Looking For Advice On Checking Out Neglected ~54 Willys 2 Door Wagon

Hi guys. Not sure if this is the right board. I'm a newbie with Willys/Jeep but started getting interested when using this board to deal with Buick 225 in a Porsche 914 I bought. I came across what I think is a 54-59? Willys 2 Door Wagon in Texas, just rusting in a mowed grassy area next to my BIL's friend's house. I got bit by the Jeep bug. Never saw anything like this. The friend starting to be reasonable about a price, so now I want to check this thing out a little more before negotiating in earnest.

I added two pictures. The frame didn't look terrible, but the interior is rough. I was drawn to it because there is no through body rust I saw except at the bottom of the door I looked at, and the front pan under the grill.

I have a few questions.

If I can jack up an axle and rotate the tires with the trans in neutral (front and rear), and I can turn the crank with a breaker bar, and shift levers can be moved to gear positions, would this be worth $1800? I'm thinking $1500 max due to the extent of surface rust and general condition. I still will have to pay to get it shipped to Central Illinois ($700?).

There are many levers, I seem to recall three, does this mean 4wd and something else like an overdrive?

What are the key areas I should check before plunking down my money? Title for sure. What else?

Thanks for any advice.

 

Looks like a lot of goodness, if you like wagons.

Personally I wouldn't think of even considering it without knowing if it is 4x2 or 4x4. What does the front axle look like?

But if a $300 difference in purchase price is the make-or-break for you, I say you aren't ready. That amount would be totally insignificant in a project like that.

 

I don't think it's worth $1800...or even $1500 in my opinion.
Even if everything you check turns out ok, still a lot of unknowns.
I think I see a locking hub on the drivers side.
Sitting out in the elements hasn't done the wagon any favors.
Without knowing any more than what you've stated, and from the pictures........
I'm at $500-$700. That's my opinion.

 

From the first picture it sure looks like it has manual hubs and is 4 wheel drive. Regarding the shifters, if it has one tall shifter and 2 shorter equal sized shifters then the two short shifters are most likely for the twin stick transfer case. If it does happen to be 2 wheel drive then it probably does have an overdrive. Others who know much more than I do will most likely chime in.

While this forum is excellent and is very active, for Willys wagons check out this forum. Old Willys Forum

For information regarding wagons in particular you could start by reading this; A (relatively) accurate (hopefully) compilation of Willys Wagon & Truck information and model year changes

 

Great responses so far, keep it coming. Very good tip about the other forum, will go check that out.

I'm pretty sure it has 4WD, and the lever setup described above is what I saw when I looked inside. I assumed anything built like this would have 4WD, so didn't even look. When I zoom in on one of the original photos, I believe I see a round axle shape, which supports 4WD. Otherwise, I'd think it would have an I-beam shape.

$300 isn't make or break, but affects if I can pick it up now or in a few months. Got a Poorsha 914 that is sucking up cash right now. Possible the guy will find someone to sell it to, now that they figured out they could make some quick cash. Maybe that would be best for me....

 

Unless the frame is rusted out, I would buy it. In California, the two gas cans in the tailgate alone are worth more than $1,800 lol.

I’d see if he’d do a package deal for the Willys and the bug. Bug was my wife’s first car, and I think it would be cool to build one for her.

 

That is actually a metric I use.

When pondering a decision like this one, I try to imagine how I'd feel if I found out someone else bought it first. Upset, or relieved?

 

I’d pay 1800 for that.

 

That is sensible, even though, on the surface, it seems silly that you would be relieved that you missed something. I think I've experienced that before.

 

I had thought about that, since I learned to drive in a bug. Dad had a baja bug and convertible. Never told him that the piston knock was due to overreving in mud puddles. But I would have to get that here as well, another $xxx. I seem to recall it looked bad enough I didn't want to mess with it.

 

Both?

 

Then, from the seller's point of view, that means it was priced exactly at the right point, or perhaps one dollar too high - for you.

 

I've thought that as well. And I've been on the other side too, regretting that I didn't get it first. Usually if you really want whatever it was, you'll find another one to purchase sooner or later.

 

I did not lift the hood when I came across it. Not sure I'll actually know when I do lift the hood. Depends if there are markings.

 

I have a new question. I am starting to recall that the doors didn't want to close all the way, like they were binding. I also recall seeing slightly bent metal and a crack in the sheet metal under the door. Anyone have a feel for what that is about?

 

That is exactly my biggest fear. Tied to confirming to my wife and a friend that I'm as crazy as they tell me I am. But kids are (kinda) out of the house, so what else am I gonna do but work on old stuff that needs love.