Rango.....1942 Willys MB

[Metcalf]

My old 1942 Willys has been in need of a refresh for a while now.....



I figured I would post this build here since my Dodge project went over so well. While it might not be your typical 'expedition' buildup vehicle, it is a piece of history and one of the original overland expedition vehicles.....

This little guy is pushing 70 years old now so I figured it was time for a decent rebuild. Now, I don't want to hear any whining from the historical purists! This is a 1942 Willys MB, but it was never stock as long as I have owned it. I have tinkered with it for the last 8 years or so now. It is WAY too far gone to restore. Just like any much 'loved' jeep there is VERY little that is original. The specs as it sits currently are....

1942 Willys MB frame and body
1960s buick 225 v6 from a cj5 ( dual exhaust, HEI, holley 2bbl )
SM420 transmission ( 7.05:1 1st gear )
D18 t-case, twin stick, custom 1/2" long adapter to the transmission.
D44 rear axle from a cj5, 4.30 gears, powr-lok, 2pc axles
D25/27 front, 4.27 gears, disc brakes, crossover steering
Power steering conversion
hanging pedal conversion
70s GM column of some kind with a small steering wheel!

Overall its been a great little rig, but I have never fully trusted it. Its pushing 70 years now and I didn't do all the modifications. I found it in a field in Montana. The guy I bought it from got it from some guy who owed him money, who got it from the widow of the guy that did the major rebuid. That is how the story goes. I have tinkered with it for a few years now, but have always been on the fence about it. Its a cool piece of history, but its not worth restoring. Its been pretty much sitting around for over a year now. I finally hopped down off the fence and decided to rebuild it. I will be taking over the Rubicon late this summer/early fall........

The biggest overall problem with this old guy is that the frame is HAMMERED! The rear K-member is trashed. It looked like someone was using it to pull a bulldozer out with it. Once of the front frame rails is a little bent around the steering box. There is also some rusting at the rear shackle mounts. I debated for a long time about what to do. You can get a new original frame for around $1500 or you can get a box frame for about $2000+. Like everything else lately....I decided to make my own.

After a few dozen hours with a tape measure, some old FSM type manuals, and a few hour on the computer I came up with a simple frame.....



This rendering is not complete but shows the basic idea. The frame itself is constructed of 2x4 box tubing. The plates on the side define the critical measurements for the front and rear spring hangers. This will allow me to keep the frame very true when assembling it. I sent the side plates off to the laser cutter and ordered up two sticks of material. Total cost was less than $400 for everything shipped. The two sticks of material give me plenty for bumpers, cross members, and body mounts....

NOTE:

A member of Pirate4x4.com was kind enough to host the files for the frame

http://www.scotthansen.net/framemodel.pdf
http://www.scotthansen.net/frameplate.dxf

[Metcalf]

Now I am sure you are all wondering what it should look like when its done....



This is a photochop concept I did of what I have in my brain....

One of the biggest problems that I have faced with this little guy is that the lack of wheelbase becomes a factor while doing stupid stuff like this.



Now, I don't totally want to ruin the character of this little guy by comp cutting the back and hanging the rear tire way out....or stretching the front way out with a way longer hood or whatever. I want it to still look like something from the late 40s or 50s.

When I was designing the frame I decided to give the frame a very moderate 'tasteful' stretch. I extended the wheelbase 3" in the back and 3" in the front. I also changed the front spring hanger location to use the longer rear springs in the front. I didn't want to go with super long springs like wrangler springs, or willys wagon springs simply because I think they would kill the performance in too many other areas. I will be keeping this keep VERY low to the ground overall. I think a low stance helps a vehicle perform better in most every way.

The new longer wheelbase will help me fit a larger tire front and back without having to lift the vehicle. The front of the rear tire gets pushed back in the wheel well a bit. The front tire moves forward giving more room behind it.

While it will never climb like a competition rock buggy, the low stance and 6" longer wheelbase should help a lot.

One of the things that bugs me most is that even when sitting basically on top of the fuel tank with ZERO padding under the butt, my head was still above the edge of the windshield. This requires a taller cage to protect your head, generally looks bad, and is just stupid. There has to be a better way....



So I ripped out the passenger seat and started measuring and experimenting. I found with the factory seats removed there was a lot of 'wasted' space that could be used for a 'better' seating position. I am planning on relocating the factory fuel tank and installing some better seats lower in the body tub with a slight cant to the rear. I'm 5'10" and in the pic I am sitting on about a 3-4" riser to simulate a much lower seat. I am leaning back just until I can see the leading edge of the hood......

Much more to come!

[Metcalf]

I started making some parts the other day.....

[sallad]

I like where this is going

[bldeagle10]

very excited to see how this goes man! ive always wanted to do a willys one day. the prices here in arizona arent too steep either for them. 1500 on craigslist. mmaybe in a few years

[reece146]

Just 2¢...

The stance and patina of this Jeep absolutely rocks.

This, not so much. Too much tire and tires are way out there. Flip the Jeep and build a buggy if that is the route you are going.

The coolest part of a flatty is that it doesn't need to be massively overbuilt to get the job done.

Again, just 2¢.

[Metcalf]

I'm going to keep the patina. The concept pic is a little wide. I will be keeping axles in it that are only about 54" wide. They are a little wider than what I have now, but only about 3". The tires are going to get larger. The 32s are cool and all, but I need a little more tire if I am going to keep up with my friends, especially in the deep deep snow.

I thought long and hard about going full 'buggy' but decided against it. For me, a buggy is just pandora's box. Too much unknown. At least for now.

I'm gonna do some neat stuff to this little guy, but hopefully I can retain the look and feel of a 40s-50s vehicle. I want something that looks like it could have been built back then by someone forward thinking.....

[wely]

I love to see a flat-fender rebuild. I also have a bastardized version of a jeep mine is a 46 cj2a with am M38 windshield and a DJ3a body. I hope someday to put a good body on mine. but for now I try to use it as is. There ain't nothing that moves people out of your way faster than someone screaming no brakes in an old flattie!

[Metcalf]

Yeah. That is one area I will be addressing. My brakes are fair, but that is on a good day. I am going to try some suzuki sidekick rotors and calipers on all 4 corners. I am also going to try and install an XJ pedal system with the small diameter vacuum booster, master cylinder, and hydraulic clutch parts. My existing brake and clutch stuff is showing some age....

[Renrag]

Maybe I've spent too much time driving buggies, but *that* is cool looking!

mikE(sexy)