My idea for this rebuild was to upgrade what ever I could by using parts from a donor Cherokee Chief. It ended up being a full on body swap. The '55 Willys body has zero rust and is in excellent condition. All body modifications were done by me and are all in metal with little or no filler. I ended up adding some after market extras but it still hasn't been a bank buster. Frame and running gear are '78 Cherokee Chief. Frame is shortened and motor/trans./t.c. have been moved back 4". The Willys fire-wall is untouched but for filling holes as needed. For now it has a AMC 360 v8 (401 in works), T18 4 spd. with granny 6.34 1st. and hyd. clutch. Transfer case is a D20 with twin sticks and Terra-Lo 3.15 low range gears. Front axle is Wagoneer narrow track D44 with disc brakes, 4.10 gears and detroit locker(ARB later). Rear axle is a Cherokee Chief wide track D44 with drum brakes, 4.10's and Limited Slip(ARB later) for towing. Cherokee wheels are 8x15 and tires are 33x10.50 BFG mud. Extras, power steering and brakes, tilt steering wheel, A/C , elec. wipers, 40 gal. gas tank, bucket seats and Delivery door conversion, rear wheel flares, heavy duty bumpers and hood vents. Recently finished metal work is, front fender widening, 3/16" rock slider/running boards, and door metal work for Wrangler mirrors. Other misc. items are, Painless fuse block wiring kit, 3" mandrel bent exhaust, CJ7 aluminum radiator, behind grill aux. pusher fan, green tinted glass, fully insulated interior, Duraliner coated floors and aluminum interior panels. Body color is stock 1955 Julep Green with stock Jeep 1977 Oak Leaf Brown wheels. Remaining work to be completed is exterior paint. Even with it's basic build it's finishing out well. My idea of just having something a little different for winter use and towing my CJ3a to distant trails has been reached. If there is anything I'd do different it would be using an automatic o/d trans. instead of the 4 spd. Wife doesn't like to shift the truck transmission. Thanks for checking it out. If you have a Willys and a question, ask away.

front view of fenders really show the 3" width added to each. Stopped all the mud getting on windshield.
33" tires clear body at full stuff
rear flares are fenders from Willys truck cut down. They are bolted on for repair or replacement ease.

3/16" iron wrap around bumper is custom made by me. receiver hitch for towing my CJ3a. I converted the wagon tail gates to rear doors. Thats why the wagon side windows.

Because of limited access to back side of dash, I made the re-moveable instrument gauge panel. Vintage Airs largest A/C unit fills glove box and more.

plenty of room for camping gear
fuse box. temporary air/fuel gauge for tuning carb.
Cherokee arm rests have same bolt pattern as stock Willys

the only engine bay modifications required was to inner fender wells and radiator side of grill

headliner/overhead console not completed but a good start.
made of 20 ga. S.S., haven't cut in C.B. radio location yet
Here are the wheels stuffed. BJ Off-road replacement springs
Springs flex very well and have a great ride

rolling back in time with the way back machine we see it in 1988 as purchased in Hawthorne Nv.
runs. barely
wife says she likes it. gotta have that endorsement
I tell Abe it needs a lot of work. He tells me it has the orig. spare. I don't think I'm going to get anywhere trying to work him down on the price.
I pay him $900 and let it go at that. I have a long way to tow home.
1/2 way home. lunch break. 250 more to go.
home safe and detailed check up is in order.
tune up started. 2 bbl. carb is H.P. option for this motor.

major tune-up and a few replacement wear items will hopefully make it run better.
looks good and is completely original.


removed old rewiring and sun baked paint.
orig. paint is so thin I decide to strip body by sanding
sand an area
prime and area
all done out doors. this is a low bugget back yard build
steering wheel is upside down only because the wheels are turned
stock restoration but for powder coated bumpers and wheels

I ran it this way for several years until motor and transmission both needed rebuild.
update: finally got around to installing CB radio in overhead console
CB recessed into console so as not to obscure vision
yeah I wheel it. Nothing hard core but it does the 3 rated trails just fine