Tinnocker
Bigger Hammer
I drove my 1963 Willys pick up truck today and still have some things to work on. Steering is hard , even with supposedly power steering. I haven't had the front end aligned. I set the toe in with a string and don't know how accurate it is. The truck has a 5.0 (302) Ford engine out of a 1996 Explorer. 1996 and 1997 Explorers had the same 5.0 as the GT Mustang. They had the same GT40 heads. The only difference that I could find is the Explorer had a different cam. The truck also has an Explorer rear 4.10 - 8.8 axle with disc brakes. The front axle is out of a TJ Jeep with 4.10 ratio and disc brakes. This axle came with coil springs which I removed and added leaf springs off a YJ Jeep, the same YJ springs on the rear. I really need to have the alignment checked to see if I am ok with the leaf pads that I welded on the front axle.
It has a TJ Jeep transfer case and 5 speed overdrive transmission. I bought a Novak adapter for the engine/ bellhousing to the transmission. The floorboard was rotted and the first 5-6 inches up from the floorboard so had to replace every corner of the cab. I saw from this forum where a Chevy S-10 bench seat would fit almost perfectly so that is what I used. I installed a Vintage Air air conditioner that hasn't been charged yet and an aftermarket Specialty Power Windows windshield wiper kit. I didn't like the glove compartment door behind the steering wheel so I removed it, welded in a plate and installed gauges that looked better for me. I know the purist are not liking the things that I done to the truck but that is what suited me. The truck came from South Alabama and had had a 283 Chevrolet in it at one time, no engine or drivetrain when I bought it. I am 73 years old and didn't think my health would hold up to finish it. Everything that you see was done by me except covering the front seat. I worked and built it in my carport without any help except my wife who helped with the windshield and rear glass. I take that back, I had a lot of help from this forum. I didn't post pictures as I built it because everything that I did and already been posted and documented, so why clutter up the forum?
The truck has a lot of get up and go. I will probably sell it when I get the kinks worked out. Thanks for looking and reading. Brent Parker alias Tinnocker
It has a TJ Jeep transfer case and 5 speed overdrive transmission. I bought a Novak adapter for the engine/ bellhousing to the transmission. The floorboard was rotted and the first 5-6 inches up from the floorboard so had to replace every corner of the cab. I saw from this forum where a Chevy S-10 bench seat would fit almost perfectly so that is what I used. I installed a Vintage Air air conditioner that hasn't been charged yet and an aftermarket Specialty Power Windows windshield wiper kit. I didn't like the glove compartment door behind the steering wheel so I removed it, welded in a plate and installed gauges that looked better for me. I know the purist are not liking the things that I done to the truck but that is what suited me. The truck came from South Alabama and had had a 283 Chevrolet in it at one time, no engine or drivetrain when I bought it. I am 73 years old and didn't think my health would hold up to finish it. Everything that you see was done by me except covering the front seat. I worked and built it in my carport without any help except my wife who helped with the windshield and rear glass. I take that back, I had a lot of help from this forum. I didn't post pictures as I built it because everything that I did and already been posted and documented, so why clutter up the forum?
The truck has a lot of get up and go. I will probably sell it when I get the kinks worked out. Thanks for looking and reading. Brent Parker alias Tinnocker
Last edited: