Build - 1970 CJ5

I like that option , but I am not able to as the bumper is already made and I have no way to modify it like that. I was thinking an option like this would be good. Saw it posted somewhere and plan on doing this.



It is bolted through the crossmember and to the frame using that L bracket. This is something I am capable of doing.


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Just dropped the bumpers off to get powder coated, went with gloss black. Cost will be $250 for sandblast and paint. One last picture of them bare steel couldn't hurt.


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Took the shackle mount bushings out yesterday, I was very patient on the first one, and did some research on the best methods to remove them before hand so I would be prepared for battle. The first one took about 30 minutes and I used small drill bits to drill out the rubber enough until I could get the inner sleeve out. After the first one, I kinda lost my patience and broke out the torch, will have some POR 15 repair after the welding and now a couple more from my torching. I found a little 5 dollar puller from my FLAPS that worked great for pushing the inner sleeve out. See the pictures.. Then used a hacksaw to get the outer sleeve out. Anyways not much else done, did a little more sanding and with the use of a BFH got the rear crossmember on for a test fit.

Have plans now to get the frame to a brothers friend from a local jeep club to get some welding done the weekend after thanksgiving. Hopefully get the crack fixed, bumpers ready to mount and any reinforcement done. Not much else going on.. Few pictures.


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That puller is autocraft brand?

That's exactly what I needed when I did mine. Ended up using big C clamps and sockets.

 

Yes, although I'm sure you could find a similar tool at any FLAPS.


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I'm sure I can, I'll have to look. The puller that a buddy of mine had just barely didn't fit.

 

Link doesn't work for me.. 404 Error


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Got the bumpers back, they look great and I'm glad I went with gloss black. Not too glossy, was a little nervous about that.




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Wow !! Those bumpers look great. Looking forward to seeing it all together .

 

Thanks!


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Rear crossmember painted, sanded it really good and cleaned with a degreaser and then sprayed the POR 15 metal prep on it and let it sit to etch it. Didn't use POR 15 as it's very smooth metal still and I worry about it peeling off.

I just put normal primer on it and will topcoat it with the chassis black.

Also got the shackles primed and followed the same process as above.


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Got the rear crossmember mounted today. I used grade 8 hardware with lock washers on every bolt and blue locktight. I planned on upgrading to 7/16 bolts instead of the 3/8, since the holes didnt line up perfect and had to be drilled out a bit. But I was comfortable going up to 1/2 on the top and bottom of the frame and kept the 3/8 on the ends.

Also mounted the Ross steering box and the brake master cylinder bracket so it will be ready to coat with the POR chassis black. Tomorrow I will put the transmission crossmember and skid plate on for the same reason also.



Put the shackles from McRuff together after painting them, kept them loose until I mount them with the suspension. I also used the factory leaf spring bolts for the middle bolt, I bought out all the 7/16 bolts at ACE and almost had to buy a stainless one so this will have to work for now, but I don't see this bolt being too much of a weight bearing bolt so it may just end up staying like this.


After hitting my legs and getting pants caught several times, I improvised a solution.



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Edit: I changed the rear cross member hardware up a little. Just feel better about it this way. I used a large flat washer on both sides with a lock washer on the nut side also. Looks like this now, maybe it doesn't help but at least I feel better!

Changed my mind about tomorrow, stayed up late and finished a couple more things. Like the transmission crossmember and skid plate. Also went ahead and mounted the bump stops, that way when it gets painted with chassis black there is less of a seem for mud, dirt, or moisture to get in? Made sense since it's late and I felt like tinkering.

 

Got some work done today thanks to a guy with the space coast jeep club. He welded the rear crossmember in, made some reinforcement brackets for the rear bumper, fixed a crack in the frame, and repaired the front end of the frame where the front bumper mounts since it was all messed up. Now I have to touch up some areas with POR 15 and it will be ready to topcoat. Goal is to get the axles and frame top coated by Wednesday so I can start reassembling. Here are some pictures of what happend today:



Front end before


What we came up with as a fix


It's also welded to side of the frame inside, just needs to be drilled out where the bumper mounting holes are.

The frame crack was repaired and welded on both sides:

Before, kinda bottom right of the picture


After:





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Painting done on the frame! I am very excited about how it came out. Fingers crossed that I don't have any problems with it. Again I used the POR 15 self etching primer and POR 15 chassis black.

I had a problem with the primer spray can, it worked for about 3 minutes and then kept clogging.. I ended up having to use about 5 different nozzles from other cans laying around because I kept having the same issue. I would not buy another spray can of it even though it's a huge time saver. The chassis black layed down really nice and smoothed out. Some brush strokes visible in some places but not bad at all. Best way I found to put it down is to do a very light coat first, where you can clearly still see the undercoat through the brush marks. Then apply a second heavier coat on top.

Here is after the primer. The instructions say to lightly dust.. Feel like I did a little more than that but oh well. Also cleaned with a degreaser before.


After the chassis black


The axles are primed also and will get them painted on Friday. Hopefully I have enough paint left! Then the rest of it will start going back together.


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Made some progress, having a small issue though.. Will explain below

First of all, I got the skyjacker 4" lift soft ride springs on and got the axles painted enough for now (ran out of chassis black paint)...

Bushings in


Leaf Springs going on



Tires and shocks going on



Used white lithium grease on all the bushings and sleeves, and also put anti-seize on all the non threaded parts of the leaf spring/shackle bolts. The bushings that I bought to go in the frame shackle mounts are a little long, might have to do some trimming or get longer bolts in the future, nothing is very tight now, will torque them down to spec once the body/engine is all back together.. Very happy though, it's sitting a lot higher than I was thinking it would, but there is also no weight on it right now. The rear crossmember is at or just above my waistline, and I'm 6'1. Hope it sits down some so I don't run into shackle angle problems..

Alright, so I'm actually going to post the problem I am having in the tech section. I'll put link here shortly once it's up but it has to do with the drivers front shock.

Link: http://www.earlycj5.net/forums/showthread.php?t=106661






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The bushings on my Rancho stock height shackle kit were a little long. I left them as is, I figure it's probably better than the shackles rubbing on the shackle hangars.

Remember with the lift kit, even on a fully loaded JEEP it takes time to break in and settle.

With only a frame, they're bound to sit way high up there. :twisted:

 

Good point, I'll leave them then..


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