1943 MB "BAM BAM"

[Deleted]

Hey guys.  I thought I'd share my MB project here in the garage.  Some have been following it on the 2A page but for those who haven't, first some back story.

I wanted to create an MB composed entirely of parts.  I did not want to modify any existing jeeps.

Parameters:
1. Look stock from 20 feet
2. Have enough power and gear ratio to run 55-60 and not sound like it's going to explode
3. Be geared low enough that it can run with stock flattys without having to ride the brakes
4. Fuel Injection for dependability in all climate and elevation
5. power disk brakes
6. Power steering.





BAM BAM's features:
4.3 V6 with TBI
SM465 transmission Dana 20 t'case
Dana 30 front axle 3.73:1
Danna 44 rear axle 3.73:1 Limited slip
4 wheel power disk brakes with combat wheels.
Power steering
CJ3A frame edited to look like an MB frame

Here is a video of BAM BAM on his first trial run:



Even though this MB has gobs of power and speed, I do not plan to drive him that fast.  I like the high gears because I want the vehicle to be quiet when I'm cruising at flatty speed, but have the ability to go a little faster if I'm running late or going long distance.  The guy driving BAM BAM is my friend Steve.  He is responsible for most of the mechanical work.  There are still several things to do but I hope to have him Licensed and on the road shortly after I get back from Colorado.

I love the look of him because he does not look like a hot rod but rather "overgrown stock"

Thanks for looking and letting me bring him into the garage! 

[Deleted]

I guess this means you'll be hauling two Jeeps to meets right? When the going gets tough or we need a fast parts runner, we'll call on Bam bam. Signed The Leaker

[Deleted]

No, I'm actually hauling Scruffy up for Randy and Barb because they are picking up a plane in Colorado Springs.

[Deleted]

Again, very nice vehicle. I have read your post on the 2A page several times in the last year, but cannot remember, are you running an overdrive?, And what is the gear ratio ?.

Lee

[Haines Garage]

Fantastic !!!
Love It !!
That 4.3 is Awesome!
Thanks for sharing it here . Looks Great.

[zooke581]

Very nice. You did a very good job on that one.

[Deleted]

Sept 18, 2014 18:12:10 GMT -5 @lee said:

Again, very nice vehicle. I have read your post on the 2A page several times in the last year, but cannot remember, are you running an overdrive?, And what is the gear ratio ?.

Lee

No overdrive. More like an under drive. Since. My diffs are 3.73, I have plenty of top end and with a SM465 transmission with 6.55:1 1st gear, I have more than enough basement to crawl with the 2As. Sorta the best of both worlds.  Tires are 700-16 so I have some rubber OD.

[Deleted]

Ok, I need to pay attention ..............it costs nothing . 3.73 is a big switch from the 5.83.


Lee

[Deleted]

That is one nice modified jeep!

[Deleted]

This is pretty bad-@ssed! I just wish I knew what the heck you guys were discussing. I once understood ratios...but have looooooong forgotten their meanings.

[Deleted]

Moosey, most standard transmissions in 4th gear or 3rd gear or top highest speed gear put out a ratio of 1:1. One revolution in, one out. The differential ring and pinions are 273's, 350's, 411's. A 273 is tall geared and you will go faster with the one to one output coming into it. than with a 411. The 411's are drag racing and use high RPM's to get speed, but accelerate faster than a 273. A pulling ratio in a pickup is usually 373. If you have the power, you can run a 350 or 325 and go faster. Old Willys are 488 or 538. They reach cruising speed in high at about 40-45 MPH. In theory, the WW2 Jeeps should be faster. I don't feel much difference in them. Must be that raw horsepower huh? Oilly

[Deleted]

Sept 20, 2014 11:02:44 GMT -5 @oilleaker1 said:

Moosey, most standard transmissions in 4th gear or 3rd gear or top highest speed gear put out a ratio of 1:1. One revolution in, one out. The differential ring and pinions are 273's, 350's, 411's. A 273 is tall geared and you will go faster with the one to one output coming into it. than with a 411. The 411's are drag racing and use high RPM's to get speed, but accelerate faster than a 273. A pulling ratio in a pickup is usually 373. If you have the power, you can run a 350 or 325 and go faster. Old Willys are 488 or 533. They reach cruising speed in high at about 40-45 MPH. In theory, the WW2 Jeeps should be faster. I don't feel much difference in them. Must be that raw horsepower huh? Oilly

I will add, In third gear (direct in a WLL-IS/Willease), and the transfer case in Hi-range your driveshaft turns 5.38 revolutions to turn the axel one revolution. Any combination of other gears or TC in low, multiplies the number of engine revolutions required to turn the axel once.

Lee

[athawk11]

Bam Bam looks and sounds terrific! Very impressive.

I only recently found your project on the 2A. I don't peak in on the modified threads very often.

Again, great work.

Tim

[Haines Garage]

Sir JPet! I think the 4.3 is an awesome engine.
When you have the time...
Could I see the Engine Compartment?

[Deleted]

Anything in particular you want me to get a shot of?

[Haines Garage]

Nope... That's perfect!!
I would like to do a jeep someday as well with the power.
4.3 is awesome. I had a s10 pickup that would scream with that motor.
I am also impartial to the 225 Buick Dauntless.
Thanks for the compartment pick, very nice!

[Deleted]

That fits in there very nice. Looks great!


Lee

[Deleted]

VERY nice! Hot rod Willys!

Those 4.3 TBI sixes really weren't that bad in a half ton pick up either.

[Haines Garage]

Nov 7, 2014 9:12:49 GMT -5 @gmcjr said:

VERY nice! Hot rod Willys!

Those 4.3 TBI sixes really weren't that bad in a half ton pick up either.

This is very true!

Jeff, what is top speed and acceleration like in that bad mohambus?

[Deleted]

I don't have any idea what top speed is because I don't think it would stay on the road if I hit a bump but I've had it up to 75 with more pedal left.

[Haines Garage]

I imagine 75 feels very fast.
That should be a plenty.
When you accelerate , do you feel the G's
The CJ5 I had with the Dauntless would push you back in the seat. That was stock.

Heck 45 in a flat fender feels like flying to me,

Say that 5 times fast.

[Deleted]

Not really.. He has a truck transmission so 2nd and third wrap out pretty quick. Of course 4th gear is 1:1.

I suppose if you are benchmarking him against an L134/T90, its insane but against say an S10 pickup, BAM BAM would probably loose and that's ok. He's not built for drag racing.

[Deleted]

Hi All,



I have a few updates....

First,



Wheel alignment and balancing. Now BAM BAM will cruise nicely at 60 - 65. As I get used to him, I find myself driving in the 55-60 range now.

Next, Tranny was sticking in hi gear so I had to do some work in the tranny:





... now the tranny shifts good.

I didn't talk about it too much but I had a problem where the engine would backfire through the throttle body sometimes under load. That turned out to be ignition timing because the timing marks on his aftermarket balancer were about 20 degrees off. Found the correct timing position and now he runs great!

Next, heater:



I got the same one Tin Badge used from Summit racing. I opted to loose my glove box in order to hide the heater more. It is not visible unless you are eye level with the dash board:



..... or if you open the glove box



..... oh well. That's what musette bags are for.

optional drivers side heat that doubles as a defroster





Had to modify the alternator bracket to allow the heater hose to fit:





...... more to come ......

[Deleted]

Tires:



These are the Goodyear Duratracs that Joe Friday recommended to me. 215-85R 16. I'm using 5" wide wheels that Russ sent me. Thanks Russ!

Comparison to 700-16 NDT:





... finally, a little color matching:





I just put these on so the jury is still out on the ride. My NDTs ride pretty good but I don't plan on getting stuck this winter so I will run with these and switch back to NDTs this spring like I do with GW.

Thanks for reading

[Deleted]

Those should help with the nasty weather you guy's have been having down there this winter EH! Looks like nice tread for sure!
Chuck