My Willys 3A and 3B Community

3A, 3B, DJ Technical Knowledge Base => "Original"-- Technical Questions, Answers, Observations => Topic started by: Devin on May 27, 2015, 03:42:30 PM

Title: body mount bolts?
Post by: Devin on May 27, 2015, 03:42:30 PM

Hello. New here, gave up looking for any info on this, can't find much of anything, and without an existing body to compare, I have no idea of how the body mounts. New body. So I'll have to drill holes. Question is; are they just through bolts right through the hat channel and wood? Are there any sleeves to be installed so the bolt doesn't crush anything? Is the bolt under the fuel tank. Recessed or something to keep it from wearing into the fuel tank? I know there's felt that goes there. Does anyone know what size bolts they used?

Thanks

Title: Re: body mount bolts?
Post by: Ryan_M on May 27, 2015, 08:30:32 PM

Per the parts list all are 3/8"-24 except four which are 5/16"-18. I'm not sure where the 5/16" ones go. Maybe the attaching points through the rear crossmember and the two near the rear bumper? I didn't get that picky when I did my projects.

I used the 3/8"-24 bolts through the hat channels and wood and 1/4" rubber liners. No extra sleeves. Same for the bolt under the tank. I know some guys use a bolt with a real low profile head but I don't think it matters a whole lot. I'm sure others will chime in with better input.

Title: Re: body mount bolts?
Post by: Bob W on May 27, 2015, 08:53:38 PM

From memory they are all 3/8" except the four across the rear and the two step bolts in the rear cargo area which are 5/16". The bolt under the fuel tank is installed from the bottom and doesn't go through.

Edit
You can see this from the parts listing pages that Ryan posted. They are numbered from the front to the rear.

Title: Re: body mount bolts?
Post by: Devin on May 28, 2015, 12:34:31 AM

That's exactly what I'm looking for! thanks! I'm surprised they didn't use any collars through the hat channels.

Title: Re: body mount bolts?
Post by: garage gnome on May 28, 2015, 05:56:45 AM

That is what the wood is for. I would ditch the wood and put some tubing in there to prevent the hat channels from crushing.

Title: Re: body mount bolts?
Post by: Ryan_M on May 28, 2015, 06:05:21 AM

Classic Enterprises offer replacement channels with wood crush blocks or pipe stand-offs as shown below. I'd opt for the metal pipes if it were me. Not sure what MD Juan offers. If they are completely hollow I'd think you want to support them with something.

Title: Re: body mount bolts?
Post by: athawk11 on May 28, 2015, 09:52:54 AM

I think he mentioned in another thread that he has a new MD Juan tub.  I believe they use the original wood filler in the hat channels.

Tim

Title: Re: body mount bolts?
Post by: Devin on May 28, 2015, 12:06:39 PM

Yeah supposedly there's wood in my md juan tub. I haven't drilled the holes yet. I'll most likely weld in some sleeves, or epoxy them in. A little extra assurance. And I'll feel better about it too.