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Just Got Myself Into A 6...

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by rejeep, Feb 14, 2013.

  1. Feb 16, 2013
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Well... any live axle Jeep that's 40 years old could have some stress crack issues. The usual place for cracks is in the vicinity of the big front cross member, especially near the steering bracket. Anywhere you have flexible into rigid, fatigue cracks are more likely. I would also look around the spring hangers, esp. the rear hangers of teh front springs. That seems to be a stress point on many models of Jeeps.

    However, I think that breakage is more associated with abuse (big air, ie Rat Patrol action) than age. If it checks out ok, you should be fine if you don't try to launch it.
     
  2. Feb 17, 2013
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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    Sep 23, 2002
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    12,529
    I'd also add to check around the clutch pivot on the frame. Very common place for cracks on Intermediates in addition to what was mentioned above.


    Sent from my iPhone
     
  3. Feb 19, 2013
    rejeep

    rejeep Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Rochester, NY
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    thinking about axle options for the future of this jeep...

    what are popular swap candidates for Jeep CJ’s?

    I know that’s a vague questions.. but most of my knowledge comes from later Jeeps with drive side drops..
    All my CJ's thus far have retained the stock axle setup since I never increased tire size...
     
  4. Feb 19, 2013
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
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    Sep 20, 2002
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    3,437
    What size tire do you want to run?

    This '73 will have a D30 front axle and a D44 flanged rear axle.
    This is an excellent combo and suitable for tire sizes up to 35".
     
  5. Feb 19, 2013
    rejeep

    rejeep Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Rochester, NY
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    my YJ is currently on 35's and that’s what I wheel now..
    I am comfortable with that size tire, but wouldn’t mind stepping it up a size or 2 if I’m building from scratch..


    I know I’m getting into the scary territory of 1 ton axles at that point..
     
  6. Feb 27, 2013
    rejeep

    rejeep Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Rochester, NY
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  7. Feb 27, 2013
    rejeep

    rejeep Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Rochester, NY
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    got this guy fired today...
    little fresh gas and a new gas line.. the motor roared to life...


    swapped a new set of 31's on original slotted mags and took her out for a spin with no brakes...


    its amazing.. the jeep hauls major ***... I was actually surprised how much bottom end torque the little 304 has...
    the Tcase is still stuck in 4WD so sliding around the parking lot today was fun in the slush..


    Jeep might be a little worse than first expected... the mint condition of the top gives the eye a false sense of cleanliness.
    Frame is tweeked in the back and has some major rust scale all over..
    calling the wires a rats nest would be kind..
    the body is questionable... might be able to work with it..


    want to get the jeep at least able to start, stop and at best a new Y pipe and muffler.. (starter is sticking)
     
  8. Feb 27, 2013
    bkd

    bkd Moderator Supreme Staff Member 2022 Sponsor

    K-Town Tenn.
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    Looks like a fun project :-D
     
  9. Feb 28, 2013
    CJ5Kyle

    CJ5Kyle Member

    Livermore, CA
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    Jan 28, 2013
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    231
    Great find. I'd love to find one of these locally for a decent price
     
  10. Mar 3, 2013
    rejeep

    rejeep Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Rochester, NY
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    what lift are most of you Intermediate CJ's running?
    feel like Huey Lewis and the News......

    Looking for a New Drug...
    one that will ride well, flex, and give me the lift I want...
     
  11. Mar 3, 2013
    Texis

    Texis Member

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    Feb 21, 2011
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    A 6 with an 8, nice. Loads of potential there. Congrates on that find.
     
  12. Mar 4, 2013
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    The D-slot alloys are very cool...
     
  13. Mar 4, 2013
    rejeep

    rejeep Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Rochester, NY
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    im excited to get this started...
    just hung up now on the lift..

    wanted to really build this truck.. but ive come to the conclusion that a mild wheeler, street-able rig will be much better in the long run..
     
  14. Mar 4, 2013
    sheddiggs

    sheddiggs Member

    Park City, Utah
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    Feb 24, 2008
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    72
    Check out Holbrook Specialties. A bit more work involved, but it sounds like you've got to deal with the frame anyways.
     
  15. Mar 4, 2013
    rejeep

    rejeep Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Rochester, NY
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    i think you suggested those on another CJ forum...

    i liked the concept..
    do you have any pics of your truck @ full flex and ride hight?
     
  16. Mar 6, 2013
    sheddiggs

    sheddiggs Member

    Park City, Utah
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    Feb 24, 2008
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    Sorry, hamstrung by technology. I've got an old avatar, and no luck with posting photos.
     
  17. Mar 13, 2013
    obarrett

    obarrett Member

    Lake County, CA
    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2010
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    nice rig rejeep, congrats on the find... i have a special spot in my heart for 73' Sixes with a Meyer Cab.

    while i believe mine came stock with a cab, as it has the flat plates timgr mentions (i also have the weatherseal around the drivers door / gas cap section. ), i didn't purchase it with this cab... was lucky to find this cab (with all three doors/windows) on craigslist for $175 a few months after i purchased the six.

    as for the lift on mine, i believe the PO put the 2 1/2 Pro Comp CJ lift on it...
    33's rub when fully compressed (you can see the rear of the wheel wells bent up).

    your wheel wells do not appear stock either.

    unsure what the exerior hinges were for on mine... the PO put them there (soft doors?), as they are not for the Meyer doors.


    [​IMG]


    this is the sticker i have on the inside of my cab.. unsure if you can tell a year from the serial number, but the jeep logo on the sticker looks newer than the logo we have on the front cowl.



    [​IMG]



    congrats again on the purchase, very cool..
     
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2013
  18. Mar 16, 2013
    SKT

    SKT I Like CJ's...

    Location
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    Wow, what a great find and I like your plans!

    Looking forward to following along, so please keep us posted with plenty of pics!


    .
     
  19. Mar 24, 2013
    rcassettyjr

    rcassettyjr Member

    Shallotte NC
    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2010
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    193
    Welcome to intermediate CJ6 ownership. I am surprised to see one that complete in upstate NY. When I lived in NY I almost never saw any older CJs as rust had turned them to dust. I would fix the brakes and drive it for a while. That will reveal anything else that needs attention. As others said pay special attention to the rearmost area of the boxed portion of the front of the frame. They like to rot from the inside out just forward of the front spring main eye hangers. I bought a 74 CJ6 in Alabama and the frame appeared fine. After the ride home on the trailer the rot had broken through the frame in front of both main eyes. I had to source a replacement frame and before I bought it I laid under it with a small hammer and tapped on the whole boxed section to see if there was any rot.

    Good luck.
     
  20. Mar 24, 2013
    rejeep

    rejeep Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Rochester, NY
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    this jeep will be the recipient of a full frame off build...
    I already have a donor frame to start from... but i will be driving this guy around a bit to see if anything needs to be tweaked before the build
     
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