Rango.....1942 Willys MB

[Metcalf]

I drove the Willys into work today....

I got one 'Thats badass' and one thumbs up at the gas station while I got my ice tea.

Overall it drove pretty nice. I have a slight shake in the steering wheel at 50-55? I think its probably the front tires being out of round, out of balance, or not having a steering stabilizer. You can still let go of the steering wheel and it tracks straight at 50+ ( the wheel just moves back and forth a bit? )

Think I should put a steering stabilizer on it?

Fun Fun

[jeepdreamer]

Adding a stabilizer may be worth a try if you have one laying around. IIRC you got those tires used, right? I would be inclined to think your wobble is in them more than anything. Plus it hasn't seen a lot of pavement time, has it? Driving on hard stuff may actually help the tires... who knows?

[Metcalf]

Yup, used tires and wheels. Krawlers on steel beadlocks probably are not going to be perfect no matter what.....

The vehicle probably has more pavement time on it than anything at this point. I have been trying to get some miles on it to iron out bugs.

[jeepdreamer]

Did you even try and balance them monsters? I suppose you could take them to a real tire shop and see if they can "true" them on the wheel... or maybe add some ballast (I hear Airsoft pellets work?) to help with the tire?

[MrBeast]

Man I love the car show pics, although the stock CJ sitting next to yours looks anemic by comparison. I really like how yours is low to the ground, too many people lift them too high.

[Metcalf]

Thank you. I agree. One of the worst things you can do on a short wheelbase is lift it too much...

It is a lot of work to get decent fender clearance, compression travel, and belly clearance with such a large tire, little lift combination but I think its totally worth it!

[Metcalf]

A member on pirate was kind enough to host the PDF and DXF file for the frame.

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

[Metcalf]

Today was drive the Willys to work Friday.

I have been trying to get some miles on it every week. With it being 90F out it seems to be a fairly good test of the cooling system in the afternoon on the way home.

Last night I made a cardboard panel to finish off the top of the transmission tunnel. It's amazing even a duct tape and cardboard panel makes the interior look more finished. I was getting a lot of heat up through the open transmission tunnel so I figured I would test the cooling system out with the tunnel being closed off. I don't have boots on anything, but its still much less area for hot air to flow out from under the body. I am wondering how much difference it will make to overall cooling?

It was funny how much difference even some cardboard made on transmission noise. Once I get a steel panel made with some insulation on the bottom it should almost eliminate gear noise....well....for a Willys with a Dana 18 transfer case. The steel top will have to wait till I change out the transmission or whatever....

I did get the steering wheel shimmy on the same section of road. It is grooved concrete so I think I will just have to live with that.

[Metcalf]

I just couldn't help myself....

1980 JEEP CJ5 2.5L 151cid L4
SPARTAN LOCKER SLD3027 (D30-27) Differential Locker $ 235.99 $ 0.00 1 $ 235.99
Discount $ -11.80
Shipping Ground $ 21.26
Order Total $ 245.45
Visa -$ 245.45
Balance Due $ 0.00

This will let me affordabily test out my front auto locker rear open ( or rather limited slip) idea on the Willys. Less than $250 delivered and I couldn't pass on it. This was the best price I could find by FAR for delivered, it was at RockAuto.

More traction for the fall moab trip

[MrBeast]

Right on. We need more pics!! xD