Wakefield Willys Update 2.3

Well, we have come to a halt on the brakes. Here is why.

I had bought the right parts for the project but soon discovered that somewhere along the way someone upgraded the front brakes. We compared the 1957 with the 1960 and the front brakes are different. They should be the same.

Now the upgrade was a good idea, so we have decided to keep the current set up. But that meant sending back parts and ordering new parts. The problem there was that the new parts are way more expensive. $200 more to be exact. Hence why we have stopped, no pun intended.

So the plan is to sell off unused parts on eBay and Craigslist and raise the $200 needed to get the correct upgrades. Hopefully we can get back on track very very soon.

Wakefield Willys Update 2.2

Brakes.......

Started work on getting the brakes to work. Tore the floor boards out, removed the Master Cylinder and broke a brake line in the process. No surprise there.

More work tomorrow, but there is progress. The Willys continues little by little coming to life and being transformed into a rebuilt vehicle.

Wakefield Willys Update 2.1

It's running! I set out to rebuild and clean the carburetor, and change the oil this Saturday. Surprisingly, the rebuild and cleaning was easy.

Until I turned it over and saw that I caused a hairline crack in the fuel line reattaching it to the carb. I thought I had really blown it and we were in trouble. And to boot, I could not get the oil plug off. Very frustrating.

Alas, our tech expert showed up, with tools to get the oil plug off and a bender to put in a new fuel line. After a few minutes we had it running! Who Hoo!

So after changing the oil, replacing a fuel line and rebuilding a carb, the Willys was running without any trouble.

Very very very good day

Weekend Plans

Hope to rebuild the carb, and change the oil. Hopefully simple projects that can ensure this Willys Project keeps running! Watched this video on youtube, read some articles and talked with our tech expert and think we are ready.

Ordered parts through www.4wd.com. They have a great vintage section. Looking forward to the weekend!

Wakefield Willys Update 2.0

Today it is pushing 90 degrees, which is crazy. And the activity with the Willys Project has heated up as well. Here is what has happened this Spring so far:

Cargo Trailer equipped to haul a "Willys"

The "Bondo Jeep" was stripped, and it's chassis was sent to the scrap yard.

As mentioned, a 1960 Willys CJ5 purchased.

Now the 1960 Willys runs, but it needs the following changes:

Master Cylinder ( no brakes at the present moment)
Rebuild the Carburetor
Gasket for Manifold Exhaust

If we get these done, we will be in excellent shape. Drew is looking forward to take it out and have some fun with it.

Other items on the immediate list to do are to take the L-Head Engine out of the 1957 Willys, remove it's top and begin stripping it for teardown. Sell some parts that we will not be using, and make plans to remove the 1960 Willys Tub. It is a very exciting time, and we hope to make a lot of progress as the temps heat up.

Picts of 1960 CJ5 Willys

New Addition: 1960 Cj-5 Willys

Yep, with Spring here we decided to get moving on the project. Pictures will follow, but here are the basic details.

Picked it up just south of Binghamton, NY in PA. Good frame, running F-Head and a so-so body. Had it running, but it needs some TLC. Plus a few gaskets and a master cylinder. A good start to getting it on the road.