The WC53 Carryall thread .

[Desoto61]

Yellow WC53 questions and what not.

NV4500 - nice trans but the parts are not cheap, either is the oil and the gap between 3rd and 4th is a bit of a pain. The ZF 6 spd from a Ford gasser is supposed to work quite well when married to a 4bt.

Just a couple of thoughts - if I had known the ZF would work I would have saved myself a lot of cost and time.

Bruce

Only downsides of the ZF is the OD ratio is not as good as with the NV-4500, and the adapters can be expensive, but it's probably worth it especially if you are using later axles, or can run the VPW 4.30s then you can compensate for it. Still sad those gears weren't available when I built my axles, but do not have the time, money, or motivation to tear down my axles to change them, I really want to though.

[Bruce in BC]

Yellow WC53 questions and what not.

(1) what do you plan on using the truck for?

(2) stock axles or something newer?

(3) lift gate or barn doors? I suspect the barn doors are easier to find.

NV4500 - nice trans but the parts are not cheap, either is the oil and the gap between 3rd and 4th is a bit of a pain. The ZF 6 spd from a Ford gasser is supposed to work quite well when married to a 4bt.

4bt - old but simple tech and noisier than all get out. Get the 125 to 130 horse power version if at all possible or build your truck as light as you can.

Charge air cooler - we now know that they will fit in the rad shell - you need a custom rad with a slightly smaller top tank than stock - I would go that route if I was building another truck.

Just a couple of thoughts - if I had known the ZF would work I would have saved myself a lot of cost and time.

Got my new drive shaft installed - I modified some ARP screws and they now have a little socket head on one end and 12 point on the other - trust me this helps get the drive shaft in place. I pulled the cups off one of the old universals and it was pretty much destroyed on the thrust side of the bearing surface. Looked like it had been blasted. The remaining surface was excellent and showed no wear or damage.

I hear you Jim

Body work - can be so much fun and expensive - it is nice when the work is quality - I actually went as far as to look at planishing hammers and english wheels last Thursday on my epic trip to Vancouver

If you parked the truck under cover the water would not be an issue - I swear I am taking mine off the road next Oct 31 and leaving it in the garage till the middle of March.

take care
Bruce

[jim lee]

Wow that yellow one looks hauntingly familiar. But I guess there was more than one painted yellow.

Hopped in mine today and got a bunch or water dumped all over me and the front seat. I though I had that all sealed up? Looks like there's a bunch of bodywork inline for this next project. I want to drive mine from WA to Montana this June. This makes me think about just throwing money at the issue. I do have the wonderful auto body restorer guy here in town. If you throw money at him, he will also do things quickly. So I'm tossing about the idea of grinding my M37 into cash and using that to get the body of mine rebuilt/sealed up.

Anyone want a pretty nice m37?

-jim lee

[Fireridge]

Tailgate battery box being a few E28D78AE-5F2B-4D6A-BF40-5CD71626EABD.png

[Fireridge]

61EFED7C-D65B-4D96-96BA-A49340914500.pngD898A74A-991D-4EDD-A108-797AA952B7AF.png8321DB83-23AF-4259-B519-D39BF5C7FE0D.png I will be doing a 4bt nv4500 conversion it’s really straight unit just need bits and pieces 0273CF8C-7653-4DBB-A22A-CEAB49A05AF1.png

[Bruce in BC]

That mess in white in the above photo is a combination of weird perspective up close photo, silicone sealant on the edge of a transfer case cover.
IMG_0492.jpg

and here is the super sophisticated grinding machine, that trued up the edge.

[Bruce in BC]

I am on the Sunshine coast, a ferry ride and quite a few hours away.
What are your plans for the WC53?
Where did you get it from?
Post some pictures, no matter what it looks like they are cool.
I have been in the shop attempting to take a save off the edge of my brake drum. Cutting it in the lathe was not working, I did make some serious red metal sparks but the metal must be hardened in some way. So I wrapped the drum with tape, used a bit to mark the tape in a straight line and I ground off the offending metal with an angle grinder. I then put it back in the lathe and trued up the edge with an abrasive disc I had from another job. Tried some other tricks but this one worked quite well. I need the extra room for the soul reason that it is not easy to get a wrench on the drive shaft bolts - this should help - in theory at least. IMG_0489.jpg

[Fireridge]

Where in B.C. are you from Bruce I’m your neighbor in Grande Prairie Alberta

[Fireridge]

Ya Bruce I got a wc53 that I just found but sure wish I could of got that one out of Washington that was a beauty the one I got is in good shape but I’m going to have to try for some difficult pieces

[Bruce in BC]

Welcome to the community. Chat away. Are you building something?
Driveshaft - got a new one on order - seems the old Cardon joint was pretty much worn out. Got a military wrap leaf being made up for my front pack too. We shall see how that works.
Messing with a few different things on the truck. Will update - if the rain ever stops falling.

Best regards
Bruce

[Fireridge]

Hi everyone I’ve been watching all your wonderful builds for awhile I just joined and would be a pleasure to chat with you guys!
thanks
shawn

[Bruce in BC]

Still have not gone to Vancouver, the drive shaft is in the garage and the Carryall is dead in the drive way. Planned on going last week but the ferry crashed. People were stuck on the ferry for over 10 hrs. This messed up my trip because there was a backlog of folks wanting the ferry the following day. I will get to Vancouver sometime when the planets aline.
My back up camera failed - I ordered a new one - it did not work. I chased down all my wiring and found no issues - then I got smart and did a bench test with a different camera and wires - the stupid new camera does not work - old clouded pooped out one does and one for the front works too. Just sent an email off to China - we shall see what happens from here.
Stupid camera.

[Bruce in BC]

Pulled the rear drive shaft today - not a simple job - long term I will have to make it easier to pull the shaft but to do so I will need to make a new emergency brake drum. I am tracing down a vibration and found some slop in the cardon joint universals. I may run the whole thing over to Pats drive line and get it checked out.
I want to go to a military wrap for my front spring - I am taking the mains over to Vancouver and will see if I can get a set made - also looking for the plastic leaf spring wear pads.
I destroyed a tire - never done that before - looks like there was something real sharp under the snow when I went off the road - shredded the inside of the tire and peeled off all the lugs on one side of the tire - its a real mess and is now the designated spare.

[jim lee]

We could always head east..
-jim lee

[Chris Olson]

I have a Norcold 60 quart...it is an older one with the steel casing..they are absolutely great....I think the norcold and Engel are the same thing.