Making some progress!

Just wanted to send out a big THANKS for this site! I've built other classics, but this is the first Willys (or 4x4 for that matter).

I bought the '62 with a (Kelly?) hardtop in near perfect shape and a Dauntless conversion. The PO put a bolt down the intake and grenaded a piston, then pulled the motor apart, so I got the motor in pieces. Once I got into it...EVERYTHING needed attention. I can't believe he had been driving it! The brakes were shot, every rubber part was disintegrating, and someone had screwed in street signs for floors.

I've POR-15'd the frame, rebuilt the axles (thanks for the help on the knuckles!), installed an 11" brake setup on all 4 wheels, made new lines, installed Herm's dual MC, rebuilt the trans/transfer case (and put an OD on it), rebuilt the motor/carb, and but in new steering (the saginaw box was in, but the rods were junk...I got the thicker ones from Herm). You can see the roller in the pics.

I also picked up all the metal from the sandblaster on Friday, and the tub should be fun to refine my welding skills (I'll have questions!). My wife is a saint and let me put everything but the tub on a sheet in the living room so the bare metal won't corrode in the garage!

So...lots to come, but I can't tell you how helpful the site's been so far.

Onward!!

Lee D.

 

Looks awesome so far! I can't believe how clean your garage is. I am guessing your house inside is even cleaner so your wife really must be a saint! I'm excited to see more of your Jeep. What's under the cover?

 

looks great! keep it up!

 

Very nice work you deserve

 

Looks Great!!! All I can say is :drool: :drool: :drool: and more :drool: Cant wait to see it finished

 

Hmm...under the covers...

On top of the lift is my baby...a black '66 Mustang Fastback GT. I took it to metal a few years ago, put it on the rotissiere, and now it's a new car. Just a "few" changes from stock:...347 fuel injected stroker, 5-speed, coilovers, fuel cell, rack & pinion, Baer 13" discs, sub-frame connectors, etc., etc. Virtually every bolt is stainless, and it dyno'd at 366/370 at the wheels. Fun little toy!

Underneath is (my wife's...yeah, right) Superformance '65 427 Shelby Cobra. Now that thing's a hoot to drive!

I also have a Ducati habit....

I've always done everything on my cars except welding. When I bought the '62, I wired the garage for 220 and began welding. This Jeep thing sure is fun! I'll start underneath on the body so my bad welds don't show!

Think I have a problem??? My wife does!

Lee D.

 

i agree...nice garage

when i bought my jeep, it had one of those too...

my nieghbor who builds cars also keeps parts in his living room, dining room, etc...

 

How about some pictures of these great Mustangs and Fords?
Whats that white stuff on the ground?

 

I realize this has moved a bit off-topic (sorry!), but here are the toys referenced above.

I'll get back to CJ's on the next post!

Lee D.

 

Now I really can't wait to see how your Jeep comes out! Awesome!

 

Nice wheels on the Mustang.

 

Are you gonna get any help from the boys on that jeep or you gonna keep it all to yourself??

 

The Cobra is really beautiful. Some details? I thought the real Shelby 427 Cobras were just wildly expensive ... worth too much money to drive on the street. Is this a reproduction? You said 1965, but maybe that's the year it was modeled after. Just a decent 427 with no Cobra around it is probably worth more than all my cars combined.

 

The Cobra is a reproduction. It's not a "garage build", but built in South Africa by a company called Superformance. They're the only replica company authorized by Carroll Shelby to make these (legally), and they come into the US complete except engine/trans. There's about 20 dealers nationwide, and a pretty large following. They also make Daytona Coupes and GT-40s that are listed as continuation cars in the Shelby Registry. IMHO, they're one of three Cobras that I'd consider, with the others being continuation CSX cars made by Shelby American in Vegas and Kirkham...the aluminum body reproductions (that also make bodies for Shelby), but those two are WAAAYYYY more expensive.

Also, since it's not real (sort of), I love to drive the snot out of it.

In terms of the question about having the boys help with the CJ5...I assume that means you guys and I'll pepper you with questions soon! Or, if you mean my three sons, they're still at "bit" young at 12/10/7...

Thanks for the interest guys! I always find that "car guys" are "car guys"...no matter what the brand or on-line forum.

Final question. I ordered bumpers from Cross Ent. Any tips on welding the rear bumper supports to the frame? Mine should be here in the next week or so...

Thanks everyone,

Lee D.