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Rebuilding An Old High School Friend!

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by Fly Navy, Feb 11, 2015.

  1. Mar 20, 2015
    IRQVET

    IRQVET Bubbaification Exorcist

    Tallahassee, FL.
    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2015
    Messages:
    680
    +1 on the rotisserie!
     
  2. Apr 6, 2015
    Fly Navy

    Fly Navy Member

    Emerson, IA
    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2014
    Messages:
    361
    Decided to up the ante on my body work skills and attack the drivers rear corner that, I must admit, I put a good fold in when I was in high school:rofl:

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    To start with I cheated a little and made a relief cut down the center of the fold. Then worked with the hammer & dolly until I was happy, before welding it up.

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    Overall, maybe I'm getting cocky, but I'm really starting to enjoy this sheet metal work:cool:
     
    Last edited: May 25, 2018
    Ric-san likes this.
  3. Apr 15, 2015
    Fly Navy

    Fly Navy Member

    Emerson, IA
    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2014
    Messages:
    361
    Moving forward with my body work, I made a patch panel for the passenger side tool box area. I never found the tool box under the passenger seat overly useful so I decided to eliminate it in favor of a second fuel tank. I picked up a poly fuel tank for the passenger side.

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    With the that section of the floor patched, I when ahead and fit the tank.

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    I plan to install a simple transfer pump to move the fuel from my new spare tank into the primary. I'm sure some will question the logic of this and point out I could of just gone with a tank under the back like the later jeeps, but I wanted to retain the integrity of the drawbar and pintle hitch as I plan to use them a lot around the farm:) Also, I'll have a larger fuel supply and greater ground clearance this way. Especially after I modify the drivers side for a military style (M38A1) tank a buddy of mine gave me. Total capacity should work out to about 27 gallons!
     
    Last edited: Apr 17, 2015
    Valentino84 likes this.
  4. Apr 21, 2015
    Fly Navy

    Fly Navy Member

    Emerson, IA
    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2014
    Messages:
    361
    Got the passenger side floorboard cut out but haven't quite got a new one bent and in due to a little extra rust I found.

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    Cutting out the damaged portion, I used it as a template for a repair piece.

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    Not exactly a work of art but it ought to serve my purpose. Now I just have to weld it in and make a floorboard panel:)
     
  5. Apr 28, 2015
    Fly Navy

    Fly Navy Member

    Emerson, IA
    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2014
    Messages:
    361
    Progress continues a little every evening… or most evenings.

    Got the passenger side floorboard bent to the correct angle and installed.

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  6. Apr 28, 2015
    chris423

    chris423 Sponsor

    greeneville tn
    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2014
    Messages:
    565
    Nice build what gauge is that diamond plate ? I really looks tough!!!
     
  7. Apr 29, 2015
    Fly Navy

    Fly Navy Member

    Emerson, IA
    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2014
    Messages:
    361
    That is 16ga diamond plate. Much harder to bend than just a smooth 16ga sheet, but with a little patience, a soft faced hammer and using the corner of my concrete porch as a radius, it turned out okay I think.
     
    tom h and Valentino84 like this.
  8. Apr 30, 2015
    chris423

    chris423 Sponsor

    greeneville tn
    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2014
    Messages:
    565
    I know the feeling . Try bending 14ga, it has broke my metal brake twice I gave in taking it to a shop . it will bend 16ga but I cant complain it was made for 30bucks .Nice build I have been watching from the start.
     
  9. May 5, 2015
    Fly Navy

    Fly Navy Member

    Emerson, IA
    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2014
    Messages:
    361
    Lots of rain over the weekend meant it was too muddy to work on our home building project so I got to spend all weekend on the jeep and was able to make a fair amount of progress.

    As mentioned earlier, I acquired a brand new M38A1 fuel tank from a buddy of mine who was moving and just wanted to be rid of it. I tried to pay him a little something for it but he insisted on calling it payment for helping him re-roof his house. I felt a little bad knowing how expensive those things are, but in the end the price was right so I ponied up the money for the tank well. After removing the fill panel in the floor on the drivers side, the new military fuel tank well dropped in perfectly. Unfortunately, in my haste, I completely forgot to take any pictures. But as I moved on to the transmission hump I realized my error and started snapping pictures again.

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    With the rear part of the floor coming together, I started welding in new floor supports making sure to keep everything nice and square.

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    Then I removed the drivers side floorboard and repaired similar rust damage to what I found on the passenger side.

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    So that is where I stand now. Not really the siding on the garage that I was supposed to be hanging... but what can you do? With a little luck I will get the drivers side floorboard bent and maybe installed this week of an evening. And who knows, if this rain sticks with us through next weekend as forecast, I may find myself working on my little 4 wheel ark next weekend as well.
     
  10. May 6, 2015
    Fly Navy

    Fly Navy Member

    Emerson, IA
    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2014
    Messages:
    361
    In an effort to burn some vacation days before I retire next year, I took the day off in hopes the weather would cooperate and let me get some siding hung. But the rain and mud persist so I spent the day on the jeep.

    The triangle floor board braces on my little jeep are both cracked numerous places. After searching the internet without finding any place I could purchase replacements I decided to just see if I could fix them.

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    So I ground out the cracks, beat them back into shape, welded and then reinforced them. I did find a little rust on the passenger side brace, but overall they were nice and solid… aside from all the cracks of course.

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    In the end I think they'll work. With the braces repaired, I prepped the drivers side floorboard and have it ready to burn in place. I probably could have gotten it welded in but figured I'd better fix the leaky toilet my wife has been complaining about. I find she is far more likely to come out into the garage and help hold things in place when I run out of hands when she is in a good mood.;)

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  11. May 9, 2015
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2004
    Messages:
    4,491
    Looking good sir
     
  12. May 10, 2015
    Fly Navy

    Fly Navy Member

    Emerson, IA
    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2014
    Messages:
    361
    Thank you sir!
     
  13. May 18, 2015
    Fly Navy

    Fly Navy Member

    Emerson, IA
    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2014
    Messages:
    361
    Made a little more progress over the last couple of weeks.

    Finally got the main part of the floor done. I left a little extra meat around the transmission opening so that I can trim it and fold a lip in it like the factory as I fit the access panels.

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    I also got new hat channels welded on to the bottom. My simple little rotisserie really made it a LOT easier to gain access. I may have to actually build a proper one for my next project.

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    I'm kind of surprise at how "fast" it went, but I might actually be done with body work for a little bit… at least until I can sit the tub back on the frame and see what I will have to do to make clearance for the engine. I also found a very old body repair that is going to require a big hammer and probably a lot of persuasion to fix that I will definitely want the tub to be bolted to the frame for:rofl:
     
  14. May 19, 2015
    bigdaddy63

    bigdaddy63 New Member

    Alabama
    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2009
    Messages:
    2
    Very nice work. Cool project...
     
  15. May 19, 2015
    Posimoto

    Posimoto Hopeless JEEP Addict

    Minden, Nevada
    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2003
    Messages:
    4,538
    Looks great. I built "Tommy B's Rotisserie" from plans on this site for my project years ago. As you stated, a rotisserie makes a world of difference when you have to access the entire tub at some point. If you did nothing more than add a length of sq. tube to the bottom legs of your engine stands to connect them, it would make a big difference in getting them to move together when you need to move them. Weld a couple of nuts to the leg on the engine stands and find a piece of sq tube that will slide into that leg and lock with bolts and voila'.

    For reference: http://www.earlycj5.net/forums/showthread.php?94127-From-3D-drawing-to-Rotisserie
     
  16. May 19, 2015
    Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    cordele, Ga.
    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2007
    Messages:
    5,916
    Impressive for sure..
     
  17. May 19, 2015
    joshua70x7

    joshua70x7 Jeepoholic

    Colorado
    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2010
    Messages:
    75
    Money comes and goes but Jeeps last forever - or until the next rebuild.
    Just
    Eats
    Every
    Penny
     
  18. May 20, 2015
    Fly Navy

    Fly Navy Member

    Emerson, IA
    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2014
    Messages:
    361
    Thanks for the kind words!

    The biggest draw back of my simple engine stand rotisserie was the fact I couldn't spin it ALL the way around. It lacked any kind of height adjustment like you included on the one you built. Although it was functional, it would have been so nice to be able to flip it completely upside down at times. I will definitely save your/Tommy B's example for future reference!!
     
  19. Jun 4, 2015
    Fly Navy

    Fly Navy Member

    Emerson, IA
    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2014
    Messages:
    361
    Took the day off to work on my construction project but the rain is interfering with my plans again:mad: So figured I'd set down and give a quick update while I let the rain roll through this morning… then I'll assess how soggy things are and the likely hood of me getting a pickup load of dry wall to my garage without getting stuck.

    I don't have much to update. I've been starting to slowly clean up the frame of an evening.

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    I'm always amazed at the random things people weld onto jeep frames.

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    I worked to finish up my power steering conversion that I previously started. I had mocked up it when I first picked up my jeep as a proof of concept to ensure I was going to have tire clearance. I posted some pics on the Saginaw Power Steering thread but I figured it was time to finish that up and build some tie rods.

    I am doing something a little different with my steering. Due to my big ole PTO winch a more standard power steering set up won't really work since the winch and PTO shaft take up much of the real-estate required to mount a steering gear behind the front bumper.

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    So I am using a steering gear off of a 78-79 Ford Bronco that mounts outside the frame rail. It has a forward pitman arm just like the International Scouts used but are much cheaper and easier to find.

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    I did have to move the shocks to the back side of the axle, like later CJ's had, for this kind of installation. But it is pretty straight forward procedure. I did have to massage the holes in the spring plates when I swapped them from side to side. Later I may go ahead and build some new spring plate but for mock-up this works pretty well.

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    It seems to me there are a lot of advantages to a set up like this. You are mounting the steering gear to a much stronger section of the frame so there will be fewer issues with it flexing and you save a lot of space in the engine bay between the frame rails. Even though this is a much stronger section of the frame, I did go ahead and add a fish-plate for a little extra strength. I also used some 1" tubing to sleeve the bolt holes so I am thinking it will hold.

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    I built the tie rods myself using some 1" .250 wall DOM tubing which I drilled and tapped.

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    I also welded in some Tie Rod Flip Inserts from TMR Customs to gain a little ground clearance for the tie rods and hopefully keep them up out of harm's way.

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    The "completed" package…. The pitman arm I currently have is for a Bronco with a 3" lift. Currently it looks good but when I do the final assembly I will have to double check it for clearance with the new springs. I did everything I could to squat the frame down on the axle so I could check clearances but it is kind of hard with a bare frame. In the end, I removed the front spring shackles and cut the eye off the spring, since these springs are junk. Then I took a couple of ratchet straps and pulled the axle up toward the frame. With all that, I had a 1/2 inch of clearance between the pitman arm tie rod end and the spring so I should be good. But if it proves to be too tight I can always get a stock pitman arm.

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    So overall, I don't feel like I completed much over the last few weeks because it looks a lot like it did when I started:)… just finished up some odds and ends I had previously started. But now I can turn to my attention to the rest of the frame knowing this part is at least 98% done.
     
  20. Jun 4, 2015
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2014
    Messages:
    7,540
    Nice work, I especially like the custom tie rod work. My drag link is custom and solid, however, it doesn't look like it's one piece. I've considered replacing it, maybe I could build my own due to your post...Thanks.
     
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