1953 Willys Jeep - This one might be serious

"MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner" (montegoman562)
08/22/2014 at 09:39 • Filed to: None

OK so yesterday I jokingly posted about this 1953 Willys/Jeep wagon.

My wife is not so joking about it. She wants to look at it this weekend. Back story- she loves old Jeeps/Willys/Trucks in general and wants a blacked out rat rod truck. This would actually get her into car shows and make her more interested in the car world, so I'm supporting her in it.

Obviously the truck needs a lot of work. I'm not sure why someone relocated the brake lights to some weird bumper that doesn't belong on it anyhow, so I think i'd remove the bumper and get some stock lights back in it.

I like the chopped roof, which needs the back lift window to finish being chopped.

I'm guessing the lack of interior pictures is because it's gutted. You can even see boxes in the rear window lol.

So, any old truck experts that can tool me what to look at/for? Are parts available for these things? It has an engine swap to a little 283 Chevy V8, so I know I can get engine parts easy enough. No idea about trans. Apparently has original 4x4.

Talk to me oppos!

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DISCUSSION (18)

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/22/2014 at 09:45

I'm seeing some hints of seam rust or something on a couple places at the back. That, and some under-fender surface rust means it at least needs some sanding and sealing time. Outside that, it *would* be a great start to something special, I'm just not sure about the price. Parts availability shouldn't be too bad.

CalzoneGolem > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/22/2014 at 09:49

People are nuts about old Jeeps I doubt there will be parts availability issues. This is a big project. Personally I'd hold out for something less needy to start with.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/22/2014 at 09:49

http://www.ewillys.com/ is your friend. Don't know that much about the parts situation but there is a large cult following so you should be able to track stuff down. Although given how little is stock about this truck I wouldn't worry about it much. You could always covert to 2WD temporarily if the 4x4 is shot.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
08/22/2014 at 09:54

I was thinking about offering the guy 1500 bucks lol.

I think it's over priced at the moment. Maybe it's perfect mechanically, would make it worth 2k. (but I doubt it lol)

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
08/22/2014 at 09:54

Thanks I'll check that site out!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > CalzoneGolem
08/22/2014 at 09:55

Yeah i'm on the fence, if it has an interior it's a lot less of a project, but no way to know until I'm in it/under it

CalzoneGolem > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/22/2014 at 09:56

Whatever you do take a bunch of pics. We all want to see what it looks like.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > CalzoneGolem
08/22/2014 at 09:57

haha yeah if anything it might be a "hey looks go look at this crazy old willys for the fun of it" trip.

I really like the chopped top, I think it looks clean. BUT the back window needs to be done still. obviously it's missing the original side mirrors and tail lights, I just don't know what else has been done.

I think it could be a really cool truck though

CalzoneGolem > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/22/2014 at 09:59

I think you're right. I wish my wife would want to go look at some guy's crazy big black Willys with me.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/22/2014 at 10:15

It wont be so bad. Dynamat everything then paint over that with bed liner. Bolt in two bench seats and you're golden. Its from the 50's so everything inside was painted steel from the factory anyway!

erikgrad > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/22/2014 at 10:22

If it isn't a total mess, I could see going $1750+ for it. I bet the guy is going to get a lot of calls offering $1,000-1,500... because craigslist.

When you posted it yesterday, I wished I didn't already have one extra car.

I don't even hate on the Dart bumper, but it isn't my style, I would definitely change that.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > CalzoneGolem
08/22/2014 at 10:29

She probably just doesn't want to admit she'd like to spend the weekend looking at a stranger's big black Willys

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
08/22/2014 at 10:32

Bed liner over dynamat? I've never heard of such a thing.

The good part about it being modified is that I could literally just go to the junk yard and find some seats that fit it and roll with it, even if they have nothing to do with a Willys.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > erikgrad
08/22/2014 at 10:33

I would DEFINITELY change the bumper. I was thinking 1500, but I think if it's not a rust bucket 1750 could be justified.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/22/2014 at 10:36

It's pretty common in the 4x4 world for people who want to be able to hose down the inside of their rigs-

http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/body-ch…

erikgrad > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner
08/22/2014 at 10:54

Please look at it, buy it if it's a deal! That way, I can live vicariously through you, as you post pictures of the changes you make...

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > FJ80WaitinForaLSV8
08/22/2014 at 10:55

Smart.

I bet she'd love it if this thing wasn't just a pretty cruiser, but a real offroader as well.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > erikgrad
08/22/2014 at 11:00

Haha, we'll see if I have time to get to him this weekend or not, it's already expected to be a busy one.