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Willys Wagon

Well…

I got curious about the 16” wheels on the wagon fitting the front axle. Short answer: nope.

I’m hesitant about grinding the calipers but I may have to do so.

Or, I find a set of steelies and sell the originals. Since you guys like to spend my money, how about some help.

Scout (‘74) Dana 44 with big calipers. Five studs on 5.5” circle.

Jon B.
 
One out! The Dana 25 is out, and the Scout 44 is sitting on the springs. The OWF guys will flame me a bit, as I confessed to removing the drag link with a cut-off wheel. The end fittings were rusted solid.

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Scout 44 under the front:
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Jon B.
 
The rear axle is in! 5/8”” U-bolts torqued to 100 ft. lbs. will bend a 1/2” thick, by 5” wide plate quite easily. The plates - all four - conform perfectly to the curve of the springs.

I won’t be using the brakes off the tapered 44; the Scout brakes are more bigger. Got parts ordered for it.

The front clip is off for engine swap and steering refit.

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Jon B.
 
And now, the old Ford 260 is out!

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There’s an adapter between the bell and tranny…

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The tranny and D18 will come out, and be sold.

The classic Ford nerds may have some interest in the 260. I hope. Otherwise, it’s scrap, even though it runs.

Jon B.
 
Jon B. said:
The classic Ford nerds may have some interest in the 260. I hope. Otherwise, it’s scrap, even though it runs.
Click to expand...

Someone restoring a 64/65 Falcon or Mustang will want it.
 
Score!!

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A four-bolt Saginaw gearbox for the win. I went to the junkyard to look at an S-10 box. Too much stuff in the way to see the gear on the truck; air dam & cover below it. Grrrr.

I mentioned wanting an old GM box - which these yard guys hoard for their demo cars - and he said he could part with one. Yes!

Jon B.
 
I didn’t get a pic (yet) but the wheel spacers are bolted to the front hubs. I thought they were 1” but turned out to be 1-1/4”. Oh well.

Today was, among other things, fabrication day. The old upper shock mounts were in the wrong place, and the tie rod will hit the shocks. Gotta move them, so why not make better ones?

Old & new:

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‘Nuther shot:

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The square tube is 1-1/2; the round is a piece of DOM from one of the donors: 3/4” ID, 1-1/4 OD. They’ll get welded in tomorrow.

Jon B.
 
Oh, yeah. New brake parts came today. While I had hopes of using the Jeep drums and returning the $160 (each) Scout drums, they’re way too dissimilar to interchange. I guess invite (Edit: “I bite”) the bullet. Again.

Tomorrow will be shock mount and brake installation. Then all of the wheels can go on.

Gotta get a new ‘Y’ type tie rod and drag link. Member @RATTYFLATTY has suggested that a Chevy pickup set should work, so I’m ‘scouting’ around for those.

Jon B.
 
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eyotajeeper said:
Looking good!
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Well, here’s something that doesn’t look good. Not terrible, just weird.

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Everything is bolted to the x-member at an angle. Maybe the installer thought it should point more directly at the rear diff…? Who knows.

Aha! Upon closer inspection, the left side isn’t bolted at all! I guess it pivoted when I was manhandling it.

Jon B.
 
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