PO(Previous Owner) mods that make you scratch your head

[RiverPatrol]

O.M.S.: It could really have many names. It was started in another thread here: http://www.60patrol.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=1897 and rather than hijacking the thread a new one is started.

These are some interesting, silly, unusual, confusing or otherwise abby-normal things on your Patrol. They might be there from a previous owner, or even something you did yourself.

Togo was a prime example of some interesting mods, most of which have been removed. This pic shows added sun visors, with very special tinted sun visor extenders. Very vintage.


Here Togo is sporting a "4WD" windshield banner, with several parade passes below. And let's not forget that faux leather steering wheel cover.


Here we have a glimpse of several interesting add-ons. First you'll notice the clothes pin on the turn signal arm; perhaps this was to carry the grocery list? Next you can see one of the special gauges stuck to the top of the dash, more on those later. But, the really unique feature here is the heater extension. Notice in front of the hand brake handle the tube running along the firewall. This was to direct heat to the driver's feet. There was also a flap built in to the heater box to turn this on and off.


Next are some items in the rear. The red strap in front of the window is actually the shoulder harness seat belt for the front seat. Then there is a fire extinguisher - not so unusual really. Also notice that all of the interior panels are black: they are wrapped with black vinyl.


Several interesting items are in this picture: the snow plow mount, driving lights, fog lights, truck mirrors with added support, a very special '4x4' decal, body side moulding and mud flaps. A couple hard to spot items are hood locks and a key protector on the door lock.


Here are some oh-so-special vintage headrests. And the other shoulder harness.


These are the extra gauges that were added. There is a clinometer, a compass and a tachometer. Not in the picture were also a clock and a sunglass holder. There was something stuck to the dash above the dash light that had no discernible purpose.


So, these are some examples of a few of the oddities that show up on Patrols. Many others have just been tossed with no pictures taken of them, like the plywood dash and several gun racks. Let's see some others!

[Esteban]

Excellent post, RiverPatrol.

I think that one can get a glimpse of the other person or previous owner in this case, just by looking at all these gadgets that were added. Much like hearing the music that another person likes.

We know need a picture of its current state.

[norville]

The plow patrol has many of these "mods" but this is my favorite so far...



Yes, that's a speaker mounted in the floor vent..

The Plow patrol has a rare PO installed Vacuum wipers. So much more efficient than those finicky electric type.. The willys tailgates yes I said gates two where split down the middle and the top was chopped off one to extend the gate.. Seat's were removed and a hydro pump for the plow. How about a steel diamond plate bumper and a cut tire stretched across it>>>

[RiverPatrol]

I wonder if that enhanced the acoustics?

[miller]

Gotta love those head rests in Togo! I like to think that I'm the guy creating all the WTF moments for the next owner of my '72

[RiverPatrol]

I like to think that I'm the guy creating all the WTF moments for the next owner of my '72

[Urban60]

I will have to vote for the head rests as my favorite mod.

[Swerve]

On my 73 the PO install a switch under the ignition barrel, this switch turns of the dash lights ? it’s not like there to bright or distracting, but the switch is there.

[Urban60]

I like that fact the guy piped over some heat for the drivers side also

[moore_rb]

Ok, I don't think any of mine are styling, or OMS related.

Mine are all wierd/questionable technical design or engineering shortcomings that are goofy in the least, and might even possibly be risky or dangerous.

We've already covered the Ford F100 "Fruit Jar" master cylinder in my red sixty-something Patrol:



and the crooked brake pedal:



Now, these two mods fall into the "goofy" catagory, but (surprisingly) they are not unsafe, or otherwise poorly designed or installed - someone took careful consideration to make sure the master cylinder was mounted firmly, and they even wleded in a new piece of sheetmetal to replace the one that had the holes cut for the stock piece. Even the goofy pedal was fit into the stock pedal bracket solidly and the linkage between the pedal and MC are correct and not hacked at all... the only thing unusual is the crookedness of the pedal.


Now, about this green Patrol I just brought home.


Let's start with the Rochester Model B carburetor - I can tell by the linkage that it was out of an early chevy pickup truck. Just look at the awesome fabrication work to make the linkage fit the Patrol throttle: When it doesn't fit, just fold some pieces over, and add a couple springs:




Then, let's move on to the rear door hinges, which I am pretty sure came from aisle 13 at the local Home Depot store:




Then, let's get serious- as in dangerous-serious. We'll start with those rear coil springs- Tim Miller saw these in the Ebay ad and wondered if they were just sandwiched in there. Yes, Tim, they are- no brackets or clips holding them in at all:



Then, on to the front suspension- The leaf springs aren't stock- I'm not sure if they are FJ40 springs, or Scout springs, but the center pin did not line up with the centerline of the axle, so what do you do? You drill another hole in your spring plate behind the center hole, of course... Also, take note of how many extra nuts are jammed up on top of each other on those U-Bolts:

Passenger side:




The driver's side actually has a bonus in that the nuts are actually WELDED to the U bolt, and to the spring plate:



Moving to the rear: When you want to upgrade to off-road shocks and the stock shock mounts won't work, what do you do? Why, you fab up a set of "shock shackles" of course:



and I had to save the BEST for last -the Best being the most crazy, unsafe, thing I've ever laid eyes on- A steering stabilizer mounted to a hacked up custom clamp wrapped around the driver's side leaf spring --

Yes, you read that right- a STEERING STABILIZER mounted to a leaf spring: