CJ-75 Budget Build

[cj14]

wil you use any type of body lift? i had 1.5 in. and used .120 wall square tube down the full length of the sides to help stiffen the tub then sat it on stock rubber mounts. then hid it w/the 1/4 inch thick boat sides also tied into the body so every thing is one piece.

 

[Deweyxj]

I have a similar plan, but because I,m using a J-10 pickup frame all of my mounts are custom.


I blocked the body up off the frame far enough to clear the drivetrain components, but as close to the frame as I could, then built the mounts using a 1.5" poly bushing between the body & frame, positioning them as close to the original mounting locations as possible!

As to the question of body stiffening, I bent 14 ga. hat channels to tie the existing bodies together ( overlaping the OEM support channels in both bodies) & supporting the new floor area!

There are pieces of channel running accross the body (between the hat channels) to add torsional ridgidity!
And finally I'll use 1/8" or 3/16" diamond plate along the rockers, extending from the bottom of the door openings to about 3" below the bottom lip of the body with a 90* turn to the outside to form a step!


That will help hide the gap between the body & frame & add some stiffness as well!

I'll either incorporate them into sliders or boat sides!


Just a thought: If I build boat sides back to the frame, that will in effect tie the body & frame together ridgidly & elliminate the need for any kind of flexible body mounts! Right??

 

[cj14]

I didn't tie the boat sides to the frame I tied to the outer body just under the door and then braced and welded those to the 1.5 inch square tube That way the body rides on the factory rubber cushion (Doe's that make sence) if you want I can post pic's if that helps let me know

 

[Deweyxj]

Accually, it does make sense ! I've been thinking about coming off the frame with tubing to a slider about .5" below the rockers & 3" outside to make a step & then plating that for a boat side.


That would keep it seperated from the body & add stiffness, but I wonder if building them off the body would add the stiffness in the body where it is probably needed a little more:-\!

Was that your thinking??

 

[cj14]

Yes and I beleave it has helped. Stiffen the body+add stregth to the frame=all your hard work last's.

 

[Deweyxj]

I guess it's time for an update!

I have seperated the body & frame so I can fix the rest of the body panels & clean up the frame!:-\... Both of which are extremely laborius & boring tasks, with little visible gain at the end of the day:-\!!

 

[Deweyxj]

I have welded in the floor, added bracing to the body structure between the tubs, & filled in the floor pans in the front driver & pass. floor!:tara: What a long & drawn out PITA!

I cleaned the frame of all unwanted bracketry & such & then cleaned the entire thing with a wire wheel & painted it with .99 a can spray paint!

This weekend I plan to get the gas tank mounted in the frame & the transfer tank mounted in the body & gas lines ran to the front!


I'll be out the next 2 weeks for work, so I wont be getting much done for a while.

I'll post up some pics after the weekend!

 

[wallysheata]

i'm DYING for pics this thing is SWEET :greg:

 

[Deweyxj]

Time for an update, I guess!

I fit the body on the frame for the 3rd & hopefully last time ! The last of the body mounts & crossmembers are fabbed & tacked in place as are the mounts for the main tank & skid !

 

[Deweyxj]

I was planning to lift the body off & do the finish welding & run the fuel & brake lines, but I came across a great deal on a 1 piece fiberglass front end!

So I spent the weekend building brackets for the radiator & mounting the fontend!

The new frontend will take care of the rusted fender issues as well as lighten the front a little for less than the cost of the 2 front fenders:thumbs:!

 

[Deweyxj]

I also spent time on mounting the rear seat! I used a 3rd row fold & tumble seat from a Suburban with the arm rests removed.

I set it as far back as posible, about 1/2" from the tubs so the seat can flex a little without making contact, then built the front hangers out of Uni-Strut & 5/8" steel rod. Then I welded in a piece of rod across the rear of the floor for the rear latch to attach to.

I'm really happy with the results! The seat will fold up behind the front seats or can be completely removed!! (imagine how much space is in a CJ5 tub with no interior)!:thumbs:

 

[Deweyxj]

Just want to let everyone know this is not dead or abandoned! I've been picking away at alot of the little things, like fuel & brake lines, fuel tank & filler neck location & such!
Hunting season & family issues taking presidence right now, but will update with pics soon!!

 

[Deweyxj]

I decided to get a little creative with the gas filler neck! I used the filler neck & doors from a 80's Chev pickup & cut them into the rear corners of the body!

The left side will be the gas filler & the right will be the air fitting for the on board air! the tail lights will mount on the doors & flip up to access the openings!

 

[Deweyxj]

Time for an update!

I decided to switch the axles for a set from a Chevy 1/2 ton. 44 front, 12 bolt rear with 3.73 gears. I know that is nothing special but it gives me a flat top knuckle for cross over steering, better gears ( a little bit), & I'm not giving up any strength! The price was perfect! Free.99! Plus I have access to a real cheep 12 bolt posi & I figure it will be an easy swap to a 14 bolt & 3/4 ton 44 later:thumbs:!

 

[Deweyxj]

I'll try to post some pics!

 

[Deweyxj]

There I finally figured out the picture thing again!! I got the axles cleaned up & painted :greg: & mounted underneath! Now I can start on the high steer arm!

I ground down the rough cut arm till it fit on the top of the spindle nicely & then cleaned the top of the spindle surface so that it is flat & clean for mounting!!

Next I'll drill & tap the spindle & arm, build the steering arm & put it all together! That will get 1 more thing off the checklist!

 

[Deweyxj]

Got started on the wiring harness layout! I'm going to get it running with the stock harness & carb configuration to begin with, that way I can get the drive lines & exaust done & debug any suspension/body/frame fitment issues before I finish the final body mods!

I'll switch to the TBI after I have the other stuff dialed in a little better!

I did get the drag-link built I just need to get the hole drilled & tapered in the high steer arm!

I'm hoping to breath life into it this weekend!!!!

 

[Deweyxj]

WOO-WHOO!! IT RUNS!!:tara:


I got it fired up a couple of weeks ago,but I have to save up some cash to get the drive lines & exaust done. So I've been working on things like body, roll cage, shocks, steering, & anything else I can do with parts & material I already have!:-\

 

[Deweyxj]

I also started fitting up the doors & seats to see if there will be any issues! So far everything looks really good.


I'm really happy with the rear seat setup! I'm 6' 3" & my knees don't touch the back of the front seat! Nice & roomy, plus it folds up against the front seats nice & tight or can be removed completely!!

 

[Deweyxj]

Last week I started fitting up some of the roll bar pieces :-\. I'm using a couple of factory bars to start with, mostly for dimensional purposes I want to be able to use a modified factory soft top & fit it over the cage cleanly:greg:!!