1970 Jeep Rebuild

Got some work done today. Got new long axle installed, also new bearings and seals on both sides since it was apart. Cut off old spring hanger and got new one installed. Also got new caliper on and made new brake lines for the rear. Waiting on rest of parts. Last Friday before tearing rear axle out I loaded it onto trailer and took to 2 different body shops for the body damage. The cheapest bid I got to fix body damage and paint was $4800. WTF!? It doesn’t look that bad.
If I can get all my parts in I’m putting it back together for the Rubicon trip, body work will come later. Still won’t treat it like a rental!

 

I had to take a saws all to get the skid plate from under the gas tank today, all but 1 bolt were bent I couldn’t get them off without cutting them. I still haven’t got the gas tank out, tomorrows project. I did find glass and plastic between the tank and skid plate from her car. I guess she hit me harder then I thought.

 

Look closely at your motor, trans and transfer case mounting points. A rear end collision will cause the drive trane to spring rearward on impact causing damage to rubber mounts and bolt points of the mounts.
Also examine your windshield frame and make sure it has not sprung the hinges and latches. Look closely at the drivers seat back and look for cracks in the bell housing, check the front leaf springs for buckling at the rear stationary mounting brackets, make sure the fan blades did not come in contact with the radiator too.

 

she hit me hard enough to dent/bend the rear diff cover. I had it off when I replaced the rear axle that was bent, and gears weren’t touched. It’s just sitting on there waiting on new cover.

 

I got knew brake calipers in the mail today and replaced the bent/ broken ones. Also got the gas tank out, figures I had just filled it.
the rear of the Jeep is sitting about 3.5” higher then it did.

 

Also got new spring hanger mounted. Still havnt got new springs or shackles.

 

You can see where the metal is ripping away from rear body mounts.

 

Probably a good thing you thing you had aftermarket seats. That was a pretty good hit. You doing ok?

 

My back never hurt. I did bang up my knee that I had just had surgery on. Other wise I feel good except when I look at my JEEP, then I just cry.

 

I feel you on that. $4800 quote to repair might not be so far off.

 

Really, now is the time to install a beefier cover!

 

I bought this one from Ruffstuff.
https://www.ruffstuffspecialties.com/R1270.html

 

Excellent!

 

Since you got the rear tank out might want to put a tank access in the floor above the sending unit. Some flat stock steel, tapping holes and round headed bolts.

 

Soooo….I’m taking it to body shop, when I took off rear cross member the frame moved about a 1/2”. They can put it on frame table and make a couple pulls and see if we can get things to line up again.

 

Parts started to show up…. No JEEP to put them on!

 

Went by the body shop this morning. They unbolted the body mounts and made several pulls on the frame, now it’s back to spec…now they need to tweek the body to match the frame. They told me that the rear of the body was bent upward about 2”. He looked at me like I was crazy when I told him once he has the frame and body where it needs to go to stop and don’t fix body and paint, as I want to wheel it before paint and body work are complete. He was concerned insurance won’t allow him not to complete the job and him to still get paid.

 

He does have a point. Tell him you just want to borrow it for a while.

 

Dang Rob! I just saw these posts that you got rear-ended! Sure sorry to hear that. There are too many idiots on the roads. Looks like you’re making some good progress getting it going again.

 

Thanks Bob. Once I get it back from body shop it should go back together fairly fast. Are we gonna try for Slick Rock this year?