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My Little "Barn" Find... '55 CJ5

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by durangotang, May 12, 2015.

  1. Jun 15, 2020
    durangotang

    durangotang Member 2022 Sponsor

    Not Western CO
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    Mar 17, 2010
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    I'll likely just fill those tail light holes as my new rear rack basically covers up the tail lights. I'll probably move the tail lights up into the hard top unless I find a good solution for mounting them on the rack.
     
  2. Jun 15, 2020
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
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    Ww2 Jeeps had storage boxes there, i don't know why civvy jeeps never did.
     
  3. Jun 15, 2020
    durangotang

    durangotang Member 2022 Sponsor

    Not Western CO
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    I have always been jealous of those old MB storage boxes. I would have copied them with the access form the top, but my roll bar would block it.
     
    Fireball likes this.
  4. Jun 16, 2020
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

    exploring the...
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    Love the storage space. carry on.
     
  5. Jun 16, 2020
    durangotang

    durangotang Member 2022 Sponsor

    Not Western CO
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    More work today... right fenderwell is basically tacked in place and all of the overlapping panels have been removed. Found a bunch of layers at the back of the toolbox that has to get removed as well. Rear portion of toolbox is tacked in place, POR15 was left to cure over the tacked portion, then a cover plate will be welded after the epoxy cures. I really don't want to do this again and I'm beginning to think I can salvage the tub.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  6. Jun 16, 2020
    durangotang

    durangotang Member 2022 Sponsor

    Not Western CO
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    Thanks, it's always bugged me that there was such a waste of space in such a small vehicle. Coincidentally, that little cubby hole is almost exactly the depth of a .50 cal ammo can.. it'll be perfect.
     
    sterlclan likes this.
  7. Jun 17, 2020
    Fireball

    Fireball Well-Known Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Pullman, WA
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    Nice work, it'd be great if you can get several more years out of the tub.
     
  8. Jun 17, 2020
    durangotang

    durangotang Member 2022 Sponsor

    Not Western CO
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    Once I saw that I can remove all of the overlapping panels and butt weld everything, I am pretty sure I can get another decade out of the tub. The hat channels are going to be the next thing to wear out as they may have simply out new channels over the old rusty ones, I don't know.
     
    Fireball likes this.
  9. Jun 18, 2020
    durangotang

    durangotang Member 2022 Sponsor

    Not Western CO
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    Still at it... Driver's side storage space is fabbed up. Also made the replacement rear panel to go above the hitch bar. All of the rear body attachments needed to be redone, so it'll be nice and solid now. Found out that the rear seatbelts were just bolted through the sheet metal, so tomorrow I will make up a mounting bracket so they are attached to the frame.

    [​IMG]

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    ...and yes, that is a pair of old undies being used as a shop rag.
     
    Muzikp and Fireball like this.
  10. Jun 19, 2020
    givemethewillys

    givemethewillys Been here since sparky ran it. 2022 Sponsor

    New Kent, VA
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    I love your storage compartment idea! I'm sure it would really stiffen up those rear corners while doubling your rear storage space. I have half a mind to do something similar, as I'm in the middle of rebuilding the rear end of my jeep. I have roll cage frame supports in the way though.
     
  11. Jun 19, 2020
    durangotang

    durangotang Member 2022 Sponsor

    Not Western CO
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    More fun today, but I think the fabrication portion is over. Tomorrow will just be welding and stripping paint, then the next day will have the POR15 applied to every surface inside the tub.

    Awesome...
    [​IMG]

    Even the floor was a bondo sculpture hiding more frankenpanels

    [​IMG]

    Finished the fabrication

    [​IMG]

    rear cover is back on, ready for more welding.

    [​IMG]
     
  12. Jun 21, 2020
    durangotang

    durangotang Member 2022 Sponsor

    Not Western CO
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    One side is welded.... I hate welding sheet metal with a MIG, it is so tedious. Really wish I still had my acetylene setup.

    [​IMG]
     
    Fireball likes this.
  13. Jun 21, 2020
    Muzikp

    Muzikp Active Member

    Sacramento Ca.
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    Don’t O.D. On whatever is in that syringe :D
     
    Twin2 and bigbendhiker like this.
  14. Jun 21, 2020
    homersdog

    homersdog Tulsa, Ok 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Tulsa, OK
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    You may have already mentioned this, but another advantage to your storage box design is you can now keep all the wiring inside the tub. I am thinking this may be my next winter's jeep project.

    (y)
     
    Muzikp likes this.
  15. Jun 21, 2020
    durangotang

    durangotang Member 2022 Sponsor

    Not Western CO
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    I actually didn't think of that... I was prepared to be very inefficient and run the tail light wires back down through the floor. I think I will relocate my trailer wiring and tail light wiring back up on top of the tub now. Thanks for pointing that out.
     
  16. Jun 21, 2020
    durangotang

    durangotang Member 2022 Sponsor

    Not Western CO
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    Welding is finished (other than some inevitable touch-ups with sanding)... pretty ridiculous to think that I basically re-welded every seam on the tub. I think we gained some rigidity.

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    ...and for anyone who might be curious about the storage bins, here is a .50 cal ammo can in there for a size reference.

    [​IMG]

    Tomorrow we smooth out some welds, strip a whole lot of paint, and hopefully get POR15 down on the interior of the tub.
     
    Mark T., Muzikp, 73 cj5 and 2 others like this.
  17. Jun 24, 2020
    durangotang

    durangotang Member 2022 Sponsor

    Not Western CO
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    Still going, couple of coats of POR15 on the interior of the tub, took the trans cover off and should be finishing the paint on the interior pretty soon. Got to the point on the driver and passenger floorboards that I had to ignore some ugliness. Repairing some of those forward problems would mean having to repair the hat channels, and that's not happening this time around.

    [​IMG]
     
  18. Jun 26, 2020
    durangotang

    durangotang Member 2022 Sponsor

    Not Western CO
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    The hits keep on coming... No idea how these holes were present on the bottom of the tank without even causing a gas smell. Welded up the pinholes (yes, properly) and coated the welded areas with jb weld.

    That area of the tank is paper thin though, gonna need a new one.

    received_1165330890492369.jpeg
     
  19. Sep 5, 2020
    durangotang

    durangotang Member 2022 Sponsor

    Not Western CO
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    Back at it... entire interior has been coated in POR 15... need to sand some body filler and finish masking tomorrow, then I can spray primer. 118805834_305874894035639_1885643193826165490_n.jpg 118872222_758516628322443_1680137840617855348_n.jpg
     
  20. Sep 6, 2020
    durangotang

    durangotang Member 2022 Sponsor

    Not Western CO
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    Primer done... tomorrow we paint. 118866865_815291949277304_7919887398093521972_n.jpg 118828520_3333771336717390_5448380849639712499_n.jpg
     
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