454-Powered 1949 Willys-Overland Jeep Pickup Hot Rod

This 1949 Willys-Overland Jeep Pickup was the subject of a custom build under prior ownership that involved chopping the roof by 6″, fabricating a custom bed assembly, and mounting the body components to a custom-fabricated frame. The seller purchased the truck in 2022, after which the cab, bed, and radiator shell were refinished in white and a 454ci V8 linked to a three-speed automatic transmission. The chassis features a Mustang II-style front suspension assembly with rack-and-pinion steering and front disc brakes as well as a rear four-link assembly with adjustable coilovers. Inside the cab, the bucket seats are trimmed in brown vinyl and accompanied by a center console with cupholders. Additional equipment includes a Holley carburetor, an HEI distributor, an aluminum radiator, an RCI fuel tank, and a dual exhaust system with coated headers. This Willys pickup hot rod is now offered with a clean New Mexico title.

The cab was chopped by 6″ and a custom steel bed was fabricated during the build starting in 2017, according to the seller, who notes that the matte white paint was applied in 2024. Details include custom pinstriping, a single taillight, LED headlights, and a custom-made pillarless windshield. The bed does not have a floor.

The truck rides on a Mustang II-style front suspension with tubular control arms as well as a rear parallel four-link assembly with adjustable coilovers. It is equipped with rack-and-pinion steering, and braking is handled by front discs and rear drums connected to dual Wilwood master cylinders mounted below the dash panel in the cab. The 15″ steel wheels are wrapped in staggered Yokohama Geolandar A/T tires.

The bucket seats are trimmed in brown vinyl and flank a black center console with a storage compartment and dual cupholders. Sound deadening material has been installed below the black carpeting and on the rear cab panels.

The Grant quick-release steering wheel is mounted to a custom column. An Equus water-temperature gauge is mounted in the custom ignition housing affixed to the dash panel. The truck is not equipped with a speedometer or odometer.

The 454ci Chevrolet V8 was installed in 2022 and features an aluminum intake manifold, a Holley four-barrel carburetor, and an HEI distributor. The aluminum radiator is accompanied by an electric fan and a Jack Daniels overflow bottle, and an RCI fuel tank is mounted below the bed.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a three-speed automatic transmission and a Dana 44 rear end. Coated headers feed into a dual exhaust system with a crossover pipe.

Photos showing various stages of the build can be seen in the gallery below.