Bulldozer - Off Road Willys Wagon

Moose-Proof

Intercooler tubes are finished and installed

Painted the underside of the cage before putting it back on the Wagon

Cage was reinstalled and welded on for the final time. Gussets were also welded on

Just a random picture of the finished dash

I finished and painted the box around the shifter. I also made the top removable.

Decided that it was time to fire this engine up for the first time
Did a check over and hit the starter and instant to life

Sounded good and remembered how much diesels vibrate

Messed with the injection pump and went from "Slow under powered" to wow it goes now.
Turned the power screw in two turns from stock. It still had the collar on it so it had never been messed with. Joy to drive now, get up and goes, just a little gray haze in the exhaust on first take off.

This weekend Hang Time.mp4

Through the past 8 months, Tom and I have realized that the YJ based SOA front suspension on his '57 Willys Wagon is not up to the task. We have decided on a few ways to improve the durability of the front suspension and increase the vehicles offroad performance.

The old 63" wide axles are being swapped out for some full width axles and the front suspension is being converted to a 3-link with coilovers. The axles gears are being exchanged to 4.88's from the 4.10's in preparation for future 42" Pitbull Rockers.

Since Tom drives like his rig like a bulldozer and hitting trees has bent both his front leaf springs, a beefy 3-link will take care of that issue. Most link suspension use 2"OD 1/4" wall tubing for the links and 1.75"OD 1/8" wall tubing for the track bar. Tom's will use 2.25"OD 3/8" wall tubing for the links and 2"OD 1/4" wall tubing for the track bar. He is not bending these

The only differences out back are the gear change, axle width, and the TMR shave kit to smooth out the bottom of the axle.

I have accumulated all of the parts and have begun preparing the axles for the swap. Tom is handling the gear/locker installs and brakes, while I handle the welding and suspension end.

I just welding on the first part of the front axle today, an Artec truss.

You can see how bad the front springs were beaten up

The tubes are .500" wall, they don't warp

Panhard bar is made. Now I could check the flex and look for binding.

Back on all four wheels and brakes bled

Drive.mp4

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