Oh how to continue now.....

[74 CJ5 Bill]

Ok guys,

I have fully stripped my 74' CJ5 down to the frame, axles and tires left. Currently, I'm having a few things done to it by family with good skills. I'm taking about 1 1/2 feet off the back of the frame to bring it above and forward of the rear tires. I'm going to sandblast off all the surface rust and then box in the inside of the frame to strengthen it (fix the factory welds too).

The axles are still the original setup (Dana 30 front and 44 rear) so im thinking about just upgrading the axles to Warn axles and maybe changeout the Dana 30 to a 44 also.

I'm getting rid of the leaf spring and going with a coilover setup also.

Here is what I'm thinking after I do the above: I am thinking about building a tube body off the frame. The reason I'm using the frame is because they acutally knew how to make them back then lol. This would mean that I would weld the tubing onto the frame and customize it to my needs. My question is, would this work efficiently and be strong? My thought is that my jeep will only be as strong as the base.

Hope the above makes sense. I'm typing it on my phone. I can upload a picture of the jeep as soon as I can. (Looks like it might have let me upload it).

Thanks,

Bill

 

[TroyaCantrell]

Forgive some ignorance on my part by why cut off the frame and replace with tubes? What do you gain by doing that? What would you do with the tub in that case? Is the back part just bad?




Troy Cantrell
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Build thread - '66 CJ6 :
http://www.jeep-cj.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15075

 

[jdarg]

The reason I'm using the frame is because they acutally knew how to make them back then lol.

This probably isn't what you want to hear, but if the frame is messed up you'd probably be better off with a YJ or TJ frame as a starting point IMHO.

They definitely did NOT make them better back in the CJ days. CJ frames are weaker by quite a margin and crack relatively easy compared to the rectangular tube frames. I wouldn't use one for a serious trail machine. Jeep peaked with the YJ/TJ frame IMHO. The side rails are actual tube steel instead of C channel with sheet metal tacked to the inside.

 

[74 CJ5 Bill]

Forgive some ignorance on my part by why cut off the frame and replace with tubes? What do you gain by doing that? What would you do with the tub in that case? Is the back part just bad?

The idea is to bring the rear of the frame inside the tires so that i do not have to worry about tight spaces when going into or out of a space. The part im getting rid of in the rear of the frame is where it curves down to the rear bumper. All that is being moved forward to where it is level and bout 6" forward of the rear tires.

The Tub and related components are going to be sold as i do not need them anymore.

This probably isn't what you want to hear, but if the frame is messed up you'd probably be better off with a YJ or TJ frame as a starting point IMHO.

They definitely did NOT make them better back in the CJ days. CJ frames are weaker by quite a margin and crack relatively easy compared to the rectangular tube frames. I wouldn't use one for a serious trail machine. Jeep peaked with the YJ/TJ frame IMHO. The side rails are actual tube steel instead of C channel with sheet metal tacked to the inside.

The frame is actually in good condition with only some surface rust. The C channel will be boxed so that it will be a tube and all the extra holes in the frame (from manufacturing) will be filled in also.

The reason for going to a tubed body will be for added safety and durability on the trail. Im not looking to climb Mount Everest with it, Just looking to go and climb some good trails and go over some more technical spots on the trails as needed. Its my first time doing something like this and im wanting it to be unique and custom. That is as far as i've gotten lol.

Thanks for the input so far, Its really appreciated.