Seabee M38A1 Build

Tymbom
Could you go over the axle specs you used again? Think last unread was a 62" currie built front axle, 9 or d44? And an early 60s f100 61" rear 9?

I really like how your jeep is set up.

 

Thanks for the compliment!
Yep, the front axle is 62 inches wide, Ford 9in with Dana 44 outers with Ford discs... It's kinda crowded on the passenger side perch and stuff.

The rear is mid sixties F100 59 1/2 inches wide. I'm not sure about it though. After it was under there a couple weeks I noticed the pinion was offset two inches towards the passenger side. Also, it ended up having 28 spline axles. 31 spline axles can be swapped in, I'm just not sure the offset isn't gonna make some funky vibes... Time will tell.

I've been tinkering with some things and I'll have an update later tonight or tomorrow.

 

I'm still here... I've been busy with life again. Balancing my career, my wife's and getting the kid to school is keeping us busy. My wife started working full time about a year ago and it's led to some changes. Shortly before she started working I took an office job. So I'm working five eight hour shifts a week like normal people. So I get to take my daughter to school each day and pick her up. She is ten years old and doesn't like to spend time at the shop like I do. So I haven't had much time to spend building the Jeep. But, that is gonna change soon. I had an idea last week. My parents are moving to the area so we built a mezzanine to store lumber on.
Underneath it there is some wasted space. I've had to move some stuff around, but I built a playhouse.

The wall is only 6 feet tall, so it's kid sized.


My daughter loves it. We still are going to paint it up and make it look cute. I've put a little carpet down and plan to put a desk and stuff in there. I have a couple little heaters to help in the winter too. Like I told her, this is so she will be able to come to the shop and hang out while I get some work done. Also, it will help when my friends bring their kids to the shop.

 

Awesome!!

 

The last time I worked on the Jeep the lower steering column mount was started.


I added a small piece to the existing tunnel cover to make more space for the mount I bought from Speedway Motors with the steering column. I got some caged nuts from McMaster Carr for the trans tunnel cover, and plan to add two or three more bolts to hold down the bottom edge.

I also picked up the hydraulic assist cylinder for steering assist. I haven't started down that road yet... There are some other parts that I have to install as well so I have some tinkering to do... Thanks for checking it all out.

 

That's a little more complicated than I was planning. I'm just going to drill and tap the Camaro box I have. An friend has done it on a couple different rigs.

 

"Dad, this is my playhouse, not your leafspring storage area!"

 

This fall I was visiting a friend and he mentioned he had a some transmissions and transfercase's for sale. A SM465, NP205, NP203, Toyota Auto/transfercase and a Dana 300.


I have a SM420 sitting under the bench waiting for the Dana 300. I'm planning to swap out the T18/Dana 20 combo and see if I can clock the transfercase up a little. I'll probably rebuild crossmember and tranny tunnel cover, which might mean the motor mounts will need adjustment as well. It should be worth it all for the superior crawl ratio. I will be able to run an axle ratio that will allow less RPMs on the highway, but still have a lower crawl ratio. Should be cool.

 

I also scored a nice drill press in the same trip...

 

To make us feel better, please tell you had to pay at least $4000 for all of that.

 

I paid "4000" bux for all that.... Ha. The trannys and friends were 200. The drill press was another 50. Plus he threw in a billion drill bits, sizes from cute to OMG that's big. He's a good friend that is no longer building hot rods and trucks because of his failing health. He now spends his time building model cars. At last count he had well over a thousand built in his house, and at least that much in boxes. All the models are painted and detailed. Some are chopped hot rods, gassers, dragsters, logging trucks, you name it. If it makes you feel better, the drill press needs a new motor...

 

Finally getting around to doing stuff...

 

Looks great!

Must... resist... saying... "And the jeep does too..."

 

Nice.............I need some inspiration at times

 

Me too... I read through the Varg build the other day...

 

Keep on tinkering away it looks good..