This 1955 Willys was a rusted junker, sitting rotting in a yard that I bought for $800 in 1998. I only worked part time on it over 7 or 8 years after I bought it. Golf kept interfering with my free time. I think I’m the 5th owner. It’s just been an old dude’s hobby project, something I wanted to do since I was a teenage kid.
Started as a father son project but sons didn’t like getting theirs hands dirty. One son is now a well to do computer geek working for Microsoft. I’ve had a little help from a couple of friends as this is my first project fixing up an old vehicle so I’ve learned a lot but work slowly. Unlike me, my friends can weld and fabricate stuff.
The pickup is not quite finished, I haven’t figured out how to do new headliners and I’d like to replace the re-upholsterd original bench seat with easy to fit bucket seats. All the original running gear and transmission still working well but I added a totally rebuilt short block 1968 Chevy 283 and I installed a Saturn/Warn overdrive so that I don’t get run over by transport trucks when I get it out on Interstate I-80. Had to replace badly rusted out doors but I found two good condition doors on a Willys wagon out on a desrt ranch in Northern Nevada and the owner sold them to me cheap and they bolted right on the pickup truck.
The Truck is mostly used to take the dog out cruising in the desert back roads. The dog gets jealous if my wife comes for a ride and uses the dog’s favorite seat. Just a fun and tough old truck. Now both my sons want it??
Kaiser Willys Jeep Blog Story – Jake Forsythe
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Very nice job on the truck, keep it in the family to preserve it for future generations.
Very nice job on the truck, keep it in the family to preserve it for future generations.
Beautiful job!
Beautiful job!
Wow, nice truck. I am building a 53 that I hope turns out that good. Mine sets on a IH scout chassis,chevy 92 V6 4 speed automatic. That is the color I would like to paint mine. Sharp.Wheels are cool too. What wheels are they? Tom
Wow, nice truck. I am building a 53 that I hope turns out that good. Mine sets on a IH scout chassis,chevy 92 V6 4 speed automatic. That is the color I would like to paint mine. Sharp.Wheels are cool too. What wheels are they? Tom
Nice truck. I had a 56 that I put a 1972 Chevy 350 in. Wish I’d never sold it. Great job!!!
Nice truck. I had a 56 that I put a 1972 Chevy 350 in. Wish I’d never sold it. Great job!!!
Nice Job. I am working on a 1948 pickup right now. 3.8 mustang motor, 5 speed tranny and the mustang rear end. Hope it looks half as nice as yours.
Nice Job. I am working on a 1948 pickup right now. 3.8 mustang motor, 5 speed tranny and the mustang rear end. Hope it looks half as nice as yours.
What color is that?
What color is that?
DON’T leave it to those kids! Leave it to the dog and HIS/HER caretaker, or one of the friends who helped you! OR take it with you, should you have to go . . . . VERY nice looking truck AND color! Do think that color was maybe their best . . . . .
DON’T leave it to those kids! Leave it to the dog and HIS/HER caretaker, or one of the friends who helped you! OR take it with you, should you have to go . . . . VERY nice looking truck AND color! Do think that color was maybe their best . . . . .
Hey Hey Hey! This is one of the sons who says don’t leave it to us?? ; ) Nice job pops, if your lucky we’ll figure out a way to bury the truck with ya!
Hey Hey Hey! This is one of the sons who says don’t leave it to us?? ; ) Nice job pops, if your lucky we’ll figure out a way to bury the truck with ya!
Ya know, that well-to-do Computer geek worked pretty hard to get into that position…I sat next to him in his extremely challenging Accounting classes at UNR. He had to sacrifice a lot, and really went through hell to get through school, and he had to put up with some of the University’s most ruthless accounting professors…but he did it, and now he has a garage to put it in. Although they might not have liked to get their hands dirty then, it sounds like their in a position now…not having hours and hours of financial statements to compile, and they have better resources now too : ) I think the kids would really appreciate it : )
Ya know, that well-to-do Computer geek worked pretty hard to get into that position…I sat next to him in his extremely challenging Accounting classes at UNR. He had to sacrifice a lot, and really went through hell to get through school, and he had to put up with some of the University’s most ruthless accounting professors…but he did it, and now he has a garage to put it in. Although they might not have liked to get their hands dirty then, it sounds like their in a position now…not having hours and hours of financial statements to compile, and they have better resources now too : ) I think the kids would really appreciate it : )
Very nice job!! You have really raised the bar on restorations!!! Scott
Very nice job!! You have really raised the bar on restorations!!! Scott
I’m redoing my 1948 jeep truck and can’t find much how to info. I’m trying to figure out how the steering column comes apart, including the horn button . any guidance would be appreciated. Keith
Hi Keith,
The Mechanics (Service) Manual for 1946-1950 Willys Trucks would be a very helpful tool for your 1948 Willys Truck restoration project. Part: MANUAL-005. You can also give the guys at the parts counter a call toll free 1-888-648-4923 Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM EST and they will be happy to help with parts and tech questions!
I’m redoing my 1948 jeep truck and can’t find much how to info. I’m trying to figure out how the steering column comes apart, including the horn button . any guidance would be appreciated. Keith
Hi Keith,
The Mechanics (Service) Manual for 1946-1950 Willys Trucks would be a very helpful tool for your 1948 Willys Truck restoration project. Part: MANUAL-005. You can also give the guys at the parts counter a call toll free 1-888-648-4923 Mon-Fri 9AM-5PM EST and they will be happy to help with parts and tech questions!
We have a ’61 wagon,completely original including interior and paint, and has a ’59 283 bolted to the original transmission. 56k verifiable miles. It will climb right up a wall. Lots of fun.
We have a ’61 wagon,completely original including interior and paint, and has a ’59 283 bolted to the original transmission. 56k verifiable miles. It will climb right up a wall. Lots of fun.
Does anyone know the ORIGINAL paint scheme for the 1959 Jeep Pickup? I can’t find it anywhere. Thanks!
Does anyone know the ORIGINAL paint scheme for the 1959 Jeep Pickup? I can’t find it anywhere. Thanks!