Rango.....1942 Willys MB
- Thread starter Metcalf
- Start date
jeepdreamer
Expedition Leader
PlayN' with the boys of JP huh...? Guess that raises your star status to us humble onlookers... 
Great to see it out and about and that the clutch worked itself out. Now we just need more pics. haha!
*BTW, did you get chased down by the retro cj5 or just stumble across them on the trails? Any future magazine articles coming out?
Great to see it out and about and that the clutch worked itself out. Now we just need more pics. haha!
*BTW, did you get chased down by the retro cj5 or just stumble across them on the trails? Any future magazine articles coming out?
Metcalf
Expedition Leader
PlayN' with the boys of JP huh...? Guess that raises your star status to us humble onlookers...
Great to see it out and about and that the clutch worked itself out. Now we just need more pics. haha!
*BTW, did you get chased down by the retro cj5 or just stumble across them on the trails? Any future magazine articles coming out?
I don't know about all that and no comment on the other stuff. I did get chased down by a lot of other people. The little flatty seemed to be very well liked.
It felt really good to get it back out and running. It is working better than it ever has overall. The new transmission, transfer case, tunnel, and front driveshaft work much better. No real leaks to speak of either which is REALLY nice. Hopefully with the 4.88 gears I have planned it will be 'perfect' for what I have in mind. Then its time to move onto the next big project....
njtacoma
Explorer
Metcalf
Expedition Leader
I'm still chasing perfection.
Currently that project will probably be a longer 'jeep'. Most likely a fully custom build based on an Aqualu aluminum LJ sized tub. I am trying to blend everything I want into a single vehicle. 110" wheelbase, 39-40" tires, strong axles that are easy to get parts for, big brakes for big tires, etc in a body long enough to sleep inside with the enough motor, transmission and transfer case to tow around stuff when I want. A simple commercial grade SUV about 3/4 scale to my dodge in the body dimensions. Keep the body narrow enough, and minimize the bulk in the rear of the body, for better tight trail performance. The ultimate adventure vehicle for 1 person, pretty dang good for 2 people, large enough to throw a seat in the back for when you need to transport 4 people. Reliable V8 power with an automatic trans that works well off road. A broad speed range in low range for desert/sand work.....but still low enough to work in the rocks and technical stuff. Be able to drive down the road at interstate speeds. Have enough suspension to be fun through endless miles of desert terrain. Have enough adjustability in the suspension to deal with load changes in payload and or tongue weight.
I have a pretty firm plan in mind filled with lots of little details that I have had over the years. Committing the funds and the time will be the next big step. Now that I have the Willys and the Dodge pretty much finished this new one can be in the shop for a few years.
Its basically like chasing unicorns but I think I have a good idea of what I want....
Metcalf
Expedition Leader
Just a little thing.....
Take one new big although short home depot screwdriver that fits autolite 2100 jets just perfect and chuck it in the lathe....
Turn down the snout a bit....then a bit more....then a bit more....
Then it makes the perfect screwdriver for changing 2100 jets. I keep it in a little bag with the jet box, a pair of needle nose vise grips, and a pair of needle nose pliers that goes in the glovebox.....
Take one new big although short home depot screwdriver that fits autolite 2100 jets just perfect and chuck it in the lathe....
Turn down the snout a bit....then a bit more....then a bit more....
Then it makes the perfect screwdriver for changing 2100 jets. I keep it in a little bag with the jet box, a pair of needle nose vise grips, and a pair of needle nose pliers that goes in the glovebox.....
shortbus4x4
Expedition Leader
Dang it looks like you had fun at EJS. I keep telling myself I am going to go one year, maybe next year.
njtacoma
Explorer
I followed the discussion of this idea in the J8 thread a while back. I like your line of thinking, and look forward to how you proceed.
Metcalf
Expedition Leader
It is a HUGE project to undertake. I like building things so that comes in handy. I thought pretty hard about using a 4door JK converted to a J8 but ruled it out for cost/complexity. I think the LJ sized body will be a good compromise. I can get out to the 110" wheelbase I want without making things look too funny. I also had a thought about using a CJ8 length tub with the rear axle moved back to the CJ7 position. I think the wheelbase ends up in the 120" range, a little too long. The LJ has a few other top options that interest me....mainly the frameless style soft top that hugs the factory rollbar shape. I think this will greatly minimize the bulk of the 'body' in the rear section for much better tight trail performance.
I should probably start another thread soon. I will have to call it something about 'Chasing Unicorns'......haha
postalWagon
Adventurer
Custom CJ6????
Metcalf
Expedition Leader
Not long enough, not the best support for off the shelf tops....
I started a tread here...
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/100795-Long-Jeep-chasing-unicorns
jeepdreamer
Expedition Leader
No comment huh? Ummhmm...hahaha! Ok.
I look forward to seeing the next unicorn breeding. IIRC, isn't the XJ 110" wb? If I were you I would go lay down in the back of an LJ or CJ8. Harder to sleep in the back of one than you would think. Doable? Maybe.... Comfortably? Mmmm.
But I'd bet if you could get Aquala to stretch one of their LJ tubs another 6"s you'd be good to go! Build your own frame (we KNOW you can do that..haha) and make it work. Shame that you can get a current gen GM motor to work so well as I would LOVE to see you lean into a small, unusual diesel for this. But I can understand and will look forward to whatever comes!
Metcalf
Expedition Leader
No comment huh? Ummhmm...hahaha! Ok.
I look forward to seeing the next unicorn breeding. IIRC, isn't the XJ 110" wb? If I were you I would go lay down in the back of an LJ or CJ8. Harder to sleep in the back of one than you would think. Doable? Maybe.... Comfortably? Mmmm.
But I'd bet if you could get Aquala to stretch one of their LJ tubs another 6"s you'd be good to go! Build your own frame (we KNOW you can do that..haha) and make it work. Shame that you can get a current gen GM motor to work so well as I would LOVE to see you lean into a small, unusual diesel for this. But I can understand and will look forward to whatever comes!
I could do a CJ8 tub with the rear axle moved back but I think that will be a little long. With the non-tj dash and fold flat seat I think the LJ will be ok. I don't need to sleep in it every night, but having the ability to crash would be nice.
Metcalf
Expedition Leader
I got it out and about this weekend. It was warm-ish but windy.
Just about the same size as a cute girl, bigger than a VW bug....dang it!
I also think I have just about talked myself into 5.38 gears instead of 4.88s. Driving around more I just don't think the 4.88s are going to work THAT well on the stuff I drive it on the most.....basically 40-55 type stuff.
I am sure I am going to swear at the 5.38 gears at some point but overall I think I will just have to drive a little slower when I do end up on the highway. I don't really see myself doing highway or heaven forbid interstate THAT much. I think if I can just motor 50-55 without having to shift down for hills I will be pretty happy. I don't really need to get anywhere that fast...
Thoughts?
Just about the same size as a cute girl, bigger than a VW bug....dang it!
I also think I have just about talked myself into 5.38 gears instead of 4.88s. Driving around more I just don't think the 4.88s are going to work THAT well on the stuff I drive it on the most.....basically 40-55 type stuff.
I am sure I am going to swear at the 5.38 gears at some point but overall I think I will just have to drive a little slower when I do end up on the highway. I don't really see myself doing highway or heaven forbid interstate THAT much. I think if I can just motor 50-55 without having to shift down for hills I will be pretty happy. I don't really need to get anywhere that fast...
Thoughts?
Sean VHA #60013
Adventurer
I got it out and about this weekend. It was warm-ish but windy.
I also think I have just about talked myself into 5.38 gears instead of 4.88s. Driving around more I just don't think the 4.88s are going to work THAT well on the stuff I drive it on the most.....basically 40-55 type stuff. I am sure I am going to swear at the 5.38 gears at some point but overall I think I will just have to drive a little slower when I do end up on the highway. I don't really see myself doing highway or heaven forbid interstate THAT much. I think if I can just motor 50-55 without having to shift down for hills I will be pretty happy. I don't really need to get anywhere that fast...Thoughts?
What became of your idea to retrofit a low range quadratrac unit? Personally, I'd go with 4:88 gearing and the quadratrac unit to retain drivability and still have an ultra low range solution :coffeedrink: