Project "Bruce" or "Luv-it-or-hate-it" M-38

B...E...A...Uteful! really nice looking jeep!

 

Very nice work! Can' wait to see what happens under the hood!

 

My vote is for a VW 1.6 IDI Turbo diesel. Yo can get 139-150 HP and gobs of torque with relative ease, and they are the most simple engines (completely mechanical - no computer). Another great engine choice is the VW 1.9 TDI with an MTDI pump (which allows the engine to run with no computer) http://www.vwdiesel.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=6427 If you get crazy you can get 250HP+ and torque capable of twisting things up. The best part is the 30+ MPG you'll probably get in your Jeep, don't forget veggie oil conversions too!

 

Well that break lasted a lot longer than I thought I finally got back to it this past week .The VW turbo diesel that I wanted did not happen,they say that they are very common and easy to find well they may be common but I guess everybody is still driving them because when you find one at a salvage yard (not easy) they want a lot of money for them so that coupled with the adapters put it out of my price range.I figured about $4500 to get a decent one and the kit.
So I bought a engine that leaves my option open to a Toyota turbo diesel later,same bolt pattern on the bell housing and motor mounts.I found a super clean 80,000 mile Toyota 20R .I bought a L52 5 speed transmission which was only used 1 year 1983 and is a short 5spd. The trans and transfer came from a local salvage yard and the engine off e-bay so hit or miss I suppose we will see.worse case I will be rebuilding them.
This past week I had a welder come weld all my stuff,6 hours worth ! shock mounts.motor mounts crossmember mounts,spring perches ect. Thats the best money I have spent,he did a very good job and I can be comfortable with the steering and motor mounts he did.
The wheel and column,steering shaft are mounted for good.The shocks are on except one was bad and Edelbrock is sending another one no problem...thanks Edelbrock ! Brake lines are 85% done I just got a new master cylinder but it may be the wrong one I got new trans and motor mounts and I should get the engine in inside a week or two.I am debating buying a header and a weber,they look better but can be a headache ? When I get the engine in I have to order shafts,get the trans tunnel to work with the shifter and put in a electric fan,wire my lights etc. and hope it runs decent !
I am glad to be back on it and hope to have it on the road in the next 4 weeks.
I took pictures but there really isn't much to look at..I will get some when the engine is going in.


Scott

 

any updates?

 

Great project so far! Update time, let us know how its going.

 

Well I have had a heck of a time getting a part(still not here).The transmission I got was only used one year,the used transmisssion had a clutch fork and no throw out bearing/collar,the engine had a bell housing,different fork and a throwout bearing/collar.The 4wd fork and the bearing/collar did not go together,the 2wd fork did not go with the 4wd bellhousing so I assumed the bearing collar was wrong because it came from a 4x2,I ordered a collar from a 4wd guy it took awhile to get due to the holidays, when I got the new one it was the same as the one I had :? So I did some research and learned this transmission has a unique to it fork. The 4wd guy searched for a few days and found one so it is now on it's way and I hope the right one without this I couldn't do much of anything.
I am ordering my driveshafts from the 4wd guy (speedy) but I wanted to wait and double check my measurements.I will get pictures when I put the engine in hopefully this coming week.


Scott

 

What kind of column is that? IE Make and model number. Any uninstalled pictures?

 

Here is a link to the column http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Hot-Rod-Steering-Columns,2042.html I am pretty sure it is a 28" I can check that for you if you want but it may take a day or 2 because the Jeep isn't here with me.The column mounted with the stock clamp,it just needed a small spacer(2 washers) and I used a swivel mount on the floor.I think the length is just right.I didn't take a pic unistalled but the link shows it.


Scott

 

It took about 5-6weeks to get the right throwout bearing collar (fingers crossed that it is) I got the engine put in...

Here is a closeup of the passenger side motor mount,they turned out pretty nice and everything bolted up the way it was supposed to


Side shot.


Front shot.


Battery in,radiator in,the stock Toyota upper hose fit perfect and I got extremely lucky on the lower just picking one off the wall at autozone,it comes off the motor at a 90 degree over the alt. and drops straight down to the rad.


I got to tow it home so I can work on it easier, woohoo !


And if I would quit doing stuff like this I may actually finish
Here is whats left:
All fluids,wire lights and ignition,Master cylinder and finish lines (had to order my 3rd master)Driveshafts are ordered,order and build exhaust,get shfters in with little or no cutting(I hope)I think I need a new carb.I don't have high hopes for the trans ,the oil was crazy thick but maybe I will get lucky,fire it up and hope the engines decent.Wish me luck !

Scott

 

You could've showed me pictures of this build at the start, and I still wouldn't have believed it would go together and look this good! Keep up the good work, man! Congrats!

 

good luck scott! looking really good, the 20r fits perfect in there.

 

Thanks guy's,I hope to get more done faster now that its at my place.


Scott

 

Very interesting build! Looks like your doing an awesome job!!

 

Quick update. I finally got it all together and it is great ! I can run straight down the road with no hands on the wheel ( as far as my nerves let me) I can even stop with no hands on the wheel and lock up the brakes nicely.The 20R has plenty of power and the gearing feels right (4.10) top speed is probablt 65-70.I bought a new fuse block and started rinning all new wires,I still need to hook up gauges,lights and thats about it !
I will get pictures and more details later.


Scott

 

Unfortunately I think I am going to have to sell the Willys.We bought a large sailboat project (51')and I am going to need cash asap.I hate to do it, I built this one planning on keeping it for a very,very long time and I am really happy with the way it turned out.I have to tie up some loose ends on it(alt.lights and gauges) and unless I come up with another way to get money it will be on e-bay soon (1 week from now)


Scott

 

ohh man that sucks.
hope it all works out for ya man.
not that i have money..... but how much?

 

I will start it at $7500 on e-bay I have more in it and my free labor.From what I have seen on e-bay it's possible but who knows it's a pretty small market.I am going to need a beater so that could be worked in.I will post up an add here in the next couple days.
I am bummed about the Jeep but we live aboard and we just moved up in a big way so it's all good and if I can use the Jeep $ to take care of business then all the better.

Scott

 

I have a crazy update. I have owned 2 TJ's since selling the Willys, I wished I could have finished it out the way I wanted and if I were to sell it do so more on my terms.
I decided to sell my TJ and on a whim I searched my gmail for "Willys" I found the e-mails from the buyer from my ebay ad. The buyer lives in Mexico, he was having the Willys shipped there so I figuredit was long gone.
I sent him a e-mail asking if he still had it, if he did what condition was it in and would he consider selling it. Two weeks went by and I was sure that was that but then a email from Enrique, He e-mails in broken English and says he does have it, It is in the same condition, as a matter of fact it was shipped to McAllen TX and placed in a storage unit, he has had no time to do anything with it due to work. He said he had not thought about selling it, he loves it and has a CJ-5,CJ-7 and a Wrangler but he would think about it and let me know. About a week goes by and I can't take it so I shoot him a offer for $700 more than he paid for it, He responds "No, not that much, I am not interested in making money and he will get back to me soon" A couple days later he e-mails that he will sell it to me on the sames terms as I sold it to him. Woohoo!
So I had sold the TJ and had to wait for the guy to pay me a week late (with a wire transfer from Panama)then pick up the Jeep over a week after that. We(family) then rented a truck and drove 1850 miles in 2 1/2 days and I now have it back, a lot of work to do but I am stoked.
The project will move slow because I am still working on the boat.
Here are a few pics.
Enrique opening the storage


The Jeep ! covered with a thick layer of dust


Hooked up and ready to go


After one of the tops seams stitching started letting go


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