'55 Jeep Willy's M-170 - hauled to All Seasons 4x4

[RockyMtRebel]

you all know how everything goes and keep an update of this old rig getting rebuilt (slowly)

[Java]

it looks pretty cool already :thumb: what's being done?

[RockyMtRebel]

Having the suspension, steering & brakes addressed for sure. We'll see what else they "suggest" but those three items are top priority at this point. Other than that, the rig runs flawlessly and did the T-33a Plane crash trail just a couple weeks ago so it's pretty bad ass

[FINOCJ]

Be interested to hear what they say and what you decide to so. Some stuff is easy to upgrade - some is tougher - and some stuff you learn to love as part of an old jeep!

These jeeps - if used and abused at some point - often have frame cracks at the front and rear shackle hangers. The long wheelbase jeeps (cj6, m170 etc) often had some additional 'strapping' along the top (and maybe bottom) rail of the frame which is awesome and helps a lot. Occasionally, a heavy duty military jeep might even have some frame boxing around the front rails (not sure about the m170)- also great but check for frame rust and rot.

Upgrading the front from 9" to 10 or 11" brakes is a big improvement. There has been a set of 10" on sale on CL - its a direct bolt on swap whether a D25 or D27. Same with the 11's- direct bolt on (need the backing plates of course). Rears are nice to upgrade, but not as big of a deal. A dual reservoir MC is also highly recommended in terms of safety (although its really a personal choice I guess) - whether going bigger or staying with 9". There are aftermarket kits for disc conversions - they work well, but not worth the money from my standpoint - although I would like them.

Not much you can do to improve the Ross steering - its marginal at best and most of the aftermarket replacements (only for the small version) are scary junk - seen them literally wear out after 100 miles (there were a bunch of them produced from Omix without proper hardening). If the box gets disassembled, you can remove and rotate the 'pins' or plugs 90degrees that sit in the worm gear, which really helps. I am not a fan of the 'tight-steer' aftermarket option, but some do like it. One day I'll replace the ross box with saginaw - but its a bit of a big job and has complications with the v6 (the F134 is easier).

Finally, suspension - keep the shackles and hangers greased and not too tight. Check the caster - jeep specs were something like 2-4 degrees - but these jeeps really like 4-6 (if not more). Will greatly improve steering characteristics. Need some shims between the leaf spring and axle spring pad (watch out for cheap aluminum - they crack and fall out at inopportune times).

Wonder if it has a powr-loc in the rear - I am guessing you might have one as its military in heritage. One of the best LSDs made.

[RockyMtRebel]

No comprende, amigo ;)

It has a dual res MC and the brakes were done a few years back but one drum leaks a little and you have to pump the first couple brakes before they work decent which makes me think a good bleeding and it should be ok. Upgrading the entire brakes sounds expensive and although I have a couple $G's budgeted for this thing I'd like to be able to address the big 3 items I mentioned initially within my budget. It's a '55, and it's going to be rough around the edges and we're fine with that.... just wanna improve a few things that will go a long way in making this a great rig to haul out to Moab this fall!!!!!

[FINOCJ]

If the brakes have been upgraded - that is good! Probably got a leaking wheel cylinder and the MC res is getting low. Could also consider a shackle reversal on the suspension...makes for good offroad flex, but makes things a bit shaky at highway speeds (well - as highway speed as a 4cyl will go). As a friend of mine says, if you are going to do all these mods to an old jeep - you should just buy a new(er) one!

good luck with it...

[RockyMtRebel]

Just got back, Bob and Brad are super nice and we went over a bunch of things. The current drum brakes are fine, but at least one needs rebuilding. Pinion seal and something else that was leaking are gonna get addressed and bushings and shocks all around. Finally the steering wasn't too bad but a few parts are going to be replaced that will tighten things up and should steer much better with skinnier tires also! We are probably going to put some 28x8.5" super swamper tires on .... currently running 30x10.5.

Shold be well within my budget and just hoping parts arrive quickly so we can bring it to Moab in late Sep or early Oct ;)

[Spieg]

...hoping parts arrive quickly so we can bring it to Moab in late Sep or early Oct ;)
Don't rush the job. My best ever trip to Moab was a few years ago on Halloween. :steer:

[RockyMtRebel]

Yea October would be ideal!

[goSlo]

Really cool to hear the 55's getting some love, hope to see it in on a trail one day soon.
Thanks for the update, definitely following this refresh.

[cornpone99]

I'm looking forward to seeing all the upgrades