Wakefield Willys Update 8.2

So it has been a month, an update is needed.

More rust has been removed and we are getting closer to full restoration.  I am almost done cutting away the bad stuff and ready to do repair work.  At this point, old paint needs to be removed and a few rust spots cut out.  But we are at that turning point of rebuilding the body.  In fact we already have done some welding and rebuilding.

I probably should have done a frame off restoration, but I am trying to do this on the cheap.  Well even though I have not done a frame off restoration, I am doing a hybrid version of it.  By removing a large section of the floor, I can get to the frame easily.  I have cleaned it and painted it with this undercoating rubberized black paint.  You can see the newly painted frame in the first photo. 

Sitting on top of it is the new floor supports from Classic Enterprises.  It looks good and I am looking forward to welding that into place, but I need to address the gap between the new floor support and the existing floor support.

Farewell to the 1957 Willys Jeep CJ5

Rear Valance Installed!

Great stuff.

The Rear Valance is the last piece to be installed.  The Rear Valance is what holds the Tailgate and the rear floor.  It attaches to the rear bumper and is welded to the sides of the Willys.  The welding part has not happened yet as it is being held on by clamps.  But we are close.

The clamps are straightening it out.  It came from the 1957 Willys and it is a bit out of shape.  I had to fix it up when I took it off.  So it was not perfect. 

Once I get some welding in, I think the clamps could be removed.  Can't wait to attach the Tailgate! 

Wakefield Willys Update 5.8

The work continues..... slowly.

Yes, recently weeks have not been good for the willys project.  Got a few hours in today however.

What takes so much time are little projects like this. 

Drilling holes for the lights and hooks.  Sounds simple, but it takes precision, careful planning and then finally execution.

What was important in this step was the scrap bucket pictured towards the right of the 2 rear panels.  In there are the scrap parts that let me know where to drill.  I could have easily thrown them away but I didn't.  And boy, I am glad I didn't, made this job easier.

At the end of the day, I drilled a few hole and cleaned some parts up.  But it took hours, not minutes.  And that is why sometimes it feels like it is going so slow.

Wakefield Willys Update 5.7

I have been fairly preoccupied with other projects, and taking some vacation time with the family.  As nice as it is outside, I have not put much time into the Jeep this summer.

Well, I got to spend a few hours on it today, and have pretty much did all the demolish work on the rear of the Willys.  Here it is, ready to start the restoration process.

I think I need some sheet metal from the donor jeep and we will be cleaning the rear of this jeep up soon!

Wakefield Willys Update 5.1

 Happy New Year!

Yep it is 2012 & the CJ5 is still not done.  I still have a lot of work this year and I suspect 2013 will start the same way.

Yet progress is at hand.  I had salvaged the dashboard, rear valience and a corner piece from the 1957 Willys.

Salvage work is not just ripping stuff out to save, it takes a lot of work.

The dashboard is a great example.  So many wires, switches and I am going to need to know how to reassemble it with new parts.  It is important to make sure I catalog my work for future consideration.

The end product is in the final picture.  A few more things need to be taken off, and it will be ready to be restored.  Most likely sometime in the Spring.

My hope in 2012 is to have the majority of body work completed.  We will see.

Aluminum Top Removed

Wakefield Willys Update 4.10

FOUND!  1 Willys CJ5 Windshield, and in record time!

I spent several years looking for a tailgate, the windshield was found in less than a few weeks.

This is off of a 1965 CJ5, solid except for the top portion of the windshield that will require some serious welding and steel replacement.  Not that much work, but work nonetheless.

We cleaned it up, with the help of my assistant and will set it aside for the winter. 

This Willys Jeep is a real suvivor, and a true Northeast Jeep.  Parts have come from MA, CT, PA, NY and of course NH to build this CJ5.  Very cool.

Wakefield Willys Update 4.9

We are in the midst of Small Fall Projects.  Already have a few knocked off which feels good.

The windshield was removed from the 1957 Willys, and unfortunately it does not look salvageable.  It  looks fine inside and out, but the hinge corners where completely rotten out.  This is a setback, and hopefully we can find a replacement.

The aluminum top of the 1957 is also completely unbolted.  I cut the last bolt and it is ready to be removed.  That will make way for some more salvage work.

Other than that, we are golden.  Painting for the most part has come to a complete stop.  The overnight temps are not helpful.  Hence the focus on salvage work.

Fall / Winter Projects 2011

I mentioned in the previous post, I am changing gears with the weather and focusing on smaller projects.  Projects that take one day, maybe two.  Painting is optional, depending on temps.

So here is the list: (in order of priority)

windshield removal & evaluation
tailgate hinges restored
rear panel replacement found
rear valence replacement found
rear driver side corner prepped
spare tire restoration
dashboard removal
rear frame restoration
air cleaner replacement
secure battery

Wakefield Willys Update 3.17

Salvage

The Rear Bumper is off. That should be obvious given the picture.

I broke a couple bulbs, but other than that, it is intact and in good shape.

This came off like the front bumper. Cutting some bolts, grinding, and a gentle touch with the sledge hammer.

And when I mean gentle, I mean that sarcastically.

The top will be the hardest to get off, but this was no easy removal. But it is off, and that is what counts.

Wakefield Willys Update 3.16

Other than a few small jobs on the 1960 Willys, the majority of the work is on the 1957 CJ5

Salvage Work

Stripped the Front Bumper of all unnecessary steel. It is fairly close to being ready to be restored, need to take the electric lights off, and we can begin grinding and sanding the bumper down. It could really use it before Winter as there are some serious rust flakes.

Started working on the windshield. Not liking what I am seeing, but am hoping to get it off to take a better look at it and see if it is restorable.

The Rear Bumper, like the Front Bumper is going to require a lot of effort to remove. My initial work and inspection tells me it is going to take several attempts. I am going to have to take the rear tires off, jack it up as high as I can get it, and then we may need the torch. Fun times ahead!