I purchased this1955 Willys pickup truck approximately 20 years ago, I believe I’m the 5th owner. It was located parked in a garden patch on an acreage in Nevada, just left out in the elements wasting away for several years and the owner’s wife wanted to get rid of the eye sore. It was a rusted piece of junk when I acquired it and I’ve slowly been rebuilding, restoring and modifying it to its current condition. I don’t know much about its history except that a previous owner was a sheriff and another owner was a cattle rancher who had it outfitted for hunting and the owner that I bought it from is a geologist.
For me it started as a father-son project but my sons preferred to spend their time playing rock and roll in garage bands and they didn’t like getting their hands dirty. On a part time hobby basis as time was available, many hours have been spent dismantling body components, body restoration work, striping, replacement of windshield and side windows and preparation for painting etc. It’s something I wanted to do back when I was in high school but never had the money or the tools. Now I’m almost an old man enjoying my teenage dream so to speak. Some of the modifications include:
- Wheels and tires
- Conversion to 11″ front disc brakes and replacement of brake lines
- New Retrofit steering column, stabilized power steering system with tilt steering wheel
- Slightly modified front suspension, Rancho shock absorbers front and rear
- Lokar emergency brake cable kit
- 1992, 5 speed manual shift Jeep transmission.
- Modified drive train with Warn overdrive and Zoom Performance MU Series hydraulic clutch assembly
- Replaced rear-end drive yoke and transfer case drive yoke assembly with 1310 dana 44 style
- Replacement of gearing in front end and rear with 3.50 gear ratio
- 350 cubic inch fuel injected BluePrint crate engine
- Replaced fuel tank and installed EFI fuel system
- 12 volt electrical system with new Universal wiring harness, new gauges etc., MSD Ignition 2900- MSD Atomic EFI throttle system
- Dual exhaust system with Magnaflow style SST mufflers
- New fire wall and floor boards
- New radiator with electric fan and thermostatic controlled cooling system
- New cab heater venting with Vintage Air Gen-11 Compac climate control air conditioning system
- Aftermarket stereo system 6″ speakers and bluetooth, phone and satellite radio capable
I think that covers much of the work completed to date. The interior remains to be finished but I’ve done some leather work on the sun visors and arm rests. It’s a fun old vehicle to drive and now we can get out on the interstate and keep up with 75 – 80 mph traffic or alternately, get out on the Sierra Mountain back roads and enjoy the trails and backcountry lakes and streams. Thanks to Kaiser Willys who are an excellent source for disc brakes and some of the other replacement parts.
Kaiser Willys Jeep Blog Story – Jake Forsythe
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I have a 1956 with hurricane 6 I installed a turbo on, it has more than enough power and the steering in it as original is just as good as power steering, I would never over build my old girl the way he has done, the original is so much better.
I have a 1956 with hurricane 6 I installed a turbo on, it has more than enough power and the steering in it as original is just as good as power steering, I would never over build my old girl the way he has done, the original is so much better.
Very nicely done. Beautiful color. Love the fact that it looks stock other than the rims which seem to suit the truck. The upgrades are very tasteful and well done. (not a hack job). Love it!
Very nicely done. Beautiful color. Love the fact that it looks stock other than the rims which seem to suit the truck. The upgrades are very tasteful and well done. (not a hack job). Love it!
Beautiful restoration! We just purchased a 1955 station wagon. It has the same color on the inside. We’ve been trying to find the interior color name so we can order paint and do touch ups. How were you able to find color, since everything out there is on exterior colors. Is that Julep Green Metallic? Great job on that restoration!
Beautiful restoration! We just purchased a 1955 station wagon. It has the same color on the inside. We’ve been trying to find the interior color name so we can order paint and do touch ups. How were you able to find color, since everything out there is on exterior colors. Is that Julep Green Metallic? Great job on that restoration!