Flat fender tub on CJ frame

Although my first post as popeye, I was signed up here a while back, but been away for a while, things have changed a little since I was last here, but its good to be back, so Hi again everyone and hope ya'll doing well


Back to the topic, I've been offered a late 50's CJ5, the frame & running gear seem good, but the body is just about shot to bits and I'm wondering how far out a ford GPW tub would be on that frame.

I've not bought the CJ yet, but the GPW body has been in the shop for years along with the fenders, hood grill & windshield which I'd restored for another project, but it never got used.

Without having the CJ frame in front of me its all just guess work, so I'm hoping that someone on here can point me in the right direction with some facts & tips.
BTW, the cj is running a chevy small block, so I'm guessing that could also give me some clearance issues.

 

GPW tub is not the best candidate for a Trans-model modification onto a CJ-5 frame.
I suggest that you consider selling the GPW tub to someone with early military desire.
It will likely fetch a very good price as it is; if it's not been modified.

That said heres some info for mounting flat fendered CJ's onto the 81" wheelbase frame.
http://www.film.queensu.ca/CJ3B/Tech/FrameCJ5.html

Also you might want to check out the 3A PAGE....
Johnathan (AKA Jeep Rescue) mounted a 3A that he named Eugene onto a CJ-5 frame.

 

His blue jeep that he sold? No way... that was a 3A body on a 3A frame.

 

This is what you were thinking of. A 3B named bruiser on a '71 CJ5 frame

http://www.cj-3a.com/bruiser.htm

 

Thanks everyone for your help, its much appreciated. * * And Chuck, I'll give you a shout if project goes ahead, I had visions of having to shorten the CJ frame but your way of making fresh mounts seems to make sense. * *
I shall make an offer on the CJ tomorrow and see how things go.

 

That's right gnome. It's been years since I saw the write up on "Bruiser".
Apparently Bruiser has a 3B and not a 3A tub.
I recon he owned a different Jeep named "Eugene".
Thanks for catching that one.....

 

No problem, that's what the forum is for!

Eugene was his 3A that he restored.

 

It's been 10+ years, and I don't remember all of the details, but I put a 2A tub on a '70 CJ5 (V6) chassis. I know I didn't move the mounts and most off the mounts lined right up. I built new mounts for the grill and shortened the frame in the rear, moved the last cross member front. From what I remember, the extra inch in wheelbase just moves the front axle front. I'm slowly building another one now, M38 body on a '70 chassis, but haven't had the tub sitting on the frame yet.


70cj5_w_ff_body by wblbronco, on Flickr


70cj5_w_ff_body2 by wblbronco, on Flickr


DSC00010 by wblbronco, on Flickr


DSC00010 by wblbronco, on Flickr


DSC00011 by wblbronco, on Flickr

 

nice to see historic plates on that... in Maine its gotta be all stock or no antique plate no v6 for you you 2a 3a or b

 

where was the rear frame shortened?

 

Are we talking about the early cj5 ('53 to '69) that had the straight frame rails, or the later ones that had frame rails that were much wider in the back than the front?

If the early frame, weren't they really close to the same dimensions as the flat-fender frames?

 

From the OP's first post:

"I've been offered a late 50's CJ5, the frame & running gear seem good, but the body is just about shot to bits and I'm wondering how far out a ford GPW tub would be on that frame."

The rear of the frame did not flare out until '76.

 

In the 2nd picture you can see the rear cross-member sticking out past the body. I shortened the frame and moved the cross-member back under the body, see 3rd picture.

As for the V6 clearance, on a factory V6 CJ5, on the firewall at the back of the drivers side valve cover, you'll see how Kaiser solve the fit problem with a small modification piece. Basically what you could do with a hammer but they made a special piece, spot-welded on over a hole cut in the firewall. That piece can be used on a flatfender firewall. I bolted a 2A tub on to a '70 CJ5 V6 frame, used the mounts without moving them, no body lift, engine fit perfect, original pedals fit perfect.

 

Sorry, all I did was cut off the rear end of the frame and then re-attach the cross-member. Also had to shorten the angle braces that run the the center hitch mount.

 

I am doing the CJ2a to CJ5 frame now. My biggest issue was fitting a large radiator, 1966 mustang version. Had to modify the front crossmember. I located the CJ2a grille just in front of the crossmember, and narrowed the crossmember to fit the mustang radiator behind it. I am putting on all new hat channels so the alignment of the mounts will be designed into them.

 

and most people associated with a DMV wouldn't know what stock is

 

Heck. Most of them would be lucky to figure out that Willys wasn't the name of their cousin. R)