UPDATE: Paul just forwarded me a new video of his nicely modified flattie. He first sent me pictures of his jeep back in 2008. Below is the original post.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgJPOX1QIoM
Published November 14th, 2008
Paul wrote to me the other day, professing he’s stricken with the dreaded flatfender disease. I told him to take two pills and send me more pics in the morning. Fortunately for all of us, he followed my advice and has sent me a variety of images of his labor of love for the past 3 decades.
Back in August of 1979, he innocently purchased a 1944 MB for only $800. It was pretty much all original, worn out, but in running condition.
It didn’t take long for Paul to decide to make a few upgrades, changing the engine to a V-6, purchasing a new body, and more. Then, at some point he decided the drive train needed updating, the tranny and transfercase should be swapped out, a bigger engine was needed, and the dreaded flatfender sickness had overtaken Paul.
The good news is that I believe the sickness has run it’s course, as he’s ended up with a beautiful jeep that will serve him well for years to come. Also, fortunately for Paul, he seems to encountered a disciplined form of the illness, as I don’t see 7 or 8 other flatfenders in various stages of disrepair out on the lawn :-).
You can view some additional pics of the tilting hood in this post.
Here are the specs:
Body: Acme all steel, replaced in 1980
Tilt front end: all steel, tilts on a roll cage fabricated from ½” pipe
Frame: From a 2 wheel drive Jeep Dispatcher. Frame is boxed, has dual shock mounts up front. This is a much stronger frame than the original.
Roll cage: custom made, mounts to frame in 6 places. Seats mount to cage along with spare tire.
Engine: I started with the original 4 cylinder flat head, then an odd fire 225 V6, finally the Chevy V8Chevy 350, 4 bolt main, bored .030 to make 355 cubic inches. Has all Eldelbrock aftermarket equipment including internals, aluminum heads and intake, along withdual quad carbs. The combination of 400 horsepower, short headers, and small glass pack mufflers, makes the thing sounds like a demon.
Transmission: Turbo 350 with B&M shift kit and converter
Transfer Case: Dana 20, Novak brand adapter
Differentials: Early 70’s Jeep, 3:73 gears.
Steering: Chevy column out of a Chevy Caprice along with Chevy manual box. The crazy thing is that the two bolt hole spacing that held the column in the Chevy was the exact spacing needed in the Willys
Brakes: Chevy master cylinder along with swing pedal (out of a Chevy Vega), has updated 11” drums along with emergency brakes.
Seats: The tilt column makes it easier to get into the high sided bucket seats. I lowered the seats down about 4″, and about 4″ to the rear by notching the body without making it look too butchered.
Some pics of the build process:
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