CJ6B - Family Sizing a CJ3B

Thanks! Will do for sure. I'll probably need help lifting the cage off the MB at some point. But I have some neighbors that can help with it also. It has these connectors at all 6 points, so once I remove the allen bolts (if they're not rusted) it should come right off.



The tubs I should be able to lift and move around with my engine hoist, but two guys shifting it around to find the right place on the frame, line up body mounts, etc. would be easier.

 

anytime .

 

I patched up the tears and cracks in the frame horns and I've been adding 1-1/2" x 1/8" metal strapping to the top and bottom of the frame.



This is the route I've decided on in lieu of boxing the whole frame. The stock CJ6 frame is already strapped over part of the bottom and I'm adding some more, extending it to the frame horns. It will have the stock boxed portion from behind the front leaf spring perch to the front cross member. I'll finish the boxing from there to the front for the saginaw steering mount.



I've been trying to sort through my options for the gas fill. Something was just bugging me about the cost of a new filler neck and filler housing, so you can probably guess where this is headed. This is one of the light housings off the MB. I have CJ5 15 gallon rear tank that I picked up off Craigslist for $50, so as soon as I get the frame right-side up again I'll start working out the details of a mount and skid for it.

 

What a great story this will be some day for your boys to tell.

 

thats one good lookin little jeep your about to tare into. When the dust settles, will the jeep be basically the exact same thing as your 42 but longer?

 

Yes, it will be basically the same, but with a high hood. My oldest son operated the engine hoist for me today while we pulled the roll cage and the tub off the MB. He's really enjoying seeing the "insides" of the two Jeeps; one coming apart, the other one going together.

 

mpc ...inbox is full....

 

Cool project! I've had similar thoughts from time to time. Whats going to happen with the old MB body?

Kevo

 

I'm going to sell it with the frame and title. It doesn't really take up much space all disassembled, but I have no use for it and I could use the money to cover some of the expenses for the stretch. On a side note, I removed the steering column mount from the MB to use on the 6B and found an "F" script on the underside. So my MB is actually a GPW! The column mount was riveted on, so I'm sure it is original to the Jeep. It has a California issued VIN tag, so the original VIN plate is long gone.

 

I hate to sound ignorant...but what is a GPW? Not that great on my jeep history prior to say....early 60's.

 

During WWII both Willys and Ford had contracts to build vehicles for the military. The Willys designation was MB, the Ford designation was GPW. They were built to the same specs, but Ford put an "F" script on a lot of their parts to identify the vehicle and parts as being Ford. They otherwise wise look identical except for a few small differences.

 

huh...didn't know that. Thanks alot.

 

Hmmm... I'll have to keep an eye out for that, allways wanted an MB(or GPW).

Out of curiosity, why not just stretch your MB tub? Did you specificly want the 3B high hood or just don't want to modify a somewhat rare MB body?

Kevo

 

Kevo, I guess it was a few reasons that added up to using the 3B tub over the MB:

1. I picked up the CJ6 frame for free a couple of years ago. Although not perfect, I think it is in a lot better shape than the MB frame, which has needed some crack repairs over the years. So I already knew everything was going to get transferred to a different frame rather than trying to stretch the MB frame.
2. I got a good deal on the CJ3B. After parting it out, I ended up with the body for no money out of pocket.
3. My plan was to minimize Jeeping down time by having the “new” frame and the tub all ready to go before decommissioning the MB and transferring parts. That’s sort of been the case since the body was pretty much done before I disassembled the MB .
4. The rear seating width of the MB is only 33”, not even wide enough for a stock bench seat. I hadn’t yet decided to widen that area even beyond the stock 36” to the 42” I now have in the 6B. Maybe the cool tool box lids on the MB were causing a mental block.
5. I was also hoping that with the higher hood of the 3B I’d be able to raise the whole drive train up a couple of inches to counter the decreased break over angle of a longer Jeep. The Ford T-18 tranny hangs down quite a bit. We’ll see how that plays out. That kind of a modification chain-reacts a bunch of different issues as I’m starting to realize.

Anyway, it was really a budget driven idea to do the stretch in the first place. There’s no way I could sell the MB and buy something bigger like a CJ6 with the same components for a similar price (D44s, disc brakes, lockers, Tera Low TC, etc.).

 

The frame strapping on the top and bottom of the rails ends at the cross member that's in front of the gas tank. I was thinking of adding a vertical strap (web?) at the rear shackle hanger to add some strength. Is this a good idea or not?

 

Good idea but I'd box that area at least as long as the spring mount as it's a weak point. This will distribute the load over a longer area. I've cracked my frame out in that area. Actually shoved a spring mount up inside the frame.

 

box it but 45 the end to distribute twist .

 

Like this?

I'm not sure I understand. Angle both ends at 45 degrees or box all the way to the rear with a 45 degree slant in the front?

 

2nd option please ,
and try to run it as long as you can ......

 

Mike, when boxing the frame rails terminate any joints with an angle, the angle will dissipate vertical load and prevent cracking at the joint. A vertical weld can crack. I would box the entire front and rear sections. The small strap that you posted in your picture is not substantial enough.