Project Jeepster Wanted

[HJ-ETEX]

Lisa: If you want a light vehicle capable of carrying 4 or 5 people, you need to look at pre-1954 2WD Willys Station wagons. Why pre-1954? Because in 1954, the 2WD switched from a top hat cross section sheet metal frame (like a 48-51 Jeepster) to a channel type like the 4WD models. The delivered weight says the change in frames added about 300 lbs to the weight of the vehicle, but I think it was a lot more than that.
You can immediately tell the difference in frames with out looking under the vehicle because the sheet metal frame has a transverse front spring with upper A arms while the channel frame has parallel semi-elliptic springs and a beam type front axle.

 

[Jim B PEI]

I never mentioned the Willys Jeepster, because quite simply 1) I will never be able to afford one in nice enough shape to make me happy, and 2) the ones I can afford, I'm not competent enough to fix all the problems that would keep me from being happy with it. I kept seeing this one Jeepster (pale yellow) in the US on an annual tourist pellerinage. That's what I wanted, I wouldn't settle for less. Heavens, I have too many vehicles now--I have to make that parts 57 Studebaker go away, send that Peugeot diesel off to a more deserving home (2000 km in 5 years) and buy that Panhard that my parts car can be useful to--and then make it go away as well.

[joefrazer]

Speaking of pale yellow Jeepsters, I finally got the new tires on mine yesterday. It also took it's maiden voyage...successfully... so now it'll be time to enjoy it for a little while before fall fully sets in.

I still need to mount the trim rings and the front bumper guards and rails.

http://kaiserfrazercars.com/003.JPG

[Lisa P]

Looks great!  I am starting to come to the realization that finding a Jeepster for less than $4,000 may be like finding the golden ticket in my next chocolate bar.  Oh well, as long as there are other Jeepsters out there to admire I will be content...there is a '59 DeSoto on Craigslist that is only $400...

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

You may not be aware of it, but the 258 straight 6 goes back to the late 1920's at Nash.  The "7 Main Bearing 6" was upgraded to OHV and tweaked from time to time as new materials, R&D, etc. allowed.

The old Nash Engine Plant in Kenosha (Kenosha Lakefront) is still in operation but only until the end of this year.

My uncle with AMC swore by it (not AT it).

[HJ-ETEX]

Jack: No it doesn't! The 199/232/258 sixes were NEW designs based on the bore spacing of the NEW AMC V8s. Old 6 cylinder engines had small bores which limited the size of valves when converted from L-head to OHV designs.  258 sixes are modern designs which are essentially 2 cylinders longer than a V8 or 33 inches while old design 6 cylinder engines are 29 to 30 inches long. 

[HJ-ETEX]

You may have been thinking of the 'heritage' of the Nash 7 main 6 cylinder although your words indicate 'design.' The ORIGINAL Nash 7 main 6 cylinder also had twin ignition or 2 spark plugs per cylinder for a while. That basic engine saw a lot of variations including the LeMans Head.

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

I go by what my uncle told me MANY years ago (early 1960's) about the engine

[Jim B PEI]

It is an understandable error--it gets somewhat complex in the Nash/AMC story. There was the 195.6 (196) six, which went through flathead and OHV incarnations, and is descended from the 7 main bearing Nash design of the 20s. Then in 1964, the new design OHV inline 6 was made, of the 199/232/258 and later, the 242/ie 4.0 L and a host of other variants including some much larger ones overseas. Where is gets confused is that the 196 and 199 were concurrent but different engine designs, and the 4.0 produced until 2006 uses 7 main bearings like the Nash design of the 20s. So, they have the same heritage alright, including the idea of using forged rather than cast main components.  Here is a link, but with anything Wiki, the gospels might need editing:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AMC_Straight-6_engine
I drive a 1988 4.0 Jeep Wagoneer Limited as my backup/4x4 when needed for the Spring red clay mud/Winter snow/tow dolly vehicle for my antique cars. The engine is awesome and just keeps going, towing like a V8. It is somewhat thirsty, costing about $0.20 US per mile for me to venture out anywhere, but the engine will outlive the body, and I recently spun the rear wheels from a stop (on dry pavement) when I hit the gas too hard by accident. Surprised the heck out of everyone, including me and the two dogs.

[Kaiser Ranchero]

Lisa, Would you like a 52 Wagon, 2 dr.? It is missing a top and motor, but the body is good. $150 is what the scrap yard pays.

[HJ-ETEX]

One bad thing about the Willys 2WD station wagons is the survival rate. A large % of Willys station wagon production in the 47-53 period was the 2WD model. Then from say 55 to 62, there were very few 2WD model units. The problem is the 4WD version could always be used around a farm or a hunting lease so the 2WD versions got squashed quicker than the 4WD. Still these are very basic bodies so rust outs should be easy to fix.  All the glass (except for the very last ones with 1 piece windshields) is flat.

[Lisa P]

Kaiser Ranchero, that would be cool!  I have another straight 6 engine out of a '79 CJ, would that work in the wagon?  Can you e-mail me pics?  I don't have a trailer, that's the only thing.  Where is it?  My e-mail is: muddytj@hotmail.com 

Thanks!

HJ-thanks for the heads up.