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CJ-6 replacement frames and Tubs

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by Tri_X_Troll, Feb 20, 2006.

  1. Feb 20, 2006
    Tri_X_Troll

    Tri_X_Troll New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2006
    Messages:
    5
    So my dad, my brother, and myself bought a '79 CJ-5 and the more that we tear into it, the more rougher it seems to be. We're thinking maybe the easiest thing would be to junk everything but the interior, drivetrain, inline 6, and front clip. Now we've thought about buying a replacement frame and tub, which I've seen plenty of for the Cj-5, cj-7, and cj-8, but we're thinking a 6 would be more unique. Does anyone know who sells cj-6 replacement frames and glass tubs?

    Our 258 runs stong, the dana-20 is in great shape, the project jeep came with 4" lift springs, and an amc 20 dana 30 combo with 4.10 gears. Realisticly I think we'd save ourselves a lot of hassle by buying a replacement frame and body, rather than trying to salvage the rusted out one we have. There's just something sexy about a cj-6 with narrow trac axels. We could go with a Cj-8 tub, but the square doors just aren't as sexy.
     
    Tri_X_Troll, Feb 20, 2006
    #1
  2. Feb 20, 2006
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    6,197
    Welcome to the site from W. MI...and a 6 owner.

    No "replacement" CJ6 frames available that I know of, but there are "custom" ones. Reid Nordon here on the board is using a frame from Advanced Frame Works on his project CJ6. (Interesting though, by their website it appears they have gotten out of the frame business, pointing people to http://www.throttledownkustoms.com/ instead).

    Glass tubs - only one I know of is through JC Whitney. Read through the comments on this post and look for comments by Carl Lavalee who used one of these tubs on his CJ6.

    Steel repro tubs are also availble from all the usual suspects - I'd probably go that route before the 'glass route.

    FWIW - I run a CJ6 Blog that might be a good place to get some ideas of what 6's look like in different configurations. I just noticed that I have over 100 entries in my Other CJ6's category.
     
    Boyink, Feb 20, 2006
    #2
  3. Feb 20, 2006
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    Well, there were a lot of changes between 1975 (the last year for a domestic CJ-6) and 1976. The frame design changed a lot, so to add your drivetrain to a CJ-6 frame would require some significant fab. To use the m20, you'll need to either move the spring pads inward or fab outboard mounts for the springs on the CJ-6 frame.

    There's no source for aftermarket CJ-6 bodies that I know of. You can buy a custom tube frame. Certainly it'd be much less expensive to find a good, used vehicle and build that, than to buy new parts. The aftermaket bodies for the CJ-5 are around $2000. I'd guess a tube frame would cost $800-1000 (just a WAG). <edit> Well, for bodies, see Mikes comments above. Looks like I undersetimated the cost of a frame by $1000 or so.

    If you're really discouraged about your '79, I'd suggest you part it out and use the money from parts to buy a solid vehicle to start with. 258s, D20s and T150s aren't much in demand; the 4.10 axles will be easy to sell. CJ-6s aren't common, and they can command a premium price, but the better vehicle you start with, the less it will cost to build it up.

    Sorry for the negativity... Welcome from Boston!
     
    timgr, Feb 20, 2006
    #3
  4. Feb 20, 2006
    Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    Los Alamos, NM
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    8,360
    4WD Hardware has complete CJ6 body kits, 55-71... $4799.95 :shock: for tub, hood, fenders, tailgate, and W/S frame...
     
    Patrick, Feb 20, 2006
    #4
  5. Feb 20, 2006
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    6,197
    FWIW (and my data isn't anywhere close to scientific), but I haven't seen this to be true. Sellers of CJ6's like to hype up the "rareness" of the model, but overall the market awareness of the CJ6 just isn't the same as a CJ8 so the same demand isn't there.

    In other words, the demand/selling price for a Scramber is much higher than a similarly-equipped CJ7. That isn't the case between a CJ6 and similar CJ5.

    Keep an eye on this auction - it's a great 6, slightly modded but overall in great shape with some desireable features. I'll betcha a :beer: that the bidding won't go over what Timmy just got for Lulu - so $5500-ish.
     
    Boyink, Feb 20, 2006
    #5
  6. Feb 20, 2006
    pajpr

    pajpr New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2006
    Messages:
    6
    I have a question for anyone who might know. How hard is it to put a bobbed 8 body on a 6 frame? I have a good 6 frame and a fixable 8 body. I think the wheelbases are close enough. I've been rolling this project around in my head for awhile. Any input will be appreciated. Thanks
     
    pajpr, Feb 20, 2006
    #6
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