I bought a Willys Wagon! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**PRattenbury** · 11-17-2010, 08:18 PM

Yep, it's a 48. I was knocking around on eBay as I will often do, looking at what vehicles are for sale near me. I spotted the wagon for sale, with 3 hours to go and a high bid of $330. It didn't look too awful, and seemed fairly complete. I said ah what the hey. I'll bid $503. I logged off and went to bed. After work today I got back on eBay. I won the Willys. After a really qiuick Google, I discover a 69-72 Blazer/Jimmy has the same wheelbase as the Willys. Actually the 73-87 Blazers and Jimmys have a 106.5 inch wheel base, 2.5 inches longer than the Willys. This is quite do-able. So if anyone near Little Rock happens to know where a rolling chassis might be, I'm a-looking!

bouncytruck · 11-17-2010, 11:09 PM

Sounds like a deal. So you're planning on putting the willys on on a Blazer chassis? I don't know much about the willys (except they are cool) so what is the reason for not running the stock chassis.

69TowRig · 11-18-2010, 12:37 AM

Things got a lot stronger over the course of 20 some-odd years. Those early Willys trucks and Jeeps had pretty flimsy frames. My buddy just picked up a '47 CJ-2A a few weeks ago, that Jeep looks shady. Amazing they helped us win some wars.

sandnuriz · 11-18-2010, 12:47 AM

Cool keep us posted

**PRattenbury** · 11-18-2010, 07:52 AM

I've owned a couple 56 wagons already. I restored one to original condition. The other did run, but it was so far gone I made it a parts wagon for the resto. In original condition, the wagons, although cool, were slow, uncomfortable, and handle like buckets of water. So I want to keep the cool part, but be able to ride on a highway at a reasonable speed if I choose to. Better brakes on a more modern chassis as well. And, Chevy parts are so much easier and less expensive to buy...

71RestoRod · 11-18-2010, 07:43 PM

I've had quite a few Willys wagons, trucks and CJs over the years. I actually bought my '71 initially to do a body swap with a '49 Wagon. The wife talked me out of it. You are correct that the wheel base is the same. IIRC, the frame width is actually narrower but you can make it work no problem. I really like the early wagons that were built through the first half of 1950 because they have the rounded wheel wells in the back and the flat Jeep front grill and fenders. The later wagons remind me of old man fishing rigs... I had a really sweet '49 wagon years ago (different one) that was built to the hilt. It had a 4:88 rear and an overdrive that gave it six forward gears and a 3:66 final ratio. Super light truck. You could burn rubber in second and leave Vetts in the dust, banging gears up to about 70, then they'd pass me up, but it would still run up over 100 if you had the nerve. Can you tell I still miss that old wagon??? Some SOB stole it. I tracked him down 6 mo. later from an add posted on a bulletin board listing parts for a '49 wagon that I figured had to be mine and as it tured out were. Nothing left but a pile of parts, but that's another story...

Look closely behind the '71 in these shots, that's the '49 Willys that I was going to build up using the Blazer frame. Ended up selling it to make room for a '36 Ford project long after the Blazer was (mostly) done.

Cool truck. Have fun.

Ridnhi · 11-19-2010, 10:37 AM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHASS...item255eea04cf

Here is a blazer frame and running gear on ebay for $399.00

Gary66 · 11-21-2010, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ridnhi

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHASS...item255eea04cf

Here is a blazer frame and running gear on ebay for $399.00

Marion Illinois??? I live in Anna Illinois.....hmm

Ridnhi · 11-22-2010, 10:18 AM

[QUOTE=Marion Illinois??? I live in Anna Illinois.....hmm[/QUOTE]

Yep, Just a hair south actually.

bouncytruck · 11-28-2010, 12:41 PM

Here's a rolling chassis on CL in Seattle. http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/pts/2080050019.html

11-17-2010, 08:18 PM	#1
PRattenbury Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maumelle, AR Posts: 478	I bought a Willys Wagon! Yep, it's a 48. I was knocking around on eBay as I will often do, looking at what vehicles are for sale near me. I spotted the wagon for sale, with 3 hours to go and a high bid of $330. It didn't look too awful, and seemed fairly complete. I said ah what the hey. I'll bid $503. I logged off and went to bed. After work today I got back on eBay. I won the Willys. After a really qiuick Google, I discover a 69-72 Blazer/Jimmy has the same wheelbase as the Willys. Actually the 73-87 Blazers and Jimmys have a 106.5 inch wheel base, 2.5 inches longer than the Willys. This is quite do-able. So if anyone near Little Rock happens to know where a rolling chassis might be, I'm a-looking!

11-17-2010, 11:09 PM	#2
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	Re: I bought a Willys Wagon! Sounds like a deal. So you're planning on putting the willys on on a Blazer chassis? I don't know much about the willys (except they are cool) so what is the reason for not running the stock chassis. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L Last edited by bouncytruck; 11-17-2010 at 11:09 PM.

11-18-2010, 12:37 AM	#3
69TowRig Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 894	Re: I bought a Willys Wagon! Things got a lot stronger over the course of 20 some-odd years. Those early Willys trucks and Jeeps had pretty flimsy frames. My buddy just picked up a '47 CJ-2A a few weeks ago, that Jeep looks shady. Amazing they helped us win some wars. __________________ -Chris Building a stripper, one part at a time: 1969 K5, 307, 3spd, 3 seats, hard top. Added Pwr Discs, Pwr Steering, Aux Battery, T-case Skid, Lighted Sidemarkers, HEI, Lock-Right Diff, ECE Class IV Hitch, 32" MT/Rs. Parts to Install: Hand Throttle, Console, Tow Hooks, Dual Horns, AM-FM, Dealer Swing-Away Tire Carrier, Gas Tank Skid. Also building a 1950 Willys CJ-3A and off-roading a 2001 Nissan Frontier on 1-Ton Portals... Last edited by 69TowRig; 11-18-2010 at 12:38 AM.

11-18-2010, 12:47 AM	#4
sandnuriz Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Bakersfield,Ca. Posts: 340	Re: I bought a Willys Wagon! Cool keep us posted __________________ 57 Chevy shortbed,327,Muncie 4 speed,12 Bolt rear end(current project) It's your ride build it the way you want !!!!!!!!!!

11-18-2010, 07:52 AM	#5
PRattenbury Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maumelle, AR Posts: 478	Re: I bought a Willys Wagon! I've owned a couple 56 wagons already. I restored one to original condition. The other did run, but it was so far gone I made it a parts wagon for the resto. In original condition, the wagons, although cool, were slow, uncomfortable, and handle like buckets of water. So I want to keep the cool part, but be able to ride on a highway at a reasonable speed if I choose to. Better brakes on a more modern chassis as well. And, Chevy parts are so much easier and less expensive to buy...

11-18-2010, 07:43 PM	#6
71RestoRod Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Evergreen, CO Posts: 494	Re: I bought a Willys Wagon! I've had quite a few Willys wagons, trucks and CJs over the years. I actually bought my '71 initially to do a body swap with a '49 Wagon. The wife talked me out of it. You are correct that the wheel base is the same. IIRC, the frame width is actually narrower but you can make it work no problem. I really like the early wagons that were built through the first half of 1950 because they have the rounded wheel wells in the back and the flat Jeep front grill and fenders. The later wagons remind me of old man fishing rigs... I had a really sweet '49 wagon years ago (different one) that was built to the hilt. It had a 4:88 rear and an overdrive that gave it six forward gears and a 3:66 final ratio. Super light truck. You could burn rubber in second and leave Vetts in the dust, banging gears up to about 70, then they'd pass me up, but it would still run up over 100 if you had the nerve. Can you tell I still miss that old wagon??? Some SOB stole it. I tracked him down 6 mo. later from an add posted on a bulletin board listing parts for a '49 wagon that I figured had to be mine and as it tured out were. Nothing left but a pile of parts, but that's another story... Look closely behind the '71 in these shots, that's the '49 Willys that I was going to build up using the Blazer frame. Ended up selling it to make room for a '36 Ford project long after the Blazer was (mostly) done. Cool truck. Have fun. __________________ 71 Blazer / GMPP ZZ383 / MPFI / 700R4 / 4-Wheel Disk / Ground-up frame off almost completed resto-mod Last edited by 71RestoRod; 11-18-2010 at 07:45 PM. Reason: busted nut behind the keyboard

11-19-2010, 10:37 AM	#7
Ridnhi Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Marion, IL Posts: 719	Re: I bought a Willys Wagon! http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHASS...item255eea04cf Here is a blazer frame and running gear on ebay for $399.00 __________________ 1972 K5 Auto 4x4 factory air 2007 Silverado extended cab Z71

11-22-2010, 10:18 AM	#9
Ridnhi Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Marion, IL Posts: 719	Re: I bought a Willys Wagon! [QUOTE=Marion Illinois??? I live in Anna Illinois.....hmm[/QUOTE] Yep, Just a hair south actually. __________________ 1972 K5 Auto 4x4 factory air 2007 Silverado extended cab Z71

11-28-2010, 12:41 PM	#10
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	Re: I bought a Willys Wagon! Here's a rolling chassis on CL in Seattle. http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/pts/2080050019.html __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

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