The 56' Willys Pickup is at the point it is begining to go together. The last few months I have been dissembling it to see what I can salvage and honestly deciding if it was a resonable project or not. Last year I built a 6.1 stroker motor that should make big hp on pump gas NA. I'll use a spare 46rh trans. Actually communicated with Martin Saine today anout shipping it to him. Will use a 9.25 axle (narrowed) I got from a Durango, 3:92 gear. DTT differential. Big ford collars. I have most of the bits and pieces on hand. I knew I was going to build something but hadn't decided what it would be other than it would be Mopar drivetrain. So as of now it's a go...
I'll certainly enjoy the major steps of the build. It is a great moment when the chassis becomes a roller. And again when the motor and trans are sitting on mounts. I enjoy the building and those various moments.
It's hard to stay motivated with everything thats happening. But I do a little everyday. Kinda hung up with deliveries at the moment but in the grand scheme of things hot rod parts are a low priority. Everyone pls stay safe...
About to start cutting up the frame and of course want to get it right. I don't have a frame table so to keep it square I'm thinking of building the new rails inside the old frame then cut away the old frame. It's a bit clumsy but that way I don't lose any references. Pictures to follow.
Just called Summit and was told the manufacturer for the wheels hasn't responded to the quirey made yesterday morning. And Fatman is shipping the front tomorrow minus the rack. The supplier of the rack is locked down. I want the wheels/tires mount to get a good visual picture of what I have before assemblying the four link. So I'll do what I can.. no big deal...
I found this picture of a early Willys pickup that I like the looks of... I like it's stance, mine will have the narrowed axle and fatter tire but I hope a similar look.
Recieved an email from Summit telling me my wheels are on back order with an expected delivery of the middle of May. My guess is the supplier is waiting on a off shore manufacturer. I always feel taken advantage of when a supplier sells me something he doesn't actually have. I realize that is how business is done tese days but still doesn't feel right to me... Samething when I by an item and it comes in a Amazon box.
Recieved notification the fatman IFS will be delivered tomorrow. Worked on mocking up th four link today. The axle hangers are cut for 3" diameter axle tubes. (9" ford) called Fatman and told them I needed 3-1/2" diameter hangers was told they only have the 3". Truely a hot rod shop and not a race shop... disappointing but expected by now.. I think fatman started as a fabrication shop building hot rods. Became known and now mostly sell suspensions/kits.. The hot rods of my youth were cobbed together from junk yard parts assembled cheaply. Todays hot rods are assembled using highly engineered kits. Actually even kits are frowned on as crude and the underprivileged are suggested to use complete rolling chassis for their particular body. The underprivileged are anyone who's shop doesn't have a $20k chassis table... but in reality the old hot rods of my day were unsafe at best.. Fabrication crude by any standard, no brakes, poor tires and pitiful lighting... but damn they were a good time!
Beautiful day.. the frame rear is kicked up. I finshed the pieces to step up the frame. Took more hand fitting than I expected but they are good to go now. Since it takes two identical pieces to keep the frame square I welded the pieces together and worked them as one piece.
Will add another set of braces to the old frame. Then start building the new frame inside the old frame. I won't say this is the correct way to do this, but without a frame table to maintan alignment I see this as an alternative. The old frame will be used as reference points. The rear two thirds of the frame wonct be used.. Pictures to follow...
Beautiful day! Got the brace installed. Welder started to act up at the very end. Simple problem, there was high drag on the very end of the wire wheel. It was out of wire... It was only a 2lb reel and I had mo idea how long it would last. Fortunately the welding supply store was open and Ibought a 11lb reel. This should last me awhile..
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