Reader Rides: 1953 Willys Overland Pickup

Owner

Name
Brad and Nancy Kuhnz

Home Town
Wyoming, MN

Vehicle

Year, Make & Model
1953 Willys Overland Pickup

How long have you owned this vehicle?
Since 1989

Where/how did you find this vehicle
We bought it from a private party who belonged to the Northern Lights Car Club. It was just a rolling chassis and a lot of junk.

Any projects planned for this vehicle in the future?
Electric coolilng fan
Transmission update (4/5 speed transmission)
Better air conditioning
Paint - color(s) undecided
Wheels
Chrome, grill bars, etc
External sunvisor

Has this vehicle won any awards?
No awards to date except my own: to be dependable, fun and to meet a lot of people (Back To The 50s weekend was very fun!)

Have you raced it? If so, where and when?
No comment... but someone was surprised!

Best quarter mile time
Slow - top speed is 70mph; needs trans update

 

Power Train

Engine size and Horsepower
1993 Chev 350 4 bolt main

Tell us about any engine modifications
GM high performance cam
4 BBL carb (Rochester) on an aluminum Edlebrock intake
Ceramic coated shorty headers by FlowTech
2" dual exhaust - handmade with turbo mufflers

Transmission Type and Modifications
Jeep/Ford T150 Top Loader 3 spped
Dana 20 transfer case
Lakewood bellhousing with manual clutch

Rear axle ratio and modifications
Dana 44 ('72 International Scout - TracLok) 3:54 gear

Front axle: Dana 30 ('90 CJ-5) 3:54 ratio with Warner lockouts

Suspension

Front/Back
Original leaf springs in front and rear with Hyper Flex
Energy Suspension Systems poly bushings and front leaf shackle

 Brakes
Disc front - manual
Drums rear

Other

Wheels and Tires
15x8 steel ranger (brand unknown)
BF Goodrich TA's - P275/60 R15 front and rear

Tell us about the vehicle's unique options or features, either factory or aftermarket
Air conditiong by Max 60/ 2+2 (Do 60mph, open 2 windows and 2 wing windows. Max a/c = open cowl vent)

Heat - stock unit with so called defrost

Steering - power steering '79 Jeep gear box '79 GM tilt column with Grant Wood steering wheel

Electrically operated wipers

Panasonic AM/FM CD player with separate 6 disc CD player

'65 Chevy tail lights with blue dots

1953 MN truck license plates