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CJ5 Frame Differences

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by linckeil, Sep 8, 2004.

  1. linckeil

    linckeil Member

    From 1955 to 1975 what are the differences in the frames for the CJ5? I know that in '72, the saginaw steering was used, thus the frame was modified slightly to accomadate the saginaw box. What about frame dimensions and strengths over this year span?
     
    linckeil, Sep 8, 2004
    #1
  2. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Longer for the I6 up in front.

    Body mounts remain in the same position until '76.

    I can't think of anything else off the top of my head.
     
    sparky, Sep 8, 2004
    #2
  3. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Also removed the diagonal braces in '70 for the rear fuel tank. The '72-75 frame has a wide, flat front crossmember that supports the grille and fills the area between the bumper and front grille.
     
    timgr, Sep 8, 2004
    #3
  4. linckeil

    linckeil Member

    Tim, would this wide, flat crossmember that supports the grill and fills the area between the bumper and front grill fit a pre '72 CJ5?
     
    linckeil, Sep 8, 2004
    #4
  5. Hippo393

    Hippo393 Jeepless

    I think the older Willys frames had a round, tubed front crossmember. Can anyone else confirm or deny that?
     
    Hippo393, Sep 8, 2004
    #5
  6. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    I don't know. I suppose so. You'd have to do a lot of grinding to remove it.

    I don't have an intermediate any more - someone on the board could measure and take some pictures for you.
     
    timgr, Sep 8, 2004
    #6
  7. timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Certainly the MB had a tube and the GPW had a stamped front crossmember. The tube probably carried forward, though I don't know for how many years.
     
    timgr, Sep 8, 2004
    #7
  8. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    The '71 and older frames had a channel iron type crossmember the grill bolted to and also the mount for the bellcrank for the Ross steering. '72 and newer used the flat front crossmember also as the grill mount. The '72 and newer also didn't have the mount on the frame for the brake master cylinder as these did not use through-the-floor pedals but hanging pedals. Everything else has been mentioned. The round crossmember was used on some models of flatfender Jeeps. Nickmil.
     
    nickmil, Sep 8, 2004
    #8
  9. 66cj5

    66cj5 Jeep with no name

    should be 1945 and 46 models. also still had pioneer tool indents on sides.
     
    66cj5, Sep 8, 2004
    #9
  10. Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    All of the Flatties I have ever had - had the tube crossmember up front. Years 46, 48, 49, 50, 51, 53.

    Some of the early 2A's have a Tranny - Tcase bracket outside the frame to hold the cross member.

    :stout:
     
    Warloch, Sep 8, 2004
    #10
  11. Hippo393

    Hippo393 Jeepless

    I've got half of a Willys frame that a 225 (Buick Special, 1BBL) came off. It's got the tube front x-member, but I have no idea if it was from a CJ-5 or prior.

    Anyone with a '55-ish CJ-5 care to chime in? :)
     
    Hippo393, Sep 9, 2004
    #11
  12. Ledge

    Ledge Member

    My 55 front crossmember is made of a U shaped piece of stamped steel with another piece of flat steel on the bottom closing up the U. I'll take a picture of it if you want.
     
    Ledge, Sep 9, 2004
    #12
  13. Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    As Warloch said the flatties had the round tube front crossmember. ;)
     
    Glenn, Sep 9, 2004
    #13
  14. jd7

    jd7 Sponsor

    My 58 Cj5 had a tubular crossmember. Both my 53 and 62 M38A1s have the I-beam style. I have a couple of flattie 2A & 3A frames they have tubular crossmembers.
     
    jd7, Sep 9, 2004
    #14