Discussion Forum - Northstar Chevelle Club

A co-workers Dad has this truck, and is contemplating selling it. Here's the text he sent me:

This is a 1948 Willys 4WD (the actual model number) pickup. It was originally a ½ ton, but the springs were re-arced and another leaf was added, which made it the equivalent of a ¾ ton. (It has leaf spring suspension front and back) The leafs were also mounted above the axles which elevated the body a few inches. When I bought it, it was still a 6 volt electrical systems and had the original 4 cylinder flathead. The engine developed a cracked block after a few years, so I set about to upgrade it. It was converted to a 12 volt electrical system, has a 350 Chevy V-8 installed, power steering from an International Harvester, with a Pontiac Tilt steering column, a heater from a Toyota, and different gauges. Also black bucket seats from some vehicle, I forget what. Probably the same Pontiac that gave me the column. And a bigger radiator from a Chev. It also has heavy duty, channel beam style, military front and rear bumpers.

It still has the original T-90 transmission and I found an original Borg-Warner reduction unit for the transfer case, which is also original and was used for years. It has the original Dana differentials as well. As you might guess, I twisted a few axles out of the back unit. Surprisingly, I never damaged the transmission. Yes, it still has the four wheel drive with the addition of lockout hubs up front. It could climb a steep enough hill to put the rear bumper into the dirt when it was in 4-wheel low.

When my oldest son turned 18, I gave him the Willys since he had helped me during a lot of the building. He drove it awhile, and then got a bug. He pulled the engine and disassembled it, and disassembled the tranny, got bored with it, joined the Army, and gave the truck back to my by the time he was discharged. It has sat since then, first out in the yard, and then in the garage. I no longer have the V-8, but the tranny, transfer case and reduction unit are all still here. I had at one time flirted with the idea of doing a J-10 conversion I saw in a 4-wheeler magazine, but never did.

With this, I should still have the original parts taken out, like the steering and the heater and gauges. I also have extra sheet metal for this one from acouple different trucks that I crossed paths with, and I am including a set of huge mudder tires on white spoke wheels that were on it in it’s glory days.

If you're interested in buying, PM John D and I'll forward the contact info.