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"greased Lightning" 1971 Cj-6 Build Thread

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by Brandon DeFord, Feb 28, 2020.

  1. Feb 28, 2020
    Brandon DeFord

    Brandon DeFord New Member 2022 Sponsor

    Apache Junction AZ
    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2019
    Messages:
    35
    Greased Lightning is a 1971 CJ-6 with a 225 V6 that I got in 2008 while stationed in Yuma. The name was given to her by my girlfriend at the time who has since upgraded to wife. At the time, all I wanted was something to get out in the desert with so I had a local shop fab a roll cage for it, swapped the seats around and modified the rear of the tub for a spare tire. When I moved to North Carolina a few years later it went into storage in Arizona and really has been sitting since.


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    Ever since then It has been my dream to rebuild her and I started gathering parts and scheming which has provided years of enjoyment but now it is time to start!
    My plan is to build a light, capable, low COG vehicle on a decent budget that I can use to hunt and explore around my home here in Southern AZ. I am planning on keeping the oddfire 225 but adding HEI, refreshing it and maybe upgrading the cam. I am also looking into a company called Affordable EFI down the road to inject it. I have a D30 and AMC 20 narrow track to swap in with 11-inch drums and 3.73 gears. I plan to do the 1 piece axle conversion on the AMC 20 and both axles will get some sort of locker as we go. I have a th350 sourced to replace the T-14 and a D-300 transfer case as well. I also have 4 Rancho 44044 spring packs that a plan to run SUA. The frame is worn out and cracked all over so I will be boxing the frame or doing something to strengthen it. For steering, I am going to go with Herms power steering conversion, and I am working out some sort of improved braking set up, probably a swinging pedal and power booster. I'll start by running 33s which are on it currently but I am considering going as big as 35s if I arrive upon a tub trimming solution I am happy with.
    I set a timeline goal of having it back drivable at the end of this November. That is my new hunting and wheeling buddy's 1st birthday. I might not make it by then but I am sure the journey will be fun and I am looking forward to drawing from the wealth of knowledge that is on this site! Cheers!



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  2. Feb 28, 2020
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
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    6,656
    Welcome from Idaho! Looking forward to following the progress. (y)
     
  3. Feb 28, 2020
    shadetreetim

    shadetreetim Member 2022 Sponsor

    Riverside, Ca -...
    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2019
    Messages:
    199
    Sounds like a good build coming up, good looking 6. Post lots of pictures.
     
  4. Feb 28, 2020
    Brandon DeFord

    Brandon DeFord New Member 2022 Sponsor

    Apache Junction AZ
    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2019
    Messages:
    35
    Ok so I will start off with a few before pictures and add a few of the teardown so far.
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    So this Is what I am working with. It is on a 2-inch spring lift that was sagging and had an additional inch shackle lift in the front. I discovered that it was running on original length shocks so that would account for some of the poor ride I had experienced.



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    Got it down to the frame. Here are a few of the issues so far:


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    Running power to my shop now so I can weld. Any thoughts on boxing this frame with out gaining to much weight?
     
  5. Feb 28, 2020
    Rich M.

    Rich M. Shoe salesman 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Maryland
    Joined:
    Mar 23, 2008
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    2,169
    Welcome! :watch:
     
  6. Feb 28, 2020
    Freedom21

    Freedom21 New Member

    Cedar Springs,...
    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2018
    Messages:
    3
    CJ6 with a Dauntless... That sounds awesome to me! Welcome aboard.
     
  7. Feb 28, 2020
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    I stitched in some 14g in mine. It doesn’t take much. The outside will carry the weight, so you just need enough on the inside to contain the twist.

    Varg In Jeep's Clothing
     
  8. Feb 29, 2020
    txtoller

    txtoller Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Weatherford, TX
    Joined:
    May 28, 2014
    Messages:
    971
    Welcome! Looks like a great start.

    And do I have a deal for you! I have a set of solid axles out of a 20. :whistle:(y)
     
  9. Feb 29, 2020
    givemethewillys

    givemethewillys Been here since sparky ran it. 2022 Sponsor

    New Kent, VA
    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2005
    Messages:
    1,998
    That's a great looking jeep you have there, I'm looking forward to following along on your rebuild. I think the key to getting things done is just to do SOMETHING every day. Good luck!
     
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  10. Feb 29, 2020
    Richard in AZ

    Richard in AZ I just don't understand the like of patina

    PHX AZ
    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2016
    Messages:
    142
    Welcome from the far north side of the valley of sun.....that 6 is cool looking!

    Richard
     
  11. Feb 29, 2020
    ojgrsoi

    ojgrsoi Retired 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Weatherford, TX
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    Dec 30, 2002
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    2,231
    I love that top. I had one exactly like it, same color and all.
     
  12. Feb 29, 2020
    Brandon DeFord

    Brandon DeFord New Member 2022 Sponsor

    Apache Junction AZ
    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2019
    Messages:
    35
    I like the idea of 14 gauge. My buddy had suggested 1/8 and dimple die. I think 14 gauge and dimple die would be awesome. On the bracing on yours, I see you did the half-circle cuts. Is that transfer the stress?
     
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  13. Feb 29, 2020
    Brandon DeFord

    Brandon DeFord New Member 2022 Sponsor

    Apache Junction AZ
    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2019
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    35
    My brother knew a guy who knew a guy who does custom tops. It has sides that zip off to. I seldom used them in AZ though. It had nothing for doors though. Still, it does the trick keeping the sun off your head.
     
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  14. Feb 29, 2020
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
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    6,656
    There’s a whole lotta science behind the proper way to weld a frame, but in a nutshell, angled or radius’d welds reduce stress points and increase weld surface. You could spend hours reading up on the engineering behind it.

    Dimples allow access for a lot of mud and debris to enter the frame, but not exit. Make sure you weigh the pros and cons before you go that route. I opted to go with solid plates and lots of drain holes in the bottoms of the rails. It should keep big stuff out, and water can come and go.
     
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  15. Feb 29, 2020
    fhoehle

    fhoehle Sponsor

    Harford Township, PA
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    Apr 11, 2012
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    Welcome from Pennsylvania!
     
  16. Apr 3, 2020
    Brandon DeFord

    Brandon DeFord New Member 2022 Sponsor

    Apache Junction AZ
    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2019
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    35
    Well, I was able to get into the shop again this past week. I was able to get the rest of the teardown completed. The drivetrain is out, axles off and I am down to the frame. I checked the frame for square and the diagonals are within 1/2 inch of each other. the drivers' side rear is twisted up with the frame resting on the spring hangers. other new issues are a severely egged out engine mount and extra cracks in the forward cross member.
     
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  17. Apr 3, 2020
    Bostonbob

    Bostonbob Delta Colo

    Delta Colorado
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    Jan 6, 2014
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    163
    I sent a picture of a snow covered 65 flareside on fb last night, and a shop project cj6
     
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  18. Apr 3, 2020
    givemethewillys

    givemethewillys Been here since sparky ran it. 2022 Sponsor

    New Kent, VA
    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2005
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    1,998
    What an awesome picture with your helper, and I really like the old ford too! I'm reluctantly getting read to sell my '78 f150 shorty, had to decide between the truck and the jeep.

    Looks like you have a good foundation , I really love your Jeep! I'm painting mine white too when I'm done stretching it to cj6 length.
     
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  19. Apr 3, 2020
    Norcal69

    Norcal69 Out of the box thinker 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Northern California
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    Sep 6, 2014
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    3,549
    All 3 V6 frames in my yard have the same engine mounts..... pretty sure they are supposed to be that way.
     
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  20. Jul 1, 2020
    Brandon DeFord

    Brandon DeFord New Member 2022 Sponsor

    Apache Junction AZ
    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2019
    Messages:
    35
    Well it has been entirely to long and visual progress has been slow at first but I will try to recap the last few months. I have finished stripping the frame. I prepped and welded up all the frame cracks checking to make sure no frame twist is induced along the way.


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    Before:
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    I have all the frame boxing pieces cut out. I weighed the options and decided to dimple die anyway because I have drain holes added and being in AZ I will not see as much mud as in other locations. I hope I don't regret it. I picked up a cheap knockout punch and a dimple die and made up the parts.

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    At this point, I was put on hold while I waited for my welder to arrive. I had an old lincoln flux core machine that was simply not up to the task. Upon the arrival of my new Everlast iMig140e I got back to work. I have about half the frame boxed so far and am hoping to get it finished before the 12th when I leave for work for 6 weeks again.


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