Willyreplica my start from scratch

[4.3LXJ]

Coming along nicely. Can't wait to see the full bed on it.

[XJ Wheeler]

As always a great job, keep em coming.

[workgoats]

Here is the update on the camera situation:

The rear camera still tilts and I pulled the camera from the red truck and put it in the grille. It's a little obvious but what the heck.



I also decided to put the monitor in the dash. I don't have a very big dash but this will do.

[4.3LXJ]

It fits well there

[workgoats]

I'm finally getting to the bed on this thing. Here's a little evidence of progress:



I started by determining how high and building a corner at the back to start from. I'm using culled Ipe wood boards from our new office. This should be the only Willyreplica in North America with an Ipe wood bed.

I have also started on the back of the cab. I will need to borrow a truck or trailer and go get some more FRP to go on the back of the cab, behind the wood of the bed, before I can actually install any wood.



Here is an idea of what it will look like from the side. I suspect a vertical batt will be installed in front of the roll bar to keep the wood in line.




And, here is my concept of inside the bed. The boards on the floor will be cut and screwed to metal door frames, making two doors that will open to the two compartments below the floor.

[cantab27]

coolies mate ...nice work

[workgoats]

So, today I framed in for the rear window.



Then I put the FRP on the back of the cab.



Then I actually started installing the wood bed. I plan to remove it, a board at a time if necessary to paint the rig. The wood will need to be oiled on the back side too. It has been oiled on one side already. This is as far as I got. I ran out of time, energy, and worst of all light. I need to upgrade my lighting somewhat or spend more work in the daylight.



Here is a look from a little farther back. I would have liked to pulled it outside and clean the garage and take some pics but I didn't want to take the time to reinstall a seat.

Those flat fenders make really neat places to stack stuff. And, did you notice that I got some new shoes. I'm working hard on being ready to go somewhere.

[Brasscatz]

Damn, that thing is sweet!

[oderdene]

what a progress, go ahead bro.

[workgoats]

The bed is nearing completion. I still have to put the floor together. It will be a trap door. There are the two compartments below it with the tools, battery and air tank.

The dark wood is Ipe wood and the light colored is something that arrived as packing protection for something delivered to our warehouse. I will be poly-urethaning the light colored wood but the Ipe wood will be oiled. Then I plan on painting the steel and fiberglass around the area before doing a final install on the wood.

[4.3LXJ]

Looking real nice. I like it

[Brasscatz]

I'm very impressed! Looks amazing!

[4x4Dalton]

Looks awesome bro. Nice work.

[workgoats]

I finally got a chance to drive it out of the garage tonight. I discovered that at least part of my garage still has a concrete floor.

Here is the view of the new bed as I pulled it out.



And here is the front view. Changes since it was last outside include the new tires, 32x11.50x15 ATs that I removed from the RC in the driveway. I put 33s from my previous project on the RC. (previous project is no more) Of course, the bed and the cab are new too.



Here, parked by the RC, it looks a lot bigger than it really is. The tires on the RC are 33s and the ones on the Willyreplica are 32s.



From the rear it is a in a little better perspective. The cab is very small. The seats are close together and there is very little room between the seat and the door. It is high but I did the best I could to keep the weight low. When it had a 904 tranny instead of the 727 that is in it now, there wasn't any hump at all. Now it has about a 3" hump.



I have moved the winch to the rear bumper for this pic. Sooner or later I will build a tailgate, probably a steel frame with a wood center. I might get that done before a function I will be attending at Hidden Falls on Labor Day weekend.



The floor of the bed raises for access to two storage compartments.



The rear compartment is over the gas tank and has room for the steel winch cable (in case I cut the plasma rope), the winch controls, jumper cables, various hitches and a bunch of recovery stuff.

The front compartment holds the winch battery, the on-board air tank, the jack and has room for some spare parts.



The wheel base is the same as the axle donor vehicle, a 4 dr Cherokee. Adding the cab and the bed make it look a lot bigger than it did before. I did put a lot of weight in the bed and feel like it is now a lot better balanced. I hope to tow it to the work location where I can drive it around on the private drive and in the woods.

That will have to wait several days as it is our spring break and we are headed to a state park for a few days.

[4.3LXJ]

Almost ready for a road trip