73 CJ5 Off Road Trailer

Well here is how it all started! Brought home a 73 Cj5 as a donor jeep for my 74! Put up the rolling chassis for sale for 6 weeks NO TAKERS!!!!

One day while in the shower I got the bright idea I need a CJ5 trailer eventually being converted into a camper/trailer!

So It begins. I started by stripping and cutting all unnecessary (heavy) parts/metal out. Cut all the rear (rusted) bumper parts out. removed the gas tank/lines. Got the engine on a stand (while still on the frame, that was a trick. no hoist!!!!). Then I proceeded to by cutting the frame in half a 1/2" in front of the fire wall. This is where a guy e-mailed me about buying the chassis. whoops!! Next I got new front and rear bumpers made out of 3/16 steal and welded them in place. By the way I'm not a welder!!


After that I welded a tongue on. I didn't really trust my welds so I added 4 1/2" bots and 2 angle braces to the frame.


Next I striped and sold the axles to the guy who email earlier in the project! I then had a exact fit replacement axle made 51" center 5 on 5.5 lugs.

Now that I have a tow able frame, off to the sand blasters.

Now time for paint! I used Rust-Oleum undercarriage rubberized rattle can paint.


Now time for the fiber glass body to go on. To cover up the fire wall I cut out a piece of 16 gauge diamond plate to cover everything up front.

Now I put the 74's windshield on and put the soft top on just to see how it looked.
Next road test after about 2 corners I realized putting shocks back on would be a great idea. For that I just welded some 5/8X6" bolts on.


Next I'm going to paint it to match my JK 4 door Rubicon!

Now that I have the basic trailer part road worthy I'm coming up with some ideas.:twisted:
Matching 31" tires
12V long life battery
18 gallon fresh water tank. Installed where the gas tank was and fill able by the gas cap location.
12V water pump to bring fresh water to the fire wall.
120V-12V inverter to bring power to the fire wall.
batter charger.
120V power outlet mounted in the fire wall.
Skeleton cage roof rack. Thinking 50" wide by 78" long
And way down the road a home made custom 2 person pop up camper to mount on top of the roof rack! Got that idea from the web. Check it out pretty cool!!!! http://www.autohomeus.com/

Let me know what you guys think! If any one has some cool ideas to add to this feel free to share them. Down the road I'm hoping to use this as my self contained off road camper. Haul all the gear down low and sleep up high!
Thanks everybody for taking a look and giving me your thoughts. I'll update as more comes!!! RJ

Yes I know I shouldn't have chopped a perfectly good 73 frame but like I said I tried to sell it first and wasn't going to take it to scrap yard!! So please spare me that comment!!

Thanks

 

You will be putting it to good use, I wouldn't fret anybody that critiques your use, good job.

 

you forgot to add a keg tapper to the firewall as well.

 

Looks good, very creative.

I would however, add some plate stock to the attach point between the old tow bar, (to triangulate it), and the new crossmember of the frame.

By your photos, all that is there now is some rather thin stock, with only a vertical component. Not a lot of side-to-side strength there.

 

CJRJ,
Cool stuff, Nice work taboot! I agree with your choice, Ought to be fun

 

I've been thinking about that also I took it out and drove over some pretty good angles and it did have a good amount of side to side flex. It is 1/4" steal though. I'm more worried about my welds than the steal crumbling. Were you thinking more side to side steal or from the side rails to the Front "bumper". I almost just want to cut it off and make a new one out of 2" square stock. IDK though. Thanks for the thoughts. RJ

 

Arm chair web wheeling here, but I would build a new tounge out of 2x4 1/8 or 3/16 box tube, and cut a hole through the front crossmember you added so you could tie it into to frame.