Steven Montpas: 1949 Willys Pickup

Truck class:Mean Green Willys
Originally our Truck Class alternate, Steven Montpas (a genuinely nice guy who is definitely not mean) got his promotion to TTC competitor after another finalist was forced to drop out a month before the event. He promised us that he’d be ready to run with the big dogs, and his Willys pickup would appear to have the necessary ingredients to compete, with ample power, 2½-ton running gear, plenty of tire, and some interesting creativity in its suspension design.

The Details

Owner name/city: Steven Montpas/Roseburg, OR
Occupation: Field mechanic, Oregon Dept. of Transportation
Vehicle model: 1949 Willys pickup
Estimated value: N/A
Engine/aspiration: 350ci Chevy V-8, bored .030 over, balanced; 670cfm Holley Truck Avenger carb, Edelbrock Performer dual-plane manifold, Hedman headers, Flowmaster exhaust
Transmission: Muncie 465
Transfer case: JB Fabrication NP205 twin-stick
Suspension (f/r): Custom “double- leaf,” three-link, Tuff Country shocks/“double leaf,” four-link, Tuff Country shocks
Axles (f/r): 2½-ton Rockwell/2½-ton Rockwell
Axle ratio: 6.72:1
Wheels: 20x10 double-beadlocked HEMMT
Tires: 54x20 Interco Boggers

Steven Montpas, Team #10

Most looking forward to:“I want a piece of the Tank Trap, and I’m sure it wants a piece of me. They say it’s the toughest event, and I want to complete it.”
Not looking forward to:“I’m looking forward to all of them. I want to put my vehicle to the test on all seven events.”
Playing on your iPod/CD player:“Who knows? Too busy getting ready for TTC.”

The Willys runs a trick variation on the occasionally-seen “buggy springover” suspension up front, only instead of using a single inverted leaf spring to increase articulation, it features two full opposing leaf packs that are joined at the front by a shackle and at the rear by a radius arm, and bolted to the frame and axle, respectively, on custom spring perches. Essentially a full-elliptical leaf spring setup, it’s supplemented by a three-link and dampened by a single Tuff Country SX8000 shock at each end. The Rockwell 2½-ton axle locks up courtesy of welded spider gears and is protected by a cool tubular axle truss.
The Willys runs a trick variation on the occasionally-seen “buggy springover” suspension u
In the rear, the pinion-braked Rockwell axle receives torque from a twin-stick 205 transfer case via a Ford driveshaft to turn the 54-inch Boggers. The same “full elliptical” dual spring-pack suspension setup is deployed as with the front, and it’s complemented here by a four-link and a pair of Tuff Country shocks. The massive D-ring welded to the axle housing provides a stout attachment point for retrievals, and a pair of backup lights provides extra illumination for night-wheeling adventures.
In the rear, the pinion-braked Rockwell axle receives torque from a twin-stick 205 transfe
Nestled between the framerails is a balanced 350ci Chevy small-block that’s been built to produce an estimated 350 horsepower. A Holley 670 Truck Avenger carb and Edelbrock dual-plane manifold provide greater air- and fuel-flow, and a pair of Hedman headers and 2½-inch Flowmaster pipes expel the waste. Dual Optima RedTops and an MSD 6AL ignition help provide the spark, and current is routed via a home-built wiring harness. Backing the engine is an ultra-stout Muncie 465 four-speed with an awesome 6.55:1 First gear.
Nestled between the framerails is a balanced 350ci Chevy small-block that’s been built to