The previous owner of this cool Willys flatbed started an engine swap, but it was never completed. This particular truck is a 1960 and can be found here on eBay with a buy-it-now price of $2,200. It is located in Nipomo, California and is ready for a new owner to complete the project.
The engine that was going to be swapped into the truck is a straight-six Jeep Tornado that measures 230 cubic inches. The engine is bolted to the stock transmission and transfer case. The firewall has been modified to fit the larger engine and would probably be able to be further modified for a different choice of power plant.
Here you can see the hole in the transmission tunnel. Overall, the interior looks pretty good. A good cleaning will help the appearance. The floor appears rusty, but hopefully, it is just surface rust. The ad does state that this truck is a “great project without rust.”
I’m not a big fan of flatbeds, but they do serve a purpose. I think these trucks look a little better with a regular bed, but that’s just me. What do you think? Is this project worth saving? What powerplant would you put in it and would you leave the flatbed?
Flat bed with nicely finished stakes would look great.
Same here. Put some stakes on that flatbed and get more use
out of it. I’d prefer to keep it as original as possible with regards to
the running gear too. But if this isn’t possible, a GM 3800 V-6 should
slide right in. Should mate up to the transfer case with an adapter kit
from Transdapt. Other than that, looks like a fun little truck when
finished.
Nice project, I think they were on the right track.
the 4L heep motor, a deeper transfer case (between 4 – 6 to 1), frnt discs, NV3550’n the “statin wagon” back for me (dreams, right?).
Y not – the perfect multi-purpose…
still small but also handy sz!
Dang….sure looked like my old one……