Body Swap Idea

[mcampbell545]

Hey guys, got a kindof unusual idea for my CJ5 . it's a '65 and the tub is shot (kindof hard to find good ones in new england). I'm thinking about trying to swap a truck cab onto the rolling chassis, anyone know of this ever being done? and if so what cab was swapped on? how much fabrication was needed?

 

[tinhorn]

Never seen anything like this. DO IT! Maybe an extended--not dual--cab.

 

[mcampbell545]

was thinking more along the lines of a regular cab. It's going to be a woods rig top to bottom, anything from wheeling to trail maintenance and minor logging

 

[johnnyreb]

move the cab all the way forward and build a FC

 

[gert]

years ago one of the mechanics at my local 4x4 shop swapped a 1940s Willys cab and fenders onto a CJ7 built a box behind the cad for his junk had an AMC 360 3 speed combo on top of chevy full size axles with 38.5 Boggers He used a beer keg for the gas tank. what a monster

 

[IOPort51]

If you were going to build something like this but chose to register it. If you put a Willys truck body on a j-truck frame, for instance, would the title need to be for a j-truck or a Willys??

 

[thiswontbetooexpensive]

I think you would have to title it for whatever vin was visible. That would be the only way to check it?

 

[Kane]

I believe it needs to be titled for the likeness of the vehicle. If it has a Willys body then it needs the Willys VIN. In Connecticut that is how they do it.

 

[IOPort51]

sounds like whatever title is the hardest to find.

I would really like to build a hot rod willys truck but the whole vin/title thing has me worried. and I just don't think I can justify a vehicle that is strictly off road.

 

[johnnyreb]

I think you would use the vin on the cab, since that's where the vin is located on most vehicles. Or you can look into a specialty vin, most hot rods are builtwith components and require a specialized vin.

 

[Kane]

In ct it is called a composite vehicle and it has a specific set of rules you must follow in order to get a ViN fron the state. This is how many custom bike shops build their bikes for sale.

 

[johnnyreb]

there you go that's what I was thinking of.

 

[Kilo19]

this wouldn't apply to motors and cab right? for instance say 1988 chevy350 and 1980 CJ5 ?

 

[johnnyreb]

no motors aren't attached to the vin

 

[BrockGrimes]

Well the dimensions of the frame actually are a perfect fit for the old model t @ a trucks. I've also see a 50 chevy truck cab on one. See if you can locate a COE cab or similar. Also a vw bug will fit a jeep frame.

Would be cool:

 

[mncj7guy]

I believe it needs to be titled for the likeness of the vehicle. If it has a Willys body then it needs the Willys VIN. In Connecticut that is how they do it.

I had a buddy that put a 50's F100 body on an Explorer frame and drive line. He registered it as the F100. When asked he said it was the 6 cyl. So that is probably how MN does it too.

 

[thistle3585]

In Indiana, you provide a photo of the vehicle and apply for a VIN and they list the make on the title as "assy" which stands for assembly and means owner assembled it. You get a title in the mail and you have to make, and attach, a VIN plate for law enforcement to inspect when registering it.

 

[johnnyreb]

he was probaly using the frame numbers.
When dad raced, one of the guys had a model A truck with a cj runninh gear.