1973 CJ5 frame the same as a 1975 DJ5 frame? I want a 4x4 postal jeep!

I ran into some guy at autozone today who wants to sell his 73 CJ5 that is rusted to hell, basically I want a 4x4 postal jeep and was wondering if the frames were the same so I could do a bolt on 4x4 conversion. Any tips would be fantastic.

Thanks guys

 

They should be close enough that you would not have to do a lot of fabrication. But I doubt its a direct bolt on. For one thing the steering is on different sides.

 

You won't have the only one - there have been several that were 4x4 converted sold on eBay in the past.

Actually, I purchased the DJ that I have from a fellow that was going to scrap the body and just use the frame for his CJ. According to him the DJ frames are stronger because they are boxed more.

 

The frames aren't exact, but close enough.

Fourwheeler Magazine did the upgrade in the '90s with their "Jeep For Cheap" postal buildup. There is a guy with a nice one that I am sponsoring into my local club- I'll link to a couple pix, but they are Huuuuge-

http://robinsonchiropractic.com/other/Marsailles_oct_23_05/P1010015.JPG

http://robinsonchiropractic.com/other/Marsailles_oct_23_05/P1010016.JPG



His U/N on http://www.gljt.org/index.php is CanuckCJ, hit him up for some info there, and tell him "Cooter sent 'ya"

 

Thats where I lucked out, my jeep is a DJ5D but was used as a military escort, then later in life she was sold to the USPS. In short, the steering wheel is on the left hand side

 

Thanks, Ill try to contact him ASAP!

 

I had a '78 Postal Jeep,the frame was not the same.It was identical to a '71 and earlier frame except it was boxed all the way.The rear springs were mounted outboard.The '73 should have been the second year for the "new" longer CJ-5 and has the "coke bottle" shape vs the parallel frame rails of the early frames and postals.

 

Some info correct, some not. I believe it is true that the 70s DJs used the older, shorter ladder frame (ie 71 and earlier CJ-5), and accomodated the longer 232 inline 6 using what I call the "bubble grille". The CJs from 72-75 had parallel frame rails, just like the earlier CJs, except that the rails were made longer and a new front crossmember was added. In 1976, the frame design changed radically, so that the distance between frame rails widened toward the rear.

I'd guess that you can use some postal frames with a PRE 72 drivetrain and body, but not with any later years. The wheelbase will be different. The right thing to do is MEASURE - get out your tape and check the length and width before you commit to a big project.

 

Well this is quickly becoming a little project. Not as easy as the guy at the jeep junkyard made it sound lol.

So a pre 72 cj5's 4wd drive setup will fit my 75 dj's frame? The only thing I can remember off hand is that I have a boxed frame, I;ll take some measurements when I get home tonight.

Any other words of wisdom guys?

 

In '72 the CJ wheelbase went to 84". Before that it was 81". I'd expect the postal, if it has a bubble grill, will have an 81" wheelbase. You may be able to take the '73 drivetrain and add it to the postal. If it has a bubble grille, there will be room for the '73 I6 engine, but you will at a minimum have to change the driveshaft lengths.

You can probably take a 71 or earlier CJ body and place it on a DJ frame. Or, you can take a DJ body and place it on a pre-71 CJ frame. Since the '73 CJ and postal frames are different lengths, to put the two together, your only option is to take the engine, transmission, transfer case and axles from the 73 CJ and install then in the postal. That MAY work, if you change the driveshaft lengths and there are no surprises along the way. To avoid surprises, I'd put the two vehicles side-by-side, measure, come up with plan, measure again, then go to it.

No lecture - just trying to be helpful!

<edit> You may also be able to take the postal body and set it on the 73 frame, and reuse the front clip from the 73 if it's not rusted away. Should work ok ...

 

Wow, very odd you should say that. I was at Autozone the other day buing a new ignition rotor and the guy asked me if I wanted to buy a 73 CJ! He said it was totally rusted out but if the driveline is in good shape maybe I will make him an offer.

What do you guys think would be easier, taking the DJ body and putting on the CJ frame or taking the 4wd from the CJ and putting it in the DJ?

Im not sure as to the condition of the CJ's motor though :? Im guessing that putting the I6 258 from the DJ and the DJ's body on the CJ would be a major PITA right?

 

I almost forgot, some guy in my local club is selling a full roll cage from his 74 CJ5, will that fit without modification?

 

I thought the '73 was why you asked this question... What are you trying to do then?

You have the DJ already, don't you? You should be be able to put the DJ body on the CJ frame if they are the same width. The front sheet metal (fenders, grille and hood) between the DJ and the 73 CJ are different. The DJ has the bubble grille to fit the I6, while the CJ has longer hood and fenders instead. Remember that frames rust too, so a rusty body probably goes with a rusty frame.

 

So I guess I will have to bring my DJ over to this guys house to compare the frames side by side. To see weather or not I could just pull the 4wd components and call the wrecker to pick up the scrap frame.

I cant wait, for my brakes to be working 100% so I can go on day trips lol

I originally asked the question because I had been doing research and found many simularities between the DJ and CJ frames. I just figured that a 73 CJ would be my best bet and then that guy came into the picture. I guess its about time I get a change of luck

 

Use the DJ frame- it is stronger, and probably in better shape.

Swapping a postal tub is a major PITA.

The only issue you should run into, IIRC, is rear driveshaft length.

I found canuckCJ's thread- he built a '73, as well. I would suggest you talk to him before making decisions, as he did exactly what you are contemplating, and we are just guessing by comparison.

CanuckCJ's Postal Build

OOps- even better, I found his web page detailing the swap He didn't have that before.

 

Now that's what I would consider an ideal "deer lease Jeep". I always theorized to myself that back door and floor and that enclosed cab could be very useful on a vehicle dedicated to useing at the hunting camp. And you wouldn't feel bad about abusing your classic Jeep the way it often does.

 

He really did a fantastic write up.

I have already written a pm to him on gljt.org but have yet to get a reply. Do I have to switch to a manual trans? I sorta liked the ease of driving a auto for once. All my other cars are stick

Cooter, maybe you already know how he bolted the mounts for the springs on the frame rails. I saw in the pics that he bolted them but how? Did he just drill vertically up throught the frame rail and then use some huge bolts to mount the perches?

Also where did he get the perches? Did they come with the YJ springs that he added to the rear? I guess by moving the rear axle back a little he avoided all driveshaft issues you guys are telling me about?

 

cooter, do you happen to have copies or scanned copies of the JP DJ build up? That would make this alot easier!

Thanks!

 

You can use a TC999/D300 from a later CJ7 or 8, but the driveshaft will be pretty sort. You can also use the original 727 like they did in Fourwheeler, but you will have difficulty clearing the kickout on the trans pan with your driveshaft even with a lift. You would also have to dissassemble the tranny to change the tailshaft so you would be able to mount a married t-case to it.

There are two holes in the center to bolt them to the frame. I'm pretty sure he welded the spring perches on the bottom of the framerails as well.

The perches look like standard late CJ perches to me- you can get them from 4WD hardware, #8127712 $16.99ea. You could also get the YJ version, which has a better design to it, but they are pretty pricey #52040320 $35.99, and they need to be welded on.

 

I'll have to dig around for them again, but it wasn't Jp, it was Four Wheeler.

~edit~ I just Googled, and it looks like Four Wheeler is doing a look back at Jeep for Cheap in the May issue.