Searched for this, but couldn't find much info. Anyone ever stretched a CJ5 frame to fit a CJ7 or YJ body? how hard is it? I believe all it would take is ten inches in front of the rear spring hanger, and maybe move a bodymount. Anyone have pics or know of a website?

Ed 'Rock taxi' stretched his CJ he should have a little info.

ewesterbeck@trammellcrow.com here's his mail addy...don't tell him I posted this:D

There's actually an article about his jeep on Rockcrawler.com. He stretched it a little longer than I am looking to do. I just want to fit a CJ-7 or YJ Body, but thanks for the info. He's definitley a good source I'll have to hit him up for some info.

Might not want to do this if you street drive it a lot, but..
I'm just moving the rear axle back 8 inches, front axle forward 8. Lots of trimming but it needed bodywork anyway. Should be great for stability on the steep stuff.
I don't exactly know about the tub swap otherwise, looked at it briefly. Body mounts will certainly need to be moved, but how many and how far? Who knows.
I see you're in CSprings, I know where a cheap tub is not far from you, assuming it's still there. I'll check.

Just curious, but why go to all the trouble to stretch a cj5 frame to fit a cj or yj body? It should be cheap/easy enough to find a replacement cj/yj frame that will fit and save alot of trouble. Go for the yj frame, stock it's way stronger then the cj5 frame will ever be unless you take the time to box the whole thing. Shoot, for that matter, if your dead set on welding the frame together, why not start from scratch with some 2x4 box tube? Then you can move stuff around to where ya want it.

Ken

I'm making my Willys a 94" WB rig right now. I exteneded the tub 10" and I have plans in AutoCAD for a 10" extension from the T-case cross member forward if that would do you any good.....

why extend the tub when you can just push the front axle forward and the rear one back? unless you are too tall to drive a cj-5. i don't fit so well in those little guys. they feel like samurias to me

Oh Cutter, giving my address out again?

LOL

I stretched my 5 by adding 20" in the frame and tub, and 6" by moving the front axle forward with the triangulated 4 link. Overall a 109" wheelbase. It works great in most situations, but does cut the turning radius down some from when it was stock length.

If anyone has specific questions about what I did and why, feel free to email me at ed@rocktaxi.com

Ed

I really don't want to get into anything more technical and extensive than I can handle. I think just stretching the frame 10" to fit a CJ7 or YJ body would be fairly straight forward. I was just looking for some ideas or info. I definitely want to maintain the street drivability, but my current body is rusting pretty bad, and I need to put a new body on which ever way I go. Thanks for the info.

yeah i know all about stretching a cj-5. I call it a cj-7

Originally posted by INEBRIATED
yeah i know all about stretching a cj-5. I call it a cj-7
It's called a CJ-6:p

Originally posted by INEBRIATED
yeah i know all about stretching a cj-5. I call it a cj-7

Then you have missed the point if you think a 7 is enough.

Ed

I'd settle for AutoCad drawings of a CJ7 Frame, and even a CJ5 frame if anyone has them. I don't have the technical knowledge to stretch the body, but I can stretch the frame and reweld body mounts. For now I think a CJ7 would be enough, at least that way I could replace my current body, but Hey... it's never done right?

I have been thinking about streching the body out on my 5 and my question is what to do about getting a top for it ?

Originally posted by 4x4extreme
I have been thinking about streching the body out on my 5 and my question is what to do about getting a top for it ?
stretch it to a CJ6 length and use a CJ6 top

That is what I have been thinking but are the doors and the width exactly the same

look for SweetCJ7s web site(get his profile and home page)
hes got the diagrams for a cj7 frame and i think a cj5 one too. both out of the repair manual

Originally posted by 4x4extreme
That is what I have been thinking but are the doors and the width exactly the same

The doors and tub width are exactly the same. The problem you'll run into is the windshield frame. The last year of the CJ6 was '75 and the windshield frame was wider then and had a different angle to it. If you have a '76 and up CJ and stretch the tub to CJ6 length a CJ6 top won't fit because of the difference at the windshield frame. I know that you can put a '76 or newer w/s frame on a '75 or older CJ, but I don't think it works the other way around.

Originally posted by cmegoup


The doors and tub width are exactly the same. The problem you'll run into is the windshield frame. The last year of the CJ6 was '75 and the windshield frame was wider then and had a different angle to it. If you have a '76 and up CJ and stretch the tub to CJ6 length a CJ6 top won't fit because of the difference at the windshield frame. I know that you can put a '76 or newer w/s frame on a '75 or older CJ, but I don't think it works the other way around.


Thanks that is what I thought about the width

Is the base of the windshield the same width as a 76+ because I have a 80 cj5

Still dont understand going to all the trouble to stretch a frame to a CJ/YJ body when stock CJ/YJ frames are cheap and plentyful:confused:

Steven, for S&G's call Ft. Collins 4X4. Ask to get Bob's phone number. The former owner. Sorry the sometimers is kicking in right now can't for the life of me think of his last name.

Anyway, after he sold the business and went into semi retirement, he is now running a small business out of his garage at home. Used Jeeps and various used parts. I've picked up several frames from him, for not a lot of cash.

Ok, so what's required to swap an AMC 360, T-18a, and dana 20 into a yj frame? This would also mean I'd have to swap my 44s, I don't know much about the YJ frame dimensions I assume I wouldn't have to outboard the spring hangers to fit the full width 44s on a yj frame like I did on my CJ5. I could also go SOA at the same time, anything else I'm overlooking with a swap of this magnitude?

From what I can remember the YJ frame is about 4" wider than a cj frame so you might be able to do away with the outboarded mounts, not certain on this. SOA will be an easy deal, YJ's used 2.5" wide springs in the front instead of the CJ 1.75". Mounting the drivetrain should be an easy deal just fab up some motor mounts and change the belly pan a bit. Probably not a weekend project, but then, niether is lengthening a frame.

I'm not trying to sell this swap, just dont see the CJ frame as a real jem. Just seen and welded too many cracks in them. Hell, M.O.R.E. is making money off of a CJ frame plateing kit to strengthen them.

Just my 2 pesos

Ken

Originally posted by kwrangln
From what I can remember the YJ frame is about 4" wider than a cj frame so you might be able to do away with the outboarded mounts, not certain on this. SOA will be an easy deal, YJ's used 2.5" wide springs in the front instead of the CJ 1.75". Mounting the drivetrain should be an easy deal just fab up some motor mounts and change the belly pan a bit. Probably not a weekend project, but then, niether is lengthening a frame.

I'm not trying to sell this swap, just dont see the CJ frame as a real jem. Just seen and welded too many cracks in them. Hell, M.O.R.E. is making money off of a CJ frame plateing kit to strengthen them.


What about tranny placement? Would the tranny line up with the whole in a YJ Tub? Or would some fab be necessary?
Thanks. I don't suppose anyone knows where a YJ body and frame might be lying around? What would be a decent price I could expect to pay for a frame and body... if I could find one.

Originally posted by 4x4extreme
Is the base of the windshield the same width as a 76+ because I have a 80 cj5

Yep they're the same at the base. It 's the top that's different. The pre-76 are 4" wider.

steven MC
you are going to spend a bunch of money and time on what you are talking about. If you have this and the tools and shop space, an you are willing to not drive the thing for a while then go for it. but let me tell you a little story.
I had a cj-7 and I was in an accident, and I mashed a fender and bent the frame. not bad, but not drivable. So I decided to swap in another used frame. I figured no problem. well then I found a frame which I bought. Then I decided I wanted a sm-420 tranny, so I bought an adaptor. Then I traded my stock axles for a 10 bolt front and a 14 bolt rear. Then I did a ton of fab work on the frame. Then I figured out that the frame was bent. Then I bought a v-8 and sold the straight six. Then I sold the frame and body. then I traded the transfercase. Then I built my own frame, and bought a cj-10 body. Guess what, then I bought a dana 60 and an eaton rear axle.
Now all I have of my original jeep is the steering wheel (tilit) and the pedals.
So if I were you I would either wheel the whole thing until it falls apart, or sell it all and buy a cj-7 or wrangler and build it. Or better yet, buy a project from some guy who got in too deep to start with, but if you think cutting and stretching your frame and throwing on a new body will be quick and easy, then you are either very experienced, or not very experienced at all. I was the latter, but I won't be when I'm done.