ECJ5 Body rotisserie

Hey guys, since I'm probably going to have a hard time getting rid of the tub and frame of my CJ5, I'm thinking about scrapping the tub and cutting up the frame to use it as a rotisserie for my M38A1 tub.

I've got my welder (still need to call you about that Billy!), chop saw and some steel here. I think I could cut up a couple of old engine stands and probably get something to work. Has anyone here used one before? I'd like to figure out a way to get it so the body could be rotated fairly easily. Somehow the body would have to be dropped a little (when sitting right side up) so it wouldn't want to just flop upside down. If that makes sense to anyone who reads this far, does anyone have any idears I could steal to make this thing? If I get it done, I'll be very happy to loan it out as I probably won't have much use for it again for a very long time.

Thanks!

mruta

 

No ideas, but I'd love an invite to the BBQ.

 

You have an invite to my BBQ but I assure you the weather is much nicer where you're at... we should have a BBQ in CA!!!

 

R) R) Me too.

Hmmm, if you can use a lifted engine stand on one end, and a cherrypicker on the other (for it to pivot), it might be high enough for it to rotate. The hard part is how to secure the tub to each end w/out boogering the tub up. Neat idea tho.

 

Basically, I'm thinking that the tub will mount to the frame as it did when it was a Jeep and not a rotisserie. The tricky part is going to be figuring out how to make the frame attach to the engine stands on either end and have it all sort of "balanced" so the body doesn't flop over. I'm no engineer nor do I play one on TV but I think I have to figure out how to find the center of gravity of the body/frame combination and match that up to where the frame pivots on the engine stands.

OR....
If I could somehow have a hand crank/gear assembly with some sort of integral brake to rotate the body around... that would be COOOOOOOOLLLLL!!!!

I think the second option would be easier but I need help either way. Any other ideas out there???

 

Try using a brake adjuster from a manually adjusted brake along with the S cam. You should be able to score one at a junkyard or at any parts house that deals with heavy trucks.
They have a gear system internally that should work for making a rotation system for this. I want to use it on an engine stand some day for rotating the larger motors around more easily.

 

I know these are parts for big trucks but could you show me a picture of what you're talking about here? If I can figure it out, I'm going to get started on it right away!


Thanks!

 

My neighbor uses an old manual locking hub on his engine stand to lock it in a variety of positions. I'll ask him how.

 

I'd like a Dauntless dog and a flat head steak, rare, with all the trimmins'

 

If you could draw something up, that would be great!

So are you coming over here or am I going over there???

 

We'll talk about it in the spring time.

 

Before I did anything I'd check out what a commercial one would cost. One that would do a jeep body would be fairly light duty and might not be as expensive as you might think.

 

Well, I've heard of these things(rotisserie) before, but haven't seen one.
One of my friends is rebuilding a '72 Cuda, and he had one that bolted to the brake drums, and it rotated some how that way. I didn't see it though.
I did a quick Google and found these:

http://www.prostreetcar.com/body_rotisserie.html
http://www.mgbexperience.com/rotator/
http://www.sierrasolutions.biz/carotator.html
http://www.ponypics.com/spitfire/rotisserie.html
http://www.autorestorer.com/articles/art106.html
http://www.jag-lovers.org/snaps/snap_view.php3?id=1079317981

There's all kinds of ideas out there.

EDIT: I fixed the links below.

 

Here's one more:
http://www.whirlyjig.com/GTO.htm

 

Links no-worky....

 

Cut and paste did the trick here. The pre-built ones are pretty pricey. The DIY ones were more reasonable though I have to think they were put together when the cost of steel was a lot lower...

 

Woops! Fixed the links
http://www.prostreetcar.com/body_rotisserie.html
http://www.mgbexperience.com/rotator/
http://www.sierrasolutions.biz/carotator.html
http://www.ponypics.com/spitfire/rotisserie.html
http://www.autorestorer.com/articles/art106.html
http://www.jag-lovers.org/snaps/snap_view.php3?id=1079317981
http://www.whirlyjig.com/GTO.htm

 

I built one for my 66CJ5 body. Also go carried away and made one for the frame. Made a triangular frame for both ends out of 1 1/2" pipe. Used a wheel bearing assembly off a discarded overhead crane on each end with a pipe in between. It works great. Allows for easy positioning while repairing rust, welding, painting etc. I will take pictures this weekend if you are interested.