GrandWillys Project

[Fargoman]

I've been watching this build since 2012 and been hanging for updates over the years on 2 different Forums.

A stunning build.

[Gojeep]

Originally Posted by 123pugsy

Has it been 10 years already? Wow.


So, what's next?

Just under 9 years on here as I had already started on it.
Starting this week it is going to be working on my niece's and husbands FJ45 doing some rust repairs.

Originally Posted by Pehr

🤩 What an epic build and thanx for sharing. I’ve learned a lot from you.
Also just been watching all of your build videos.
Happy new year
🥳

Thank you so much Pehr. Happy New Year to you and your family too.

Originally Posted by Fargoman

I've been watching this build since 2012 and been hanging for updates over the years on 2 different Forums.

A stunning build.

I was very surprised that it was accepted on this, 4wd and hotrod forums! Thanks for following along.

[Fargoman]

Thankfully it was accepted on various Forums as no doubt a lot of us have learnt more than a trick or two.

[Gojeep]

My Truck is a calendar model now! 🙂

I was fortunate for my Truck to be picked by the Old Willys Forum members to be one of the 12 for their new calendar. https://www.oldwillysforum.com/.../O...ar/OWFcal.html Can still order them, ignore Dec date as was for before Christmas delivery, and can order up until the 27th of January I have just been told.

[123pugsy]

Nice, calendar girl.
Congrats.

[Gojeep]

I've added up the amount of TIG welding on just the panels alone, and came to an incredible 75 meters or 250 feet! That is 1.5 times the length of an Olympic Pool that was welded, ground, planished flat and sanded smooth. No wonder it too so long.

[123pugsy]

There's a bit of welding alright.
Now I know I won't start adding mine up, ha....I don't wanna know.

[Gojeep]

I had an hour to kill and a tape measure in my hand! Just avoid this situation and you will be alright.

[123pugsy]

Originally Posted by Gojeep

I had an hour to kill and a tape measure in my hand! Just avoid this situation and you will be alright.

........................................... .................

[Gojeep]

The symmetry of the front has always bothered me due to the number plate being offset. Some details get worse over time and others don't bother you at all as time passes, this was the former!


Thought maybe it would look better mounted in the centre, but to what? Idea came to me to repurpose a stainless grab handle and picked one where the mounting flanges unbolted. Can then use the threaded bung to mount it to the Willys from underneath.


Just the bar on its own actually looks quite good! I thought the tube size might be too large, but think it suits the proportions of the front end.


Mocked up to see if it would look any good.


Also thought that the next size up in length might be better, so offset it to see where one side would end up. It would be the same width as the grille.


But one day I would like to change the plate for a slimline and then the extra length didn't look as good. Stated getting too crowded around the recovery hook.


The shorter one looks good with the slimline which is the size of the cardboard mock-up piece.


Rather than welding it on, decided to use nutserts so the backing plate can be changed for the smaller size later on and also leave a small gap for the water to drain out.


Countersunk stainless screws hold the backing plate in place.


Plate fits right over the screws and the mounting holes were drilled and tapped for the screws.


Just a small detail but already looks better with the standard sized plate.