Another Willys Crawler build

Tdylan28

Member
Well first of all, I'm brand new to this forum and brand new to the willys jeeps. I've always been into xjs and zjs. I decided I was ready to build something with a frame for once and a willys mb crawler has been my dream jeep for a while, so I sold my xj and started acquiring parts.

I found a guy selling a reproduction tub that seems to be a mixture of a mb and a m38. He also had a cj2a windshield frame, mb fenders and grill, and a m38 hood. 20180824_180135.jpg
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As far as the drivetrain goes, it will have a 4.0 with an aw4 trans and np231 tcase. Hp30 in front and Chrysler 8.25 out back. At some point down the line it will get better axles. I have a complete 1998 jeep cherokee to use as a donor so I'm going to use every bit that I can as this is not going to be a high dollar build by any means. 20180818_115407.jpg

As of now I still have to pull the axles and steering box out if the xj then I can start cutting into the tub. I'm planning to stretch it around 5 inches in the door opening. I'm 6'2 and this little jeep just isnt going to work without a stretch. That and my drivetrain is really long so every little bit of length I can get will help.

I'm looking forward to this build and I appreciate comments, questions and advise from those of you that have done this kind of stuff before.

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Tdylan28

Member
Awesome, I'm glad you started a build thread! Any idea how much you're going to stretch it?
I'm thinking 4 or 5 inches. I'm probably going to copy the way you cut your tub. The passenger side has the indents for the shovel and axe like a m38 sp I'm gunna have to get creative with how I cut that side.
 

Greg

Make RME Rockcrawling Again!
Admin
I'm thinking 4 or 5 inches. I'm probably going to copy the way you cut your tub. The passenger side has the indents for the shovel and axe like a m38 sp I'm gunna have to get creative with how I cut that side.

Yeah, the indentations will make it harder to work with, but 4-5" should help a lot and not be as noticeable as my 8" stretch.

Looking forward to seeing this progress.
 

Tdylan28

Member
I've spent the last few days stripping down my donor cherokee. Pedal assemblies, a huge mess of wiring and control modules, brake booster/master cylinder, steering box. The only thing left on the xj is the axles which will be coming out soon.
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Tonight I decided I wanted my tub to look more like a mb than a m38 since it already has the mb dash. I'm not digging the mixture of features, so I cut the tool indentations out of the passenger side and welded them into the drivers side. Let me just say I hate welding sheet metal. Too damn tedious. 20180831_163819.jpg
I'll try to get some pictures of the finished panels tomorrow if I've got time.
 

Tdylan28

Member
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Over all I'm very happy with how they turned out. I ended up with a little bit of warping between the old gas filler and the shovel indent because I got impatient with my tacks... but I still have to cut to stretch the tub and patch the filler neck hole so I can fix that later.
 

Tdylan28

Member
I got a decent amount done on the tub today. Theres no turning back now... 20180902_184932.jpg20180902_184944.jpg
I decided to do a 6" stretch. I still have some patch panels to make but so far I think this will be just enough leg room and a little added length for my drivetrain.
 
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Tdylan28

Member
So I got the driver side patch panels tacked up and they turned out awesome. It was a really awkward hole to patch. 20180905_164002.jpg

Then I started on the passenger side and ended up losing a fight with a piece of sheet metal. 20180905_193122.jpg

11 stitches. Damnit. I've always said that it's not really your jeep until it makes you bleed... well this jeep is officially mine I guess....
 

nnnnnate

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Location
WVC, UT
Where do you live? I think you need to block Carl "I Lean" because he had a flattie sitting in his garage for too long and sold it before finishing. :)

Looks good. I've always wanted a Flat Fender and also suffer with height so a stretch would also be needed.
 
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