Have any of you seen a dump bed on a Willys pickup? The seller refers to it as a factory option, but I can’t find anything about it other than a mention of the ’57 pickups having one as an option. It’s posted here on craigslist in Yuba City, California, and they’re asking $12,000. Here is the original listing, and thanks to T.J. for the tip!
Dump bed or not, $12,000 for this 1951 Willys 4×4 pickup seems too good to be true to me. Is this real? I hope so. This truck appears to have been totally restored, and we all know you can’t do that inexpensively, and then there’s the cost of the truck itself before the restoration. $12,000? I hope this is real. A V-shaped grille with horizontal bars was introduced for the 1950 model year.
Whatever the dump bed is, it’s cool as heck and would be super handy for emptying a load of gravel, mulch, firewood, or whatever. The bed appears to be lined with diamond plate, so it should be ready for decades of hauling. The seller has provided great photos of this beauty, including many showing the hydraulic lift mechanism.
I wonder if it’s a misprint and the seller really wants $22,000? This interior looks like it’s been totally restored and appears perfect. Willys-Overland came out with the Jeep pickup in 1947 and offered it until 1965, and GarWood Company made the Dump-O-Matic, so that’s what I’m guessing this is. A gentleman named Gar Wood (I kid you not) invented the hydraulic dump bed way back in 1912, with the patent being approved in 1915. If the name is familiar, he also made the fabulous Gar Wood boats.
The engine should be a Willys 134-cu.in. F-head-four with around 70 horsepower and 114 lb-ft of torque when new. This one appears to be wearing a carb replacement, but the seller doesn’t give much information, other than it runs great, has good tires, and has a hydraulic leak. It’s backed by a three-speed manual sending power to all four wheels when needed. Any thoughts on this almost-too-good-to-be-true Willys pickup?
Be about the coolest š landscaping truck in town š³ š”
This is one unique Willys with that dump bed I never knew they made them. And I never knew Gar Wood had anything to do with dump beds. My Dads father and Uncle both were partners owning a Mahogany Wood Garwood boat with a cuddy cabin on it ( most were open) Gar Wood was huge into racing boats and is a very interesting individual if you look him up. I’ll have to ask my Dad if he can find the pictures. ( It’ll give him something to do.)
Back to this truck. I love it Scotty. Great article and great research too. I always appreciate the time the Barn Finders spend researching what they write
If anyone is interested here is the an ad. The boat is similar to the one I mentioned.
FWIW, Driveinstile, this years 51st Lake Tahoe Concours dā Elegance is celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Gar Wood Boats with them as the Marque Class 08/8-9..šš»
Thanks, guys! I would love to have this truck, but that asking price sure seems lean to me. Growing up next to Lake Superior, I know the Gar Wood name well. They were a step above Chris-Craft from what I remember, and we could barely afford a 14-foot aluminum rowboat. Your family’s cabin cruiser would have been fun to own!
Hey Scotty, yes my Dad had fond memories from when he was a little kid on it sadly, my Dads father died when my Dad was 7 years old, the boat was sold not long after that in the late 40’s. Thats about all I know of it.
Sounds an awesome family boat . Looking fwd to any pics Driveinstile šø š
Very cool and unique Jeep.
It’s an amazing find, no doubt. Regarding the dump bed, I’m pretty sure none came out of Toledo. There were hundreds of aftermarket firms that dressed up a Jeep. Everything from PTO driven implements, welders, 2 bottom plows, grader blades and dumping beds, to name just a few. Very handy. Anyone that’s “picked rocks” all morning, and “unpicked” them from a regular box, knows what I mean. Very close to mine with the Chevy V8. The current setup will have it’s limitations, and I’m sorry, I can’t justify 5 figures for a slow going, ill braked,( especially heaped with rocks) noisy rattlebox is just out of the question. The cheese here is obviously it’s rarity and unusualness, which should wear off during the 1st drive.
All that aside, it really is a wonderful example of one.
By the way, it should be noted, and this will surely jinx it, the staff must have done some work, as most comments seem to be printed. Still got Harrisons triple posts, however. Thanks,,:).
Very COOL!
I owned a 63′ with a dump bed. Originally had been owned by a local cemetery. Had an inline 6 cylinder engine. Mileage was very low as it was only used on site around 5000 when I bought in 1969. The body was very dinged up but I hauled many a load of rock etc..
I put a dump conversion on my 1985 F150. The company name is PIERCE ARROW! (true!)
I will try to go to the boat show/celebration in Tahoe this year. I want to see the boat with the W30 engine that Chris Bebee rebuilt! (Yes, a 30 cylinder engine designed u the Dodge Brothers and built by Dusenberg IF ME MEMORY SERVES ME CORRECTLY!) I met with Chris a couple of years ago and he related the story to me. The pictures and the me mechnical drawings were unreal. REMEMBER NEVADA HALFRACK?
I put a dump conversion on my 1985 F150. The company name is PIERCE ARROW! (true!)
I will try to go to the boat show/celebration in Tahoe this year. I want to see the boat with the W30 engine that Chris Bebee rebuilt! (Yes, a 30 cylinder engine designed u the Dodge Brothers and built by Dusenberg IF ME MEMORY SERVES ME CORRECTLY!) I met with Chris a couple of years ago and he related the story to me. The pictures and the mechnical drawings were unreal. REMEMBER NEVADA HALFRACK?
How is this beautifully restored truck still for sale at $12,000? That’s a steal in 2025 dollars for such a nice and unique example.
I just bought this beautiful rig!!! It was too good to pass up. Ron was a great guy and I got it for $10k. I drove it, paid and hung out for a while. This was a real find!
Wow, congratulations,Tom! $10,000?! Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrghhhh, that’s incredibly painful, it looked like an absolute jewel. Please let us know some updates after you’ve owned it for a while. Nice work, sir!
I bought that Willys yesterday! It is a real gem, it’s in great shape!