‘52 Willys Pick Up

[bob w]

It's going to be like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. The two great trucks that go great together.

 

[kenny c]

So much for her welding, She told me I would have to handle the welding and she would continue doing my laundry, keeping the house clean and preparing my meals. HOW THE HECK DO I ARGUE WITH THAT? [S

Sounds like a fair trade to me. My daughters welded a little when they were young. They picked it up real quick. They don't want to hang out with their dad in a grubby garage any more.

 

[Old Iron]

[P[P[P

 

[I-R-POPS]

Todays progress.....

We got the bed and cab off the Dakota frame today.. Looks like a pretty simple swap.
I'm having a hard time deciding if I need to do any front suspension work on this thing.
It originally had a 3.9 V6 in it and I'm going to put a 5.9 V8 in it. The 5.9 weighs about 150 lbs
more.
Any thoughts or opinions?

 

[DozerII]

Looking at the wear on the front tire's it may need some heavier springs and maybe a few steering parts.

 

[Old Iron]

The ole saying is to do it right the first time.
The 5.9 will help lower the Willys another inch

 

[05snopro440]

Picked up our donor truck yesterday.

Not sure my bride is to excited about having to strip it but she does like the idea of not having to buy so many parts to get her Willys on the road. Not to mention the time it will save.

Are you saving that unique and attractive front bumper for the Willys?[ddd

 

[05snopro440]

We got the bed and cab off the Dakota frame today.. Looks like a pretty simple swap.
I'm having a hard time deciding if I need to do any front suspension work on this thing.
It originally had a 3.9 V6 in it and I'm going to put a 5.9 V8 in it. The 5.9 weighs about 150 lbs
more.
Any thoughts or opinions?

The 5.9 will lower it, but 150 lbs isn't the end of the world. There will be a difference in weight in your sheetmetal too, don't forget. You could always put in heavier springs depending on the ride quality and height you want. Worst case, it will be a tad soft but probably not too noticable. If your wife likes a softer ride, leave it as is. If she wants it stiffer, find some HD springs.

You can get variable-rate coils from MOOG, as an option. https://www.carid.com/1992-dodge-dakota-suspension-parts/moog-coil-spring-set-525664673.html?parentsubmodel[]=WHEEL+DRIVE|RWD+%28Rear+Wheel+Drive%29

 

[I-R-POPS]

Looking at the wear on the front tire's it may need some heavier springs and maybe a few steering parts.

That was my thought too. I should have checked it before dismantling. By the old tape measure and framing square method, it doesn't appear to be as bad as the tires show. Who knows the history of the tires? All three brands.

The ole saying is to do it right the first time.
The 5.9 will help lower the Willys another inch

You sound like my dear old departed Dad. But I do agree.

 

[I-R-POPS]

Are you saving that unique and attractive front bumper for the Willys?[ddd

Yes sir I am In the form of cab and bed mounts. It's 3/16 plate.

Thanks for the link on the variable rate springs. That's probably the way I'll go.
I'm going to stack the cab and bed on it with about 300 extra pounds and make my decision from there.

 

[I-R-POPS]

Todays progress.....

Still at it.
Frame and cab stripped down to the essentials.
Dakota seat is a near perfect fit.
A few holes to patch on firewall, cab mounts to fix.
Doors waiting to be taken apart.
Engine waiting for a pan change to clear front of frame.

Made a deal with a mobile sand blaster guy to blast everything in trade for a sign design and cut with my CNC plasma set up. He will be here Wednesday.
I love a good barter.

 

[I-R-POPS]

The smell of new tires in the shop....

235/75r15 tires on rims to be determined.
Probably plain painted steel with beauty rings.
Should ride smooth as glass on the Michelins and the Dakota suspension.

 

[Old Iron]

Is this an optical illusion or does the tranny/engine set to one side on the Dakota cross member?

 

[I-R-POPS]

Is this an optical illusion or does the tranny/engine set to one side on the Dakota cross member?

It does look like it in the picture. I looked at the drive shaft when taking it out and it was parallel with the frame. So I'd say its "delusional" or something.

OR NOT!!! It is off set. I guess to get clearance for the rack and pinion steering..

Sorry about the picture. I tried to rotate it.

 

[I-R-POPS]

Her color selection.....

For now,

 

[Old Iron]

Good color combo.

 

[I-R-POPS]

It cleaned up nicely.....

We can't blame our lack of progress on Mathew sand blaster guy any longer. He did a fantastic job.

 

[I-R-POPS]

My bride started priming the small stuff.
A few pics of the not so good stuff that will keep us busy for a while.

 

[I-R-POPS]

The 50 pound tailgate.....

I see a tailgate rebuild in the future. They don't make the tailgate with the Overland Willys stamped into it any more so we have to save this one.
the solid bars are probably what saved it from being totally destroyed.

 

[soltz]

WOW

Thats a lot of blasting, and yes it cleaned up real well [cl
@@[P@@