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.

Wakefield Willys Update 8.1

So it has been 2 months since I have posted, but work has been steadily been getting done.  Since my last update, I have been patching and welding rust spots on the Jeep Tub.  It sometimes feels like I fix one spot, and 5 more previously unknown problems appear.

The biggest shock was the floor panels.  I knew they were bad, but I thought I could patch it like others had done before.  Boy I was wrong, they needed to be cut out and replaced.

Today, I cut out the driver side floor panel.  It went well.  The frame looks good, thanks to the caked on Pennsylvania Clay.  When I went underneath to inspect the floor, I was stunned to find wood supports.  They are original, from the factory.  They will be taken out and replaced with steel.

The replacement panels come from Classic Enterprises.  They look great, and hope to put the first one in with floor supports very soon.

Wakefield Willys Update 7.2

So I am hoping to get the Willys on the road in 2015.  And days like today tell me it is not going to happen.  Let me explain.

In repairing the tub, I want to fill in all of the holes in the tub from someone drilling into it to attach a top.  And there are a lot of holes.  It is tedious work.  Prep the hole, weld. grind, and then maybe weld again, then grind.  It takes hours to do this work.  In the pictures you can see the process, the holes, the welds and the grinding.  I like doing it, but it takes a lot of time.

Wakefield Willys Update 7.1

So it has been over 2 years since I have created an update.  And that means that for 2 years little work  has been done to the 1960 Willys Jeep.  The main reason for the lapse, is that we just completed major home renovations.  And that included building a garage.  So now, we can for the first time work on the Willys Jeep in the Winter.

So I have set a goal of having the Willys on the road by the summer of 2015.  And I have a lot of work to do.  First up, is the restoration of the driver side of the Jeep.  In the pictures you have the beginning work of removing the paint, and cutting out the bad panels.  

Compare & Contrast : Rear of the Willys

Annual Fall Wrap Up

Every Autumn I wind things down with the Willys as Winter approaches.  To cold to work on the Jeep, and most of the work is body work which does not get done when the temps are under 50F.  So winter brings a break.

So here is where we are, Fall 2012

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 5.12

Progress, and new challenges.

The frame is painted, the rear of the willys is painted.  It is time to assemble the 3 remaining pieces of the jeep.  2 rear panels, and the rear valence with the tailgate.  I wish it was as easy as bolting them to the rear bumper, but it is not.

If you look closely at the rear panel attached and the rear corner they don't match up.  Not surprising considering the age of the tub and it has probably been sagging for decades.

So what to do?  See the engine crane lying there in the background.  I think it maybe time to reassemble it and use it to lift of the rear corner.  I might have to do it on both corners, I am fairly certain both sides will need some help.

So I am going to attach the other rear panel and see how bad it is, and then probably decide to erect the engine crane.  Exciting times, glad the tools are here to work with.

Wakefield Willys Update 5.10

 Slow but steady.

As you can see by the first picture, the replacement pieces are welded in over the rear right fender.  I am not done, I need to do some grinding and go over with the welder one more time.  Then grind again and then we might be ready to paint.

To weld and get ready to move on to other parts of the rear restoration.  I removed the tires so I can get into to weld and clean up the under portion on the rear of the tub.

Did quite a bit of cleaning the frame today, but still a long long way to go.

Once the underneath is cleaned and painted, I will get back to putting the rear panels back on and finishing up the rear.

Can't wait to see this finished.  Should look great.

Willys Wakefield Update 5.9

Still working on the Right Rear.

This was not on the list of fixing up the rear.  But as I was working back there I found holes that were not easily repairable.

So in the picture you can see what I have done.  Cut the bad steel out and plan to weld in a new piece.

The new pieces are fabricated, just waiting for another day to get the new pieces in.

I was able to work on the rear bumper, the rear left and clean up some parts.

A lot of work, but not much to show for it.  Hoping that will change before the snow flies. 

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!

Foiled by my own Handiwork!

This is kinda funny.

See that small grey primer piece of steel?   It is not suppose to be there.

So as I was tearing apart the rear of the jeep, I was getting frustrated.  Why is this corner not coming apart?  It was acting like it was reenforced.  How is that possible?

So as I was able to see inside the right rear corner, and I see this grey L shaped piece of steel welded into the corner.  And then I remembered, I put it there!

Last year when finishing up on the passenger side, I saw some rot in that rear corner and thought I would take care of that by welding a nice strong piece of steel in there.

Fast forward to today, and I am cutting and cutting and getting no where.  I had to laugh.  Foiled by my own handiwork!

Wakefield Willys Update 5.6

Just a quick update.

These 2 rear panels came in from Classic Enterprises, and I am prepping them for installation.  I cleaned them, and will prime them, paint them and set them aside.

Here is the progress on the rear of the jeep, this is going to take a while......

Wakefield Willys Update 5.3

Well, my last update was in March.  That does not mean work has not been completed or on going.  Just not posting anything on the blog.

I have 3 projects I wanted to get done in the Spring.

Dashboard (completed, painted and waiting to be installed)
Windshield (not completed, metal pieces fabricated, still welding to be done and primed and painted.)
Rear Valence (not completed, welded and primed.  Almost done)

The Rear Valence is in the picture.  After some welding and fabrication of some steel pieces to reenforce the strength of the rear valence it is almost ready to be painted.  The rear valence on the 1960 Willys is hardly recognizable.  This is off of the 1957 Willys.  Not perfect but solid.

Within the next few days, it will be painted and set aside to be installed.  Progress.

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.

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 4.8

Well, as the cold weather approaches, it is time to find small projects that are simple and will help when Spring comes.

In the picture are 2 tailgate hinges.  One with the bolts cut off, the other in process.  Also in the picture are the common tools to cut bolts.

An Angle Grinder with a cut off wheel.  A punch, hammer, and a set of pliers.  I can't count the times I have used these tools to cut bolts.  Very necessary when working with rusty jeeps.

From now until the snow flies, I will be doing simple projects like this to set the stage for further body work.  Small, but necessary and helpful.

Tub - Passenger Side Finished