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Looking For Advice On Checking Out Neglected ~54 Willys 2 Door Wagon

Discussion in 'Jeep Truck and FC Tech' started by ChuckD, Feb 22, 2021.

  1. Feb 22, 2021
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    9,754
    Maybe the hinges or door latches bent or binding from lack of lube? Weather stripping swelled or displaced?

    Go REAL easy on the triggers in the door handles!!! If they don't work easy, the pot-metal casting snaps off near the pivot, and replacements are expensive.

    Most likely it would have a flathead straight six engine, or an F-head 134 four.
     
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2021
  2. Feb 22, 2021
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    If original it will probably have a flathead straight 6 in it. It could possibly have a 4 cylinder but not probable. Take as many pictures of everything that you can to help us confirm what it has....engine compartment, inside of dash, seats, etc.
     
  3. Feb 22, 2021
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Most likely used hard and abused. Biggest consideration is looking it over best you can and deciding whether or not you want to spend the money on it and if it's a project you have the ability to handle.
     
  4. Feb 24, 2021
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    As Glenn stated in post#13, that a low ribbed roof, so should be a '59 model. By 1960, they usually had a 1-piece windshield. It looks like most of the trim was removed, maybe for painting? No grill bars, emblems, wipers, hood ornament or latches, stainless strips, bumpers, etc. Are there seats and the speedo inside? If these parts aren't stored inside, replacing them will eat up a chunk of your budget. This one should have a 226 flathead 6 with a T90/D18. It appears to be a 4WD. The body looks pretty solid, but for what I see, but $1500 is too much for an "unknown" condition, especially if the above-mentioned pieces are not there. Is there even a title?
    -Donny
     
  5. Feb 24, 2021
    ChuckD

    ChuckD New Member

    Illinois
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    Feb 8, 2019
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    20
    Thanks Donny - and everyone else. Nice to have the year pinned down, too.

    First question for the owner when I finally got to talk to him was "do you have the title"? Yes, though he did not sign the previous title after the previous owner did, and obviously did not get an updated title. Illinois DMV says that is fine, so moving forward in that respect. Trim was either missing when he bought it or it got picked by neighbors over the 7? years it's been sitting in his side lot. He bought it, parked it, and didn't do anything with it. I was told.

    I'm not looking to restore, necessarily, but things like gauges I want as stock. I could see that stuff being hard to find, i.e. $$. I will call Midwest Willys to get a feel for trim piece cost. This was also recommended by another person on this board or the other I'm working with, so I'd be dumb not to.
     
  6. Feb 24, 2021
    ChuckD

    ChuckD New Member

    Illinois
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    Feb 8, 2019
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    20
    Called Midwest Willys. Could be $1200 just for trim and bumpers, not including side trim or latches. A little less if lower quality for blackout trim. Holy smokes. I forgot to ask about the speedo cost, I was in shock. Thanks for that tip, guys. Given my description, they estimated $1000-1200 made more sense. Will put that in my pocket with all the other good advice from this board.
     
  7. Feb 24, 2021
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
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    Jul 18, 2013
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    5,593
    Bumpers and trim (moreso bumpers) come up for sale on old willys forum somewhat often for reasonable prices. Shipping is often the killer though if seller isn't nearby.
     
  8. Feb 24, 2021
    ChuckD

    ChuckD New Member

    Illinois
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    Feb 8, 2019
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    Shipping cost may just kill this deal for me. Quoted $950 which really means $1100, based on past experience. If I end up walking away, I can put you in contact with the owner. Will post if I do.
     
  9. Feb 24, 2021
    bigbendhiker

    bigbendhiker Member

    U.S.
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    May 26, 2019
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    318
    The last 2 Jeeps I bought I rented a Ford F250 from Enterprise truck rental and a car trailer from UHaul for much less than that. I enjoyed the road trips. One was just a one day trip from DFW to east of Austin. The other was from DFW to Indiana. The first night I stayed in a cheap hotel and the second night on the return trip in the parking lot at a truck stop. I just slept in the back seat and my dog slept on the floor. It was a really nice road trip. If you can spare a couple of days go get it. Plus you can inspect it prior to completing the purchase.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Picture of cheap hotel with dog.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Feb 24, 2021
    Snoops, Alan28 and Fireball like this.
  10. Feb 25, 2021
    ChuckD

    ChuckD New Member

    Illinois
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    Feb 8, 2019
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    20
    This is what I calculated for Budget truck. Others ended up similar. Over $1200 actually.

    1900 miles
    $325.00 .25/mile over 600
    $243.00 3 day rental from Morton
    $568.00 Total truck
    $ 251 U haul trailer 5 days
    $ 412 gas
    $1,230.67 Total trip

    Got a tip on another site about a Facebook group of independents that may charge a lot less.
     
  11. Feb 25, 2021
    SFaulken

    SFaulken Active Member

    Bellevue, WA
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    I gotta say, and no shade or offense intended, but it just boggles *my* mind, the concept of not having a vehicle I can tow with....

    I get that it makes no sense for a fair number of people, I just haven't ever been without one.
     
  12. Feb 25, 2021
    Alan28

    Alan28 Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Châtillon en...
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    If you want to get the Jeep virus, you have plenty choices with less work than on this one.
    Good luck fro the future..
     
  13. Feb 25, 2021
    Mr Vaughan

    Mr Vaughan

    yeah, we've always had something to haul our junk around
     
  14. Feb 25, 2021
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    FWIW I've:
    - Towed a Willys Wagon home with a MH and rented tow dolly
    - Flew to FL and drove a '66 Rambler home to MI
    - Drove from MI to NY with a rental car to drive back with a Buick Roadmaster wagon
    - Paid to have a CJ6 shipped from TX to MI

    All four retrievals ended up costing ~$800 by the time it was all said and done.

    I suppose if you own a trailer and a vehicle capable of trailering one home it could be done cheaper. I've owned vehicles that could do the towing but never wanted or needed a bit flatbed.
     
  15. Feb 25, 2021
    ChuckD

    ChuckD New Member

    Illinois
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    Feb 8, 2019
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    Well, the point for me is to learn about the powertrain while I rebuild or refresh everything, and have something interesting to go get lumber or mulch in. Or drive on days the garage princess 914 shouldn't go out (don't make the rust worse - very important).
     
    Glenn likes this.
  16. Feb 25, 2021
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Then you need a truck, not a wagon.
     
  17. Feb 25, 2021
    ChuckD

    ChuckD New Member

    Illinois
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    Feb 8, 2019
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    Well, I'm just starting to get into the junk "business" as retirement looms. Thought I would be like you guys when I was 19, was car crazy but broke, but life went a different way. 2003 Honda Odyssey is my truck. Hauled the babies around until they drove themselves. Towed lots of things up to the 3500# limit (maybe a touch beyond).
     
  18. Feb 25, 2021
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Or a small trailer.
     
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  19. Feb 26, 2021
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    I had a friend's brother haul an FC150 using a tow dolly from western Nebraska to the NC coast. He was making the drive to see his brother anyway. He was happy with the $200 for fuel that I paid him. He said he didn't even know the FC/tow dolly was behind his Ford diesel pickup for the trip.
    I wish I could line up more cross-country transports like that.
    -Donny
     
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