well i have gotten back from overseas so time to get to work on the Willys. takes me 4 flights and 2 days to get to canada from Vietnam, got home yesterday and relaxed then this morning decided to get up early and get to it. i've had time to plan and order parts while i was away so the plan is to swap in a saginaw steering setup. i have never been one to leave well enough alone and i think this steering swap may turn into more than i bargained for but its too late now. steering box and column came out easy enough but the bracket thats welded to the front cross member that the bell crank attaches too...thats a different story. i won't bore you with details but it ended up in about 45 pieces and i went through half a bottle of oxy/acet. ever have one of those days in the shop where stuff just doesn't go your way? well that was today, after i destroyed half the old steering parts getting them out i decided it was time for a break and left the shop. try to get back to it tomorrow. the reasoning behind doing this now is because i realised that before i finish the front bumper i better get the frame boxed and the steering box mounted.

i will have the remaining steering parts to sell for super cheap once i get this together so if anyones needing an original steering box with pitman arm, tie rods (rod ends are loose i imagine so they would need replacing) and drag link then those parts will be available. I'm gonna use the column and the bell crank wouldn't do anyone any good;-)



looks like the fluid hasn't been changed since 1950 in the steering box.

That is knuckle pudding right there! The steering knuckles take the same stuff.

That looks good. What are you going to do for a cover?

well progress has been slower than i hoped. still waiting for some steering components. seat frames are done but not mounted.

completed frame with headrests


removable passenger seat cushion with locking pin


from the rear

That looks great!

still need to cover headrests in the canvas. i have placed the steering column in and i can still slide in with stock steering wheel in original position. but as i am re-doing the whole steering set up i may change the column and steering wheel location slightly to give more room. i'd hate to have to change to a smaller steering wheel but it is an option if i have to.





still 6" above my head to bikini top

templating for the boxing plate


trial fit. it will fit just inside the factory channel so i can get a good weld on all sides. i will just stitch weld it in i think as the factory boxing plates further back are only stitched and i don't want to make this front section of the frame that much more rigid than the rest of the frame or it may be inviting future cracking. i will put a diamond shaped 1/8" doubler plate over that vertical seam and will probably extend the doubler to where the replacement cross member will be.  i will also be relocating that hard-to flexible-to hard front axle brake line and mount as its right in the path for the steering shaft.