When first purchased in March, 2000 it was known as The Beast. Later it
would be named the Buggie, but it was often referred to as The Zipper Jeep because I kept changing my
mind with upgrades and different ideas.
The Willy's origin is totally unknown. It was registered in Ohio as a 1956 Willys Jeep
when I first saw it. It could be best described as a 1956 CJ5 with CJ3A body. I
have described it using many adjectives since then but none close to a CJ3A.
According to the serial numbers it is officially a 1956 Willies CJ5 Jeep
Universal . The frame was pretty sad, the steering positively scary,
the body so rusted that only duct tape and chewing gum was holding it together. I was
scared to hit a bump trailering it home for fear it would totally fall apart.
Brakes - well they could loosely be called brakes, the basic components were
there and they probably would work with a lot of effort. It was easier
however, to jump out, run in front of the Jeep and throw your body in front of
it to make it stop. It's a quick way to loose friends. It also doesn't work if
the Jeep is going backwards.
But, it did have redeeming features. Dana 44's front and rear from an
International Scout. A Chevy 305 V8 with a T-18 4 speed with super low
gearing and a Dana 20 transfer case. It also had a brand new set of 35" x
15.5 x 15 Interco Swamper SX-TSLs.
First Job was to get it registered in Illinois. If the title was no good than I would need another Flattie. The fine State of Illinois came through. It lost the word Jeep from the title but a title is a title.
Next Page - Next parts - A 1979 CJ5
[The Start]
[First Parts]
[1979
CJ5] [The Frame]
[The Body]
[Body
meets Frame] [Toumbstone] [Extra
Seat Room] [Blocker and Tanker]
[Brakes
and Steering] [Test Drives]
[Details] [Incremental
Willys]
[Incremental Willys Part II]
[Incremental Willys Part III]
[She's getting old]
[Still the best damn
wheeler]
[Timeline]
[Specifications]