Diamond Plated 1961 Willys from Craigslist

Well, I know the thread from the Classifieds section will expire, so here we go. Guess I'll start with pictures, cause the CL ad dsrt4 found making the OP is already deleted.



Originally advertized as a "one of a kind" due to the complete diamond plate wrap, runs, drives, no brakes, bad battery. 2 years out of operating inspection in PA, allegedly a "shuttle shift" trans, twin stick, $1600.

The half cab is what got me started on it, BTW none of these pics are from the ad.


Lockable tool box rear.


The start of the story posted by me in the OP:
1st post:
After seeing the ad, this odd little half cab caught my interest too, so I had to call on it yesterday because it looked to me to be a TBI in there. Maybe I could have an old-school with fuel injection for a winter DD and peddle Rusty my winter YJ? Well, he did call me back today.
Guess when he bought it some years ago, it was sitting, needing a power plant. The body was already done in the aluminum. He pulled the engine, POR15'd the frame where he could and 4.3L TBI'd it. Fires right up. It IS the original twin stick in it. From the way he talked it has a 3 speed like my Jeepsters do, as his idea of shuttle shift was reverse was directly across from 1st, not over and up or over and down to one side or the other. So it sounds like the stock 3 speed trans to me. The firewall's welded in from a 79 so the 4.3 would fit. Floors and mounts to frame are all good he said. Column updated and power steering added. The booster is YJ, but the master is for 4 wheel drum brakes. He told me the pedal sinks, the lines are all good, but the back wheels appear wet from under the backing plates, but it doesn't loose a lot of fluid. He also said it has a line-lock so the front brake can act as an e-brake or to burn rear tires without moving like a real race car. hahaha. He stated the ol' Jeep is geared so that 50mph is max speed before it breaks up and rolls, scattering across the freeway.

Either way, since I'm a sucker for old, ugly, Jeep, odd, rare and uncommon I'm making a trek to look at this thing tomorrow. I have him pre-reduced in price to $1400, I'll post what happens.
2nd post:
Well, just got back into town after buying the '61. We got him down to 1300 since the wipers didn't want to work and the idle was surging. Has dual exhaust that's quiet on it and it drove up onto the tow dolly with ease. Two fuel pumps on it since there's no tank baffle - the one in the tank and one on the frame so it won't loose fuel pressure off road. The seller threw in a set of repainted wagon wheels on the deal and the face plate for the stereo, a Sony Xplode. The real fun began about 60 miles after picking it up, soon after we had stopped to eat. The Boss' Dodge Hemi wigged out going up a big mountain and lit up the warning lamp for the throttle control system (good reason to hate fly-by-wire). The Hemi started bucking and chugging, then the light started flashing and it seemed as if we were going to be stuck. BUT, the Dodge pulled through and got us home without dying! Have to check out what failed in the A.M; I am too tired to even unload the Jeep at this point. Just glad to be back home right now!
3rd post:
Well, it started. And the seller said the battery was dead! Oh right, I WAS supposed to be tired and call it a night. Well, there's no breeze and it's holding at 30 degrees outside, so what can I say, I'm going to tinker. Pics of new toy have to wait till there is daylight.

The good: It was inexpensive to purchase. It starts. It's quiet. Actually has a shiny gold anodized starter on it that looks like it was put on yesterday, like it just crapped out after posting the CL ad. Old one's on the passenger cab floor. The oil pressure gauge works and is over 25 psi at idle. Alternator recharges a dead battery. The voltage gauge works and reads 14 at idle. The turn signals blink (including dash indicators), the tail lights work and the headlights work. The twin stick seems solid as does the clutch and trans. The 2 old school clear beehive marker lamps hanging off the back bottom of it are the backup lights, they work too. The column's a tilt GM, so that's slick, makes getting in and out easier. The roll cage does not interfere with vision or comfort and it's solid to the tubs' re-enforced 1/4" plate floor which is 2" blocked up from the nice looking frame. No leaks of any kind from the engine. All the glass is good. Has a set of decent looking Ranchos on it. The bench seat is comfortable and the rig has shoulder/lap belts that latch through the holes in the bench seat holes kinda like how a YJ holds you in. The aluminum overlay is cool. It's an old job, but it has a nice clean fit and it's held up well. I'm the first guy to say I really don't care for diamond plate on anything unless I'm walking on it. However, since this overlay exceeds any kit coverage while still looking pro done, it's really grown on me.

The bad (so far): Can't stand the faded red primer on the doors. Driver's window won't roll down. Passenger side has no crank to try. Think I hear a vacuum leak, TBI's hate that. Most likely causing the idle to be a tad high about 1100 rpm on the low end of the surges it idles with. I'm not too certain on the 2 pumps deal, at least not both running at the same time, because I would think the fuel volume becomes an issue especially at an idle, so there will be tinkering tomorrow on that. Lack of any brakes. Has "lot brakes". You know the kind, if you are going under 2 mph the rig can stop, but your foot is on the floor. No brake lights. Wipers are separate electric motors, but neither works on preliminary attempt. Something rattles underneath when in motion. And finally why are the park lamps wrong, I should have tiny park/turn beehive lamps. Is it really a 68 grille like the lenses are marked? Too dark to investigate - turned over to daytime investigations.

Pics tomorrow after I figure out what f-d up on Bossmans Hemi. Sick part of that is after we arrived, he finally shut the truck off. I had told him time and time again to shut the dang Hemi off and re-start it to see if it resets as we limped back. The truck was acting like the gas pedal wasn't being pushed and with the dolly/CJ load the engine behavior was only OK at exactly 60mph on a relatively flat road. Under or over 60 it bucked. Hills, heck we slowed to 35 a few times! NO CEL either, just the lightning bolt lamp, which on just about any OTHER brand vehicle would be the charging system!

I really dislike not being able to travel in an antique conveyance during the winter because I hate to see them die from our salt-and-brine-spray road departments deicers. And fuel injection is just too damn convenient in the winter. THIS rig changes all that. It has zero original classic historic-ness to worry about retaining. Hopefully soon there will be a YJ up for sale.......

 

Well today the battery was dead, but it did let the electric pump power up and buzzed at the starter a bit. Seller did say the battery sucked.
I don't like the rustiness of the battery to frame ground...

Started up fine with a good battery, stays idling high for some time.


Shot of the tilt column....

Inside roof...




Under the left rear.....

Under the right side, can see the body lift...

Here's the in-line pump for the TBI, there is also one in the tank!!!

It's a Kelley Manufacturing top, I'm sure it was chopped to fit as a half-cab....

Power brakes, steering and an A-OO-GA horn (sounds a bit sickly).....

Confirming my original thoughts on the grille/park/turn lamps being wrong....

The nose....


Out of nowhere today the brake lights decided to work and the passenger wiper started working, though it moves rather slow. Got all the locks I have keys for to work, but there's no key for the passenger door. Driver's window rolls down with a little help for the first inch.

Need to get it on the rack and find out why the brakes are so dead. So far looks like a fun new Jeep.

 

HELL YES!!!!! Thats awesome!! I would say the money was well spent!

 

Even though it's cool as is in its Patina. I would so polish all that treadplate up on that jeep! I SOOOOO want that top!

I remember this thread from past searches.

http://www.marine31online.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50

 

Grill actually looks to be from a '74.
Doesn't look like my '60 at all there on the top.

Shrugs on that, because they may fit. Haven't tried myself. Sometimes the boltholes just line up for you

 

Thats a pretty sweet find there, enjoy your new project.

 

Yeah, all the guys who stopped by agreed it must have been bling-bling when it was first installed. A real sun glare thrower! The seller got it in 06, so there's some idea as to how long ago it was done.

I'm thinking I'd prefer a proper 61 grille, I like the smaller park/turn lamps on them. I saw the same 3 back window top on a 58 Willys, but it was full sized, not a half like this.

Oh no, not the P word! This is the first thing I've bought that didn't need a new floor in I don't know how long!

I'm thinking black on the doors, black on the rims, add chrome lugs and try to stumble upon a proper grille when I'm not looking for one.:toetap:
It appears there is a ton of air in the brakes for some reason. Got a lot out of the RF and LR. Has a half-pedal now on the brakes. Still haven't road tested "Willy" yet. One rattle appears to be the loose front bumper, gonna need new chrome carriage bolts, the existing ones will never tighten again since the threads were exposed and are now worn off.

I'm also seeing two fuel pumps under the bed, the one pictured and there is another on the other side!:? And he said there's one in the tank?:? Yikes! Saw another pretty dumb thing - the PCV hose has been run to the spacer riser on the TBI, it needs to get manifold vacuum for sure. Might be a contributing factor to the idle issue as well.

Since the shop's closed on Sunday, I'm gonna try and get "Willy" on the lift for a once-over and some better underneath pics for you all. Now, I must edit my signature and head home!

 

Sorry for the use of the p word. Mine are always in a project state... I've got a 72 cb500 thats my regular bike I've driven for 4 years that I still call a project since I'm always doing something to it.

Good luck!

 

After doing a 20 some odd year stint as a volunteer fire fighter where aluminum diamond plate is used on fire trucks.
After the first winter drive on roads treated with mag chloride the diamond plate is irreversibly ugly.
I would not choose to use it on anything I own. Doing this is on par with painting a whole vehicle with rhino liner.

That said I suspect its rusted away under the diamond plate. It hard to see any of the back half of the tub that
is original.
Love the half cab.
To me it looks mostly a mid 70's AMC Jeep. VIN tag and the hood maybe the only parts I can see that are '61.
Is it a 81 inch wheel base?

 

I think it's bitchin!

I've seen guys polish up LOTS worse . Sure looks to be pre 72 for the most part. Not like any of that matters because of the extensive modding.

It would be neet if it was 72-75 since those are the best years for cj5's

 

And that was a hand cloth rub - imagine like the video link above with a power buffer. Horrid mess of vile black death flung everywhere!mehh

I changed 4 of 6 plugs. Fixed the ground for the plate light and those battery cables to frame. Got more air bled out of RF and LR, no air from LF or RR!
Re-routed PCV to port on TBI. Extended the door latch with a three washers under each screw to see it the driver door would stay shut. Seems to work.

Latch looks good and now it works good since I shimmed the striker.

Door handle is obviously replaced, looks great, nicest thing on this rig!

Passenger handle is rough and key-less....


Anyway, Willy started up and seemed not to surge as much. Idle is at 1800 easy. Stays there for a about 3 minutes and drops to 1500 or so. Holds that idle speed until 7 or 8 minutes have passed. Once it idled down, I took Willy out for a test travel. That TBI 4.3 scoots in that little rig! it's snowy and icy out and it did just fine like you'd expect. Couldn't travel long due to no wiper and having no heat doesn't help either. Heater hoses get hot, to F the OEM heat, I'll mock up something better - just need to get it to fit along this.......

and on the driver side.....


Now where was that wiper wiring connected??????

 

Get ya a good mask and start flinging the black death!

Meh....I have seen worse wiring in a jeep....WAY worse...

I have a new set of those exterior door handles. Got mine from local true value hardware. I can get part# for ya. I think they were $15 a piece with keys. Sold separately though. So you'll need a driver and passenger door key.
I would expect that 4.3 could be a rocket with some light mods.
Glad it is a working out for you... Looks likes its going to be a ton of fun!.

 

Also...what's the floor pan look like front inside! Looks to be 76 and newer.... again... not that it matters.

 

It appears there is a 1/4 plate under the floor that is definitely not OEM, cause I see no under seat box, fine with me I like the extra floor room, and Bosco, my cat, seems to like it too. He's been all over this rig since I brought it home! Bosco has tons of room under the bench seat. There's even room for a kicker box to go in behind the seat! The sides of the tub are OEM, I've got some pics of inside the back toolbox:



Yes, it appears there is a quarter panel over the OEM quarter on the right side and then the diamond plating. Nice and thick! LOL!



Modded, modded, modded. Good thing this ain't Barrett-Jackson, cause this rig's no beauty queen!



The PVC pipe just comes in from the right and dead ends inside the LR wheel tub. NO idea what that was for.:? I need to get wipers to work and some form of heat going and I'll be rollin' Willy every day!:driving:

 

Oh yes. We have wipers. Maybe not good blades, but we have wipers. Had 2 issues.mehh 1st was the ground after I traced the wiper harness into and through the wiring jungle. Connected to a relay, through a fuse, mounted to the YJ heater box that's been modded in there.:smash: Anywho, there was a daisy-chained ground for the relay that was loose - hence the intermittent passenger wiper. Meanwhile, I pulled the D/S motor out and disassembled it. Pulled the switch cover and all looked great. So I put that back on.
Pulled the shaft plate cover's 4 screws and then I powered up the motor with some test leads off a hot battery. Motor worked fine. Went back to look at the cover/shaft assembly and found it was seized up. So bad in fact that the extension housing broke loose from it's press fit to the cover. Probably happened because the rubber outside seal was completely deteriorated.
Had to soak the shaft for a bit then broke out the hammer and got it to move to the housing point. A 4" piece of 1/4" brake line laying on the workbench was handy to drive the shaft the rest of the way out. Cleaned up shaft and housing tube. Mig welded a few tacks to hold the housing and made sure the mounting sleeve would still fit. Ground one tack weld down a little and then I used petroleum jelly to lubricate the housing and shaft since the other wiper related threads here had mentioned that works well. Reassembled, reinstalled and voila! Independent wipers all electric style.:drool: Drivers side beats the passenger side in speed! Now to find some blades that are not as hard as a rock! Ideas anyone?:?

After that was done I re-examined the YJ heater mod since there are no heater controls in here other than the red switch mounted under the dash for the blower. Rotate it right one click and it goes on high with a bright center knob light, click another right and the light dims and the blower slows, one more to the right and the light barely lights and the blower is on slow.
None of the cables are connected to anything, so I played with the blend doors' position and here it was in the cool position. Soon as I moved it, the heat was flowing great. Still not sure on the multiple fuel pumps deal and the extensive high idle time. I actually timed it - 12 minutes till it idles down. Going for another test travel in a while, see if any air ever hits the window, but then again with this small cab might not need to if it's all warmed up.

Remaining issues: NO fuel gauge! No temp gauge! Don't feel any air at "defroster vents", no idea where the hot air goes when you flip that door. E-brake needs extension and angled mounting to the dash, looks YJ to me, there's no wire on the switch either. Brake cable moves by hand OK though. I have no CEL that I see at "bulb check" LOL. Have to see how my scanner reacts to this OBD1 set up, it's usually fussy about proper ID entered to see the data streams and codes. If it catches me trying to lie to it, it goes to mismatched communications. I'm going to try and ID this 4.3 date code so I can have a better guesstimated VIN ID to tell the scanner.:twisted:

One of my buddies was just here, before he left he said "Wow that's cool, you have a fuel injected 61 Willys."

What could I say, but yes I do, don't I?nelson haha

 

Might look to see if the thermostat is missing.

How long does it take to warm up?

 

It takes a full 8 to 10 minutes for the idle to go to purr-quiet. I had already checked for a 'stat and it has a good one that opens properly.

Never got to test travel the other day because one of the pumps quit right when I was ready to try. Tore it all apart this morning to see the chaos they created by the fuel tank. There was the line out of the tank, into a filter, then another filter, into the first pump which still worked, but is marked as being 5.5 to 9 PSI, not enough for the TBI, then into some homemade fuel box with 4 fittings. Then the line left that box and into another filter before it went to the pump that died, it made noise, but no flow. Then onto the TBI and from the TBI the return came back to the fuel box and out the other side and finally into the tank.

So, all that's been bypassed. I even pulled the homemade tank down and found one line to be rotted at the sender. It was being used as the pickup line with just a hose on it in the fuel and the other line that had the strainer was the return?!?!:? Not sure if they knew they screwed up the connections. I welded the bad line shut on the sender and hooked the pump to the strained pickup line and then ran the return to a vent fitting that is in the upper corner of the rear of the tank.

Now there is a Jeep canister filter off the strained pickup hose from the tank, into one of the old 5/16 inline filters that was still free flowing, into my new $49.00 10 to 14 PSI pump. I changed the oil and filter too and removed the useless mirror on the driver's side and replaced it with an old motorcycle mirror! Looks vintage and works great due to it's wide angled lens.:smash:

Working like a charm, just got back from a 3 mile test travel with heat and all!
So I have $1300 + 13.62 for plugs + 14.95 for oil change + 49.65 for a pump = 1378.22, so I'm rollin home tonight in my "new wheels" for under $1400!!!!!!!! Woo hoo!:driving:

 

Well, ol' Willy's been great for the last few days and then this morning I go out to head to work and I find someone smashed the left rear glass and tried to pry the door window frame at the glass in at least 3 places, shattering the D/S window all over the interior!:evil:

Anyone here have a driver door glass for a Kelly Manufacturing top?

The rear is flat glass, I know a glass guy who can take take of that, I'll have to ask him what he thinks on the door window situation when he stops by in a few days. Meanwhile, I guess I'm back to traveling in Rusty, my YJ.mehh

 

OK tell me why somebody would want to break in a beat up old jeep . nothing in there to steal is there . or is it the neighborhood

 

Well, that does suck, what did they think they were going to get?
Several years ago I bought my Commando, no door locks. I have a dummy tape player in the dash (The magic smoke left it a few years ago, the real audio system is in the console) Nothing has ever been taken out of it and I don't live in the "Best part of town".
I don't understand what some people are thinking.