Starting over on my CJ3B

[Buildflycrash]

I brought home an alien.

 

[Jon B.]

Egads! What’s hiding in that mass (mess?) of wires and hoses?

Jon B.

 

[Dave Deyton]

My granddaughter would say, "It's a monster!"
Wow! what a project. Glad you're able to get back at it!
Looks like you're in for some creative engineering!

Dave

 

[Buildflycrash]

Got the rear D44 pretty much ready to go.

But someone (me) thru out one set of the cylinder/shoe links when tearing it down a couple weeks ago.

The links from my ‘70 D44 are a bit shorter so that wouldn’t work.

 

[Buildflycrash]

I should have just bought the new BallJoints when I ordered everything else a few weeks ago. Last week I discovered they were shot so now I’m back to where I was a week ago but with new BallJoints.

 

[Buildflycrash]

It’s good to have friends with a lathe and mill.
I couldn’t find these parts online.

Lesson Learned - don’t throw out anything from your brake system until the new parts are assembled.

 

[Ol Fogie]

It’s good to have friends with a lathe and mill.
I couldn’t find these parts online.

Lesson Learned - don’t throw out anything from your brake system until the new parts are assembled.

Or anything, until completely finished with the project. learned that the hard way too.

 

[Militarymetal]

Or anything, until completely finished with the project. learned that the hard way too.

Me too! Now I don’t throw ANYTHING away!

 

[FinoCJ]

I couldn’t find these parts online.

FWIW.....I believe these work. I ordered a set from dorman that work well, but I'd have to get home to verify part number. You can definitely get the proper links if needed.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/UP_80743?

 

[Buildflycrash]

Axles are pretty much done for now, lockers later.
I did run into an issue when I tried to install the locking hub on the driverside. Seems the ID of the hub assembly is smaller than the OD of the flange on the locking Hub. I also noticed last week when I had the wheels on that one wheel stuck out further than the other. I ordered a new hub assembly and now it will match the new one on the passenger side. I'm sure I'm over $1000 in parts for both axles, but everything should be perfect!

Front is '79 Dana 30 - 2 bolt calipers.

Rear is '74 centered Dana 44

Next up is the clean the new to me (old) Vortec 4.3
I received the bellhousing and flywheel today from Summit. Clutch kit and hydraulic throw out bearing should be here by the weekend.

 

[Buildflycrash]

Several cycles of degreaser and pressure washing have the 4.3 clean enough to consider working around.

Tomorrow I’ll pull the 231 off the frame and start mocking up this engine.

 

[Jw60]

Might keep an eye out for a 90's steel oil pan. If I recall correctly They don't hang down as low. The aluminum pan will take angles better but are more likely to shatter on a rock.

 

[Buildflycrash]

I'm Back!
Back to work on this Jeep after a couple months to move to a new house with a BIG shop. We moved several weeks ago but my wife had a bunch of boxes of Hobby/Art stuff right in the middle of the shop. this stuff couldn't get dirty so I waited and moved her out a little at a time. Then a week or so ago I said I was ready to get back to work on the Jeep so we finished moving her out of the shop.

I posted shop photos on another thread but here's a couple again.

Extra storage area off the back of the 4 car garage.

Jeep.

So this 2003 4.3 has a very deep oil pan (11.5" I think)

I found this cheap on Summit and Its about 2.5" shalower. THe bolt holes were totally different so still looking for something not as deep that fits.

So I got it all up on the table, modified some mounts I had and built a Transmission crossmember.

That was the past few days - So now the engine is off, the shop is cleaned up and the frame is flipped to add spring mounts. Maybe we can get to that tomorrow afternoon. YJ springs with front shackle reversal.

 

[Buildflycrash]

A little more progress.
Cutting the rear spring hanger into the frame .75". We're trying to keep this Jeep LOW with Big 35" tires.

3/4" isn't a big deal but its easy and it all adds up.

Question for the more experienced builders- Do I need to fill the whole valley between the 2x4s? I'ts going to have 1/8" doublers on both sides.

Thanks for looking - thanks for your input.

 

[47v6]

A little more progress.
Cutting the rear spring hanger into the frame .75". We're trying to keep this Jeep LOW with Big 35" tires.

3/4" isn't a big deal but its easy and it all adds up.

Question for the more experienced builders- Do I need to fill the whole valley between the 2x4s? I'ts going to have 1/8" doublers on both sides.

Thanks for looking - thanks for your input.

Yes. And grind that out almost completely so that there is a valley again. Turn up your welder to max and burn in your root pass better. Then grind and fill until it’s done. Then plate both sides and strap top and bottom.

My frame thread.

Thread '2X4 frame for my CJ2A'

Aug 24, 2015

My present frame is in very bad shape. I got it for free, it had rusted out parts which I patched in other sections from other random frames and spliced in 12" in the center to give me extra length. It works ok, but I think in addition to all that it might be twisted. Drives fine, but I am over it. Time to get started on this if I want to be done by mid spring next year.

I have purchased 2 sticks of 24 foot 2X4X3/16 wall rectangular steel tube.


My measurements for my frame will not match...

• 47v6
• Replies: 795
• Forum: Builds and Fabricators Forum

• 

 

[Buildflycrash]

Made a jig for drilling the frame on my drill press.

It's a shackle reversal with the shackle hanger welded into the frame.

Almost a roller.

 

[Buildflycrash]

Yes. And grind that out almost completely so that there is a valley again. Turn up your welder to max and burn in your root pass better. Then grind and fill until it’s done. Then plate both sides and strap top and bottom.

I've got the side plates already made and getting sone 2"x1/8 strap tomorrow. Thats a lot more welding that will have to be on hold for a little while but that's fine.

 

[Buildflycrash]

Doublers where the frame parts join. Also captures the front shackle tube.

By the 4th one I’m getting the hang of welding.

 

[Buildflycrash]

Roller!

Yokohama Geolander MT 35” tires are Huge! They are actually 35” unlike my 33” BFG MT tires, they’re closer to 30” tall and 10” wide.

Next Jeff and I put the body, fenders, grill and hood on.

8” stretch is going to put the wheels back in the middle of the wheel wells.

And right at 8” to the rear Crossmember.

 

[Buildflycrash]

If you’re thinking “ this seems a lot like the Woodstock build” you’re kind of right. Just a lot sloppier and maybe a bit cheaper. We do have a plan to make it a little unique. But still it’s a stretched 3B on big tires with a modern (ish) engine. We did copy almost exactly how the doorway is stretched.

I think next we’re stretching right over the center of the wheel well.