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Willys Crawler 2.0 aka The Bastard

Greg

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
Location
Grand Junction, CO
The frame arrived today, its one of those 'some assembly required' ones....

2 x 4 x 3/16" ... pretty beefy, but I just don't feel good about 1/8" thick material for a frame with links and coilovers.

I learned a lot with my last frame build and have some ideas how I'd like to build this one differently and make it fit my build and needs better. Time to get to work!

20200930_120837.jpg
 
I Lean

I Lean

Mbryson's hairdresser
Vendor
Location
Utah
Exactly the same axle, and really close to the same width I did on my #2 buggy. I shortened the long side to fit a '78-'79 Ford D60 long side shaft, from memory 5" shorter. 34.56" shaft length--you can look up how long that existing shaft is to verify. (or debunk :D)
 
Greg

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
Location
Grand Junction, CO
xj_nate said:
I have to warn you about the colossus case shifters. A couple competitors got them and broke them at their first comp IIRC. They’re just really flimsy. My 2 cents
Click to expand...

So I reached out to Behemoth and asked them about the shifters breaking on the Dana 300 Colossus case and what was going on. They replied, saying that the early versions had issues with screws backing out. Newer units have a set screw to keep that from happening and if ANYONE has problems, reach out to them.

:cool:
 
Greg

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
Location
Grand Junction, CO
I Lean said:
Exactly the same axle, and really close to the same width I did on my #2 buggy. I shortened the long side to fit a '78-'79 Ford D60 long side shaft, from memory 5" shorter. 34.56" shaft length--you can look up how long that existing shaft is to verify. (or debunk :D)
Click to expand...

Everything I've seen says 36.97" for the long side inner axle shaft for the '88-91.5, so 2 1/2" longer compared to the '78-79 long inner... narrowed 2 1/2" it would end up around 65 3/4" WMS. I'd really like to be around 64" WMS to be close to a C&C 14 Bolt at 63 1/2"... but does it really matter?

If I cut just to the inside of the knuckle weld, I can get the 2 1/2" I'd need and run the off the shelf '78-79 shaft. :cool:

My biggest concern is fitting between the fenders on my trailer, which is 84" wide between the fenders, so it should fit...?
 
RockChucker

RockChucker

Well-Known Member
Location
Highland
Greg said:
Everything I've seen says 36.97" for the long side inner axle shaft for the '88-91.5, so 2 1/2" longer compared to the '78-79 long inner... narrowed 2 1/2" it would end up around 65 3/4" WMS. I'd really like to be around 64" WMS to be close to a C&C 14 Bolt at 63 1/2"... but does it really matter? If I cut just to the inside of the knuckle weld, I can get the 2 1/2" I'd need and run the off the shelf shaft. :cool:

My biggest concern is fitting between the fenders on my trailer.... I'll be running 9" wide wheels with 3 1/2" BS, so 65 3/4" + 18" (wheels) - 7" backspacing = 76 3/4" without sidewall budge. Trailer is 84" wide, so it should clear!
Click to expand...

my Jeep fits between the fenders on a 84” wide car hauler with the 69.5” axle and 4.75” backspacing. Narrowing the front up will be like throwing a hot dog down a hallway. Clearance for days.
 
Greg

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
Location
Grand Junction, CO
The UPS guy hates me.... got a delivery of 5, Battle Born Gatekeeper 17x9 beadlocks with 3.5" BS. I really wanted 4.5" BS, but they were sold out. I think the 3.5" BS will actually be better for the C&C Hubs on a 14 Bolt that I plan to run.

20201015_112316-X2.jpg



I wasted no time getting the Krawlers mounted on the Gatekeeper wheels, I forgot how much effort it takes to secure the ring with 32 bolt beadlocks and torquing them down to the proper specs. I used plenty of anti-sieze on the threads of the bolts, so they come apart next time I have to mess with them. I really like how the 9" wide wheel works with the width of the 37" Krawlers, they look nice and wide.

20201015_132920-X2.jpg


20201015_133236-X2.jpg


20201015_162407-X2.jpg



And rolled them up to the Willys....

20201015_162831-X2.jpg
 
Bart

Bart

Registered User
Location
Arm Utah
Love it. That's the same thing Matt H (UPNO4) did on his front 60. I wish you would quit playing around with the fun stuff and get to the frame build. I'm still trying to decide the best direction to go with my new project, and your build is a factor. BTW, it's looking great.
 
Greg

Greg

I run a tight ship... wreck
Admin
Location
Grand Junction, CO
Bart said:
Love it. That's the same thing Matt H (UPNO4) did on his front 60. I wish you would quit playing around with the fun stuff and get to the frame build. I'm still trying to decide the best direction to go with my new project, and your build is a factor. BTW, it's looking great.
Click to expand...

Thanks Bart, I hear you on the frame build! Hoping to start it soon... I've been trying to find a metal band saw to use for cutting up my material, rather than my chop saw. I can make it work, but a metal band saw seems more precise.

I'd also like to use a metal band saw to shorten the axle housing.

And I still need to figure out exactly where I need the frame height to end up on the front section, with the kick up. I'm not going to stack the frame rails this time, so it's a bit more complicated.
 
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