1960 FC-170 dually getting a 401 AMC V8/TH400/Dana 20 combo

54Stepside

Sharpest Tool
Aug 14, 2018
251
Spokane, WA.
First Name
Adam
Willys Model
  1. Pickup
Willys Year:
  1. 1954
I picked up this FC this past summer and have been slowly tinkering with it.

Once she was scrubbed and vacuumed out, I was able to get her to turn over, but not fire up. She leaked oil out of every possible gasket. So I put the engine tinkering on hold and up graded the axles to a dually set up- Dana 60’s front and rear.

The plan is installing a Jeep 360/th400/Dana20 combo.42F5A110-EE9C-4015-97B9-E6DBAE735078.jpeg69CCDEF7-60A0-4A98-B71C-3517886029DA.jpeg967B39F9-5AA2-4838-B906-C022843A8618.jpeg5A87A74E-00AE-4CFE-94FA-765C3F122480.jpeg
 
You put Dana 60's front and rear but you're gonna replace the front one with a Dana 20?

Joe
I’m not sure what you mean. The Dana 60 axles are staying.

The stock FC drivetrain is coming out, to be replaced with a 401/th400/Dana 20 combo.
 
Those things are really neat. I can smell the grime coming off that rig.

It's actually a great preservative.

I think someone has one maybe a little smaller on my ride home I see it peaking out and outside of the garage every once in a while. They seem to be working on it which is always nice to see.
 
A bit of an update; I welded up the Dana 60 front perches, and the I bolts are in, so she can roll around safely to get the cab off. I also cleaned up the shop and had to let some of the jeeps become free range, gas fed in order to do a scrubbing of the shop after the M715 was wrapped up.

tomorrow I’ll work on the steering linkage to the 60’s tie rod.
 

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The steering stabilizer was unhooked and the Dana 60 tie rod has been reversed, the FC drag link inserted where the stabilizer went and it’s all bolted up. While not perfect from left to right for road use, perfect for rolling around the shop to get her fore and aft.

it turns to the left better than the right, so adjusting/modifying the the drag link is in order should I want to continue down this steering linkage path.
 

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Well, the mobile storage unit is out in the sunshine today. I did have to take the “extra” dually tires off the back end to get her out (I’m digging the way it looks without the extra wheels).

Now to clean her up, load the 401 in the back of the bed, and figure out how to make it all come together.
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I see these type of stands used in quite a few hot rod shops, but I used 2x6 construction rather than the 2x4 set up I usually see.

30” of clearance between the ground and bottom edge of the frame rails should allow me to pull out the old I6 from underneath (weirdly suggested by the factory TSM!?) and put in the 401. I’m certain this particular set up is not authorized by Jeep, nor what they had in mind when they wrote the book, but I’m always on a budget.

Not too sure how all this will all work out, but the FC is wedged under my overhead hoist, so fabricating bars to chain up the motors will be necessary- through the opened cab doors. Prepare the pucker factor meter to redline.
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That should be a fun adventure dropping out the engine. I believe the FSM also lists removing the front axle so that you can drop it straight down. I was lucky and my 226 was in very good condition. I DREAD the day I ever have to drop it out. I would really consider pulling the cab instead.
 
Figures 19 and 20 .JPG



FC Service Manual Section E - p 59.JPG


FC Service Manual Section E - p 60.JPG


Check out D-6, and follow E-4. (Lower the engine to the floor first, and then jack up the front end of the vehicle to provide clearance.)

This method minimizes the potential energy.

L6-226 blocks are heavy. Be careful.

That's a beautiful truck, Adam.
 
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Your FC looks great. Where did you source the dana 60s from and did you have narrow them to get them to fit?

Craig
Sorry; I just saw your question.

The rear 60 is from a JEEP J20 and it was a straight bolt in.

The front 60 of off a Chevy 1 ton and it required new spring perches to be welded on in order to fit.

I reversed the Chevy tie rod and used the factory hole meant for the steering stabilizer and mated the FC drag link to the Chevy tie rod.

Tonight we started getting ready to pull the stock engine and transmission.

As we’re going, we are labeling all the wires and hoses just out of habit.
 

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