Oh no not another Willys Gasser build, this time a Willys shop truck

Steve, enjoy putting some miles on that coupe. Don't be shy with the pics of it out and about. :LOL:

Managed to get back on the pickup last weekend, I had been fed up with kicking the wheels around every time I wanted to move it so first job was a steering column so a rummage through my scrap and I came up with a piece of 1.5" diameter stainless tube and a few offcuts of aluminium bar, I had some 3/4" round on the shelf so we were good to go

First job was to dummy up with an old steering wheel and measure up 28" needed and the bit I found was 28.5 Trued up the ends in the lathe and I had an outer

I had planned to use 3/4" needle roller bearings so I turned up a couple of bearing carriers in aluminium to be a press fit into the tube.



http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...psf5fmkdbo.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...pszwuccaup.jpg




Next I turned my attentions to the inner shaft, I like to use 3/4"DD uj's so the end of the inner was machined with 2 flats on the mill.
and a groove for the securing bolt.


http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...psuz9ljjqj.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...pstngr8r4c.jpg




I machined up a decorative finisher for under the wheel mounting hub (which I forgot to photograph but is basically a 1.5" x 5/8 steel hub welded to the end of the inner)



http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...psvuxjeabc.jpg




Heres the finished column, not too shabby for an outlay of £15 ($20) including bearings Next job a custom column drop.



http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...psu6ckzb0m.jpg

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Very cool, Steve. Will be interested to see what you come up with for a column drop.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rspears

Very cool, Steve. Will be interested to see what you come up with for a column drop.

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Didn't want to keep you waiting Roger :LOL:

These pics explain the steering hub end better.



http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...ps0mw9zzia.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...pskttbclmp.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...pskqwktmxg.jpg




Yesterday I started on the column drop, I wanted something to match the brake pedal etc which are I beam styled, started with a boss for the column and added curved sides, the edges are all radiused to soften the look, I cut a cardboard infill panel with holes but i'm still thinking about the design etc, It might change.



http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...psvzzvsvni.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...ps6sxjefaw.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...psxd8fr4gk.jpg

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Very nice! You have a great eye for layout and design, keeping things totally functional with a nice "look". I really like the style of the drop.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rspears

Very nice! You have a great eye for layout and design, keeping things totally functional with a nice "look". I really like the style of the drop.

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Thanks Roger, I try

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Love the look.:) Kinda looks like an oversized bent con rod with the big end cut off.:eek:;):D

Jack.

Was thinking you could fill the holes you cut out with some cool vintage gauges! Or maybe an old clock and panic button! :)

I got the column support insert made up so silicon bronze welded it into place, then the weld was dressed with a bull nosed tungsten burr to create an invisible joint (I wanted it to look like a cast piece)



http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...psjck1vatt.jpg




I had to paint some small parts for a customers car so gave the support a squirt of satin black epoxy, I love it !!! Its exactly what I wanted it to look like



http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...psjhiz1nnh.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...psm3j8o20s.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...psybfdfpjy.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...psrlqyb96v.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...pse0gbjiwa.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...ps0ouc2vvq.jpg

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Looks great (as usual) Steve.

I clamped the column in place just to check and make the bottom mount up.



http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...psc1b94cf8.jpg




While I was looking at it I thought the column drop looked a bit bland so went home and spun up some thin finishers for the holes.



http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...pspgv7szqa.jpg

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h2...pstdiv3mxa.jpg

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Very nice work as usual sir.

Would a silver dollar fit in that bottom hole?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 40FordDeluxe

Very nice work as usual sir.

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Thanks Ryan.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by firebird77clone

Would a silver dollar fit in that bottom hole?

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Maybe, the bottom holes 1.125" diameter

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