Project "Bruce" or "Luv-it-or-hate-it" M-38

Lookin' good.

 

Thanks !
I am planning on running a VW turbo diesel now.I lose my space in 6 or 7 weeks.I hope to have the big stuff done and just need the details done.If the money holds out and I order and recieve the correct stuff I should get there... maybe.

Scott

 

6 or 7 weeks!!! WARP SPEED SCOTTIE !!!!R)

 

looks great

 

I finished my fender brace frame mounts today and stuck the rear axles in so I could roll it outside...woohoo ! I spent the rest of the day power washing the driveway and cleaning up the garage (weeeeeee) The crossmember looked fine now I am waiting on parts.

 

that looks great

 

Thanks ! The single car garage is pretty tight so it was nice to be able to stand back and take a look.The wife came home for lunch and saw it ouside, she said it makes her smile

Scott

 

Looking GOOD!!!!

and it is always nice to have the "boss" (aka wife) on your side.

 

That looks fantastic. I am glad I found this thread, it was just what I was looking for.
I have this hair brain idea to take a stock Samurai and change out the body for a fiberglass CJ2A body.

Basically built with no genuine vintage or new Willys or Jeep parts.

 

It is a great conversion to me.I suggest unless you're a hardcore wheeler (I am not) use stock samurai running gear,it is plenty tough.Also Buy it complete and in as good a condition as you can.The engine & trans will have to be move back about 10" I will know a lot more after I finish I will try to put it all down.

Scott

 

I have been pretty busy ordering parts and getting some in.Here's what I have received and what I have been working on...

My High-steer finally came,it looks sweeeeeet very beefy.This will place all the steering above the springs and make my drag link close to parrallel.You can also see the knuckle rebuild kit,new kingpin bearings etc.



This shows a new arm next to the stock Toy arm.



My new stainless column with sealed bearings and a quick relese hub.It looks like it will be just right.



New brake calipers (waiting on rear brackets and rotors) I used this rustoleum paint,looks very close to the cast grey (right 2 painted)



Front end torn almost completely down to rebuild the knuckles and hubs.Found these calipers were trash



Before and after,I did this with the knuckles and everything else that came apart,degrease,scrub and paint or wire wheel if needed.



I modified the front backing plates so you can see disc mainly but also keeps them from traping junk.They sell eliminators but then you have to fab brake line mounts.



Thats all for now.I have a lot of parts coming,I need to get a complete rolling chassis asap.

Scott

 

lots of stuff looks like fun

 

I got the front end assembled (knuckles rebuilt,hubs,bearings ect.).I bought a pair of suzuki rear springs and added one leaf on each corner to stiffen it up a little since I will not be running a sway bar.The hubs look nice The modified backing plates turned out great.You can also see my new street rod style front shock mount,these put my shocks at about 18.5" running length which is decent (it's not a rock crawler)









The rear end is assembled.I used Sky manufacturing brackets and rotors with monte carlo calipers.I tacked on brake line clips and ran brake lines.



Bling ! I am not 100% on my new wheel...street rod style again.I got the column mounted with a sealed bearing firewall plate.





A lot of work went into the pedals...not real fun becouse I am large and the space isnt .I was using Jeep TJ pedals first and I wasnt happy with them so I switch to the Suzuki pedal.After a lot of cutting and welding they feel nice and smooth,I have a brace added on one side and I may add one on the other side.I added a sister plate on the brake pedal arm for insurance.







I am finishing the hard lines for the brakes and I need to run the clutch line.I bought a 23mm tap for my drag link but now I have to take it to machine shop to bore it out...ugh !I also ordered a taper for my pitman arm to fit the large FJ-80 TRE to the Suzuki pitman arm.
I have a steering shaft and U-joints coming so I hope to have a complete rolling chassis less engine soon

Scott

 

Your build is looking great. I was going to bid on your cj2a frame on Ebay but didnt get my shipping quote back in time.

Are the toyota axles alot wider than the original willys ones?

Keep up the great work...Glenn

 

Thanks Glenn. I think the guy got a pretty decent deal on the chassis,he seamed happy The Toyota axles are about 55.5" and the Willys 50.5" Just about right to me,I like it a little wider for stability (especially with the lift)
Here are my new to me tires and wheels...35" mtr's on 15x10 eagle alloys.



Scott

 

that is really starting to look good i may be stealing your build ideas when it comes time for mineR)

 

that looks great! we need more pics!!!! you cant just give us one of it with the new wheels an all

 

Thanks guys,heres a wheel pic

Well I am out of time for the moment (8 weeks is up)my biggest hurdle was picking a engine to use.The VW diesel would end up costing quite a bit in the end so I am leaning towards a Toyota 22r again,maybe even a Jeep 2.5.I went from 4 cars to 1...oops ! Now I think the Jeep can stay where it is for the next 5 weeks and then I can finish it (fingers crossed) I will try to find a beater Toyota to drive and to use as a donor when I am able to finish.So this will be the last update for awhile I think.

Edelbrock has these on clearance if anybody needs shocks,I have read good things about them.I had to lose my street rod shock mounts becouse these mount upside down and wouldnt clear.I am using CJ mounts (I still need to trim them off)



I put the top on it and loaded some stuff in the back,outside for one more picture.Ohhhh so close



Scott

 

you are going to need some big fender flares