BOX the frame??? Yah or Nay

I bought one of those paint sprayers with a long wand attachment (about 2 ft long) and the tip sprays in all directions. It also came with a hose attachment that has the same tip for snaking around curves. But I don't know how well it works yet since I have not used it...

 

If you make the frame out of solid steel we wouldn't have to worry about the inside!! It would weigh a ton, but would last your lifetime! Ya, Ya, har, har, all seriousness aside, if you had a 2x4 tube frame you could slosh paint or whatever down the tubes after welding crossmembers on for protection or if you have to drill holes then use the spray wand method to coat the insides....and the question is with what??? This stuff is all good thinkin', so don't stop!!!

Dale

 

Boxing, strapping, reinforcing, beefing, fixing crack on a old jeep frame.. sounds like a big project. I was thinking.. wouldn't it be easier to build a new frame ? Theres someone in the projects section that posted a bunch of pics of a frame he built. If it was me.. I think I'd look into this route before deciding to fix up a old jeep frame.

Has anyone ever thought of using automotive foam inside boxed frame ? Autos these days use structural foam inside frames to make it more stronger without making it weigh a ton.

 

1nce its boxed, there would be little need for the foam! It could take every last bit of flex out of the frame though.I might try it in the front possibly. I have a serious issue with the frame flexing, and the wheels not responding when I steer. Ive done a bit of bracing between frame rails underneath the oil pan which helped but....Whats more critical, the flexing back and forth till the rail tears in two? Or the rear axle housing that has already once torn itself from the perch,or the second spring perch now begining to tear from the stress , or the lack of simple windshield wipers in drizzl'en Oregon. Oh yeah, no defrost/heat. ...I will park it for repairs, after work tomorrow.

 

Any progress with your frame?

 

Here are some pics of mine finished...

You can see the strapping above and below the spring hanger...

You can see the holes we cut out of the frame so we could stick a garden hose and clean it out later...

You can see the new '79 brake lines following the new boxing...

 

Cantilope? . . Is that an AMC 360?

 

Very cool! Nice work.

 

That is only a meager 304. Although it is fuel Injected...

 

so, i have yet to get going on my newly acquired frame. it is sitting in my garage. my latest work has been going towards getting the jeep back on the trail. i finally finished up with my power steering, FINALLY! yesterday was a year to the day that the jeep was downed, broken, and off the trail. i have had it running around the neighborhood, but only on manual steering. no power. so, i finally got my last lines, put it all together, blew p/s fluid ALL OVER THE DRIVEWAY and now it is working right. i had to pull my 33" boggers off and put my little wimpy 31" muds back on cause they rub too much with out a lift, even with the fenders trimmed up. fine on the streets, but much articulation-->much rubbing.

it is finally ready to hit the trails this weekend. only 53 weeks after it has been off the trails.

i will hopefully be starting work on the 2nd frame within a month. i need to either sandblast it, or figure something else out for the stripping it down, then i will start with boxing it, then the coating... once all that is done, i will hopefully have a couple bucks to put a new suspension on it so i can fit my tires on it. that is my ambition to complete this project. new frame+new suspension=using my new tires.

i am still researching what suspension to go with. i can't figure out if i want cj 4", cj 2.5", yj stock, yj 2", or yj 4" :?:?:?:?:?:?
i am at a TOTAL loss for what to do with that. i want to do economical, with enough lift for 33's, but make sure i have great flex, i don't care much about on road characteristics, just trail... i was planning on lengthening my wheelbase, but not sure now. i think i am beginning to lean towards just getting a lift that will suit my needs for a couple years, then down the road (hopefully in about 2 yrs-$$ permitting), put on d60's, and probably link front and rear and tackle my wheelbase, driveshafts, etc all down the road.

as soon as i start on that frame and boxing, and body/drivetrain swap over, i will have pics up.

just been tooooooo busy with work and such...all is well though, more work=more $

cheers all, and thanks everyone for the help. i look forward to my frame looking as good as those pics of cantilope's

 

I really have enjoy my 2.5" YJ Old Man lift on my CJ. But, drivelines, brakelines, boxing, Tie Rod Flip, perches, shock mounts, Shocks, plus all new hangers to do it right in my opinion. It is best to start on a fresh frame. Many times better than stock, and not to bad to do yourself and get right. Good luck.

Got the body back today...

 

A fresh frame.. did you make a new one ? got pics of that ?

 

I mean the one he has just purchased. It will be very easy to grind, weld, and paint his new/old frame to freshen it up...

My frame is above...

 

i know, i know... you all thought this post was buried...and it was, till now. my bare bones frame is about to be stripped down, por-15 on inside, then boxed, por-15'd all over, then top coated, then built back up. FINALLY! R)

:? question to those of you that HAVE boxed your frames...

what guage metal did you use/should i use? my friend who will be getting me the steel says 3/16th inch steel (frame thickness) translates to 11 gauge steel. but my options are 10 or 12 gauge steel. any thoughts?

also, how did you get around the crossmembers in the rear of the frame? mainly that ugly hat-channel looking one?

thanks for the help team! you guys always have my back!

i think i'll have a or maybe a (6-pack) till i decide what to do!