Builds SLOW 71

[xtiaan2000]

Words just don t do it! Value- priceless!

Please let me crack out on some more pictures! I think all would agree.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Thanks Guys! Dragging my feet a little, until I get the front end figured out.

Christiaan, I was rereading your build, getting up the nerve to tackle the tailgate.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Delete repeat post.

 

[Delancy]

60 width is perfect!

Yup, I grew up in a willys...

"She can dance a Cajun rhythm, jump like a Willys in four wheel drive.
She's my summer love in the spring, fall, and winter.
She can make happy, any man alive."

-Jerry

 

[J Mack]

Man, I'm waiting also. Still trying to get the body parts aligned and possible bent frame. Took it to a custom body shop and was told they couldn't get the specifications on the frame.

Ron,

They can’t just input the numbers manually? You should be able to use a tape measure to do some checking on your own and determined if you have an issue big enough to warrant fixing, as a rule of thumb if it’s under 1/6” in most cases it was closer than it came from the factory and we could get it to drive straight with front end alignment.

 

[Delancy]

First I've heard of potential frame issues, Ron. Sorry to hear.

Talked to a buddy who's family owned shop is a long time staple for high end dealer work, here, after rolling the 80, specifically about frame, and he eluded to straightening not being any big deal at all, since body on frame.

Granted, may have to adjust the leafs, but should be about it, right?

 

[scrapdaddy]

Yeah, I didn't think it was a big deal, but the first shop pretty much blew it off. I told him about the specs. in the book, but he said no. Going Monday to another shop. The frame leans over 1/2", thought it was my shop floor, but when taking to get painted on his level floor, it still leaned. New springs too.

I welded a lot on the front of the frame, so maybe I warped it.

 

[PabloCruise]

Ron,

They can’t just input the numbers manually? You should be able to use a tape measure to do some checking on your own and determined if you have an issue big enough to warrant fixing, as a rule of thumb if it’s under 1/6” in most cases it was closer than it came from the factory and we could get it to drive straight with front end alignment.

Good deal, thanks for posting!

Ron, sorry to hear about your hassles. I feel your pain though. I am in the midst of painting my 40, and the painter is telling about how much he had to do to get the front end sheet metal to line up. The original owner who I got it from used to plow snow with it, so I am sure the front cross member got punished. We had to work on the rear cross member. I think the previous owners used these things hard and put them away wet.

I hope you can get it to the point you are happy with the front end. I know I have a few imperfections with my mine, but keep in mind that these things were not that great w/ body panel alignment even when new!

 

[bobm]

Ron, sorry to hear that. Has nothing to do with your welding, if it is a half inch that would be a s***load of heat. Sure its not the springs? Is it leaning to 1 side? Still looks awesome.

Thanks Bob.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Hey Bob,

It does lean to the driver's side and I thought it might be the springs, but they came with the wagon and are new. I believe some springs are made for the cruiser lean, so I will switch them if the frame checks out. Just need to work through it.

 

[J Mack]

Hey Bob,

It does lean to the driver's side

Ron,



Just thinking out loud here, when you did the spring over did you measure from the top of the new perch to the tube on both sides to confirm they were the same?

When I installed my new perches the one that welded to the center section was ¾” higher than the side that welded to the tube when measured from the tube and this would have caused a drivers side lean. These perches were from SOA kit.

 

[scrapdaddy]

JMack,

Thanks for thinking about this, but mine is a spring under axle. The springs are from Old Man Emu and are the heavies.

 

[xtiaan2000]

I have been wondering about my frame too. Sitting on a flat surface the front shackles are not parallel- one of the leaf ends of the shackle is farther foward then the other. New leaf springs still leans to left. Switched the springs and still leans to the left. I am guessing that it has a bent frame, but I know nothing.

 

[scrapdaddy]

I would like to get the frame checked out and if ok, then switch the springs. I'll have to drop the gas tank in order to do the rear springs.

 

[lowtideride]

I am sure you know this but springs are "sided". You could have the drivers side on the passenger or vise versa. I am sure its a suspension issue(or hope it is). Your shackle angle looks pretty extreme in some of those photos.

 

[scrapdaddy]

Lowtideride,

Are all springs sided? I've seen some marked, but mine didn't have anything on them, so wasn't sure. They looked to be the same, on the bench.

On the shackle angle, The PO welded them on and in his build thread, had stated he talked with OME and they gave the go ahead. I've always wondered about them being a little steep.

 

[lowtideride]

Yulp, most springs have a drivers side/ passenger side... I think even Toyota springs, when you could still get springs from them they had "sides". So you might be able just swap one from another. Your shackle angle will give you a nice soft ride, you might run into some problems hitting your bump stops too soon, etc etc. But I wouldn't worry about it till you have it out and about on the road. I mean what else are ya gonna do when this is all done?

 

[scrapdaddy]

Hopefully use it! Thanks for the help, maybe all together, we will get this done.

 

[lowtideride]

I plan on traveling all over in mine... Hopefully some day our piggy paths will cross

 

[bobm]

Ron, are all your spring bushings greased? Inside and out?

Thanks Bob.