: .120 wall vs .188 wall 2x4 for frame tubing
bigwillys 04-02-2002, 04:11 PM ok i searched for awhile, found some info, but still not too sure about what i should do. here are my specs...
m-170 (same as cj-6) long wheel base with ford f 150 springs front and rear, itll come out to something like 114" which makes me lean towards .188 so its really stiff, but itd be heavier.
14 bolt rear and soon to be 60 front. somewhat beefy chevy 350 or 327 (goin for lots and lots of torque) with an sm465 and a 203/205 doubler.
i read that big engine and heavy axles and tires (mine'll be 40s or 42s) would be better off with .188 wall, but would the cheaper lighter .120 wall be sufficient? i don't want it to be so weak that itll get tweaked easy. whatd everyone else use for your frames? thanks
66CJdean 04-02-2002, 04:32 PM I have wheeled the piss out of my rig and it has no signs of cracks and is made of .120 2x4. It is up to how well you tie the rollbar in, crossmembers, and how much lod you are putting on the mounts that matters. I run long leaf springs so the amount of load on the frame mounts is low compaired to a 4 link setup where each mount is solid so there is little to no give so that would need to be beefed up or go .188. IMHO
bigwillys 04-03-2002, 04:20 PM top... don't tell me theres only one person who has built their own frame
AzWebMan 04-03-2002, 04:36 PM I used a YJ frame, but cut the ends off and used 2" x 4" x .120 tube to replace them with. BUT, Its not finished so I haven't wheeled it yet.
BTW, the YJ Frame was 2.5" x 4" x .120 box tube. AND YJ frames have holes drilled into the corners of the tube where the frame bends back horizonal after the front diff. This is to purposely weaken the frame so that it bends there in the event of an accident. I welded up the holes in mine. :D
I know alot of people that wheel the crap out of their YJ's without any problems with the frame, even in it's "weakened" factory state.
bigwillys 04-03-2002, 05:07 PM how thick is a stock yj frame? for my frame i am leaning towards the .188, but still very interested in anyones opinions
AzWebMan 04-04-2002, 08:26 AM I meant to say .120 wall (my mind thinks in fractions 1/8" ~ .120")
YJ frames are .120" thick.
The box tube I used for the end frame peices is .120" thick.
Personally for a Jeep, I think .120 wall is enough.
You could always combine the two.
The most imporant part of the frame is where the drivetrain hooks in and where the rigid connection points (non-shackle end) for the Diffs; whether thats Control Arms or the Leaf Spring. In between these points you want beef... everything else is just along for the ride.
bigwillys 04-04-2002, 08:49 PM top
bigwillys 04-05-2002, 09:08 PM top
fcfred 04-05-2002, 09:15 PM Mine is 2x4 .188
you would be smarter to go to a taller tube like 2x5 or 2x6 and stay .120 than to go to 2x4 .188
the strength is not all in the thickness but also in how it is used. plus the taller framerails would give you more space to hide eveything above a skidplate and below the tub
just my .02
BossBuilt 04-06-2002, 07:05 AM I'm useing 2x5x.188(aka 3/16").....
The reason you ask... Because I'm butt welding the sections and I prefer welding 3/16" over 1/8".
I will also be using the frame as an air tank in the future, so I stepped it up to 5" (more volume) rather than 4" and I need the side wall strength.
Oh and I know my tires are on backwards.. ;)
fcfred 04-06-2002, 09:59 AM boss your tires aren't backwards
it that you are building one of those trick new rear engine mounted front wheel drive jeeps
I dig it
:D :D :D :D
I didn't build my frame , but it is 1/4 inch on three sides and
1/2 inch on the bottom. It is stiff and my clutch linkage doesn't bind when I'm wheeling and I like that. :skull:
bigwillys 04-08-2002, 09:16 PM top
bigwillys 04-09-2002, 03:39 PM top
HighHooder 04-09-2002, 03:50 PM Originally posted by GPER
I didn't build my frame , but it is 1/4 inch on three sides and
1/2 inch on the bottom. It is stiff and my clutch linkage doesn't bind when I'm wheeling and I like that. :skull:
got pics?
66CJdean 04-09-2002, 08:24 PM We talked and not sure if I sent the images so here they are. I also add the ones showing the subframe I added to the body.
http://www.respite.org/images/cj66dean/frame1.jpg http://www.respite.org/images/cj66dean/frame2.jpg http://www.respite.org/images/cj66dean/subframe1.jpg http://www.respite.org/images/cj66dean/subframe2.jpg
fcfred 04-10-2002, 11:11 AM dean
how much does that pig weigh?
66CJdean 04-10-2002, 01:14 PM The frame is light since it is only 2X4X.120 but the body takes a bit to pick up since I welded in all new floors to boot. With the subframe welded to the body then bolted to the frame there is no frame flex that you can feel when on the trail.
Front of my Willys frame is 2x4x.120
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