[f0cker]

Is it worth it to buy a '53 M38A1? I would be extending the wheelbase and replacing just about everything on it, but is it worth it to go from 81" wb to say 93" wb? Is it possible? I searched for it, but nothing came up. I know it has almost 50 inches of body past the tires total, so I know I can go somewhat longer, but how far until I run out of chassis? It is about $560 right now, and 3 hours away.

I would just go out and but a new frame and body, but I dont have the kind of $$ to do that. Should I just hold out until I find a CJ-7 that I like? I plan on running Dana 60's f & r and going with a coil/4 link rear and coil/3link front. The tires will be either 35" Krawlers or 37" Krawlers, with the possibility of 37" or 38" TSLs.

Is my wheelbase going to be too short for this size tire even if I stretch it out more? Will I be constantly worried about going over backwards on steep climbs?

 

[wanderingwillys]

DO IT!!!

Military rigs are fun - plus there are lots of widgets to play with... I would go for it... you are going to be starting from scratch on the suspension so it really doesn't matter what you start with...

I would build a new frame for it though... ~100 bucks worth of rectangular tube and misc bits...

Matt

 

[f0cker]

Bah...

I dont have a welder or anything here, and theres a damn law around here about having a vehicle that doesnt run or something in your driveway...damn fawkers. Ive got some property about 40 minutes from me, with a shelter so it would be kept there and worked on there. Since I dont have a welder or nothin, should I just see how much it would be to get a new frame made for it by TOR or something?

 

[gripguru]

just use duct tape:flipoff2:

 

[narrowed cj]

JB,WELD WORKS GOOD

 

[barepickler]

you should re-think extending wheelbases or any kind of suspension modifications other than bolt in with out a welder but for around 600 bucks for a semi straight flattie I would go for it there fun. Its what I started with.

 

[WheelingPiazza]

Well if you dont have a welder or dont know how to weld then this project would be a pita..

For me I would do it in a heart beat if I didnt own the five.. fives and military rigs are in a class of there own..

before anyone rips on me about tJs and YJs, ETC if you drove a flatty or a five you would understand. They all have there own history..

 

[Robert]

I definitly would not get into this vehicle for a project, especially if you do not have proper equipment for fabrication (which you do not). There are plenty of rigs out there that would not need as much work to be a capable wheeler. But like the others have said, if it is in decent shape, run and have some fun. Personally, I don't like seeing vintage Jeeps chopped up and used as "hard core four wheelers". There are plenty of companies manufacturing repop bodies that we should try to preserve some of the original vehicles, and hammer the repops.


For -$600, I would pick it up, if it is in ok shape, but not to wheel hard.

 

[f0cker]

Well, I have enough to get a welder D ), and I know how to use 'em well enough to hold my own...(tractor tire studs ), so I figure that I got that now, and the guy at the local 4x4 shop said I could get a good discount/use the tools there if I needed to. Is fixing a frame like that up going to just eat into time and $$? My dad said that I can pay him off for a frame if I feel that it is neccesary, and the body can be patched with bondo or1/16" metal. Should I go for it?

 

[upchuck]

leave her be

just echoing an earlier comment.

do it to a yj, nobody will ever give a shit about 'sacrelige' for raping one of those.

 

[f0cker]

shiat, if they want to preserve it they better get it before i do :flipoff2: :flipoff2: :flipoff2:

 

[Pottsy]

if you drove a flatty or a five you would understand. They all have there own history..

Yep-Yep... I agree! My buddies 94 yj is fun and comfortable...

My 59 cj5 is just raw machine in comparison.... It truly is an experience. .

EEEEeeeer...:beer: