August 2011



So, after the Taupo 1000 where the Wanui Willys Works race team placed first in class, it was back in to the  M38.  We dragged it out to Dons for the body surgery to start.  I was a little overwhelmed by the amount of work involved and talked of buying replacement panels and a step, but Don assured me we could just make whatever we needed.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

It's been a while

Image
So after the last couple of years playing around in the Jeep I have gotten bored with not working on it so have commited to some upgrades. These will take me a while and will start in my own garage and then likely migrate out to Don's for the things I'd really appreciate his help on. Design plan is a VN Commodore V6 (Buick LN3 fitted to FWD Pontiac/Buick etc in the USA) mated to an SM465 using a Chevy S10 bell housing. Advanced adapters kit to fit the trans to the D18 transfer and I'm still planning on running my overdrive for now - we'll see how it all holds up. I'll need to regear but that'll be once I'm back on the road. We'll also be going to hanging pedals with boosted brakes and fitting a Saginaw steering box up front. So far I have rebuilt the engine with new pistons and rods, gaskets seals etc. The gearbox has all new bearings and I've replaced all gears also so it'll be like new. The transfer will be a fresh build (I have most part
Read more

Wainui Willys Works Camp Trailer Mark 4

Image
As we've punched a few trailers out now all based on the same frame and panel spec, it's been cool to see how they each get customized and evolve along the way. This is the latest (and last) trailer that'll be coming out of the workshop for a while I would say. Don started the camping trailer trend with a modified garden trailer with fibreglass lid that was upgraded with bigger axle, shocks, brakes, cooker, fridge etc. Roll forward to 2015 and three more were built - Daves as a utility unit with an open top and painted canary yellow to pull behind his (also bright yellow) CJ5, Then came Phils and mine in camp spec with lids, fridges, cookers and stereos. We have significantly different track widths between the two as Phil is in a TJ whereas I tow with the mighty M38 Willys. Finally, Don gets to build his own up-spec version. We were lucky to develop on his initial ideas for our trailers and now he has taken the evolution even further with some cool extra ideas and changes
Read more

It's been a while

Image
So I haven't posted anything on the web for a wee while though I've still been plodding away on the Willy's.  The block was stripped out and steam cleaned again while on the engine stand so we could have a decent look at everything.  It was transported in true Willy's style being dragged behind Dons pickup to the wash bay. I'm on a bit of a budget so in the end it was decided to re-ring and bearing it all in standard sizing and reassemble so I can keep moving forward on it.  Thanks again to Don for the spare pistons and things!  The bearings and rings are due to arrive tomorrow (23 December) from the States so hopefully it won't be to far after Christmas before we can start reassembly.  While I'm waiting on them, I've continued on with stripping the body some more and my seats also arrived from the US.  They're Empi Race Trim seats designed for Jeeps (lower side bolstering than a true race seat and more upright).  I wasn't so sure on the co
Read more