Willys Wagon Restoration
Update 3/6/2003
The chassis is out and booked into a local smash repairers to get slightly tweaked & straightened. Otherwise not much to report as the CJ5 project is taking priority.
Body | Heaps of rust!!
I need to cut large sections from the floor pan. I will need to replace/rebuild the body mount locations. Lots of welding in my near future..... |
Body -Other | Removed hood, grill, guards & tail gate. All are in various stages of rust removal. |
Bumpers | It has the original classic chrome numbers. I'll be tidying them up as much as possible & re-using |
Diff - Front | None - I'm currently looking for a good donor diff. |
Diff - Rear | It's an old dana44 with a ratio that is really to low and running tiny 19 spline shafts. I'll probably remove it and also add in a new donor axle. |
Electrical | There wasn't much
left of the original electrical system, and what remained was a
mess - so I simply ripped it all out. Initially I was planning to purchase a complete wiring loom - but have since been convinced to create a full custom loom myself......Should be fun.... |
Engine | Again still looking for a suitable donor. Considering a nice Mopar 360 :-) |
Frame | I had to cut all
body mounts & then lifted the body tub, to allow the
chassis to be rolled out. I have cut all rust sections out and welded in new sections where required. Have treated the frame with rust converter (it was mainly surface rust) and fish oil - 2 coats of each Next I'll be putting fresh paint on the frame. |
Gearbox | I have a TJ Auto Gearbox in the garage earmarked for the wagon. |
Transfer Case | I have a TJ NP231 Transfer case also in the garage earmarked for the wagon. |
Interior | Removed much the
interior - I have a full set of 1998 Hyundai seats & seat belts I will be making custom interior panels |
Rims | These poor old steel things are so rusty that they will not be retained in the final restored set-up. I'll be looking for a new set of rims. |
T/case | I need a transfer case. |
Tyres | Planning to use the 31x10.5 A/T that I used to have on my TJ. |
General
Since this rig will become mainly my wife's rig the modifications will be fairly low key. The main reason I am under taking the project is because the wagon is so rare in Aust (I have found 6 so far). Unfortunately because of the bad starting condition of the rig and how scare the original parts are I will be forced to make some compromises in not re-using original Willy gear....But where possible I will.The project continues......
Comments? Well hey
then drop me a line: wooders@optusnet.com.au