what do you think of this 55 willys

[AustinAubinoe]

my dad and I have been talking forever about getting a "NAPCO" 47-59 chevy pickup. They are a little hard to find! Just came across this on craigslist about and hours drive north from my college in williamsport. It would fit the bill of an old 4x4 pickup to have around. Id say its easy worth the asking price since it runs and looks all original. You dont come across these kind of trucks in this condition, in this area, very often. Seems that any that arent rusted out are show truck.

http://williamsport.craigslist.org/cto/3248182724.html

I know nothing about these trucks except that they look sweet! What do you think?

[Tad]

$975.00 would be a good price even out here in the desert.
Rust issues are about the same as a FSJ and that one looks to be pretty much all there.

I only have a few pic's of mine (pre-internet days) but I kept it for over 20 years.
It was not stock when I got it (SBC conversion) so by the time it left it was a FS Blazer drive train, J2000 rear axle and the front axle from a Scout II done SOA.
I still miss that rig.
Here's a pic my father took from around '78-79.

[AustinAubinoe]

waiting for the ok from my dad, because it will be at his house afterall, but I really want this! Was looking for a J truck or cherk for my new DD, but this would be sweet.

one thing I did not even think about, towing it. I can rent a Uhaul trailer no problem, but my XJ has about 8" of lift. Can I put a drop hitch on it? It has a factory 2" hitch which I am guessing is rated for 5000 pounds.

[AustinAubinoe]

according to this, the trim and one piece windshield say its a 62-64.

http://www.kaiserwillys.com/about_willy ... tory_specs

could this be a problem with the title? Could someone give me some pointers of what to say when I call him so I dont sound like a complete idiot?

[E_DIGG]

You better hurry up and get before I do! JC. It looks to be in pretty good shape. No pics of the interior though.

[AustinAubinoe]

well dad gave me the OK. I can pick up one of these: http://www.harborfreight.com/8-in-1-adj ... 95991.html
-Ill just pick up a hitch ball at uhaul when I get a trailer. Its $115 for the trailer for 2 days I think.

Gonna give the dude a call after I get some food. Any tips for the phone call of what to ask about? Ill make sure the frame is not toast and ask him to email pics of the interior.

[Tad]

I'd ask if the VIN number on the title matches the VIN number of data plate.
IIRC the data plate is on the driver side engine compartment firewall.
Older rigs like these get reborn from other rigs all the time.
As long as the two match you should be fine.

[AustinAubinoe]

guy called me back during welding class. still available Says he has a bunch of people coming saturday, but I have no classes tomorrow!!!! Said he would hold it to me till noon! Going to call and confirm after I get out of class at 10. Fingers crossed that Uhual will have a car trailer available! I should have just reserved one. Im very excited to own a willys!


Oh and he said he bought the truck as is. Bed is rusty, cab is nice though (carboard door panels in nice shape!). He said Im not the first to suggest its a 62-64 cab. but its titled as a 55 and vins match.

[Stuka]

Sounds like a fun project. And its possible something was changed on the cab, but if the vins match no big deal.

[jaber]

Nice score... :ymapplause:

I have a '51 Pickup and a '51 wagon with barn doors. I took the truck body and put it onto a '77 J-10 frame. I have a '92 4.0 mounted, but no computer or harness, so it'll sit for now. :-s

[AustinAubinoe]

ok so I have most of the money, but the uhaul site wont let me reserve a car trailer. It states that only a tow dolly will be good with my jeep cherokee. WHY? I dont really want to pull this willys because it has not been on the road in 20 years! What can I do?

I guess worse case I rent a dolly and drag it back 1 hour to my college and leave it in my parking lot. Then borrow one of my dads work trucks and come back and get it. This is very annoying. Do you think they would be less strict if I go up in person?

[Stuka]

Nope, a Grand Cherokee doesn't have enough of a tow rating to tow a car on a trailer (only rated for 5k lbs as I recall).


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[AustinAubinoe]

well dang. I might be out of luck. can I put this on a dolly? I never even thought this would be an issue.

I can remove the driveshaft and make sure the axle spins. but heck the tires are probably beyond bad. ~x(

[AustinAubinoe]

ok so im renting a full trailer. Going to borrow my friends 96 f150 with a 351.

[Stuka]

How far do you have to tow it? If its several hours I would bring some other tires to throw on. Should be a standard 5x5.5 lug pattern. Then just gotta hope the bearings are ok.


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[fulsizjeep]

I think you should own it. If I was your father though, I would say no. )

[The PIG Smith]

ok so im renting a full trailer. Going to borrow my friends 96 f150 with a 351.

Both a smart and a safe plan!

[AustinAubinoe]

ITS MINE!!!!! Got it back to my house in williamsport, but the f150 over heated twice. It has 35" tires and 3.55 gears... Drives friggen great! low and high range work, but zero brakes. Pictures when I charge my cell phone.

[j20owner]

F150's overheat all the time. At least mine does.

[Stuka]

35's with 3.55's.. yeah thats going to cause some over heating while towing.

Good to see it drives. Had the PO already been running it? Hoping it didn't sit for 20 years and was then just started. That leads to broken rings and such.

Oh, and congrats!!