Dojo Dave 889 Posted March 31, 2015 So I've rebuilt several Original Willys over the past 4 of 5 years, th he first was built run and sold, regret 1! Then I built a nicer one and it was a runner sold it even bigger regret. The last 2 have been more shelf than runner. .. simply put I haven't tried to run them....then the WW2 which I'm selling because it's not the original. Now I have found a beautiful unit on ebay and I'm going to clean it paint it re grease it and run it like a bandit.... I'm tired of looking at them on the shelf I want t o pl as y like I did when I was 11 (the first time I got tg he Wild willy... so here's wh as t I've got so far Let the carnage begin..... Tomorrow cos it 1am and I'm knackered 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grumpy pants 4485 Posted March 31, 2015 We have a SWB which is just lovely, I couldn't bring myself to run, but we do have a WW2 which gets the wheels driven off it. It's such a lot of fun, very light hearted and amusing. Best box art ever on the original as well, imo! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
XV Pilot 1936 Posted March 31, 2015 Looks like a great starting point. Glad to hear it is going to be a runner! You going boxart or custom with the paint? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dojo Dave 889 Posted March 31, 2015 I like my drab olive, the quandary I have is that this shell is pretty good a few typical cracks but all the original decals are still quite bright and in reasonable condition. I hate to rake them off... but I'll have to if I do as proper refurbishment. Maybe just keep it rough. Also THE Grill Is Busted Out I have a street grill repro but it means removing parts of the original grill mount. I guess if you're buying to sell it that's one thing. And I'm not.....I guess I've said that before and here we are.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mongoose1983 3335 Posted March 31, 2015 As Peter Criss would say THAT'S THE KIND OF SUGAR PAPA LIKES! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dojo Dave 889 Posted March 31, 2015 As Peter Criss would say THAT'S THE KIND OF SUGAR PAPA LIKES! [emoji38]Nicely put.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dojo Dave 889 Posted April 1, 2015 Ok so up until 1.30 thus morning tinkering, I switched out chassis tub cleaned all the external chassis parts. Opened the rear axles to find some of th e nastiest orange goop I think I've Seen since I was in the motor trade. Anyway cleaned it all up and put in some nice sealed bearing to replace the ones that were in it I would have prefer the original bushings but these will have to do. Then I clean this found that the aluminium was bent and replaced with a brand new one I had sitting for just such an occasion... Much more acceptable ain't that purdy, SD o I continues with the reassembly process until all was back together except for.....I'm missing a 4mm screw for the front body mount....easy fix of to ace or into the screw box....yes I have a screw box.....doesn't everyone Next clean and remount the beautiful tires and wheels....best I've seen other than new. More later..... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
XV Pilot 1936 Posted April 1, 2015 Looks like you are making significant progress. One thing puzzles me though - why would you prefer bushings over sealed bearings? I could possibly understand that if you wanted to build a fully original box-stock shelfer, but for a runner aren't the bearings a good idea? Or am I missing something? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dojo Dave 889 Posted April 2, 2015 The bearings that were in it seemed to be a bit worn out, I think I've read somewhere maybe I'm wrong that the old ones suit the original bushings better. It's all good bearing are easy enough to get if it all goes pear shaped...lol, frankly I was surprised by what I found inside this rear end it was foul Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dojo Dave 889 Posted April 2, 2015 Too tired for tires and scrubbing tonight maybe tomorrow since it's my morning off. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dojo Dave 889 Posted April 2, 2015 Reassembly of chassis Gave the wheels and tires a little clean, but the thing is going to run a bit...very gently....Lmao no not really...Gently ha Picked the body I'm going to run, Think I might repaint the shell as I recently switched out the tail gate, and rear spare. Thinking street kit grill as a safety precaution. But I hate the thought of cutting the shell tabs. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mongoose1983 3335 Posted April 2, 2015 The paintjob looks so very nice! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dojo Dave 889 Posted April 3, 2015 The paintjob looks so very nice!This a body off another shelf unit the one I'm selling is the body I just got in.. But thanks, I think I'm going to rep ain't it anyway... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dojo Dave 889 Posted April 4, 2015 So I had listed a body and chassis on eBay... And got a message today from a bloke in Australia that has all the body parts except the body for a WW. I was asked if it would work for his unit and I honestly described the unit as having some cracks but an easy restoration! Now I don't know about you guys but I haven't found to many 33 year old Rc bodies especially WW that don't have a few cracks unless of course they have been on a shelf all their lives and then I don't see anything less than a fortune being spent.... So I took it down and started restoring...Anyway here's the body so far Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dojo Dave 889 Posted April 18, 2015 Took some time off the TA 06 build waiting for the speed tuned motor to arrive and t h ought I ought to pay a little more attention to the condition of my Willy, as the last of it that was seen was less than presentable. Did some spaying and some detailing and some scouring and screwing of parts together. And Here's What's A Foot Where the head of my Willy. .......over there it's a bit rough...... And then the windshield And Nos bottle 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dojo Dave 889 Posted April 22, 2015 Put a little more detail on the shell and driver face today pics to follow Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dojo Dave 889 Posted April 30, 2015 So winch arrived yesterday (thanks JennyMo)..Painted and installed. Driver done...not the greatest but he will wotk.... ready for an esc and transmitter and we should be good. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dojo Dave 889 Posted August 17, 2015 Put a little esc and a Rx in this bad boy a while back as well as a reproduction hump battery, goes ok but I'm not willing to risk the damage on the blacktop. Need a nice off road run. The beach maybe. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dojo Dave 889 Posted September 5, 2015 Look who got new rims today 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chevelle 997 Posted September 5, 2015 Nice work mate There are so many willy's getting pulled out here I will have to get mine out and work on it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
simensays 321 Posted September 5, 2015 I love seeing restoration work like this, on the coolest Tamiya model ever made!Great work, and nice looking' wheels you got there I have a runner that looks similar: 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
