Buffs 58 cj5 build

Well I’m finally back at it again! Life and work has been getting in the way but I have slowly been buying parts while this project has been idle. Got my new Chevy 4.3 v6:
I will be putting an Edelbrock TBI intake manifold on it with a stand alone TBI system. I also just got the frame sandblasted and metal cutout to box in the frame.



I’m hoping to have a rolling chassis by summer and then start working on the body.

 

Looks great! Is it worth boxing in the frame as opposed to buying a boxed new one? I'm asking work wise not money. I'm not sure what way I want to go.

 

Nice

 

I’m not sure what a boxed frame would cost but I’d imagine a good amount, it only cost $250 to have a local steel shop cut the metal for me using templates that I made out of cardboard.

 

New boxed frame close to $2000. $250 Ok now you have me thinking. Great job by the way.

 

I made cardboard templates and cut my own with a reciprocating saw and a cut off wheel. Wasn't that hard and that saves even more

 

Today I got the shackle hangers tacked into place and clamped the main eye hangers to mock it up. I put them at 44.5” hanger eye to eye which is what stock YJ hangers are from what I’ve read. It seems like I’ll be bringing them closer together even after I get the weight on it but we’ll see. It feels good to have it off the sawhorses and supporting itself!

 

Did some work on boxing the front frame horns and installed a cross member to beef up my front bumper and give more support for the winch. I used 1.5” diameter 1/4” wall pipe and drilled and tapped so the back holes of the winch will bolt into the cross member. I will also put a spacer to fill the gap so it won’t bow the bumper when tightened.
Tomorrow I hope to get the middle section tacked in place then do the rest of the welding next weekend. Glad to have a couple weekends in a row with no plans or work!!!

 

I finished welding my frame and got most of it ground down and looking nice. I welded small sections at a time, about an inch or a little more alternating front, middle, back, side to side and top to bottom to keep the heat down.




A couple more hours of grinding on the rear section and I think I’ll be ready to sit the body on it and start positioning the motor and transmission. I have to order some parts from Novak soon to make that happen!

 

Looks great! Might want to drill some holes to allow water to drain out of the frame.

 

Someday, I want to start off a project with as good a Jeep as you started with. Your doing a great job and this build reminds me of my 47 cj2a project a few years back. Your doing basically the same build and work. Its going to be a great little Jeep when your done. So hurry up and finish her off, so we can see it done.

 

Thank you! I will also have some holes in the new boxed section to access spring hanger bolts/nuts.

Oh, I can’t wait to be done! It did start off pretty clean considering I think it’s the original paint and nothing was ever really done to it . My dad bought it around 1981 or so and it’s only been used off-road since then.

 

Used this stuff to coat inside of the box frame and sprayed it in all the hat channel

https://cdn.eastwood.com/media/cata...78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/p/1/p15275Z.jpg

 

Yes sir, I have a can ready to spray the inside. How did it spray with the hose and nozzle? Do you think one can will do the inside of the whole frame?

 

Sprayed good, the coating ran every where. Wear gloves, eye protection, old cloths and a long sleeve shirt. If you don't want anything on your floor, cover it. I had the stuff all over me when I was done. It did set up fast once sprayed. I bought several cans and sprayed areas a couple times to make sure I got coverage. It is hard to tell how good everything is covered in a box tube. If you order more, get a couple extra straws/hoses. You might need more than one can.

 

The Jeep, the day my Dad brought it home back in 1980! That’s me in the middle and my brother riding shotgun. I spent a lot of fun times in this old rig, can’t wait to get it back on the road. I’m thinking about treating and spraying the underbody and tub and leaving the rest of the body the way it is. Anybody have any thoughts on that?

 

Black paint and fluid film.

 

Well I got the motor “in position”, I’m really taking my time checking on clearance for things. Got the distributor as far back as I can get it, air cleaner about 3” to top of hood, good driveline clearance from the starter, passenger side header as close to the frame as I feel comfortable with, plenty of ground clearance on the oil pan. Only issue I see is with the steering shaft and driver side header. The motor is offset about 3/4” to the passenger side. Also going to have to figure out a new transfer case mount I think.

 

That is looking really good!

 

x2. Keep at it and you will be done before you know it. In response to your query about the exterior paint, if it is in good repair (I.e. no rust or rot) then leave the patina and do what you stated to the underside. Just my two cents.