1973 Cj-5 304-v8 3spd Frame-up Build

I really struggled on tire size and lift but in the end I’m going to start off MOSTLY stock and we’ll see where it goes from here...

Found a used frame in Great shape, just needed to swap out the front hand rear hanger mounts as they were a little bent up. Picked up some OMIX-ADA frame shackle mounts but they only listed them for the rear. I asked and they said they only show them for the rear but would work in the front. Started to bolt on the rears and no issue but the front has a smaller distance between the bolt holes, that’s crazy...!! Will just have to drill new holes, going to weld them anyway.

 

I moved to test fitting the new rear crossmember, WoW, so glad I did...!! None of the holes line up. Ok, I can weld up the wrong holes and drill new ones...

Holly Bat Crap Robin...!!! 3” Off..!!!

Look how I have the rear crossmember centered on the frame. It doesn’t look exact because of the angle of the pics but that is 12” per side sticking past the frame. Notice the distance by reading the tape...!!

That’s 3” off center all the holes are drilled...

 

Others here will know the facts better but the rear crossmember is off center on purpose. The tail pipe goes into the gap I believe.

 

REALLY....?? I would have NEVER guessed that...

Time for some research... Maybe someone here has some more info or a pic...!!

 

Looking at my photos this may be the best example I found. I was installing a rear tank from a '79 CJ.
The bumper is centered on the body and the crossmember is in the factory position.

 

I had a moment where I thought something was seriously wrong with my jeep until I learned about that. It's weird for sure!
Thats on my 74...

 

I didn't know this either so I had to go look at my two jeeps. They both definitely have the original crossframes in them.

The 1969 has the crossframe off-center As can be seen below:



While the 1971 has it centered and shorter. Basically the 71 crossframe has the drivers side shortened to match the passenger side:



Since you're doing an intermediate, it might be proper to lop 3 inches off the drivers side of your new crossframe?

 

WoW... That just blows my mind...

I think you are right, I’ll just shorten the one side to match the other...

Thank you...!!

 

The 1969 has the crossframe off-center As can be seen below:



In doing some more research, some are telling me that it is longer on the Driver Side for the license tag and I went back an notice that was true in your pic of the 1969 Jeep...

My question is, can anyone confirm the factory location of the license tag...? Was it on the rear crossmember...?

 

correct location is on the crossmember. Should be slotted holes.

 

Yeh, it seems they did that to get the plate centered under the clear section of the left tail light. My 46 frame on the 2a was the same way.

 

The plate hangs off the left tail light on a bracket that mounts under the lamp housing.