Jeep Willys ground-up build

[Gravy]

updates? got the lower mounts on the subframe yet?

 

[iamsparticus]

Come on Lets see this thing at least a roller, but hey it is very cool and original, are you doing air shocks in the rear, or coilovers like the front?

 

[I Lean]

updates? got the lower mounts on the subframe yet?

It's there now, although it still needs to be braced. Also, it seems I made a little measurement error between the front and rear mounts, so the bushings are on an angle within the mount--pre-stressed. I may have to change to a spherical joint at the front end as well. That doesn't break my heart, since I can just thread them in the exact same way the bushings are in there now. Still doesn't make me happy.

Come on Lets see this thing at least a roller, but hey it is very cool ad original, are you doing air shocks in the rear, or coilovers like the front?

Possibly coilovers, possibly just coils and shocks. I won't rule out air shocks, but I'd have to find a screaming deal on a used set to really consider them.

 

[Tacoma]

Seeeexxxxyyyyy

 

[iamsparticus]

Looks good, sorry to hear about the mis measurement, coils in the rear sound good, plus they are alot cheaper, still lots of flex though, i would never get rid of my rear coils, and i plan to add coils to my front down the road

 

[Gravy]

Subframe and mounts are Nice and flat____________________________________
I like it so far- kinda reminds me a bit of the BTF batwing mount.

 

[Herzog]

Can you flip the arms? I like having the spherical end at the frame and the rubber bushing at the axle anyways. Personal preference.

 

[I Lean]

I can mount them up the other way, but they'll still be misaligned the same amount either direction.

 

[Corban_White]

What about cutting the inner tab off and welding on a new one with the hole out farther?

 

[I Lean]

What about cutting the inner tab off and welding on a new one with the hole out farther?

Several problems there--that would put the bushing cocked sideways between the two tabs, plus the tab goes all the way through the thinner box-it-in material all the way to the main tube, so it won't just cut off easily.

Plus, it's already fixed. I just exchanged the bushing housings for flex-joint housings, and they're all bolted up and happy now.

 

[Greg]

Amazing fab work Carl! Not bad for a guy working out of his garage! You should start up a 4x4 shop or something...

 

[spaggyroe]

Very nice Carlos!

You should send a link to Ballistic so they can copy your design.

 

[Bart]

Amazing fab work Carl! Not bad for a guy working out of his garage! You should start up a 4x4 shop or something...

BWAHAHAHAHA
I wish I had the tools in Carl's garage. Nice fab work as always Carl.

 

[I Lean]

So, it's been a couple weeks since I worked on this. I have done something lately though, believe it or not!

I cut apart a good-condition, but way-too-short 1310 driveshaft that was under my old Willys, to make the front shaft out of. Turns out it was already sized for 2" .120 tubing, so I didn't even have to alter the pilot diameter of the weld-in parts at all. I only have the one end on it so far, since I need to wait until the front axle is linked up before making the final cut to size. Since the rear is all linked and done, I can make that shaft anytime--I just need to find a suitable donor 1310 CV shaft.

I made two more lower control arms for the front--same construction as the rears, 1.75" .375 chromoly with a Summit flex joint on one end, and Tera housings with Clevite bushings for the other.

Then I spent far too long making these reducer bushings/spacers for a couple of heim joints I had, which will become the upper control arm for the front. They're both 7/8" thread, but one is 3/4" bore and the other is 7/8". Yes, I could have bought them...but then they'd be nicer, and would have taken me less time. It was fun for me though--I've never made anything like that before, so it's a good exercise and practice to get to know my lathe better. The first pair took me probably almost 2 hours to make, but the second pair took closer to 1 hour. I do learn, as it turns out!

I made the inner parts of the chassis just a bit wider than I have in the past, and it looks like it's going to pay off BIG with regards to fitting the upper and lower control arms, and a one-piece driveshaft all on the same side.

 

[Hickey]

Did someone say lathe? :jealous:

 

[mesha]

looking good. You should take some time out to work on some other guys buggy

 

[Kiel]

Did someone say lathe? :jealous:

You will be more pissed when you hear what he paid

 

[Herzog]

You will be more pissed when you hear what he paid

This is the truth!

 

[I Lean]

It's OK, I've more than made up for getting a great deal originally, by buying a phase converter and a bunch of taps 'n stuff. (does that make you all feel better?) :greg:

 

[Kiel]

It's OK, I've more than made up for getting a great deal originally, by buying a phase converter and a bunch of taps 'n stuff. (does that make you all feel better?) :greg:

not really, but it will feel better when I pay less later