Steel 37-42 Willys Coupe Owners Please Read.

I just installed my original just chromed 1941 Willys Coupe trunk supports and they work like ****. I had to hold the lid with my head and took both hands to set the supports to keep the trunk lid up. Is it becuse this the nature of the beast or are mine worn out? The other coupe I had Kewi Kevin Perry built and he made his own prop which was trick as everything he does. My current project is all steel and want to keep it as much original as I can. It would not be to hard to reproduce a set of supports if in fact the problem is just mine.

 

This thread is useless without pix.

 

I would change the ***le too.

 

Dave.....YOU ARE TOO TALL!!!!

Seriously, I can set mine holding the lid up with one hand and locking the support with the other. Then switch hands for the other side. If they are worn badly that may be part of the problem.....they are rather primitive to begin with. I am ***uming they are the same as these.

Or....maybe you really are too tall!!!!!

 

I had the same problem when I rebuilt my Willys. In order to get both arms to lock or release I added a link between the arms. I used a rod, about 3/8" in diameter, set up close to the trunk lid. This forced the arms to move together. Now the trunk arms usually lock or release as the trunk is moved or you can do it manually by just moving one arm. I was unable to get the stock arms to work together before. Now they work fine. Good luck. Don.

 

pics

 

Dave I may be too tall that is correct but, if you ever had one of these coupes with original hinges then you know what I am talking about. I can set one then switch hands to set the other but it sure seems like it could have been designed better than that. As for the ***le of this thread, only the 37 to 42 coupes used this set up and you would have to had one or own one to know what I am talking about. Don, I still have your original front axle I bought from your Rockerhead many years ago.

 

There does not appear to be anything fundamentally wrong with your trunk supports - the Willys cars of that era were cheap and basic - compare one to an equivalent year Ford and you'll understand. This is the 'nature of the beast' and you either live with it or add a helper hydraulic prop rod. The only other solution I can think of is to figure out some way of adding a spring tensioner to push them into position when extended.

 

I think a long stick would work fine.

 

The spring idea was my first thought. Before I tried to fab something I figured I would ask other owners. I had a gut fealing it was the nature of the beast. I do know the Willys were cheap cars but were way ahead of there time in other areas. What would a 40 Ford coupe use? Thanks for the replies.
Dave.

 

I like the tensioner idea...could be a spiral torsioner at the upper or lower pivot.

 

You are correct. I've owned 2 steel Willys coupes and a few old Fords. The Willys were an economy car of the time.

 

The 40 Ford used a flat spiral wound spring attached to a knee action ***y. The tension of the spring held the lid up. To close you just pulled down on the lid overcoming the spring tension.

Frank

 

Dave, Mine are the originals to my coupe. I have to lift the lid and set one by hand, then the other. no big deal. The right side is loose enough to fall into place after you push it over center. The left side has always been stiff and you have to work the two legs back and forth to get them to fully seat in the little slot. None of this ever bothered me...it's an old car with original primitive parts and they have their quirks.

-Scott

 

Thanks Scott, I did see a 40 Ford coupe in e-bay, looks like a much better design than the Willys but I guess its just the nature of the beast. I guess it bothered me a bit becuse I have my 10 gallon fuel tank in the trunk and have a blown Hemi. I sure I will be opening my trunk alot! Are you going to put wheelie bars on your coupe for next year or just start collecting spare front axles........LOL!

 

Trust me thats just how they are one of are cars we did a little die grinding on them to make them a little more sloppy to get them to set then they were great

 

I will take those chrome ones off your hands.i need a set for my willys trunk.

 

Mine set themselves fine but I do have to unset manually, placing the lid on my head and reaching in to pull both sides. I have tried hydro shocks and was unhappy with the results too much pressure on the lid. One could probably adapt a set up like 40 ford to work. I have some in the back shed but trying to finish the PU first before retro fitting them to the coupe.



Bash

 

6 years late on the wise cracker antics.

 

I've got a spare set of originals for a coupe trunk somewhere in my mess!
g-willys

 

hi g-willys.what do you want for them. I need a set for my willys.thanks jay

 

hey 31vicky.guess what

 

hi g-willys thanks for the trunk surports