Another Willys Crawler build

Not to cause any trouble, but I think it's best to say something now.... So I overlapped my frame about the same and I'm worried it isn't enough. I have plans to extend my overlap, by at least another 2", if not 3". It would be good to have someone else weigh in that is a bit better versed in frame building... lol. The 4" overlap just doesn't seem like enough.
 
I'll agree with you. Also - fish plate those joints. The torsion that frame will see will split just outside of the welds over time. :cool:
 
I agree with both of you, those joints will see a lot of pressure. I'm fish plating inside and outside as well as top and bottom. When I cap the tubes that overlap I'm going to plate from the top of the cut down and over the top of the rail that its welded to at least 6 inches back. I intend on making these joints the beefiest points on the frame. After the drivetrain is set I'm going to add plenty of triangulation into the crossmembers and gusset wherever I can just to add plenty of rigidity. Also, being that this little jeep wont weigh a lot and is only making 170 horsepower if I'm lucky I dont think it's going to fail.
 
Okay, I left 15" which seems like a bit much but I didn't want to be short... I guess when I get my motor in and steering box figured I can trim it down if need be.
 
xj_nate said:
I don't like this thread.





...I've been wanting to do this same thing but with a 4cyl XJ (5 spd). I'll be watching and dreaming
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That 4 cylinder 5 speed combo is going to be so much easier to work with than this 4.0 aw4. This turd is about as long as the whole jeep:oops:
 
Tdylan28 said:
That 4 cylinder 5 speed combo is going to be so much easier to work with than this 4.0 aw4. This turd is about as long as the whole jeep:oops:
Click to expand...

It’s a pipe dream but I’d like to do it one day, just to cruise around and wheel lightly.
I can’t imagine trying to fit a 4.0 in anything it didn’t come in lol suckers are HUGE!
 
That's the plan for this jeep, just something to cruise the car shows and take the wife trail riding once in a while. Eventually when I have the garage space and the funds it will probably go more towards a purpose built crawler.
 
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Made some progress today. The 4.0 fits! After a lot of clearancing.... but hey it's just sheet metal right? I'm going to have to move the drivetrain back a couple more inches in order to fit a radiator and electric fan in there. As it sits I've got 4 inches from the very front of the motor to the back side of my grill. So that's my next purchase. Any recommendations for radiator/fan combos would be appreciated. 20181022_154536.jpg20181022_155425.jpg20181022_155906.jpg20181022_164554.jpg20181022_165429.jpg
 
Also, dont worry, I'm not welding this frame with that harbor freight welder in the picture lol. I've got a nice hobart 220v mig welder. But that little harbor freight welder is handy for tacking when I dont feel like getting the 220v machine around.
 
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