Willys MB build

[Wingman]

Newest plan is to make a hybrid Ford 9" steer axle using Dana 60 parts.

GM D60 cut up and parts harvested.  It's still heavy!



Using a pretty standard F9 housing for now since Ruffstuff is still not taking new orders for their custom housing.  Most parts will transfer over when obtained.  F9 housing gutted and brackets removed.



Rollers mounted on rear, waiting for inner Cs to be machined for F9 tube diameter, housing ends cut to approx width, leaf springs removed, housing slung.  ~28" lower link length (90" WB).  Things get a little tight near the oil pan...

[Wingman]

The Cs I took off of the D60 came back today and were fitted to the present F9 housing and tacked at 10* pinion/8*+ caster.

[Wingman]

Finally getting back to this thing.  Been stupid busy lately.

Played with tubing roller today since Pacemaker finally got my stick of 1" delivered Friday.


...turned into inner fender structure.

[ollllllo]

doesn't look like alot of room left for storage?

[Wingman]

Hahaha.  Storage in a MB?  You're funny.

That's why they always had all of those things hanging off the outside. 

[ollllllo]

[emoji12]

[Wingman]

Back in the shop this afternoon...

Trans/t-case crossmember and mount completed and holding weight!

[Wingman]

Delivered today...

[Wingman]

Today's progress report:

King pin kits from East Cost Gear Supply.  Fast shipping - 2 days!


Spent 40 minutes with a blasting cabinet this morning.


Dry-fit for dim confirmation before long side cut.


King pin and lower race installed.  Caster set.  Ready for welding.


Comparison.  Photo trickery makes "old" look much longer.  Only ~1.5" shorter.


Temporarily home.  Link brackets next.  Never mind that leaf spring hanger...

[etk300ex]

That's a big ole pumpkin!

[Wingman]

Knuckle #2 blasted and painted.

[Wingman]

Old F9 housing sold.

PSC steering parts arrived today.

[Wingman]

sMike welded on the inner Cs.  He's got far more talent than I.

Couldn't find room for upper link of 3-llink so single side Y-link fabbed.



At full compression, track bar and upper link mount(s) tuck into frame rails and ahead of crank pulley.

[Wingman]

Steering ram mount done.

[Wingman]

Finally got the "lead" out and got back into the shop.

Put together the front outer knuckle assemblies and mounted rollers.  Now sitting on all four.

Also reworked the Y-link because the original was not set properly.  This version cannot stay because it twists/pivots allowing caster change.  Once final ride height is set, I'll fab another fixed Y-link.



Bender work is starting to make this look more like a shell of a Willys.  Unless you've done this type of work before, you cannot fathom how time consuming it is!