Today it’s . . . .
Jeepster! Remember Truckster! 12 about a Willys pickup project digression that was almost done? This is somewhat similar, a 1948 Willys Jeepster project that’s somewhat on hold because of virus’ suppression of travel.
Back in November, my brother heard about one languishing in a barn. This is what it looked like. It had been off the road and stored since . . .1964! It didn’t run.
We adopted it. Hat tip to my brother who has the skills, tools, vision, and energy. So what do I bring to the shop? Well, other skills using his tools and reacting/modifying his vision, and my own pent-up energy, I guess. And . . . the camera now and then.
Here’s the 1948 interior.
By mid-December, disassembly was underway.
revealing an unusual, I thought, frame.
Powerwashing the body revealed what indoor storage on a slightly damp floor can do.
In January, work had turned to cutting out all the floor that was compromised.
Cross support was reinforced. Templates were made and sheetmetal was cut to be tacked in.
In January, the spare engine was completed.
February in a warm garage, I was already wearing a mask while removing rust and in some places uncovering bare Toledo metal. Wearing a mask for body work just makes good lung sense.
In March, we started using primer to determine where more sanding was needed.
A spare, entirely rebuilt GoDevil 4 was fitted to the existing and functional transmission, three on the tree with overdrive.
Since this project is ongoing in a rural upstate county and I live in Queens, by mid-March already, it was obvious that I needed to stay home. My brother’s other projects move into the garage. Once there’s an all-clear signal. I’ll go back up to work on it, and I’ll report back when it’s complete. For now, it runs, shifts, and is registered.
The steering wheel will go, unless someone can explain how to re-resin it. And I hope to pick up on this later this spring or summer.
Stay healthy.
Any other “ster crazy ideas? Maskster? Recyclester? Sportster? Galleyster? Hugster?
. . . mermaid parade Coney Island, June 2009.
tugster: a waterblog 
9 comments
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April 10, 2020 at 11:32 am
Roger
Astounding work on the Jeepster. Truly a resurrection – “Ea-ster”?
-R
April 10, 2020 at 12:47 pm
tugster
Ea-ster!! I love it, Roger. You DO have a way with turns of phrase.
April 10, 2020 at 11:44 am
Phil Little
Roger, that’s great! Wish I’d said that!
This brings back fond memories of my Dad’s 2 Willys Jeep Station Wagons, in which I learned how to drive, and the 2 principles of operating oil-lubricated rotating machinery: don’t over-rev, and don’t run ’em out of oil! Their rod bearings were a little weak, but our family’s mechanic was happy for the work!
April 10, 2020 at 12:27 pm
William G. Hook
Love seeing another great one coming back alive… Keep them going.. I still miss my 62 wagon and Warn overdrive… Thanks!!
April 10, 2020 at 12:31 pm
Roger
As Will and I have discussed, my Dad also had one of those Willys / Jeep station wagons (with the ubitquitous tan paint). I’ve been often teased that I asked my Mom to drop me at the corner (on my way to a Cub Scout meeting in 1955) so my friends didn’t see me arrive in it.
And growing up in Toledo, with SO many friends / relatives working at “The Overland”, the company’s quirky vehicles were often in our lives. Dad’s Willys Aero Coupe most memorable.
Have a picture of my maternal grandfather as a die-maker at Pope-Toledo (Willys predecessor) in 1904.
And the local Zenobia Shrine parade group has dozens of perfectly restored red Jeepsters to delight of all!
-R
April 10, 2020 at 1:20 pm
Peter Berkhout
Thanks needed that
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April 10, 2020 at 1:25 pm
Lee Rust
Perhaps my 2001 Jeep Cherokee will survive long enough to get a similar restoration in 2073. Based on the 16 years that your Jeepster was on the road between ’48 and ’64, my truck is already overdue for a barn hibernation. Looking ahead, I cannot imagine what the world will be like in another 53 years because it’s changed so much in just the past three weeks!
April 10, 2020 at 3:44 pm
James Gallent
Super stuff! Make sure to keep us all posted on the progress once the world gets a little less topsy-turvy!
April 10, 2020 at 8:41 pm
MageB Bailey
When the steering wheel n my Chevy began looking like the one on your Jeep, I found a company online that remakes old ones. Just Google Steeering Wheels.