1950 Willys Truck re-rebuild

**50wllystrk** · 07-03-2011, 10:12 PM

Short history. This truck I bought in 1985, minus bed, powertrain, most of the interior, ect.
The idea was to have something to beat at the local mud hole. Then after installing a drivetrain I built the bed. Standing back looking at it I thought it would make a great truck for the street. Since then it's been hauling fire wood, driven through every winter including salt covered roads, riden in parades, hauled dirt bikes, and atv's. Basically, it's been a good ole truck.

Here we are 26 years later, it's time to redo much of truck again.

First I started with a custom bumper using a torchmate cnc machine. It's because the bumper looked so good it prompted me to start the restoration.

It'll be done in sections while still maintaining some drivability at times.

Cowboyup94 · 07-03-2011, 10:21 PM

truck looks awesome!

Wrangler19 · 07-03-2011, 11:11 PM

More pics! Crawled!!!!!!!!!

Sovereign08 · 07-03-2011, 11:13 PM

yes more!!!!!!!

**50wllystrk** · 07-04-2011, 06:00 AM

I should have taken more of the bumper build. Here is one of the bumper mounting, After this there as a mounting brace on both outer edges of the bumper and more gusseting of the mounting tabs also.

**50wllystrk** · 07-04-2011, 09:35 PM

Last couple pics of what we're working with. On the outside it looks ok. but under the skin we've got a rusty frame issue and 61 year old rear leaf springs.

Dakota17 · 07-04-2011, 11:04 PM

Thats awesome

karlo · 07-04-2011, 11:59 PM

Looks awesome. I think I'm in love with that vintage truck.

**50wllystrk** · 07-05-2011, 09:28 PM

Thanks for the compliments all. Know this... dial up sucks, it takes some 15 to 20 minutes to get pics uploaded and on to the forum. Hang in there, i'll keep uploading.
Picture... now I got a top view of the weakening frame.

Cowboyup94 · 07-05-2011, 10:10 PM

thank god there are some of these trucks left.

red88MJ · 07-05-2011, 10:16 PM

that is an awesome willys, wish I had a sweet truck like that... keep up the good work!

kabowabo · 07-06-2011, 05:56 AM

Awesome start. I always wanted to to do a Willys wagon or a PU.

**50wllystrk** · 07-06-2011, 06:32 PM

Bed's off now, and we get a top view of the situation. We're looking at a gas tank from a early 70's GM car. The original tank was not usable so I formed some 1/8 inch steel to support the tank. It fit great, I did have to shorten the inlet neck about 4 inches so the gas cap was about flush with the back of the frame. I think it gave me about 8 more gallons than the original also.

Here's the ugly, anywhere there was a cross frame or a brace is where the problems are. Mud, salt and sand ect. sat and ate away at the frame. These are the issues that has to be either taken care of or let it just rust away. Quite frankly, after 26 years it's now family and we will bring it back to being strong again.

**50wllystrk** · 07-07-2011, 06:31 PM

Here we are looking at the frame over the axle on the passenger side, not as bad as the drivers side, but we will cut into and replace the bracing that is here.

OUCH!!! farther forward on the frame where a main crossbrace connects to the main frame rails just after the cab. Oh boy, I don't like the looks of this.

**djflyy** · 07-07-2011, 09:58 PM

Best thread ever. This is the exact reason that a Forum like this NEEDS to exist. Seeing this makes me wish I had a Willys of my own. Can't wait to see what you do to bring this thing back to glory, my friend!

Best wishes from Boston! I'm crawled!