So my brother 19yrs old goes out and buys a 1963 Willys Wagon. He has no tools, no where to work on it and has never turned a wrench on anything. She's a solid original rig. The body has some rust/rot, it has a Dana 44 rear, some new parts, runs and drives great. So heres the problem, he has been bit by the bug, one trip off roading along with me and my buddies and he wants to tear the Willys Wagon all apart and build a serious rig out of it. I have the space and tools/equipment and know how to do it, he has the time and $$$$ but being as though I have never turned a wrench on an old Willys Wagon I have got a case of "Builders Block" I guess thats what you could call it. So I ask here on this board for some inspiration, tips, suggestions, photos whatever you may have to offer so we can start building him this rig. Thanks in advance to all those who contribute!

We basically need to decide on a drivetrain, axles, suspension. :confused:

My brother is the same way. He wants to turn his 89 bronco into something that can outperform my jeep but starts throwing tools when he gets a rusty bolt. I blow him off and keep my schedule full so maybe he will eventually forget about the idea. Anyway if you want to help out your brother. Build it bulletproof so you don't have to fix it all the time.

Don't get me wrong I don't mind at all helping him build the truck. He is a fast learner, determined and doesn't get frustrated easily. He is more than willing to learn. He's not trying to outbuild anyone elses rig in our group of friends or anyone else out there. He just wants a good solid trail rig and chose the Willys Wagon for the foundation because he wanted something different then our friends rigs! Again the problem is "Builder Block" what engine do we use, what tranny, what transfer case, what axles or do we even need to swap them out, it has a Dana 44 rear! Do we box the frame? Arggghh!

Take the time to teach him to do it hisself . You know the old addage give a man a fish feed him for a day, teach the man to fish feed him for a life time. Get a 4wheel drive catalog or whoevar you all use to get parts fine the catalog to fit his rig and let him see how much it will really cost to start takeing it apart and putting it back togethar. At his age a good solid running rig is more important than a offraod rig. it will be easier for him to get to work and make money to build his rig as he goes this way. Start out with projects he can do on his day off. Suspension, body workm, little stuff to see interested he really is.

I'm getting ready to start a 1950 Wagon that is all stock except the chevy 350 thats been swaped. I'm going to strech the frame to run chevy 52" in th front. I'm changing the tranny out for a chevy th 350 and 203 tcase. Power stearing and power brakes from my donnor 75 chevy. 63" chevys in the rear. Full wideth chevy 1 tons with 4.88's both looked. 3 in body lift. I'm trying to clear 39.5 boogers. Oh yeah there is a 142 blower in the works to help power it.

so, you made up this elaborate story just so you could ask for Built Willys Wagon pics????

:cow:

Willys Wagons kick ass!

Look for the show TRUCKS! He built a really nice one. If you want to turn it into a good trail rig, that you and your brother don't spend every waking hour and minute fixing then swap it all. Go ahead and get 60's front and rear. An NV4500 tranny, atlas tcase, and the motor of your choice. I suggest fuel injection. Then add armor, and keep building more stuff.

if it runst strong and has a d44 in the rear - drive it...

add leaves to the leaf packs and longer shackles for a little lift, lock the rear and fawking run what you got...

i see no reason to swap out a running drivetrain...

maybe but the cancer out and re-do the floorboards...

drive till sh|t breaks - then upgrade that part...

Well after hours spent on the internet and a few beers with some friends discussing the options and possiblities regarding the Willys. Here is what we came up with so far. Please let me know what you think. Chevy 4.3L Vortec V6 Fuel Injected, NV4500, Dana 300, SOS Suspension with Revolver Shackles-maybe! Ford 9 Inch Rear Axle and Dana 44 Front or we might do Chevy 350, SM475, Dana 300, Ford 9 Inch Rear, Dana 44 Front, SOS Suspension with Revolver Shackles. The Body will get some new sheet metal here and there as well as a full cage or maybe just a cage over the 2 front seats and I guess the height of the truck will determine what size tires we run. Should we do 60's instead?

If you do 60's the first time you wont have to redo axels if he desides to go with more lift in the future.