Build Thread The '80 FrankenJeep frame off reassembly
- Posts
- 7,316
- Media
- 5
- Solutions
- 1
- Thanks
- 156
- Location
- Roanoke, Va
- Vehicle(s)
- '80 CJ-7, AMC 304, T177, Dana 300, Widetrack axles (D30 & AMC20) w/ 3.73 gearing, MSD ignition,
In my next life I want some patience...... looked for weaker hydraulic struts for a while, but figured it was gonna be a 
shoot as to whether they worked or not. So, I gathered up the four hydraulics, the original spring cylinders, a hack saw, drill, grinder, sharpie, and a beer.
Since I just finished adding the mounting studs for the hydraulics, and would still like to use a set at some point, I decided to modify the originals. They have a decent amount of rust internally - every compression is followed by a large poof of rust dust. They were scratched up pretty good, so I figured hackin em up wouldn't be the end of the world. The plan was to remove the OEM attachment points from the springs, add the hydraulic ends, and use the, that way.
Drilled a small hole into the aluminum end to assess thickness. Nearly a half inch - good deal. I'll cut the ends off the hydraulics, thread the shaft, drill hole,in end plugs, tap, the screw the ends in and be done. See the problem yet?
Harvested the hydraulic ends only to remember the shafts are hardened.
And I mead HARD. So much for threading those. No sweat. Drilled the ended of the spring cylinders,
Since I couldn't thread them, I needed a mechanical lock. So I cross drilled the hole for a pin
Then hit the shaft with the grinder for a notch
Smoothed up the ends and hit em with a little paint
Inserted the shaft into the crossed drilled hole, aligning the notch with the hole
Drove a nail through the cross hole ( which was almost too tight), and had an OEM spring cylinder with hydraulic cylinder ends.....
Now for the fit test
Yes - I know I have them mounted upside down - but when I drill both ends, I knocked out as much rust as I could, sprayed the interior with WD40, then mounted them upside down to minimize oozing LOL) see the rusty WD40 oozment below?
Best part is, they work like a charm. Almost like they were made to do this. (And my dowel lift gate support Rod went back into the garage
And now for the PSA portion of the post - I would like to invite everyone reading these threads to go ahead and become a financial supporter of the site. I mean, it's like 25 bucks a year. The information I have garnered from this site over the course of my build was invaluable......... and if that's not motivation enough, where else can you go and aggregate the snot outta folks for that small of an amount?
Seriously - the clock is ticking. If we don't step up, this sites a goner.
shoot as to whether they worked or not. So, I gathered up the four hydraulics, the original spring cylinders, a hack saw, drill, grinder, sharpie, and a beer. Since I just finished adding the mounting studs for the hydraulics, and would still like to use a set at some point, I decided to modify the originals. They have a decent amount of rust internally - every compression is followed by a large poof of rust dust. They were scratched up pretty good, so I figured hackin em up wouldn't be the end of the world. The plan was to remove the OEM attachment points from the springs, add the hydraulic ends, and use the, that way.
Drilled a small hole into the aluminum end to assess thickness. Nearly a half inch - good deal. I'll cut the ends off the hydraulics, thread the shaft, drill hole,in end plugs, tap, the screw the ends in and be done. See the problem yet?
Harvested the hydraulic ends only to remember the shafts are hardened.
And I mead HARD. So much for threading those. No sweat. Drilled the ended of the spring cylinders,
Since I couldn't thread them, I needed a mechanical lock. So I cross drilled the hole for a pin
Then hit the shaft with the grinder for a notch
Smoothed up the ends and hit em with a little paint
Inserted the shaft into the crossed drilled hole, aligning the notch with the hole
Drove a nail through the cross hole ( which was almost too tight), and had an OEM spring cylinder with hydraulic cylinder ends.....
Now for the fit test
Yes - I know I have them mounted upside down - but when I drill both ends, I knocked out as much rust as I could, sprayed the interior with WD40, then mounted them upside down to minimize oozing LOL) see the rusty WD40 oozment below?
Best part is, they work like a charm. Almost like they were made to do this. (And my dowel lift gate support Rod went back into the garage
And now for the PSA portion of the post - I would like to invite everyone reading these threads to go ahead and become a financial supporter of the site. I mean, it's like 25 bucks a year. The information I have garnered from this site over the course of my build was invaluable......... and if that's not motivation enough, where else can you go and aggregate the snot outta folks for that small of an amount?
Seriously - the clock is ticking. If we don't step up, this sites a goner.
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