New Project: 54 Willys Station Wagon

34ford · June 25, 2009, 08:02:51 AM

Here's some eye candy for you.

Danimal · June 25, 2009, 08:25:03 AM

Quote from: "wayne petty"here is an article about putting later disc brakes on the front of a early jeep axle..

http://www.jpmagazine.com/techarticles/drivetrain/154_0704_early_jeep_disk_brake_conversion/index.html

heres something for the rear brakes...

http://www.jpmagazine.com/techarticles/drivetrain/154_0609_early_jeep_brake_conversions/index.html

i know nobody looks at the links i post... but i will keep trying..

I haven't looked at them ALL but I am looking.

Nice eye candy right there, too!!

Danimal · June 25, 2009, 10:18:49 PM

What's the track difference between the Wagon and the CJ? There is a Willys in Milan on CL http://annarbor.craigslist.org/bar/1219793345.html

I think I'd rather go the 77+ route so the fronts are disc brakes but until I get the wagon home tomorrow, I'm just thinking of ideas.

UGLY OLDS · June 26, 2009, 12:15:26 AM

Quotei know nobody looks at the links i post... but i will keep trying..

[/quote]

I also look & keep a lot of them ...It just takes me longer with a dial-up....

Please keep 'em coming...

Bob............

GPster · June 26, 2009, 09:10:39 AM

Quote from: "Danimal"What's the track difference between the Wagon and the CJ? There is a Willys in Milan on CL http://annarbor.craigslist.org/bar/1219793345.html
I think I'd rather go the 77+ route so the fronts are disc brakes but until I get the wagon home tomorrow, I'm just thinking of ideas.

I'd say you'd better get it home and measure befroe you start bying "parts vehicles" for it. The tread width on the old Willys is about S10 width of 54" to 58" and that newer Jeep (not Willys) has negative ofset wheels and rubber fender extensions to get the tires covered. I'd think some of the site offered would give you disc brake conversions. There might be as much work as putting Cadillac motors in Crosleys. The Jeep name has been thrown around through a bunch of manufacturers. GPster

Danimal · June 26, 2009, 07:34:08 PM

GPster, you're right on with the CJ thing. I forgot about the extension.

I'll spin the axles to see what kind of gears are in it before I get to hot in the pants over it. I checked out the disc brake conversion stuff and that won't be a problem, I've got a buddy with a Chevy truck yard and another with a slew of 4WD parts.

I just don't want a 40 mph Willys!

I'd love to find a Stude/Packard 289 to put in it.

I've got my 46 and 48 Chevies for sale so they will make the funding decisions!

Danimal · June 27, 2009, 12:21:28 AM

More pictures. SHE'S HOME!!

Danimal · June 27, 2009, 12:24:38 AM

The gasser stance is due to the guy's brother trying to give it a lift by flipping the axle under the springs. He tilted it to line up the driveshaft so the steering is like standing on your tip toes.

That's going to end shortly.

My neighbor with a Willys truck of the same vintage wants to pull the running drivetrain out and make it a rat rod with his son in law. He told me I can have it all if I help! Looks like she'll start as a stocker and go from there. I'd love to have her running but I'll definitely put a new wiring harness in!

wayne petty · June 27, 2009, 12:29:25 AM

if you don't want a 40 mph willys... which motor does it have now...

four or six... later model jeeps come with both drivetrains...

2.5 four cylinder.. with the overdrive automatic and 4 wheel drive or two drive

4.0 straight six... with overdrive automatics and a 4 wheel drive.

many models came with port fuel injection.. some came with TBI...

some also have the renix fuel injection.. good for changing over to carb and electronic ignition...

both of these can be bolted in.. along with their computer control...

or swap the intakes and distributers for carb and conventional electronic ignitions.. the only draw back might be the alternators... i don't know if they still use the power module and logic module to control the alternator output... if so.... there are after market voltage regulators for them...

so many options... ...

this is just a few more... that would allow you to have the right shape of engine transmission to install... it would take work...

the last time i saw a stude 289 it was really really expensive to rebuild ... way more than the cost of a newer jeep motor... or one of the many other choices..... if i were looking for a jeep donor... probably a 92 or newer.. 4 or six...

Danimal · June 27, 2009, 12:36:45 AM

wayne,

4 cylinder in it now. No, I don't want 40 mph.

I'd like to make this something we can cruise, shop, load up, etc.

I'll have to do some research and learn. Until then, I'll get the stocker stuff from my neighbor and make it move.

Thanks for the info. I hadn't given it much thought. Just happy to have it home. Time to clean it out and power wash the interior!

wayne petty · June 27, 2009, 12:45:10 AM

that radio has nice shafts... you could loop a rope around them... and use it as a tire chock....

oh.. by the way... if you don't change the steering column... there are about 40 or 50 options at napa online for turn signal switches that will fit..... some with wipers switches.. some with headlight switches built in almost all with dimmer switches... and flash to pass options... some with emergency flashers also...

if you decide i will take the time and go through the switches and pick out ones that will work the best.. for the best price...

Danimal · June 27, 2009, 01:28:56 AM

Thanks on the switches, wayne. I'll figure it out as I get there but I want to keep the stock look. I'll need a horn button, though!

I told my son to document the jeep. Take lots of pictures. That he did. I laughed at the radio but he did what I asked so it went up with the rest of them. He's working on his composition!

wayne petty · June 27, 2009, 02:08:02 AM

this is one of them .... turn signal... dimmer function

http://partimages.genpt.com/largeimages/372069.jpg

Part: GROTE 48272

this one has a wiper switch also

http://partimages.genpt.com/largeimages/270571.jpg

Part: LIT 90251Y103

both from napa.... a printed catalog from napa would be easier.. but you are a long way from anything like this...

Danimal · June 27, 2009, 07:21:56 AM

Quote from: "wayne petty"this is one of them .... turn signal... dimmer function

http://partimages.genpt.com/largeimages/372069.jpg

Part: GROTE 48272

this one has a wiper switch also

http://partimages.genpt.com/largeimages/270571.jpg

Part: LIT 90251Y103

both from napa.... a printed catalog from napa would be easier.. but you are a long way from anything like this...

Yeah, and I don't think the wiper switch will do me much good with vacuum wipers!

GPster · June 27, 2009, 09:11:22 AM

Flat head or OHV four cylinder? Think about a 4.3L Chevy V6. The early ones had the regular Chevy bell housing bolt pattern and will bolt to a '80 to '83 Jeep 4 cylinder trans. I'm floating around between computors for a couple of days but maybe we have some trading we can talk about. GPster