Pix of built Willard chassis in final paint ready for setting cab. Jag IFS, 383HT clone, 700R4, Tig welded 304 polished exhaust and 9" 3.73 Trac Lock.

 

Well, now that's a way to start a thread.
Very nice chassis. Now show us more.

 

Very nice Willard, I guess you're keeping the tank inside the cab?

 

My sons were up over the weekend and we have set the painted cab on the chassis. It is currently up on my lift (with the primed bed on a dolly underneath). I failed to take photos while setting the cab on the chassis with the lift and prior to lifting the chassis and cab up. I will try to get a photo next time I lower it back down. I am currently working on the bed under the lift-space constraint.

 

That is gorgeous!
Strong work Sir!

 

a work of art. i'd hate to get it dirty driving it on the road. dick r

 

Beautiful work, its almost a shame to cover it up with the body and bed.

 

A clear plastic body would work.

 

Looks good what did you use for a transmission and engine cross member?

 

Nice looking chassis and power train Bill. I'll be looking forward to the rest!!!!

 

I should have talked him into taking it for a frame ride up and down the dirt road. (lawn chair, outboard motor gas tank, crudely mounted radiator.....)

But now he has done put all kinds of stuff on top of it now.

.

 

Thanks for the kind words. I decided that I really should do a build thread. I had put info in my gallery in the past.
Responding to some of the comments and questions:

Yes I am keeping the tank in the cab. I drove Willard for a number of years that way in the past and it worked out just fine.

I fabricated both the engine and transmission mounts. The original transmission mount I retained for frame rail resistance to twist. It is moved back about a foot where it could also serve as the lower end of a driveshaft loop if in the highly unlikely event that the front U joint failed.

I will drive it regularly. I build them to drive and have never had an interest in the show side of the hobby.

I have always done my own body and paint as well as fabrication and mechanical so it goes slower.

Just recently I have had just final color shot by a friend that has a one man restoration business complete with a large professional downdraft booth. I can and do use the booth to shoot prime and some color, however, my friend is a better hand at laying on the final color. I always do 100% of the prep, clean his booth, set every piece, mask if required and prep for final color. My friend mixes the paint, shoots the final color and cleans his gun. The $ are in getting it ready for final color. It is an ideal situation for me. I only pay for laying the final color.

 

I built mine to drive too, I just wish I lived where there wasn't so much winter. You've done a very nice job on the frame and drive train I can't wait until you post the pics with your cab on it.

John

 

One word for you "Awsome"!

 

I like your frame in that light colour, is it grey or silver. A few times I have noticed frames done in grey and I think they look a lot better than black, just seem to stand out better perhaps. Very nice work, looking great.