Project Question

[misterarj]

Good Afternoon,

I posted yesterday for the first time and got some great assistance, and now I'm back with another question. My project is putting a 1959 Willys Wagon on a 1976 Wagoneer. I figured dual D44's, 401, TH400, disc Brakes, power steering and so on was a vast improvement on the Willys and the frame is much stronger.

My question is this, the wheelbase of the Willys is 5" shorter, should I move the engine/trans back 5" or should I take 5" out of the center section of the frame?

I see pro's and con's with each and it appears the only added labor of moving the engine back is shortening the from driveshaft and the motor mounts. Please give me your thoughts. I have a buddy who is an ASE Master Tech and professional welder so between the two of us I am comfortable with either option. Thanks guys.

[FSJeeper]

You have several ways you can go with this.

1. Re pin and move your front axle back 2.5" and the rear forward 2.5" on the springs.

2. Cut the frame.

3. Move the body back on the frame 5" and let the front crossmember stick out CJ style. You will have radiator clearance issues with this option but it has been done before.

[Tad]

I'd like to think taking the 5" out of the frame and leaving the springs in the stock position was the easiest but I am not too famialer with a 1976 frame setup. It looks very easy on my 1970 as the frame is not boxed in the area by the gas tank and could be realigned and boxed for strength there.

[misterarj]

bumping in hopes of getting a few more opinions. thanks

[andy d]

what Tadsal said, sounds like a real fun job. with a nice rig as an end result. i would hunt down a welder and get his opinion. my only experience is with ships and we used to stretch tankers. if you boxed the frame on the open side and fishplated about 2' or so on the out side, it should be plenty rugged without adding much weight. wonder what kinda fitting you'll hafta do under the hood to get every thing to fit

[The PIG Smith]

Originally posted by andy d:
we used to stretch tankers.WOW :eek:
Is a Tanker Stretcher similar to a Tent Stretcher but just BIGGER? :D

[OBX-AUTOMOTIVE]

ADD 5" TO THE BODY :D