Cummins 5.9 in a Willys Wagon

[willis castle]

I was wondering if anyone on here herd of putting a 5.9 cummins in a Wagon? I have one and really want to put it in my 1955 wagon, I am looking for some ideas on axles. I have a set of axles from a early bronco that would be a dana 44 front and a 9inch rear I want to put 33s on the jeep when done will be mostly a on road jeep maybe a little mud but not hardcore. I just dont know if them axles will be strong enought for them axles so if anyone has imput that will be great. Thanks

[756to1]

should hold up fine if you have a light right foot and take it easy-- but put it in 4 low and I think those axles would not like it one bit. That is a lot of torque. Stick them on rock with 100% traction and they would end your day really quick like.

[gavan]

1. Get out the plasma cutter. Putting a 6BT in a Willys Wagon aint going to be easy. Especially if you want an intercooler.

a 4BT or Isuzu 4BD1T will be a much better idea for mileage, fit, axle longevity, yadda, yadda, yadda...

2. Your early bronco axles will fail with a 6bt unless you never put it in 4 wheel drive and never get hard on the accelerator.

Unless you throw in some very expensive pieces.

Your D44 will chuck ball joints like its going out of style too, you are doubling the weight of the engine, doubling the weight of the transmission, doubling the size of the radiator, etc.

14bff axles are cheap, 60 front chebbys are cheap ish, it is all good insurance for a 6bt. If you do not want to get into shortening the axles, throw on some deep backspace H1 or H2s.


There is a reason no one offered a 6BT with a D44 front.

Cliff notes:

Buy a plasma cutter and real axles if you really want a 6BT
OR, get a 4bt or 4bd1 and keep the axles and firewall.

[four27_cobra]

X2 on the 4BT idea and no D44s, i have a '60 wagon im going to build up and will be doing 60s, 4BTA, NV4500 and an atlas. Id rather have the extra room and easy fit in the engine compartment than that much motor, after all the cummins is all about torque. The 200 HP and 400+ ft lbs i plan on gettin out of a 4bt will more than fill the bill for me.

[duck454ss]

i'd love to see the 6bt go into something. but frame strength and axles deffiinitly need to be questioned. i cant remember where i saw a thread but someone put a 6bt in a tj. to make that happen they pretty much found a wrecked truck. took all of it and narrowed/modded the frame to fit under the tj. only read about it never saw pics, or at least any good fab pics.


other than that i'd push for the 4bt.

[postaldave]

there is a reason they put a dana70 in the rear on a diesel.

even with small tires, one binding moment and the parts will fly.
should be fine on the street but i wouldn't take that offroad.

i do like the idea, you could tow your own camping rig behind it and then go wheeling!

[willis castle]

Thanks for your imput I also have a older gmc truck with the 14 full float rearend so im going to go with that then find a dana 60 for the front. I know this is going to be a project but im in no rush and think this would be and awesome rig when done but for now just getting ideas and rounding up parts for the build this winter.

[duck454ss]

Originally Posted by postaldave

there is a reason they put a dana70 in the rear on a diesel.

even with small tires, one binding moment and the parts will fly.
should be fine on the street but i wouldn't take that offroad.

i do like the idea, you could tow your own camping rig behind it and then go wheeling!

a dana 70 would hold up fine behind a 6bt wheeling, granted it would take more of abeating than if it were connected to a v8 or anything else. but the dana 70 can handle diesel drag trucks (400-900hp and well over 1000ft-lbs) launching off the line. i'm pretty sure something else would go sideways before the Dana would.

beef up the frame, build a set of tons to go under it all and rock on it. a stock 6bt on tons would be one heavy beast but would never lack in power.

[postaldave]

yeah duck, that was my point. he was talking about putting a dana44 in year. not the dana70.

[Magnum_Willys]

You heard it - ditch the 44 - and the 9" for that matter. 60/70 or 60/14.

[willis castle]

Thanks for your imput on the D44 and the 9inch. Im looking for a older dodge 1ton or 3/4ton for the axles I think they have a D60 front and a D70 rear. I want a older one because the cummins wont have all the electronics to hook up later. So thinking to get a older dodge then i will have the axles suspension and another motor. Anymore ideas let me know Thanks