I figured I may as well start this thread, then maybe I'll keep myself motivated to finish the project in a timely manner. Try not to get too impatient with the progress though, I do have a day job, and don't have an unlimited bank acct...

It all started like this...

I bought a '48 CJ2A with the intentions of doing a full restore on it. But, after digging deeper, I found out that it was too far gone to be economically feasible. It had mis-matched parts from different years, the frame and body were pretty much gone, etc., etc. So, I decided that I'd transform it into a capable trail rig/daily driver. It won't be as hard core as I'm sure most of you are accustomed to seeing, but I'm gonna thrash it like it is :D

As most of you probably already know, the original L-Head engine produced a whopping 60 HP maximum, so the engine just wouldn't do. The axles were too weak to handle tires with much size to them, and the track width was extremely narrow....so they got the axe too. Basically, I kept the body, transfer case and VIN plates, and sold the rest to a local restorer who needed the parts.

Here's a pic of what I started with:

then I picked up some 44's from a '78 waggy...

wow that frame and body look pretty rough:eek:

Originally, I intended on strapping/boxing the original frame, and then either outboarding the springs or widening the frame to match the waggy perch width. But after reading several articles from those who have done similar, I learned that most of 'em wished that they had built a new frame.

Sooo, I ordered some 2x3x.120 rect. tubing from work. After taking the rough measurements from the original frame, I drew out the dimensions/angles in AutoCAD, and proceeded to cutting/welding the new tubing together. I won't take credit for the idea though, I read that Shannon Campbell has built a couple frames with the same size material and had good luck with them. So, if it's good enough for him, it's good enough for me. Then, I drew up some braces and had them laser cut out of .250 plate. A brace is welded to each side of the frame where the angles meet, making a total of 16 braces. I'm no expert, but I felt that this would be plenty strong enough. Here's a few more pics...

wow that frame and body look pretty rough:eek:

It was...

-WRM

Since I'm a machinist by trade (and a cheapskate by nature), I can't stand to buy anything that I KNOW that I can make cheaper myself. I'm one of those who doesn't usually count the cost of my labor on personal projects. So, I decided to make my own rigid, spring mounts...

...and shackle mounts (rigid end...whatever they're called), made out of 4140 chro. and mild steel.

I went down to Capitol Metals today in Phoenix (I love that place...), and picked up some material for shackles, spring perches and top pads.

The shackles will be made out of .375x2 plate steel, braced with 2x2x.250 wall tubing. The spring perches will be made out of 2.5x2.5x.250 wall tubing. And, the top plates (whatever they're called, that the ubolts go through to clamp the spring to the perch) will be made out of .500 plate. Hopefully, I should get all of these made in the next couple of days. With the size/weight of the material I'm using, I shouldn't have to worry about breakage (at least not right away, anyway).

I also forgot to mention that I decided to go SOA and not to do a shackle reverse. I searched on the two subjects until my eyes nearly bled, and took a look at a couple rigs with each of the setups (thanks Rowdy). After all the research, I still couldn't come up with a definitive answer as to which setup was better. Each setup had a camp who would swear by one way or the other.

Here's a couple of the shackle mounts welded up. I was using the new welder at work (no sense in wasting my 75/25), but couldn't get it set right for some reason. So, they may not be really pretty, but they'll hold fine.

A little more progress today, I got the shackles finished.

I got some of the perches done as well. Honestly, I would have probably been money ahead just buying them. I figure that mine are a little more stout than what you can buy at most places (.250 thick), but they still cost me about $8 each, not including labor. I was even told to just buy 'em, but I guess I just gotta find some stuff out for myself. Oh well, live and learn.

Even though I haven't picked up my u-bolts yet, I couldn't resist putting one of the axles under the frame....just to see what it was gonna look like. I think it's gonna look pretty good! BTW, the springs are (4) 1" rear Superlift YJ leaves.

how many leaves are in those leaf packs...

beware if they are super soft, they will sag and get mad axle wrap

how long are the shackles?

how many leaves are in those leaf packs...

There are 3 leaves/pack.

-WRM

how long are the shackles?

The shackles are 8" center-to-center.

-WRM

Very cool so far, great job! I wish I had acces to some of the stuff you do when I was building mine. Also good decision on the frame, it turned out nice!

What wheelbase did you set the frame and hangers up for?

What engine are you going to run? I ask because those 3 leaf springs are kind of sketchy in my mind. In my flatty with a V8 I have 5 leaf stock wranglers up front and they do some wierd things while flexing. I can see myself swapping to 7 leaf waggys up front in the future like I did in the back.

Cant wait for more updates!

What wheelbase did you set the frame and hangers up for?
What engine are you going to run?

Thanks for compliments Brian! I may need to run out and buy a bigger hat now...:laughing:

With no load on the suspension at the moment, the WB sits @ roughly 90". Also, I'm going to run a 4.3L Vortec out of a '98 blazer on propane :D .

-WRM

lookin good what did u cut the shackles and perches out they look really clean

lookin good what did u cut the shackles and perches out they look really clean

Thanks for the compliments! Nothing too fancy used though. I drilled the shackles on a bridgeport, and cut both the shackles and the perches on a bandsaw. Afterwards, I just sanded them on the disc sander, and later polished them because I was bored (long cycle times on the CNC mill are a bitch :laughing: ).

-WRM

Thats looks good.Whats going to be the drive tran set up ?

Wow, those shackles look STOUT! :eek: The leaf springs do look a little on the flimsy side though. I'm assuming you are going to run some anti-wrap bars?

Looks like your are doing some real professional work there. Can't wait to see the final product. Old '2As are sweet :D

when I first built my frame, I had my shackles out front like that. They didnt stay that way too long. I destroyed they springs by runing the shackles into rocks, and buckling the springs. Also winching into rocks or ledges would destroy a spring.

I am not nocking your work, it looks good. It reminds me of when I started mine.:D

P.S........ nice pinion angle:flipoff2:

Thats looks good.Whats going to be the drive tran set up ?

Everything is tentative 'till it's officially done, but I have a 4.3L Vortec from a
'98 blazer, an SM465 (with an AA kit), and the original Dana/Spicer 18 transfercase. I'm rebuilding the 18 with a quality kit from Novak, but if/when the coarse spline rear output gives out, I've also got a 20 laying around that I can rebuild and use with the same adapter. Although, I'd have to get a centered diff rear axle if that happens.

-WRM

I'm assuming you are going to run some anti-wrap bars?

Thanks for the kudos, and yes, anti-wrap bars are most definitely on the to-do list :D

-WRM

when I first built my frame, I had my shackles out front like that. They didnt stay that way too long. I destroyed they springs by runing the shackles into rocks, and buckling the springs. Also winching into rocks or ledges would destroy a spring.

I am not nocking your work, it looks good. It reminds me of when I started mine.:D

P.S........ nice pinion angle:flipoff2:

It's funny that you should mention the pinion angle. I've got a similar version of this thread on another site, and another heckler mentioned the same thing...:laughing: BTW, I didn't have my mag. angle finder handy, so I just guessed...:flipoff2: :laughing:

I'm also aware of the dangers of having the shackles out front, but I figured that to have the same wheelbase with a shackle reversal, the drop brackets for the front spring mounts would be about that far forward too. :confused: I dunno.

I guess I'll just have to find out. If it becomes a major problem, I can always change it later.

Thanks though! :D

-WRM

How Are U Going To Deal With Your Rear Driveshaft Angle, That Axle Looks Very Offset. Was It Out Of A Waggy With Qaudrocrap?

I see far shorter shackles in your future. Or is instability and rollover a turn-on:flipoff2: Consider 7-leaf Waggy springs, 44044 Rancho or the JCW front replacement spring for late 70's Waggy. Way flexy, good arch, very popular here.

Check with others who've done this to get the skinny on all the real estate issues with building a flatty. Peruse Brian1's build-up thread (http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=424868) He's a good lead for tech on these narry/short/not-tall rigs.

Good work so far; keep us posted

just read where's he posted already; nebermine!

I like.:)

I would run 7 leaf Waggies up front and maybe some hybrid YJ 5 leaf / Yota military wrap in those. I say this because this is what I am running in the GPW currently under construction. I also agree the 8" C-C shackles might add some pucker factor on off-camber situations

Cool rig BTW. I'm looking forward to its completion.

very nice build. i have a 42, and it's tempting to build it, but i need the cash, so its being sold. What are your plans on the tub? Are you going to strech it at all, or leave it as is, and replace what needs to be replaced? what size tires do you plan on running, i dont recal seeing a size....

That is some amazing work you have done. Can't wait to see how it all turns out. Seems like it's gonna be pretty tall though...what tire size do you have in mind?

Everything is tentative 'till it's officially done, but I have a 4.3L Vortec from a
'98 blazer, an SM465 (with an AA kit), and the original Dana/Spicer 18 transfercase. I'm rebuilding the 18 with a quality kit from Novak, but if/when the coarse spline rear output gives out, I've also got a 20 laying around that I can rebuild and use with the same adapter. Although, I'd have to get a centered diff rear axle if that happens.

-WRM

Nice sounds like like its going to be a nice built

How Are U Going To Deal With Your Rear Driveshaft Angle, That Axle Looks Very Offset. Was It Out Of A Waggy With Qaudrocrap?

The rear driveshaft will be pointed toward the t-case (roughly) when I get around to welding the perches on, and installing the ubolts. Yes the axle is offset to the pass. side(off a '78 waggy), to accomodate my pass. offset Dana 18 t-case.

-WRM

I see far shorter shackles in your future. Or is instability and rollover a turn-on:flipoff2: Consider 7-leaf Waggy springs, 44044 Rancho or the JCW front replacement spring for late 70's Waggy. Way flexy, good arch, very popular here.

Check with others who've done this to get the skinny on all the real estate issues with building a flatty. Peruse Brian1's build-up thread (http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=424868) He's a good lead for tech on these narry/short/not-tall rigs.

Good work so far; keep us posted

just read where's he posted already; nebermine!


I'll most definitely keep that in mind should it become an issue in the future.

Thanks!
-WRM

very nice build. i have a 42, and it's tempting to build it, but i need the cash, so its being sold. What are your plans on the tub? Are you going to strech it at all, or leave it as is, and replace what needs to be replaced? what size tires do you plan on running, i dont recal seeing a size....

A '42? MB or GPW? I'd LOVE to have an MB one of these years (whenever I win the lottery I suppose...:laughing: ), but to restore though. As far as the tub goes, I plan to keep it stock length for now, and replace the floors and firewall. The rest is pretty decent. It's got the usual pin holes/small dents here and there, but salvageable. The floor/firewall however....well, you can probably imagine...:laughing:

As far as tires go, I'm using some bald 35" SX's (free) on 15x8 aluminum directionals (dirt cheap) for mockup. I plan on using either 35" or 37" XTerrains on 15x10 steel beadlocks.

-WRM

Nice build, I picked up a 47 thats in good shape that I am working on slowly building mostly stock but with some upgrades. Your headlight trim rings are opposite mine, im missing the the passenger ring but have the driver side ring.

Not too much progress lately, but I did get some goodies in the mail today...37" XTerrains!!!

Thanks again Big Rich!! :D :D

-WRM

Any further progress or updates on this? :)

No updates, unfortunately I had to sell this project. My wife and I had our first child and bought a new home, so I had neither the time nor the funds to complete a project of this magnitude. It went to a fellow wheeler who promises to take good care of it though!

-WRM

you wouldn't happen to still have the autocad files for the frame, would ya?

x2

Bump, sweet build