My Willys 3A and 3B Community
3A, 3B, DJ Technical Knowledge Base => "Original"-- Technical Questions, Answers, Observations => Topic started by: 49willyz on December 20, 2012, 05:41:50 PM
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I'm having an issue and cannot come to a cheap or easy solution, hoping maybe one of you guys may have some insight.
How it sits- the PO of my "pile of parts" as the little lady calls it swapped out the original axles for some late 60's axles and brakes out of a Commando. They are in good shape with the exception of the brakes. The drums, backing plates, and the shoes are all in roadworthy shape and will clean up nicely. The pads, cylinders, springs and linkages are shot. I have researched and am estimating somewhere between $300 and $375 to replace all of this and am not sure on the quality, nothing indicates made in the US. These are 10"brakes and as much of a purist as I am, these axles and brakes in useable condition would not bother me a bit.
The issue- I have EVERYTHING for the 9" brakes. I have looked for the original dana's but am striking out locally and shipping would kill me on the ones I'm finding. From what I can tell, it would be better on my wallet to find a set of axles and go with what I have. This pleases the purist in me and my accountant (little lady).
The Bubba in me- would like to take the 9" and make them work on my Commando axles. This would make the accountant REALLY happy. The only thing stopping me is the difference in hole patterns from the backing plates to the flanges.
My questions are- can I buy axle flanges for the 9" and cut off the 10" and weld in the new ones? Has anyone done it? Would I be better off plug welding the current hole pattern and re-drilling to the 9" pattern? Again, has anyone done this? The second option seems to me that there would be zero room for error and would require some precise measurement and layout before drilling new holes. This isn't out of my skill set but the first seems to be easier and less time consuming (I work a lot).
I have the next week off work and am snowed in with nothing on the honey-do list. I am primed and ready to get back to my project/sickness! Not too often the stars and moon align for me like this and this is the next step for me to get this thing into a roller. Any experience, opinions, or just plain "don't do that stupid" would be appreciated.
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I'd be shopping around a little more on those 10 inch parts.. Or try rebuilding the wheel cylinders yourself. Getting into cutting and welding and redrilling sounds like a lot of work to go backwards to smaller brakes.
Have you tried googling the part numbers you already have to see if anyone else has them cheaper? Rock Auto, for instance?
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Thanks Bill, I agree it seems silly to go through so much to go backwards. When I search the catalogs and usual vendors I have several problems.The biggest being that Commando parts are hard to find, I did however find that the cylinders were common with the late 70's Ford trucks and AutoZone and Napa all carry those cheep. As far as the springs and linkages go most vendors sell them individually if they have them at all. Can't find anyone to put together a package deal and save some cash. I will try Rock Auto and probably time to give Walcks a call.
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It might help if we knew where you are located in case someone nearby has spares.
Larry
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Davenport Iowa, it's almost right in between Chicago and Des Moines
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woot and a holler from the mississippi river .
dennis
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Davenport Iowa, it's almost right in between Chicago and Des Moines
Oops, too far. I have a pair of diffs you could have but that's a tad far for pickup, I'm in eastern PA.
Larry
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Thanks anyway Larry, it's cool to see that kind of generosity. Have a Merry Christmas
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I've got a set of two 10 inch brake hardware and springs, adjusters,and cylinders that I picked up a while a go to convert to 10 inch brakes, then I cancelled the project and moved on. You are welcome to them, I'm in Minneapolis so not too far away, and I'm home this week as well. Send me a PM, I'd need to recover shipping cost I paid and I did some clean up work on them, sand blasting and painting for preservation.
Todd
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PM sent, thanks