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Frame Swap for 81 CJ7

Frame Swap for 81 CJ7
I

Inhock4jeep

Jeeper
Posts
7
Media
12
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0
Location
Virginia
Vehicle(s)
1981 CJ7 258 T176 4spd Renegade
I have taken my 81 CJ7 down to the bare frame to repair the rust. I thought I had it figured out and bought all four safety cap repair parts to fix it. I took the bare frame to a welder and he has warped the rear end so that one side has dropped about an inch or so. At least it looks bad enough that I don't think I could reattach the tub. He claims that the frame must have been bent when I brought it to him. Yeah right! Can the frame be bent back into shape? I took it by a body shop and the said they could only straighten it if was attached to a rolling vehicle. I'm not sure if it was more like "I wouldn't touch this with a 10 foot pole". His welding looks great but I think he has trashed my frame and my money. :mad:
Meanwhile on Craigslist, I found a fellow that has a stripped frame he claims is in good shape. I know that 77 to 79 frames are slightly different than 80 to 81 and 82 to 86 frames. He says that the difference is in the front shock mount and that all I need is to get longer shocks. I'm not sure if his is a wide track frame or a narrow track frame. Will any CJ7 frame from 77 to 86 work on my 81 CJ7 ? :confused::confused::confused:
Can any be easily modified to work?
He only wants $100 so I don't think he's out to get rich on me.
 
Maybe a return to that body shop or even try another to see the minimum amount of assembly needed to get the frame straightened verses the price of another frame that you have not even seen yet and might be a pita to assemble-just a thought.
 
I think for a $100 bucks that may be a good way do go I don't think the 7 frames vary much.
 
Honestly for $100 I'd roll the dice. They are all the same except for the shock mounts and the Transmission cross member. If yours is torn down take it and see it the bolt holes line up.
 
Thanks guys
From my research I think this is an 82 or newer frame as the 76-81 uses the same front shock. I am still in communication with the seller and maybe I can get some more info.
I will post more as my adventures in jeep restoration continues.
I will try to put up some pics also.
I plan to measure everything.
I have a T-176 tranny and I want make sure the right holes are there for the skid plate. This jeep originally came with an SR4 and when I hung the T-176 under it I had to move the skid plate forward for the shorter bell housing.
Again, from my research, it looks like 82 and newer jeeps could have the T-176 as an option.
Anymore info would be greatly appreciated.
 
The first pic below is the 76-81 shock mount. The next pic is a stock 82-86 mount next to a Ford shock mount which is a popular upgrade. The additional hight of the mount is what makes the 82-86 require a longer shock. Sorry for the smaller pic , it was all I could find right now.


The 80 to 86 skid plate really didnt change much. 82 and up will have the correct holes for the T-176 . Id be all over a good frame for $100. I know for a fact all your stuff will work with the later frame. I had an 85 that had narrow track axles under it with the 85 frame. Mine had the right skid plate though. Ironically I parted it out due to a bad frame.
 
Cool:cool:
I'm going for it.
I'm glad I signed up here because I'm sure I will have lots more questions.
Many Thanks!
:D
 
You need to find a different body shop. I have taken 2 bare frames (not Jeep) and they were happy to get a bare frame. Had both of them pulled straight in about 2 hours.
 
OK
Here's the update on that $100 frame.
I bought it and brought it home.
I finished stripping it. I had a gas tank that may be salvageable, a good skid plate and some other attached parts. I lost 2 captive nuts. One is in front and is the third nut to mounts the power steering.

I think I can get a nut in place with a wrench and take care of that one.
I also thought about cutting a tube and drilling a another hole to use a long bolt.
The other is for one of the rear shackle mounts. If I remember correctly the other hole had a rivet. Anyway I plan to cut the rear cross member to get at those.


There is also a rough patch of metal in front of that area. It still seems solid when I tap on it with a hammer.
I have a 3/16" piece of bar stock I may use to repair that area.
The other side has lost its rivet and I plan to drill it out and repair it the same way. I have a heavy steel bumper with brackets that mount behind the cross member that should reinforce everything nicely.
The rest of the frame looks solid. I plan to take some taps and chase all the captive nuts in the frame, pressure wash it thoroughly, treat it with Phosphoric Acid, spray inside the frame with Eastwood rust converter and then paint hell out of it.
I thought about welding the shackle mounts in place.
I also thought about using some larger 1/2"-13 weld in capture nuts.
McMaster-Carr
I also thought about putting the 3/16" bar stock under the shackle mounts by drilling 2 holes in each.
What ya think guys?:D
 
I think you have a lot of questions..

The two bolt holes in the back should both have nuts to em. the fronts have the rivets. Ill see if i can find pics of my repait I did to the same area and post em.
 
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