Project: Silly Willy

[confusedxj]

1953 Willys high hood

Build by Joe Pitts @ Pitts Fab in Fort Walton Beach, Fl

Jeep Was Modified before it was purchused
Came with a Hot 327 with Aluminum Heads and Corvette Tuned Port Injection





kind of a late start on posting the thread but here is what he has so far

Jeep in getting 3 links + Trac Bar Front and Rear 18 inch Fox 2.0 Rear Shox
18" FOR 2.5 Coil Over Shox in the front
Dana 44 front
12 bolt rear

Axles have Detroits 4.56, Chromo shafts

37 inch IROKS




Comp Cut and Back-Halfed the Frame



Case will Be Replaced with a Dana 300





Front View



More To Come

[confusedxj]

Suspension Travel







Rear Shock Hoops









Ride Height



More To Come As the Build Goes On

[IndyCJ]

Damn, that's sweet!

I'd love to have a b

[diverdude2890]

thats the exact project i wanted to do, looks great

[mountain_yj]

looks good. But why not just 4 link the rear instead of using that crazy panhard mount? And is that mounted single shear or am i seeing shit?

[zukfreak]

I happen to love the three links, I run them in all of my buggys. You are correct it is single shear hence the reason I am running 3/4" bolts. the front is getting double shear with 5/8 bolts as there is more weight up front I like the double shear better, but I am sure with the little weight that is in the rear I will not have any problems running single shear, most of the comp buggys are running single shear with few failures.

[mountain_yj]

Makes sense. I suppose im just used to looking at all the 4 links

[confusedxj]

updates

Front Trac bar Mount









Front axle location



Lower Trac bar mount, still in Progress

[confusedxj]

Front Upper Control Arm Mounts



Spidertrax Misalignment tabs



Upper Control Arm axle Mount and Axle Truss


Front Suspension











More to Come!

[zukfreak]

I got one of the froont shocks mounts done today, I had to build a new alt mount cause the one that was on it hung the alt way out over the frame right wwere the hoop needed to be. so I moved it up. I will get some more pics of the front shock mounts with the 14" 2.5 FOA Shocks on tomorrow. I would have had it all done today but I got sidetracked with my new mud truck, I picked up a 1987 chevy long bed K10, TBI 350, 700 r4, 208 tcase ( that I had to install, that was why I got it really cheap, like free .99) and a set of super strong cxrop 10 bolts , yes I am kidding about them being strong. any how after installing the t-case I found out the new one was out from behind a th400, and as we all know they use the bigger input shaft, so it was a no go literally, so out with the case and I swapped the input shafts from the old one, that had worn out the High low selecter fork, reinstalled the case and she is up and running. Oh and it has AC.

[FordFascist]

I'm curious why'd you invest all that time building on the stock frame. You'd be in it less time making your own frame rather than trying to bootyfab tubing and excessive gussets to the remaining pieces of the stock frame.

The build is pretty cool I guess, although I think you guys took some shortcuts tying into the stock frame and comp cutting it.

[zukfreak]

you are correct but it is one of those that just started as a fix for a bad spot in the frame, from the previous owner, and that was some serious booty fab. When it is all done the exess steel that is overlaping the frame will all be cut off and smoothed so it don't look so bad. If I have my way (as it is not mine I am building it for a friend) then when I do the cage it will be tied to the frame in mony places all the way from the fron to the rear in hopes of stiffinging up the frame so all of the flex will be in the suspension and not in the frame, hopefull this will help the 50 plus year old frame last, as just two days ago I found another crack in the frame up front. I still have alot to do as far as tieing in the frame back half, and buildin all new body mounts but it is starting to all come together.

[confusedxj]

Shock Mounts

14" Travel 2.5 coil over FOA

[brent460]

Whats the wheelbase lookin like?

[confusedxj]

i believe the wheelbase is gonna be 100 inches but i could be mistaken

[confusedxj]

back from the painters










the really nice break set up the painters decided not to mask off

[cj5 buggy]

LOOKS GOOD. i'd be upset to say the least about the painter not taping it off...

[ChrisHolmz]

Are you going to run stock shafts in that 44? Also, when you get a chance can you get some closer pics of your steering ram, the mounting setup, and the mounting for the knuckles. I am just looking for some info, no flaming.

[confusedxj]

Originally Posted by cj5 buggy

LOOKS GOOD. i'd be upset to say the least about the painter not taping it off...

theres is no real way to show you but the jeep only got a base coat, after that it was loaded back up and will never go back to that paint shop, over spray on the shocks, motor, beadlocks and tires....

Are you going to run stock shafts in that 44? Also, when you get a chance can you get some closer pics of your steering ram, the mounting setup, and the mounting for the knuckles. I am just looking for some info, no flaming.

the front shafts are chromoly with randy's super joints, the rear 12 bolt also has chromos.

here is what i have ill get more shots tonight if i can

[ChrisHolmz]

Thanks for those, more pics would be appreciated, as well as updates after you wheel it with how the front holds up. I am asking because people don't post too many D44 builds on pirate anymore.

[KyleQ]

Way cool

[kf_chris]

Really nice looking project so far! I think a high hood is my next project.

[Cheepin]

Like the rig.But man that rear as ALOT of rear steer!

[zukfreak]

your are correct about the 44 front axle, it should hold up as the jeep is pretty light, the owner of this jeep has anoythe TJ that I built with 60's front and rear, and he has broke more 44 junk then we could caount , not to mention he has watched me cash out lots of dana 44 shafts in the front of my sami. So we will see what happens, I say worst case he blows up a few then upgrades to a set of the RCV CV style shafts. That is what my Sami will be gettin as soon as I can afford to drop a grand in axle shafts.


OK on the steering ram, the main tube is 1 3/4 .250 wall DOM and the bumper/grill fro the ram is only .120 wall. as I was looking for the stregh on the main mount to be able to handle numorous rock hits. It is a PSC 2.5 8" travel ram. the steering valve is mounted in the dash again not my choice as possible leaking 200 plus degree hydro fluid in your lap could really suck!! but he insisted so there it is, at least it is behind the dash so no worrys of gettin in the face.


And yes he was really pissed about the overspray as one thing he mentioned when he dropped it off, do not get over spay on the tires or shocks. and as you could see the master cylinders got it and the tires and shocks looked the same way. We will also have to fix some of the body work as some where between their shop and Roberts it devoloped a crack just under the drivers door about 3 inches long. It sucks when you do bussiness with friends and they do ya like that!!

[ChrisHolmz]

Originally Posted by zukfreak

your are correct about the 44 front axle, it should hold up as the jeep is pretty light, the owner of this jeep has anoythe TJ that I built with 60's front and rear, and he has broke more 44 junk then we could caount , not to mention he has watched me cash out lots of dana 44 shafts in the front of my sami. So we will see what happens, I say worst case he blows up a few then upgrades to a set of the RCV CV style shafts. That is what my Sami will be gettin as soon as I can afford to drop a grand in axle shafts.


OK on the steering ram, the main tube is 1 3/4 .250 wall DOM and the bumper/grill fro the ram is only .120 wall. as I was looking for the stregh on the main mount to be able to handle numorous rock hits. It is a PSC 2.5 8" travel ram. the steering valve is mounted in the dash again not my choice as possible leaking 200 plus degree hydro fluid in your lap could really suck!! but he insisted so there it is, at least it is behind the dash so no worrys of gettin in the face.


And yes he was really pissed about the overspray as one thing he mentioned when he dropped it off, do not get over spay on the tires or shocks. and as you could see the master cylinders got it and the tires and shocks looked the same way. We will also have to fix some of the body work as some where between their shop and Roberts it devoloped a crack just under the drivers door about 3 inches long. It sucks when you do bussiness with friends and they do ya like that!!

Thanks for the info. Like I said, I wasn't trying to start any flaming. This is a nice build. I have been running a full width 44 front in a TJ for 6 years now and have broken numerous times, all stock shafts and cheap ujoints though. I've been waiting for those CV's to hit the market too, and I can't wait!

Thanks for the steering info. Any chance you know the amount of steering degrees it has? Also, do you think the ball joints and knuckles will hold up? Obviously you have some confidence or you wouldn't have put it together, I am just wondering if your unsure of anything or if you have seen it work.