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My CJ6 Frankenstein Build, Little Of Everything!

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by y2k-fxst, Jul 13, 2015.

  1. Jul 13, 2015
    y2k-fxst

    y2k-fxst Member

    North English,IA
    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2014
    Messages:
    293
    Been going on a year now that I have been slowly collecting parts for my build. Started out with a 1964 CJ6 that looked pretty good sitting on a 1978 Bronco frame.
    As purchased.JPG
    As good as the floors looked at first.After removing the tool box, I have found the front pans have at least 2 if not 3 generations of repairs. Plan to cut them out and replace them with 14 gauge diamond tread steel.
    bodywork 4.JPG
    But, the floors are not the most of my problem. The PO's had plenty of brazing rods and Bondo and were not afraid to used either!
    bodywork 2.JPG
    The Bronco frame while was close on the wheel base but, put the trans cross member right under the engine oil pain. And the body was only held on with a half dozen 5/16" carriage bolts. So it is out with the old,
    And in with the new. A TDK CJ8 frame that will allow me to run a late model front clip, the extra room under the hood will allow the fitment of the motor I am going to run, and give me wide-track spring width. Will only have to shorten the rear overhang.
    Frame front.JPG
    As far as why I need the extra room under the hood, the motor I'm going to run is a Cummins 4btaa. Besides the motor I need room for an inter-cooler. For a transfer case I'm going to run a 1991 Dodge NP205 that I will twin-stick. For a front axle I am going to run a Dana 44 out of a 1977 Wagoneer that I will narrow to wide-track width and the 9" rear axle that was under the Bronco frame and narrowed to 1977 Bronco width to match the cut down front axle. The front axle came out of a 1977 Wagoneer hulk that I bought for $300 pulled the axle and steering box then scrapped the rest for $273. Once I get the YJ springs I am planning to run and the Dodge NV4500 trans my JEEP will have parts spanning from 1964-2001. A 37 year span of parts, trying to use the best of the best for a 1 time build.
     
    Last edited: Sep 4, 2017
  2. Jul 13, 2015
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2006
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    5,798
    looks like a great start.
     
  3. Jul 13, 2015
    tymbom

    tymbom Member

    Siskiyou Co.
    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2012
    Messages:
    814
    Looks like a good plan... I would look into some stouter axles to help deal with the 4bt... You could full width one tons with H1 wheels and it wouldn't be too wide...
     
  4. Jul 13, 2015
    y2k-fxst

    y2k-fxst Member

    North English,IA
    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2014
    Messages:
    293
    Not a fan myself of the look of full width axles. Don't plan on running over 32" tires, one ton axles cost too much ground clearance. Would be OK if I was planning 37"+ tires. I know the 4bt makes a lot of torque down low but, still only 265 ft/lbs. Weight is only about 50 lbs more than an iron big block V-8 the Dana 44 should hold up fine as long as I don't try to jump it or get stupid.
     
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2015
    Cowboyjeeper and Danefraz like this.
  5. Jul 14, 2015
    Jeepenstein

    Jeepenstein Me like Jeep..

    North Central FL
    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2003
    Messages:
    2,132
    Heck yeah man, keep us posted, that's gonna be a very interesting machine!
     
  6. Jul 14, 2015
    bcurtman

    bcurtman Member

    Rosebud, MO
    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2014
    Messages:
    283
    I'm very interested in this build. I really wanted to go 4bt, and probably could have for the cost of the T-18, 225 rebuild, and adapters. I'll be following!

    Had I gone that route I wouldn't be jacking with my carburetor and distributor now....
     
  7. Jul 15, 2015
    y2k-fxst

    y2k-fxst Member

    North English,IA
    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2014
    Messages:
    293
    Right now I'm around $6,100 into this project. Figure I'll be double that when I'm done.
     
    Last edited: Jul 15, 2015
  8. Jul 15, 2015
    bcurtman

    bcurtman Member

    Rosebud, MO
    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2014
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    283
    Good luck. My receipts total over $21000 and that is no labor.
     
  9. Jul 16, 2015
    jeepermc

    jeepermc Active Member

    Western WA
    Joined:
    May 25, 2011
    Messages:
    1,188
    It sounds like you're building a pretty mild truck. At first I had the same thought as some others did on the axle choice as I've seen a built 4BT (about 450hp) easily snap a D44 shaft (in an early Bronco) with 33" tires. As long as you don't get stupid with it, your axle choices should be just fine. Cool project!
     
  10. Jul 17, 2015
    rons75

    rons75 Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2014
    Messages:
    87
    Subscribed, sounds like a really interesting build
     
  11. Jul 20, 2015
    y2k-fxst

    y2k-fxst Member

    North English,IA
    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2014
    Messages:
    293
    Got my measurements for my patch panels done and prints made up. Will drop them off next Monday at the steel fabricators to get them cut and bent. Thought about starting to cut out some of the bad areas but, decided since the tub is sitting on saw horses instead of frame I'd better wait until I have the steel home and able to brace the tub to keep it from moving. Will be 2-3 weeks before I can start on it due to that four letter word "work" and family commitments.
     
  12. Jul 27, 2015
    y2k-fxst

    y2k-fxst Member

    North English,IA
    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2014
    Messages:
    293
    Finally got around to ordering steel today, should be a while before I have to mess with the front floor pans again, the lightest diamond tread Storm Steel has is 12 gauge. Will pick it up Thursday unless my work schedule gets changed again, otherwise it will be next Monday.
     
  13. Jul 29, 2015
    y2k-fxst

    y2k-fxst Member

    North English,IA
    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2014
    Messages:
    293
    My youngest son Nic has graduated college and moved home till he finds work, he got bored today. Started in removing the spray can bed liner with a 7" grinder and a knotted wire brush, got quite a bit done. But, has found more work for me I was not planning on. Now with bed liner removed from the rear wheel houses looks like I'll be replacing those also. Since I'm not going for a correct restoration, think I'm actually going to use trailer fenders to make my own. Think if I do it right while it won't look correct will look good.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

     
  14. Jul 29, 2015
    y2k-fxst

    y2k-fxst Member

    North English,IA
    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2014
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    293
  15. Jul 30, 2015
    Posimoto

    Posimoto Hopeless JEEP Addict

    Minden, Nevada
    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2003
    Messages:
    4,538
    I think I'd be leaning towards repairing what you have for fenders. Just my .02 You will still have a lot of fabrication to make those trailer fenders work. Some quality time with a body hammer and some dollies and a little cut and patch and you could straighten out those fenders, unless there is more damage than I see in the photos.
     
  16. Jul 30, 2015
    jeepermc

    jeepermc Active Member

    Western WA
    Joined:
    May 25, 2011
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    1,188
    ^^ I agree. But man those trailer fenders look like they'd make a great high line rear fender for an FC-150..... :)
     
  17. Jul 30, 2015
    y2k-fxst

    y2k-fxst Member

    North English,IA
    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2014
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    293
    Pictures look better than the wheel tubs do in person. Would have to cut them out and pull them clear apart to get them close. They have at one time rusted away from the tub sides and someone braised them back together, The fronts are basically patches on top of patches that have been braised in place. The driver's side is rusting through from the bottom over the fender brace. Figure I'll have a lot less time into modifying the trailer fenders to work than repairing the stock ones. That and I have an idea of extending the wheel houses forward 14" so I can actually mount batteries in them to get them out from under the hood and away from the heat of the turbo. This will still give me around 6" more room to move the front seats back compared to a CJ5.
     
  18. Jul 31, 2015
    rons75

    rons75 Member

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    May 7, 2014
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    Those fenders look like a good alternative to me. But im not one to care much about original. If it works, good to go
     
  19. Aug 9, 2015
    y2k-fxst

    y2k-fxst Member

    North English,IA
    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2014
    Messages:
    293
    Finally starting on the real body work, finding more work as I go. The PO's advertisement sign patch and butchered A-pillar support has been cut out. Should have the rocker patch panel done today but, won't be able to weld it in until I get the material to make a replacement support lower. Wish it would not be so hard to put in a complete A-pillar support but, I'm afraid I would end up with a real mess if I tried.
    [​IMG]
    This is what I found behind the advertising sign that was used to patch the rocker panel. Figure the other side is just the same, will get 2 pieces of 16 gauge steel to replace both sides.
    [​IMG]
    Patch panel is made and ready to weld in as soon as I get the steel to repair the A-pillar.
    [​IMG]
     
  20. Aug 9, 2015
    Posimoto

    Posimoto Hopeless JEEP Addict

    Minden, Nevada
    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2003
    Messages:
    4,538
    Deja Vu. I dealt with the same rust-out area on my tub. It's like Jeep designed that area to be a moisture/rust trap. The rear body mounts are great for rust also. The weep holes get plugged and the hollow stamped into the mount stays wet and eventally rusts through the body. What are those small clamps you are using called? I need some of those.
     
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