This 1961 Willys Jeep pickup was acquired by the seller in 2009 and subsequently underwent a multi-year refurbishment. Work involved repairing and replacing metal body panels, refinishing the body in red, and installing a Borg Warner overdrive unit along with overhauling the 226ci inline-six, the three-speed manual transmission, and the dual-range transfer case. Additional equipment includes 15″ Cragar wheels, front disc brakes, Warn manually locking front hubs, a spray-on bedliner, and a locking storage box in addition to a cabin heater and a bench seat upholstered in gray cloth. This Willys pickup is now offered with refurbishment records, a service manual, and Connecticut registration.
During the refurbishment, the body was removed from the frame and media blasted, rust and body repairs were performed, a replacement bed was fitted, and the truck was repainted in red. The windshield was replaced along with the body and window seals, and electric windshield wipers were fitted. Further details include tubular bumpers, door frame–mounted mirrors, 4-Wheel Drive hood badges, a spray-on bedliner, a Better Built locking storage box, and a receiver hitch. Corrosion is noted on various scratches.
Chrome-finished 15″ Cragar steel wheels are mounted with 31×10.5″ Wild Spirit Radial RVT tires, and a non-matching spare is affixed to the right side of the bed. The front axle is equipped with Warn manually locking front hubs, and braking is handled by front discs and rear drums that were reportedly sourced from a 1977 Jeep CJ7.
The bench seat is upholstered in gray cloth, while the exposed metal surfaces are finished in red. A heater, defroster, vent windows, and rubberized floor mats are further details.
Instrumentation consists of a centrally mounted 90-mph speedometer with inset gauges for fuel level and coolant temperature. An aftermarket horn has been installed. The five-digit odometer shows 31k miles, approximately 3k of which have been added under current ownership. Total mileage is unknown.
The 226ci Super Hurricane inline-six was overhauled as part of the refurbishment with work reportedly involving replacing the piston rings, crankshaft, and bearings. An alternator was retrofitted and the radiator was recored at that time. An oil leak is noted and the carburetor needs to be rebuilt.
Power is sent to the rear or all four wheels through a three-speed manual transmission, a dual-range transfer case, and a Borg Warner overdrive unit. The transmission, transfer case, and front and rear axles were overhauled as part of the refurbishment, at which time various clutch components were replaced and the frame was boxed and finished in black. A transfer case fluid leak is noted.
Photos taken at various stages of the refurbishment work are viewable in the gallery below.
The truck does not have a title, as it is located in a state that does not issue titles for vehicles of its age. It is being sold on its Connecticut registration, which lists “Antique” under the registered usage section.