I thought I'd post some pics of my '48 wagon project. I'm presently in the process of rebuilding the brakes, master cylinder, wheel cylinders, new shoes, almost done except for the &*%#$@ RR drum/hub that is not coming off. I have a king pin set coming for the front, hope to have that done by next weekend. I've installed a new water pump and tuned up the L134 engine, runs pretty good, smokes slightly. Compression is low, I'll be putting in new rings and bearings and a valve job sometime this summer. The original seats were missing as were the original wheels. I installed the 2nd and 3rd seats from a junked Dodge Caravan, fit pretty good, well satisfied for $25. Also got a set of 5 aluminum wheels from a scrapped Ford Exploder, they look much better than the wheels & huge tires (that rubbed on everything) that were on it when I bought it. I won't be doing any bodywork until next winter, still not sure if I will do a body off or not.
My '48 Wagon Project
- Thread starter wally72
- Start date
Eric B
Precision Fit
Great start to the project.
I only got to drive mine from the street into the garage (NO BRAKES) before I started tearing it apart.....
I only got to drive mine from the street into the garage (NO BRAKES) before I started tearing it apart.....
Well....got my brake job finished, started on the kingpins. The spindles were flopping around on the knuckle support, so I assumed that the king pins were shot, ordered a new set from Walck's. Didn't do my homework. 
Whoever installed the king pins installed locking pins that were too small in diameter, that was causing the king pins to slop around in the knuckle. Pins, bushings and bearings were in practically new condition, so I drove in the proper size locking pins, voila, everything was OK. I hope my analysis screw-up will help someone in the future. Anyone need a set of kingpins and related hardware for a planar front end???
Whoever installed the king pins installed locking pins that were too small in diameter, that was causing the king pins to slop around in the knuckle. Pins, bushings and bearings were in practically new condition, so I drove in the proper size locking pins, voila, everything was OK. I hope my analysis screw-up will help someone in the future. Anyone need a set of kingpins and related hardware for a planar front end???
jnichols
Sharpest Tool
There is a set of original wheels on eBay, not mine I found them while looking for a spare.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... MEWAX%3AIT
I might be interested in the kingpin kits. Our left side is a little floppy.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... MEWAX%3AIT
I might be interested in the kingpin kits. Our left side is a little floppy.
Gojeep
Well Oiled
Can you still buy the Willys hub caps new?
This project has been on hold for a while due a long list of other stuff to get done, yeah, I always bite off more than I can chew. I had been considering selling either the wagon or pickup to ease things up a bit, but the wife (bless her Soul) has talked me out of it and I am going to soldier on and try to get this thing done. I have been acquiring some parts that I need for the wagon and will hopefully get back on it in a month or so. I will update as things go forward. Gojeep........repro hubcaps are available from Walck's, Willys America, The Jeepster Man, and probably other sources.
Gojeep
Well Oiled
Thanks mate.
Good to hear you have a wife like mine also that likes to keep the Willys/Jeeps around.
Good to hear you have a wife like mine also that likes to keep the Willys/Jeeps around.