Build Thread Jeep CJ for my daughters first car.

[BIG4D]

Back out in the shop today for more work on the Jeep. Lots of welding today installing the rear frame repair pieces and the rear crossmember. Also started mocking up the rear axle.

 

[BIG4D]

Back out in the shop today for more work on the Jeep. Lots of welding today installing the rear frame repair pieces and the rear crossmember. Also started mocking up the rear axle.

Also mocking up the repair pieces for the body mounts. Coming along nicely!



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[mtnwhlr]

Looking good, good job

 

[Belizean]

Looking good, good job

Exactly. NICE JOB !

 

[BIG4D]

Getting the new perches in today. Just about finished with frame work. Next, onto the body!


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[BIG4D]

Working on axles the last couple of days. Got the hubs off last night.
If you think you can get your hubs off without the OTC special tool, your kidding yourself. All you will do is beat up your axle or your hub!
I could not believe what it took to get the hubs off WITH the tool! I had to use a 20lb sledgehammer with the tool. Ended up actually breaking my vice.
Now that the hubs are off, I can commence with the new seals and bearings. Had to make a “special tool” to press the bearings on. Did not want to buy another tool!


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[Lumpy Grits]

Big-You sure can lay-down a nice 'bead'!
May I ask, what welder you are using?
I couldn't weld that nice, if my life depended on it. :laugh:
I strongly suggest you go to 1-piece, Moser axles.
LG

 

[BIG4D]

It’s an older Lincoln Power MiG 210.
I’m looking at the one piece axles. Going with stock till I get it back on the road. Then I’ll look at upgrades. Just needs to much other stuff right now.


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[BIG4D]

Have not posted in a little while, but work is progressing! Got the drivers floor in and I’m super happy with the was it has turned out. Fit really nicely! Still doing some patchwork on the firewall but happy with it as well. A little seam sealer and I’ll be good to go. Have the front body mount set in place and ready to weld in. Lower rocker panel on drivers side installed, just need to weld floor to it still.
Rear axle is complete. Checked all gears, bearings and backlash. All new seals, axles (inner and outer) and new pinion seal.
Getting there, slowly but surely!


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[mdeluca]

Looking good… thanks for sharing the project!

 

[BIG4D]

Back out in the shop yesterday for some more body work.
I gave up on attempting to save the rear most area of the body mounts. Ended up ordering the rear crossmember body support from Classic Industries.
This thin fit like a glove! Exact reproduction of the original part!

I opted for drilling the spot welds from the top, through the floor and that worked out well.

Here is the old on coming out.






Fitting the new corners to make sure the spacing is correct before welding in the new cross member.





This crossmember was easier to replace than I suspected. Drilling the spot welds out from the top gave me nice hold to weld the new one through. Allowed me to weld it from the top instead of having to lay it on its side, or weld above my head.

Moving right along.....


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[BIG4D]

I need a quick way to remove undercoating. The previous owner coated the ENTIRE interior with it! I've tried scraping, heating and scraping (sort of works, time consuming hand extremely tiring), sanding (just clogs up the paper, even 40 grit!), tried a grinder with a wire wheel (just "melts" it and throws it everywhere!). I've tried a flap-disk on a grinder and that seems to work the best, but I'm going through flat-disks like candy!
I hate this , surly someone out there has a trick or tip to get it off.
Thanks.

 

[mtnwhlr]

I don't know if it would work but I would try Aircraft stripper.

 

[Belizean]

I don't know if it would work but I would try Aircraft stripper.

Watch out for chemical reactions and dangerous fumes. You never know what kind of mixture can be formed

 

[gert]

wow you are cruising through your build I also have the Cheifwahoo rear cross member on my Jeep and love that thing, your work is looking awesome

 

[BIG4D]

Thanks! I am really enjoying this build. It’s always been my dream to do a frame off restoration. Been a mechanic my entire life, some 30 years, and this was on my bucket list.


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[BIG4D]

Okay, latest update. Spent all weekend and today (off work on MLK Day) and got a lot of welding done!





Passenger side and riser cut out!



You can really see how much I have had to cut out. I just about had the tub cut in half!













As you can see. Lots and lots of welding. Still have a lot more to do. I’m so glad I built this jig I can’t imagine doing this much cutting without having some way to support it.
I was really amazed at how the riser is the backbone of the tub. Without that in, the tub is incredibly flimsy! I really took my time to be absolutely sure it was in correctly and square, both front to back and up and down. One that was in, things got much easier.
I am hoping to have it on the road in late spring or early summer!


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[gert]

Looking great, I learned a lot and screwed up a lot with spot welding new side panels on the tub I sold looks like your damage is same areas mine was rusted


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[BIG4D]

Sorry for the delay in posting updates. Just been super busy.
Making great progress!

Chassis’s about 99% complete. Just a few odds and ends to tie up.





Making good progress on the tub as well. Got all the patch panels welded in and won’t be long before it sent to the blaster!





Patch work going nicely! I had to cut out more that I was hoping but, don’t want to have to come back and redo rust in a year or so.









So that’s the latest. More to come, stay tuned!


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[BIG4D]

Got the tub test fit on the frame this weekend. Wow! I was almost jumping for joy!
All of my new body mounts line up just about spot-on!! So happy with how it came out!












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