Got me a new future tow SUV

[ssrjim]

I hope I'm up to the task of getting this fixed up. Seems a little harder than building a teardrop.

[Gage]

Looks doable Jim. I'm sure you can do it. It can't be any harder than a '59 Ford wagon.

[caseydog]

Parts should be readily available for cheep at the local Auto Zone, right?

CD

[ssrjim]

Parts should be readily available for cheep at the local Auto Zone, right?

CD

It has a Chevy 350 and Camaro front clip.

So that may be true.

[ssrjim]

Looks doable Jim. I'm sure you can do it. It can't be any harder than a '59 Ford wagon.

I don't think it will be ready for Parker

[azmotoman]

A little ingenuity and patience goes a LOOOOONG way when working on an old Willys. I've seen some real 'botch' jobs done in the name of ON-THE-CHEAP.

Good luck!

[Gage]

It has a Chevy 350 and Camaro front clip.
So that may be true.

Boy, your already half way there.

[Woodbutcher]

That is my dream tow vehicle. I will watch for you to show us the finished product. Good luck !

[ssrjim]

That is my dream tow vehicle. I will watch for you to show us the finished product. Good luck !

I'm starting a blog so you can follow along:
http://web.me.com/ramjim/1951_Willys_Project/Blog/Blog.html

[Gage]

It is a bit of a scary project. I’ve built Teardrop trailers but have not restored a car. It is already far from stock so don’t be expecting a back to stock restoration.

Hey Jim, there is nothing wrong with modern day comfort in vintage clothing. From the outside and inside my Wagon looks stock. But lift the hood and things change. I also plan on adding disk breaks, power steering and AC. I just keep the hood down and let people think what they want to think. Your going to have a sweet ride there when finished. Like I always say, Just take your time and do it the way you want.

[angib]

I also plan on adding...

One of the best additions I found for my Morris Minor was a soundproofing kit.



I guess you guys have big engines turning lazily, but the Minor would travel pretty much flat out everywhere to keep pace with modern vehicles, so it got a mite noisy. But I was dead proud that after I rebuilt the engine myself it seemed happy to cruise slightly above the top speed reported from road tests back when it was built. Ain't nothing finer than seeing the speedo needle wound round to point towards 'full' on the fuel guage!

But, yeah, modern brakes, tyres, dampers, headlights, suspension bushes, etc all make an old car more pleasant to use.

[ssrjim]

It is a bit of a scary project. I’ve built Teardrop trailers but have not restored a car. It is already far from stock so don’t be expecting a back to stock restoration.

Hey Jim, there is nothing wrong with modern day comfort in vintage clothing. From the outside and inside my Wagon looks stock. But lift the hood and things change. I also plan on adding disk breaks, power steering and AC. I just keep the hood down and let people think what they want to think. Your going to have a sweet ride there when finished. Like I always say, Just take your time and do it the way you want.

We think alike, modern in vintage clothes is good. I think I would lke a seat belt too

[ssrjim]

I also plan on adding...

One of the best additions I found for my Morris Minor was a soundproofing kit.



I guess you guys have big engines turning lazily, but the Minor would travel pretty much flat out everywhere to keep pace with modern vehicles, so it got a mite noisy. But I was dead proud that after I rebuilt the engine myself it seemed happy to cruise slightly above the top speed reported from road tests back when it was built. Ain't nothing finer than seeing the speedo needle wound round to point towards 'full' on the fuel guage!

But, yeah, modern brakes, tyres, dampers, headlights, suspension bushes, etc all make an old car more pleasant to use.

It seems the older I get the less I want to go 65 let alone 75. OK 75 when it is just the yellow truck.

55 seems like a nice speed when towing

but that might be just me...

---

Oh, cool ride!

[High Desert]

Jim that is going to be six kinds of cool for a tow rig!
Always have liked those old Willys. I owned a stock '53 4x4 Willys pickup once upon a time. Tough old beast but a 350 would have been a great improvement under the hood. For a short time I also had a '49 2WD wagon that I saved from the crusher. Passed it on to someone else that restored it. Great project you have there. Nice that someone has already put a lot of time into the running gear, it should be great when you're finished.

[teardrop_focus]

ssrjim

I hope I'm up to the task of getting this fixed up. Seems a little harder than building a teardrop.

Are you a glutton for punishment?



BTDT with old cars for most of my adult life. I'm taking a long break.

It's not so bad if you'll have a dedicated workspace, sheltered from wind and rain... and a lift, or at least four tall jackstands, a good floorjack, etc and a full complement of tools.

I'm going to also echo Andrew's post about sound deadening/insulation:

It is one of the biggest factors in fatigue-reducing driving and a general impresssion of refinement. That is, if you can keep all that glass from rattling around. I take it you're planning a large-scale resto?

Good luck! I'm sure to see this thing in person eventually.