so why do cruzahs have so much frame flex?? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

DCruiser138 · 09-08-2001, 11:05 PM

my friend asked me...so why do cruisers have so much frame flex and the obvious answer from me was..they are just designed like that. is it really because of the c-channel rear end or wht? just bored and was wonderin. i mean that is truely a lot of frame flex..

<IMG width=640 height=652 SRC="http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/uploads/frame flex.dwnsz.jpg">

Sloan · 09-08-2001, 11:07 PM

I would guess that it is because of the rivets in the frame and them loosening up over time. I could be wrong.

elf_cruiser · 09-08-2001, 11:46 PM

Yes the rivets are the problem. Time definitely fatigues the frame, but i bet a FJ40 would still have had bad frame flex when it was brand new. 2 pieces of c-channel and rivets don't make a frame that will stand up to full-width axles, lifts, and heavy flexing. I plan on boxing some of the open areas in back, and around the front shackle hangers, as well as stitch welding the frame rails together all the way along each side to prevent any movement. If you can weld, i would suggest doing this too.

LndBbrzr · 09-09-2001, 07:24 AM

Yea Frame Flex Bad....Thats my cruiser in the pic BEFORE we stitch welded the frame. It still has some flex but is much better now.

fj40charles · 09-09-2001, 04:26 PM

Do you remember the guy that is making metal plates to box in the rear of the cruiser? Does anyone have his contact info?

Charles

coyote · 09-09-2001, 08:43 PM

He's on the board...can't remember his name but does a good job...got his emails schilbun@hotmail.com...his name is scott...Good stuff....

wngrog · 09-10-2001, 04:26 AM

Buford is his screen name and he is from Baton Rouge. Kit cost $150 and it is a complete kit to box the rear of the frame.

Name is Scott Hilbun.

As for flex, hell you think Cruisers are bad, you should wheel with CJ's and big tires and axles!

fj40charles · 09-10-2001, 10:08 AM

Thanks for the info...

Charles

buford · 09-10-2001, 10:43 AM

Heh, I've been out of the loop for a while I've been working on my Cruiser. I see that you may have some questions for me, fj40charles. Email me anytime. I've got pics and feedback from other people if you are interested.

Buford
schilbun@hotmail.com

'62FJ40 · 09-11-2001, 11:01 AM

Watched a ship building program on the history channel last week, they talked about rivets vs welding, rivets made for stronger hulls because they would flex where welds would crack and break. Advantage of welding was cheaper and less labor intensive.

09-08-2001, 11:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
DCruiser138 Rock God Join Date: Dec 2000 Member # 2619 Location: kings beach, CA Posts: 1,716	so why do cruzahs have so much frame flex?? my friend asked me...so why do cruisers have so much frame flex and the obvious answer from me was..they are just designed like that. is it really because of the c-channel rear end or wht? just bored and was wonderin. i mean that is truely a lot of frame flex.. <IMG width=640 height=652 SRC="http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/uploads/frame flex.dwnsz.jpg"> __________________ Dustin Crawford --- OPEN DIFF DEUSH'

09-08-2001, 11:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
Sloan Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 171 Location: Southern Kalifornie, home of the homeless Posts: 6,080	I would guess that it is because of the rivets in the frame and them loosening up over time. I could be wrong. __________________ "Fawk no it isn't safe, we're at 18,000' on K2 in a blizzard!" Bill Pierson

09-08-2001, 11:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
elf_cruiser Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Member # 2857 Location: Phoenix, AZ, USA Posts: 3,387	Yes the rivets are the problem. Time definitely fatigues the frame, but i bet a FJ40 would still have had bad frame flex when it was brand new. 2 pieces of c-channel and rivets don't make a frame that will stand up to full-width axles, lifts, and heavy flexing. I plan on boxing some of the open areas in back, and around the front shackle hangers, as well as stitch welding the frame rails together all the way along each side to prevent any movement. If you can weld, i would suggest doing this too. __________________ BTG Rockcrawlers - Phoenix, AZ Rockwelled FJ40 buggy - slow , 2010 Nissan GTR - fast

09-09-2001, 04:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
fj40charles Zeus of the Sluice Join Date: Oct 2000 Member # 1926 Location: Dallas, TX USA Posts: 3,255	Do you remember the guy that is making metal plates to box in the rear of the cruiser? Does anyone have his contact info? Charles __________________ '69 FJ40 with very few stock parts. 2000 Cummins with some goodies to make it smoke..... Trail Gear's Bad Ethics=Bad Business.

09-09-2001, 08:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
coyote Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 170 Location: Phoenix, Az Posts: 2,548	He's on the board...can't remember his name but does a good job...got his emails schilbun@hotmail.com...his name is scott...Good stuff.... __________________ Red Racer I Toyota FJ62

09-09-2001, 07:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
LndBbrzr Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Member # 5684 Location: los banos Posts: 12	Yea Frame Flex Bad....Thats my cruiser in the pic BEFORE we stitch welded the frame. It still has some flex but is much better now.

09-10-2001, 04:26 AM	#7 (permalink)
wngrog Moderating Midget Join Date: Jun 2000 Member # 1154 Location: Canton, MS Posts: 22,065 Blog Entries: 4	Buford is his screen name and he is from Baton Rouge. Kit cost $150 and it is a complete kit to box the rear of the frame. Name is Scott Hilbun. As for flex, hell you think Cruisers are bad, you should wheel with CJ's and big tires and axles! __________________ Nolen Grogan 1997 FZJ-80 Land Cruiser, 37's 2010 RZR-4 www.cottonlandcruisers.com www.rockmidgetphotography.com USAF Veteran 1988-1998 GOD Bless America

09-10-2001, 10:08 AM	#8 (permalink)
fj40charles Zeus of the Sluice Join Date: Oct 2000 Member # 1926 Location: Dallas, TX USA Posts: 3,255	Thanks for the info... Charles __________________ '69 FJ40 with very few stock parts. 2000 Cummins with some goodies to make it smoke..... Trail Gear's Bad Ethics=Bad Business.

09-10-2001, 10:43 AM	#9 (permalink)
buford Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Member # 5967 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 94	Heh, I've been out of the loop for a while I've been working on my Cruiser. I see that you may have some questions for me, fj40charles. Email me anytime. I've got pics and feedback from other people if you are interested. Buford schilbun@hotmail.com __________________ Buford '78 FJ40,4.88s, loc-rites,39.50 TSLs, front & rear winches custom 6 point cage,V8 sm465, toy box, splitcase on the way. "If at first you don't succeed......weld it up and try again" [URL=www.tlcconcepts.com]www.tlcconcepts.com[/URL]

09-11-2001, 11:01 AM	#10 (permalink)
'62FJ40 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Member # 1944 Location: Gilbert AZ. Posts: 200	Watched a ship building program on the history channel last week, they talked about rivets vs welding, rivets made for stronger hulls because they would flex where welds would crack and break. Advantage of welding was cheaper and less labor intensive.

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