Wow! My '61 Willys Dump Bed Pickup Runs

by Greg
(Cuba, NY)

After seeing this Willys '61 truck with a dumpbody sit behind a house for almost 20 years rotting into the ground, the owner passed and there was to be an estate sale.

I always liked the way the truck looked but figured it was gone never having moved in all that time. A neighbor and I had been talking about making a dump wagon and as he was friends of the family he arranged a pre-sale opportunity to look at the dump bed. As we looked it over the son said the hydraulics still worked, as he hooked his wifes car battery up to it. It turned over and the bed would raise.

A quick deal later I was determined to take the bed off and junk the truck. My neighbor said well it turns over so maybe it will run. A gallon of gas and a battery with a shot of both and it was idling, although rough.

The tires were flat and on a whim I put air into them and to our surprise they had tubes and held air. At this point I was so impressed with the Super Hurricane motor I jumped in and drove it the mile or so home dropping the plow to stop, as the brakes were shot.

Now several months later it is undergoing a full restoration and will once again become a pick-up. Hope to have it completed to put in the memorial day parade this year.

I will post pics of finished truck when done!


Larry's Comment: Greg...glad to hear you are restoring this unique piece of history.

Do you plan on keeping the dump bed and the plow on this truck?