Knappster's 1955 Willys Pickup

[LWM]

When I was in high school more than 30 years ago I went to school my sophomore year in this 1955 Willy before we broke it down to restore it (then it sat in the weeds for the next 10 years). In 1995 I loaded all the parts into the back of a U-Haul style truck and transported it to Tacoma Washington to start the restoration.

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/06/Parts01-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/06/Parts16-1.jpg

The frame was rebuilt to include new custom made cross beams and a total boxed in frame. The axles were replace with Chevy axles.

An air tank out of a Peterbuilt was installed for the air operated step bars

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/06/AirSupply01-1.jpg

The firewall was modified to accept a Chevrolet 350 V-8

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/06/BodyWork02-2.jpg

and a V-8 was rebuilt along with the 350 turbo automatic transmission and set onto the frame in custom made motor mounts

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/06/Engine03-2.jpg

[LWM]

Then the truck was loaded onto a trailer for it long drive from Tacoma Washington to Phoenix Arizona in 1999

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/06/RoadTrip011-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/06/RoadTrip02-2.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/06/RoadTrip03-2.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/06/RoadTrip041-1.jpg

[LWM]

It sat in storage for the last ten years

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/06/Aug5002-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/06/Aug5003-2.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/06/Aug5003-2.jpg

and then once again it was put on a trailer (2nd time in 10 years I used my trailer) and brought home to begin the next stage of restoration

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/06/DSCI0012-3.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/06/DSCI0011-2.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/06/DSCI0009-3.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/imported/2010/06/DSCI0008-2.jpg

[NeilSmith]

So, whats the latest ? I remember you were looking for a local guy for the body and paint work, have any luck ? I see a lot of guys get to this point and things slow down. The mechanical aspect seems to be a little easier for the average guy to handle in his own garage ( not meaning it is easy work ) but the body work and paint gets subbed out and thats where things get slow. The body man never seems to be as motivated as the owner is. The bed looks about ready to go and the cab and doors dont look to need a whole lot of work.

[LWM]

The next step is to bolt the fenders and stuff on and then run all the wires. I need to take the engine down a little and check for debris and then fire that bad boy up too.

[IamJEEP]

Update?

[LWM]

Need to get the mechanic over to hook up and then fire up the motor and then start putting it back together.

[IamJEEP]

Any plans on paint?

[LWM]

Any plans on paint?

Open to suggestions, the frame is currently Dixie purple and I think I am going to change that to black, the suspension is canary yellow and I think I will change that too.

[IamJEEP]

Yeah, the purple and yellow gotta go. Lol..... i would do the frame black and the body a charcoal grey or dark forest green. As for chasis accent color, i wouldn't do anything bright. Maybe match the body color.

[LWM]

I thought about painting it 2006 Dark Khaki to match the Commander.

[IamJEEP]

That'll work. Of it was my choice, i woild go a dark color in grey scale.