Update on Brake Work

Picts will be coming soon, but basically the project has taken a turn into the 1970s. Let me explain.

The brakes on early CJ5 are based on a design from the 1940s, and most Willy owners agree that they are inadequate. If we simply replace existing parts, we will eventually have a "religious experience" while trying to stop to Jeep. I am all for religion, but not that kind of experience!

So, we are taking a brake design from the 1970s which should do the trick. We are replacing the 9 inch drums with 11 inch drums. Although I would love to introduce disc brakes, we would have to make further sacrifices that I am unwilling to make at this time. The traditional rims would have to be jettison, and I do want to keep the look of a 1957 Willys Jeep.

Anyhow, the parts are on order and I am going to pick up some brake drums and back plates in MA Thurs. / Fri. Hopefully this weekend, the transformation will begin!

more brake articles

More brake articles.

Converting to 11 inch drums

CT Company sells conversion kit

OR Company selling brake parts

Brakes Brakes Brakes

In reading articles on line, I am getting the quick impression that keeping the original 9 inch brakes is a bad idea. So many many folks have converted the brakes. Either to bigger drums, or disc brakes.

Here is an article on converting to disc

Here is an article on converting to 11 inch drums.

What to do?

The the costs go up and up and up.

Wakefield Willys Update 2.3

Well, we have come to a halt on the brakes. Here is why.

I had bought the right parts for the project but soon discovered that somewhere along the way someone upgraded the front brakes. We compared the 1957 with the 1960 and the front brakes are different. They should be the same.

Now the upgrade was a good idea, so we have decided to keep the current set up. But that meant sending back parts and ordering new parts. The problem there was that the new parts are way more expensive. $200 more to be exact. Hence why we have stopped, no pun intended.

So the plan is to sell off unused parts on eBay and Craigslist and raise the $200 needed to get the correct upgrades. Hopefully we can get back on track very very soon.

Wakefield Willys Update 2.2

Brakes.......

Started work on getting the brakes to work. Tore the floor boards out, removed the Master Cylinder and broke a brake line in the process. No surprise there.

More work tomorrow, but there is progress. The Willys continues little by little coming to life and being transformed into a rebuilt vehicle.

Wakefield Willys Update 2.1

It's running! I set out to rebuild and clean the carburetor, and change the oil this Saturday. Surprisingly, the rebuild and cleaning was easy.

Until I turned it over and saw that I caused a hairline crack in the fuel line reattaching it to the carb. I thought I had really blown it and we were in trouble. And to boot, I could not get the oil plug off. Very frustrating.

Alas, our tech expert showed up, with tools to get the oil plug off and a bender to put in a new fuel line. After a few minutes we had it running! Who Hoo!

So after changing the oil, replacing a fuel line and rebuilding a carb, the Willys was running without any trouble.

Very very very good day

Weekend Plans

Hope to rebuild the carb, and change the oil. Hopefully simple projects that can ensure this Willys Project keeps running! Watched this video on youtube, read some articles and talked with our tech expert and think we are ready.

Ordered parts through www.4wd.com. They have a great vintage section. Looking forward to the weekend!