Family CJ6 Project

Letting the old bandsaw work.

 

All stacked up ready to become a Jeep.

 

Welding Action!

 

Old and New. I'm using the single front mount from the original frame, in order to say I do have something Jeep of the original frame on it. More body mount, rollcage, and steering box pics to follow when I can borrow a camera phone again.

 

Inside the frame, there are 5/8x 1.25x6 inch long slugs of steel tapped with 1/2 inch coarse thread holes for all the spring hangers to bolt to, and the edges of all the pieces were veed out, so the weld bead is almost 3/4 of an inch wide on all welds. The top and bottom of the rails are reinforced at all weld joints, and so far, there is around 12 lbs of weld on the frame.

 

Nice work, that is a huge way to go for taking that on.

 

Thanks. It's coming along pretty well. I'm almost done with the frame itself, hopefully the beginning of next week it'll be finito. Then I'll take it to get galvanized. Saving for springs now.

 

Just curious, I guess I missed whats wrong with the original frame?

Or are you looking for more strength?

 

Nothing really wrong with the original. I just want it as strong as possible. It will be available when this is all done. The rear crossmember has been hacked off in its lifetime, and the front one is just missing the rad support piece ( I wanted it). It's pitted a bit, but not bad. I was thinking of boxing it, fixing it up and selling it when I'm done, or if someone really needed it, I'd donate it as is. I'd like to see someone use it.

 

I'd have to agree with sending it back to circulation, sell it to someone.

CJ6s are not something you see everyday, and with the rear crossmember removed, you can put an under floor tank in it.
Can't wait to see your body tub mounted up!

 

You are correct in the way I figured the angles was to take the stock frame, divide all bends into individual sections, with an equal angle between each section. It takes a while to make the pattern, and get the angles all correct, as well as modify anything about the frame that you didn't really care for, but it makes for a clean build. I've fishplated all previous frames I've made, and never had cracks. I've done half-frame stuff too, (for an old rotted out J-4000) and didn't plate it at all, none have ever broken. I did the flanges on this one, instead of the sides, as I've read, and talked to older fabricators who have all said that the key to frame strength lies in its flanges. Heavy flange strength=no cracks. I also am a nut about preperation for the weld. All weld surfaces on the frame are ground out to a 45degree angle, and the weld fillet is very large. I believe that the Matkins frames are segmented also. I was going to try a mandrel bend, but nobody could do the thickness that I wanted, also read that mandrel bending takes away the strength at the outside of the bend due to the thinning of the tube. It can only 'pile up' so much at the bottom, so the rest is drawn away from the outside of the bend radius. This is the reason that many racing rules do not allow mandrel bent frames, only cut and welded. I will try to get better pics up.

 

Been busy, not all Jeepy type things...sigh..that is life. Got the frame finished and to the galvanizers. They called this am and said it is shiny and finished. Pics of the welding and finished frame to follow soon..I wish it wash't such a process to get pics on here..everyone have fun...I've got to swap a 304 into a travelall today, and a 392 into my 1310 IH tomorrow.

Frank

 

Last pic of the raw frame.

 

Now we have to get some pics of bodywork in progress, and some Dana 44 axle building pics. I got some great ideas from another CJ6 on here with full floater adaptation, so I'll be doing that with some internal spline hubs, and Dodge/Chevy/Wagoneer/etc outers on the old offset rear, and a cut down Scout dana 44 front. Stay tuned!

 

Just for info, the large tubes sticking out are rollcage mount points, and there are now 19 body mounts, not including the 'cage mounting points. The four slugged holes in the front section are for the engine mounts, and all of the spring hangers will be stock, but drilled out to 1/2 inch holes, into corresponding holes in the frame, where I have a 5/8 thick slug of material threaded and welded into the frame. It is now galvanized, and also painted black. I need to take pics again.

 

How far from the centerline of the vehicle does a stock buick V6 drivetrain sit in a CJ? I'm making a crossmember for my SM420/Buick/18 combo, and want to get to building my engine mounts also this week.
Thanks in advance.

Frank

 

Yeah, not really sure why I post things here anymore.

 

sorry, i cant help you with your v6 but dont stop posting.........just ad more pictures....



gerald