FenrisSprite's 1951 Willys Pickup
This was a Civil Defense vehicle which had a high-pressure cleaner mounted on the back.
It used to look like the one here.
And since I used to have this 62 Station Wagon (and really liked it), I just figured I should rebuild the 51
The 51 was decommissioned in the 70's and spent 25 years in a barn while the high-pressure cleaner was used mounted on a tractor.
Engine
The engine had been rebuilt in the 60's by the military. All it needed was a freshen-up. I changed rings, bearings and exhaust valves. It runs smooth with excellent response and without smoke.
Local rules prohibit changing to a different engine. Therefore it remains an F-head
Stripping
The rear chassis was first sand-blasted, along with the rear axle and springs. The springs received smoothing, painting and grease before reassembly. The chassis and axle received epoxy and top paint.
The rear axle was blasted and painted.
The rear springs were disassembled, sanded smooth, painted, greased and reassembled.
The front axle was removed and blasted. There was simply too much rust.
It was decided to blast the front frame so the front was removed.
Pretty rough axle
There is a hole in the back of the cab for operation of the pressure cleaner
Body off and front chassis cleaned up
The body is pretty rough. Here are the rusty corners.
and the driver's floor.
The front axle , springs and propeller shaft cleaned and painted.
These are the rear springs. They were disassembled, sanded smooth, painted, greased and reassembled, then given a fresh coat of black here.
Axles back on to facilitate removing the body from the enclosed (too small) shed.
I have yet to repair where the crossmember was hacked.
It was cut to make room for a high-pressure washer which is now sitting on somebody else's tractor.
Dimensions
Body on way to sand blasting
With the body back from sandblasting it's only a matter of replacing rusted metsl.
There are probably too many holes in the firewall, and in the floors.
While waiting for the body, I cleaned up the axle knuckles.
All new brakes, wheel cylinders, flex hoses, copper brake pipes knuckle seals and drive axle seals.
With all the brakes done it's looking more like a completed chassis.
Brake and clutch pedals installed, propeller shafts installed, brakes bled, it should almost drive. All it needs is the rest of the vehicle. I unfortunately don't have a rear bed, but I was thinking of making one from wood.
A bit of body work
Right side done
The back is dented
Working on the left side.
The back panel is straightened, but the metal is stretched. It unfortunately has to have a bit of bondo, though no more than 3mm. It still seems like a lot.
I Finally got that hole fixed in the back panel and a new brace fabricated.
Left floor taken care of.
The bottom is done, and epoxy primed. The cut behind the gearbox hole has also been fixed.
Straightened out the back where it was scraped and smoothed the big hole.
I took the flat roof panel repair off. I'll have to do something with that someday.
The bottom got sealer and more epoxy primer, tinted to match the sand-blasted wheels, then the back got some of the same primer.
Little rust hole on the roof edge
The mirrors had torn big holes in the cowling. They are now reinforced on the back with 1.5mm plate
There were 37 holes drilled in the dash. Mostly for label placques or switches. They were welded closed and smoothed
Epoxy primer
I finally got a piece to put in the roof. A friend had a roof for an Alfa Romeo Beritone he had saved for some hardware. After adjusting the cam timing on his TR6, he gave me the roof.
By measuring the rounding of the original roof and plotting on the Alfa roof, the correct spot was marked.
It fits very nicely. I just have to crimp the edges, be 100% sure of the placement and tack weld it in place.
Roof done
19 holes in the back panel
Inside sanded and primed
Cowling done. The left side had been caved in by the military.
Ready for paint.
While I was waiting for the primer to dry, I saw that windshield wiper mechanism and decided to do something about it.
I got a wiper mechanism from a VW Polo
But it was too long so I cut it.
Then I discovered that the motor was in the way of the spedometer, So I decided to turn the one side the other way around and mount the motor pointing down. Then I lengthened the main bracket so the motor would sit to the right of the glovebox.
A bit of dimensioning and welding and the assembly fits in the original wiper holes and has the correct swept angle.
The finished product looks quite good and works beautifully
Inside, cut-in and dash painted
On it's way back to Kongens Lyngby
