Owner: Bob Billups, Member of the Drifters Jeep Club
Email: bobbillups@netscape.net
Location: Glendora, CA
Year: 1957 Willys Utility Wagon
Engine: 305 Chevy V8
Transmission: Th 350 automatic
Transfer case: NP 205
Axle Ratio: 4:27
Front axle: Dana 25 w/lokrite front (no good for heavy wagon)
Rear axle: Dana 44 w/ power lock

8/22/99

Hi Rick,

... Palm Beach Ivory (according to paint catalog - Kaiser/Frazier) and 79 For Chestnut Body
stock except - welded seams in fenders and front cowl, made own rear fender wells
CV joints in driveshaft to eliminate vibration
Power Steering
Chevy tilt steering column - enables use of column shift, turn indicators, lock, flashers, etc.
32X11.5 BFG AT tires
Anti sway bar on rear from CJ7 - helps a lot

Thanks for the fantastic job you are doing on this site. My son Mike, has his truck listed on your site (Mike Billups - 52 Tonka) [C5]

For you tech file I have found the following to be a useful trick:

For the 44 rear end with tapered axles
( or any tapered axle assembly )

• Remove the axle and hub from differential
• Chuck the axle in a lathe
• File any burrs on the taper and the key-way
• Put valve grinding compound on the taper
• At a real slow speed lap the hub onto the axle taper

This may take several times - push the hub onto the axle and let it turn Eventually the two surfaces will become matched fairly closely Be very careful, as the surface mate, the hub may bind onto the axle and if you are holding on, you may go for a ride - be ready to release.

We used to do this with dragster rear-ends and didn't even use the key

    Bob Billups

© Richard B. Grover 1997, 1998.

Last updated: Thursday, March 1, 2001