Trail_Krawler & Trail_Willys

[Claytone]

I was contemplating that trail over spring break. I’d be tempted to give it a go next time we’re down there.

 

[kmas0n]

I've started work on the driver controls. Since the steering, and seats were long gone when I got the jeep, I am starting from scratch. The Steering column is a 32" "hot rod" unit from Speedway motors. Just a simple shaft, no wiring inside. its toped with a 3 bolt quick release. The seats are Bestop, low back vinyl seats. They look the part, and the right size, and fit the bill nicely. I've spend the past two days making brackets for the seats. They are located where I want them, and at all the right angles. I just need to make some little foot plates and paint them.

 

[kmas0n]

This is probably one of my favorite type of projects... Creating sometime from nothing. Seat mounts are newbie levels of fabrication, but starting from scratch is fun.

 

[kmas0n]

Did you know!?!
In 1940's the average height of a man was 5'6". We have grown like weeds, I'm 5'10" and don't feel particularly tall. So... I fit in the GPW, but don't fit well, scooting the seat back an inch would be great. so thats what I did.

Scooting the seat back just an inch made a huge difference for comfort, So I had to cut a notch in the fender well, and a simple patch to close it back in. This is a very common mod for the old jeeps as people continue to be huge(er).

 

[kmas0n]

Ordered all the things for the electrical. Fuse box, wires, fuses, relays, switches of all types. I've never done a full vehicle wiring project before, but I figure the GPW is a good place to start.

Since there are no pictures of ordering stuff...
Glamour Shot.

 

[Mike_H]

Ordered all the things for the electrical. Fuse box, wires, fuses, relays, switches of all types. I've never done a full vehicle wiring project before, but I figure the GPW is a good place to start.

Since there are no pictures of ordering stuff...
Glamour Shot.
View attachment 529019

This is a really cool project. Keep it up

 

[kmas0n]

This is a really cool project. Keep it up

Thanks. I'm having a really fun time building it

 

[kmas0n]

Remember way back when...
I said I wasn't going to do a 3 link front with coil overs...

Axle truss. 3/16 steel

Rough track bar mount.

I've taught myself to use CAD so I'll be utilizing send cut send for the complicated things. Like super fast Matt says. Cheat code for garage diy projects.

In steel.

Truss and upper link mock-up.

New pass motor mount with clearance for upper link

Partial frame side track bar. Only one side because the other is a mirror image

Anyways progress on something I said I wouldn't do.

 

[kmas0n]

 

[kmas0n]

This is starting to look promising.

 

[kmas0n]

wow, insta and life have long outpaced this thread.
Lets catch up.

And you think you are going to put that... where?

I purchased to Tube Bender... we are onto the next level fabrication now... it turned out great. In the fenders, even kept the flip up feature of the headlights.

With the hood and fenders on. The shock hoop will be invisible. The coil over will be the only thing to see, and most people wont see it. This is going to be a very very capable and fun rig, but LOOK like a stock war jeep. Just the way I want it.

 

[Irun]

wow, insta and life have long outpaced this thread.
Lets catch up.

And you think you are going to put that... where?
View attachment 545779
I purchased to Tube Bender... we are onto the next level fabrication now... it turned out great. In the fenders, even kept the flip up feature of the headlights.
View attachment 545780
With the hood and fenders on. The shock hoop will be invisible. The coil over will be the only thing to see, and most people wont see it. This is going to be a very very capable and fun rig, but LOOK like a stock war jeep. Just the way I want it.
View attachment 545781

Every time I see one of these, I want to build one. The the body lines are absolutely beautiful. Plus, that tire wheel combination are perfect!

 

[SoCalGlide]

Every time I see one of these, I want to build one. The the body lines are absolutely beautiful. Plus, that tire wheel combination are perfect!

I know! I run to FB Marketplace looking for one!

 

[en480c4]

I’m going to have to go back and read your whole thread. I just picked up a CJ-2A with a rough body and an M38A1 chassis with a clean Hotchkiss M-201 tub + GPW front clip. I’m going to be combining the 2A chassis with the military body. Great work so far!

 

[kmas0n]

I’m going to have to go back and read your whole thread. I just picked up a CJ-2A with a rough body and an M38A1 chassis with a clean Hotchkiss M-201 tub + GPW front clip. I’m going to be combining the 2A chassis with the military body. Great work so far!

Thanks! You only need to go back a few pages for gpw stuff. The rest is TJ related

 

[Jamison C]

Can you just put a Hayabusa engine in this thing already?

 

[kmas0n]

Upper shock mounts are roughed in, everything is tight. I'm going to have to trim a few things but I'm liking it.

 

[kmas0n]

Everything was close, so I had to trim, and adjust, but the front suspension is done. I have full steering lock to lock at all angles of articulation. Coil overs are mounted, reservoirs have a home and jeep is sitting on its own weight again.

 

[Mike_H]

Everything was close, so I had to trim, and adjust, but the front suspension is done. I have full steering lock to lock at all angles of articulation. Coil overs are mounted, reservoirs have a home and jeep is sitting on its own weight again.
View attachment 548300


View attachment 548301

View attachment 548302

Apologies if you have posted this already, but did you replace the frame, box it in, or reinforce it in any other way? From what I understand, the frames on those really old jeeps twist a lot. Like, half the "suspension" travel came from the frames twisting up. You have a lot of money wrapped up into suspension to let the coilovers stay stationary and the frame twist around like a noodle.

 

[kmas0n]

Apologies if you have posted this already, but did you replace the frame, box it in, or reinforce it in any other way? From what I understand, the frames on those really old jeeps twist a lot. Like, half the "suspension" travel came from the frames twisting up. You have a lot of money wrapped up into suspension to let the coilovers stay stationary and the frame twist around like a noodle.

Great question! As for the front, it's been replaced, boxed, gussetted and the will be a bar between the two shock hoops. The front bumper is a cross member made from rectangle tube. The front will be very rigid. The rear will get treated similar. I'm going to try to make another cross member or two in the middle to help with frame flex. The frame was very flimsy with the body off