Willys interchange

I would like to put a 41 willys front end on a 39. I understand about the wheelbase differences as far as rear wheel well openings, but am unclear about the centering of the front wheels. will the wheel be 1 inch aft in the fender opening, or will it be centered?

 

btt anyone?

 

Randy Ferguson is our local expert on Willys. Here's his site http://www.fergusoncoachbuilding.com/ You can e-mail or call him from there. I'm sure he can answer your questions.

 

It will fit fine, the difference in wheelbase is in the rear.

 

Thanks Dave, I was sure you would know.

 

Why not put the 40 split grill on it you dont see those that much?

 

It's all about the '41 for me, but thanks for responding

 

What Dave says. I have a 1941 front clip fitted to my '39 sedan and the wheelbase is fine. The problems start when you try and use 1941 coupe fenders on a 1937-1940 willys coupe or sedan. the wheel opening on the 1941 fenders is moved back over 1" when compared with 1939 Overland and 1940 - even though the wheel openings on 1939 Overland and 1940 rear fenders look almost the same.

 

Now thats what I'm talkin' about, the willys they should have built! Thanks Weasel.

 

Weasel,
That is freakin cool

 

Hey do you want to sell the '39 front-end ?

 

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!
Keep the 39 Front, they rock!!

 

I'm gonna drive it as is for a year or two while I search for parts, but right now I'm leaning toward keeping the 39 front end long term. It's pretty nice, and I know how scarce they are.

 

my coupe is a 1939 model 39 with a 41 front clip. It bolted right on and the wheels were centered up. I'm using a stock front end and springs.

-Scott

 

Looks like the fronts have a little issue with centering... My 40 has a similar problem with the driver's side seeming to be more to the rear of the opening. Is there a better market for particular year rear fenders?

 

I've got a 40 nose on my 38 pickup. Fits fine.

I love the 39 front ends!

 

Looks like the fronts have a little issue with centering... My 40 has a similar problem with the driver's side seeming to be more to the rear of the opening. Is there a better market for particular year rear fenders?

I have found fenders on original cars and the wheel openings didn't match from side to side. Opening was anywhere from a half inch to an inch bigger on one side...and no they weren't the bigger opening style 37-38. Incidentally all Willys rear springs are the same size eye to eye (46 ", or there about,looking for my factory data sheet,) so the factory just changed the location of the center bolt when it changed wheelbases on the different years. My theory is their fender dies wore over time, as they did their stamping. There is one constant with Willys cars...the factory had little quality control in those days, so anything was possible.
g-willys

 

Here's a 38 body with a '39 nose,... 39 rear fender on one side, and a 40 rear fender on the other.
g-willys

 

As long as we're talking axels and springs, will a late axel and springs bolt under a '33 - '36? I've read it is wider, but how about the spring perch width?
Norm

 

Early Willys have about a 50" wide track, while the 37-42 is closer to 56". Don't know much about the early front axles except that the king pin on the early stuff was 5/8 dia. Later king pin was 3/4". Weasel will know more.
g-willys