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DJ3A two wheel drive Street Rod thoughts!!!

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by Vhunter, Jan 5, 2015.

  1. Jan 5, 2015
    Vhunter

    Vhunter Member

    Redding, California
    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2005
    Messages:
    262
    Howdy All, I am getting old and have a pile of parts left over from years of projects. I don't need another four wheel drive vehicle so I thought about a nice little street roadster for summer cruising and going to the store and stuff, just a fun rig to drive. It is time to clean out the garage of all this stuff laying around, as I have enough stuff to make a nice little cruiser. Now, I am not into rat rods, just thought I would assembly a nice resto-mod DJ3A. Since a DJ3A is a true roadster it would be nice for Hot August nights rod runs. So, what are your thoughts on a project like this?

    So, here is my ideas;

    Even fire V6 with an automatic.
    Just a roll Bar.
    7"x15" mag rims with about 28" tires.
    Just a little lift in front for an attitude.
    Centered Dana 44 from Jeepster with a posi-traction.
    Take a broken Dana 30 for making a beam front axle.
    Discs up front and 11" drums in the rear.
    A nice clean simple paint job.
    Simple low back seats.
    A good frame with Saginaw steering and a left over body, these are parts I have laying around.

    So, what do you all think?
     
  2. Jan 5, 2015
    baja4

    baja4 Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2010
    Messages:
    85
    Sounds like a great idea. I ended up with a great deal on a 47 2a a couple months back. Had the exact same thoughts. Did not need another 4x4, and had lots of parts laying around. Enjoy looking at Rat Rods, but don't want to own one. I say build it.

    My Plan,
    225 odd fire, have
    BOP turbo 400, have
    New 7.50-15 NDT's on steel wheels, picking up Saturday
    Bench seat, because I had it
    Front axle made from a Dana 25
    Rear axle Ford 9'
    M38a1 frame, kind of c notched in rear, single leaf with trailing arms in front, axle 20"s forward
    As bought
    [​IMG]
    Now
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG][/URL]
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Jan 5, 2015
  3. Jan 6, 2015
    tymbom

    tymbom Member

    Siskiyou Co.
    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2012
    Messages:
    814
    I'm in the same boat as you guys... I don't need another 4wd, but I have a ton of parts... I like the idea, but with a twist. I want one to low with wide tires on all corners... A rowdy small block and a 4 speed...
     
  4. Jan 6, 2015
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
    Joined:
    Jul 30, 2003
    Messages:
    8,513
    {Looks at 2 DJ3A 2wd front beam axles lying on garage floor.....}
     
  5. Jan 6, 2015
    gunner

    gunner Member

    Washington state...
    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2012
    Messages:
    596
    Get a front axle out of a postal jeep. Any of them will bolt up to your flatfender. I swapped the original front axle in my 70 DJ with one out of a 79 postal. Bolted right up to my DJ. It already has the 2 hole steering knuckles (both sides) so you can run a one-piece tie rod. The 79 axle is the same width as a Dana 30 so you get more stability with it over the original DJ3A axles (it has the same knuckles as a 30). On top of that, it is stock with 11" drums. These axles are tough- way over-engineered.

    I got mine at a picknpull (along with rear axle/springs/full set of 11" brakes/etc). I noticed the other day the tie rod is bent a bit, so I'll replace it with DOM tube some day.

    Might think hard on making the necessary changes so that you can run the thing at higher speeds than you'd normally run a flatfender. With the horsepower you're talking, you know you'll be tempted!

    (I finished my fire career up while in Redding- the agency employee part of it, anyhow- great place to run an open DJ)
     
    Last edited: Jan 6, 2015
  6. Jan 11, 2015
    04sd2

    04sd2 Member

    Lehigh Valley, PA
    Joined:
    May 30, 2011
    Messages:
    111
    A few more ideas to think about....
    - stretch the body in the door opening, maybe 4", to allow lowering the seats. Also need to stretch the frame to match.
    - use a 3B windshield with the 2A/3A body
    - cut the rollbar down to match the height of the windshield
    - skinny wheels and tires up front
    - 8" Renegade steel wheels in the back with some wide street tires
    - stock or lower than stock suspension height
     
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