Frame up rebuild, what would you do different?

I am going to be building a CJ6. I have a frame, a tub, a 5 for parts.

For those that have done a frame up rebuild, what would you have done different? What would have been nice to have done?

FOr instance, I plan on using quick disconnects so the engine can be pulled eaisly in the future. I want to make the dash so it' easy to tilt down and get behind it to work on electrical problems.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

I will NEVER sand blast again. Paying someone else to do it is worth every penny.

Buy tires and wheels last.

Keep front shackles.

Paint inside of tub instead of bed liner.

Late model EFI donor, unless you're going the restoration route.

Late model vac powered discs also worth every penny.

Front cage tie-in during body work, not paint.

 

- keep all electrical fastened to tub and put waterproof connectors everywhere else, makes for hassle free tub removal
- wish I'd have tucked the trans/ transfer up into the frame better with a custom crossmember and skid plate
- have a Dana 44 built for up front

 

I would never have started.


Ok seriously.
I would have bought a new body
Kept the stock drivetrain

 

That's an excellent point. Connectors, really any joint held together by just spring or screw pressure, is a liability. The fewer connectors you have, the less trouble later.

The automobile manufacturers make their harnesses for quick assembly at the factory, not for ultimate reliability. Fewer connectors is better ... you'd rather prevent needing service instead of making service easier.

 

if i had to build again i would have made sure that i focused on one part of the project at a time instead of having multiple things going at once. and i agree with what was said above about painting the inside of the tub not bedliner. i would also do everything you can at once if $ permits i mean like all you axle swaps and stuff like that if you are doing things like that because it so much simplier to do when its apart then later having to takeit all apart.

 

I'm in the middle of my build and am curious why people are against the bedliner on the floor. I planned to spray herculiner on my floor but can just as easily paint it if the herculiner is a bad idea. I already have 1 gallon, but I can use it in the bed of my rabbit diesel pickup.

 

I actually like it in the '76 beater that only gets washed out when it rains hard with the top down. In the '70, though, I think paint would've looked much more attractive, and may possibly be easier to maintain. Just a couple months old now and already dull and dirty looking, even when it is clean.

 

Hey, Boyink, how about Rhino Liner? I know it's $$$ but still. My bed floor is wavy and I don't feel like hacking it apart like I have to for my floor boards.

For the I wish I knews,
I'd box/label everything, have a dedicated garage, get the parts before I start, invest in stripping ( I may), have the right tools, set more time and $$ aside, learn how to patch sheet metal, frame work, painting... I HATE Body work.

 

Those pictures are kind of an unfair comparison. The bed-liner was how old in that pic? How fresh was the paint? I thought the paint looked pretty new and the bed-liner looked pretty old. How long until the paint in the floor is all scratched? Take that out wheeling and get some of that sandy mud we have around here on that paint and the shiny is all gone. I think a lot depends on what your going to use your jeep for. I think the paint looks very nice and will continue to look nice in a very well treated jeep.

I put duplicolor liner in my green jeep on fiberglass. I think it was a very good choice for that jeep. The duplicolor liner wasn't as rough as the liner I used in my snowmobile trailer. Although it wouldn't matter as I don't ever drive my jeep barefoot and have no back seat. I would do it again... If I was building a show jeep I would use paint.

My last two new trucks I did rhino lining in. It was expensive! But... It looks good and holds up to about any kind of abuse that a typical truck bed would be expected to see. If you want it shiny again rhino liner makes a product to make it shiny again. I have a bottle of it that I have had forever and never felt the need to use it.

 

My Jeep came with the gray stuff with flecks in it. Seems to have done well over (guessing) a few decades. Does anyone know what that gray product is called and if it's still available? I wouldn't mind doing a little touchup.

 

Thanks for all the input. Guy has a shop next to mine that does a bedliner. Not sure the brand but I've seen it in a scrambler and it looked good. Thought I'd do that but I'm open to options. The tub is fiberglass so it really does not need much. Either paint or liner.

I need to find pre 76 parts. Does anyone know where I can get parts like windshield hinges and lockdowns.

Thanks again and keep the suggestions comming.............

 

i did herculiner and its not even a year old and its so faded that it now looks grayish when its supposed to be black. looks dirty even when its pressure washed. paint will scratch but i think that it does look better then the liner does. also i dont know if its just me but my herculiner isnt very durible in high traffic places like under my feet and nest to the gas pedle where my feet rub all the time.

 

Measure twice...cut /order once.