at various times. I am now working on a 1952 M38A1, and will send pix when it’s on the road, but I wish I had the Willys again, or another like it, but with Overdrive or 4WD. Great job on your Willys wagon!
I love the back story and the restoration. What a labor of love. Awesome looking vehicle!
Am restoring a 63 Willies need seat roof ground windshield can anyone help???!phone (417) 276-8038 ask for Hugh
Beautifully done! Bravo! Working on oldies myself! Just hope I have enough time left to finish all of my jeeps!
Very nice job brining one back to life. I am also glad the Gene was able to see the wagon back on the road looking so nice.
I would caution you if that is a hard piped line to the oil filter. Others have done the same and had issues with breakage. I would replace it with the correct flexable tubing.
Very nice work
Mike
Love Warren’s story and the wagon. So cool, would like to chat with Warren, how do I find him? Have 5 Willys from Jsspster;s to 2A’s