My 1957 L6-226 Wagon Build.

Flinthillsben said:

BW - back in the 30's my Great Grandfather was a road Engineer in the park and some of the roads we use today are his work. There used to be photos of him on display in the Museum in the old Fort - I haven't checked since the renovation if he was still there. Ever since then it has been the normal summer vacation spot and I even worked there and met my Wife there. Its a pretty special place in our family. You will get there, even if you have Grandkids by then take em.

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Two summers ago, our oldest daughter did an internship at the conservation/education center just outside of the west entrance (Island Park). I drove her and all her belongings there after she graduated college in Virginia. I got one day in the park before flying out of West Yellowstone. Just a teaser and enough to know I gotta take the wife and spend some time there.

That same daughter is moving from Havre, Mt to Bozeman in the next 48 hours. That will put her about 90 minutes from the west entrance. We are hopefully going to make it there this year in either the mini van or baby SUV. I just want pictures in my Willys parked next to one of the cool old shuttles. Haha

Duane

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Thursday update. Prepare for a big one.


I started the day by picking up some supplies at menards(think super home depot.)

Then it was time to start the swap procedure. I had an idea for a method and only trying would prove if it would work.


I started by moving the new running gear into place.



Then I started lifting. Two jacks at the side and one big floor jack in back with cement (not cinder) blocks at the ready.



Slowly I raised the body up a few clicks per side at a time.



Then I started slowly rolling the old chassis out making sure the body was only high enough to clear.



As I did the old transmission/transfer case mount failed.

It was also time to sweep out underneath the wagon.



Clean(er)




At the back there are two cement(not cinder) blocks lating horizontally and one standing vertically. They fit right in the corner pocket.



Then I took a lunch break.

After lunch I wrestled/rolled the new frame into place and started rolling in.



I had to take the front tires off for the engine to clear the nose.



Slowly I started lowering and also raiseing the frame. I used some long bolts nuts and washers as guides in some of the mounts.

Mission control....the eagle has landed.....



Then I removed all the jack stands and set it on the ground.



Some coolant dripped on the floor, but no biggie.



Once again a super hurricane graces my Willys Wagon.


Start to finish, with a 45 minute lunch break it took me 5 hours. I would never use hi lift jacks for this again but its what I had. If you get the idea - find a rental hoist or crane.

The next update will include wiring and probably some more fun on the road to completion.

Kind of tired - see you guys in the funnies.

Ben.

Super Sketchy body lifting method award goes to you my friend. Haha.

My luck would have been to have an earthquake during lunch break, dropping the rig on the floor.

End results are what matter!!! Glad you had success on the swap.

You are cranking this thing out.

Duane

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That was stressful reading for 30 seconds let alone the 5 hours you toOK to do it. I bet you tip toed around that thing all day... one bump and crash it's all gone!

Glad it's done and back home on a chassis. Looks good.

Thanks fellas, I had some old chevy stovebolt heads in the back/on the end of the tailgate for back end ballast. It was actually pretty stable - but you wouldn't want to push too hard.

My hats off to you Ben! You gotta use what you got but. ..wow! I think I may have done it different, but I'm glad you got it done and didn't hurt you or it! Nice job.

Thanks Buxman. The biggest challenge were the transfer case levers and the clutch and brake pedal. I would have loved to use a ceiling hoist but my rafters are 8-10 feet apart. That would have made for a good update.......

Roughly one year ago



Today




So far:
Overhauled rear axle
Overhauled engine
Overhauled drive train
New suspension and overhauled chassis
New brake system
New fuel system
New paint
Cleaned and stained cab wood
Seats rebuilt and recovered
Body repaired and painted
New body mount rubbers and hardware
New tail gate hinge
Horns cleaned and tested
Probably a few other items I forgot.

More to come.

Saturday before Mother's Day update.

Front axle swap day!!!

I had to work a tradeshow the first part of the day so I didn't get started until around 530pm. The goal for today was to get the front axle off the original frame and pit it where the broken front axle is on the new frame. First I removed the axle from old frame.



Then I drug it out and back to near the wagon. Then it was time to pull the bad axle from the new frame.







Then finally I got the good fromt axle installed and the suspension all hooked back up.



In the evenings I have been working on the wagon installing the new harness and other parts.

I also installed the steering box and shaft tonight but need to tighten the bolts up.

I am beat. See you fellas in the funnies.

Ben

Any of you guys know what type of locking hub this is? It replaced the destroyed Warn hub that I found under the seat(that matched the Warn on the other side.)

Tonight I worked on stripping the brakes off of the driver's side of the axle.







I also cleaned up the backing plate and painted it.

Wednesday, June 17th update.

Tonight I assembled the driver side brakes and plumbed the brake hose.



I also put the shock on but forgot to photo that.

I then did the same on the other side.


I am trying the clips for the shocks but will default to cotter pins if the clips don't work out. They seemed like a good idea at the time - but you don't change them so often, we will see.

I then drained the differential and pulled the cover. Dirty/old fluid, but no sparklies and the teeth are all where they are supposed to be.



Then I cleaned everything up and called it a day. Next update Friday or Saturday. We are quickly approching self propulsion.......

I was going to post this some time ago but forgot. I am using speed bleeders which is a check valve bleeder nipple. It makes bleeding brakes ultra simple and I use them in everything that has hydraulic brakes.



More to come.

Not a lot of pics today, maybe none. We will see.

Today I hooked up the steering and greased the front end. I also put gear oil in the front diff. I installed the remote brake fluid setup the guy is selling on the forum. I hooked up the front driveshaft, filled and bled the brakes, installed the front tires, installed the steering wheel and driver's seat. I also painted the heater and the battery tray. After all of that and an awesome thunderstorm I reassbled the bad fromt axle and installed it on the old frame. There are probably a few things hiding from me but I will find them sunday.

Oh yeah - I painted the dual horn setup. And put some gear oil in the axle shaft pivot housings. I figure I will start with gear oil so it can sling into everything and then I will ckean them out and switch to corn head grease which matches the nlgi spec for the pivot housings.

I am sore and worn out. Apparently picking up a front axle will make front ab muscles sore...... who knew!!

I looked. No pictures.

I am sure this is just what hanging out in Moab is like with a bunch of Willys guys.

Catch up pictures and more work to come sunday. I sat in the driver's seat for the longest amount of time since I purchased this thing. It was kind of nice.

Sunday if the weather is nice the wagon is going outside.....

Darn right! Speed bleeders are the snizzle!

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Sunday the 21st of May (May?) Update

Started early this morning with the wiring harness, the speedo, the Light switch and the ignition switch. Slowly I recreated the rats nest and then fed it under the dash to properly mount the three pieces.



I decided below the gauge starting from yhe left I would install the ignition switch, light switch, (ash tray - not moving) choke and then cigarette lighter.

After that I ran he harness for the generator, and all of the underhood components plus forward lights. Once all hooked up I gave it a test.



Up front my parking lights are ready to shine.



I need to replace my dimmer switch as it had bullets and the harness has loops, plus it controls my night vision. Better safe than sorry. I also need to replace the brake light switch which leaks and broke when trying to connect the harness.

I also found that the fitting on the bottom of the remote brake reservoir the guys is selling on here leaks slowly so I plan to try and fix next weekend.

Next I ran the exhaust system and welded the Walck's two piece tail pipe together. I need to get longer hangers for it as the one I bought from Walck's or Kaiser Willys are about three inches too short. Once I have the straps and bolt them on exhaust is done.

I finished up the front fuel system. Next week I will swap fuel tanks and the fuel system will be done.

It progress. Lots of small things to do to get it driveable. See you guys in the funnies.

Making good progress, Ben. Keep it up

Thanks, it has been quite the project.

Quick update.

I was able to get a new dimmer, oil pressure and stop light switch at Napa.



All parts are stock items. So tonight after the kids were asleep I went over to the shop and replaced and wired them in.




High beam indicator:


Oil and charge lights too:



Other than the horn and dome light the front half is wired. More to come....

I seem to be out of picture mode these days, I will try harder!

Over the last few evenings I have been working on the wagon until late. So far the wiring is complete except for the tail lights and the horn. The fuel tank is swapped and the exhaust is in and hanging. All but one interior panel is in. All of the metal inner window trim is in except for the center pieces of the windshield. Most of the bad paint has been sanded and repainted. I took the old coop tires and tube of the rims tonight and will sand and paint the wheels tomorrow. I am probably missing a few things but so be it.














I can't remember if I posted this but here is the speedo with the high beam, charge and oil lights ready to go.



I have found since I went to the fuel pump that the engine will start run shortly and then stumble and die. I have check everything about a hundred times except fuel pressure. I have a 1-4 psi regulator coming in tomorrow at Orielly's to ensure that isn't it.

Otherwise I am worn out.

More to come.

Today I cleaned up the wheels and got them painted.



More tomorrow...