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First Jeep build! Here we go...

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by '72CJ5, May 30, 2010.

  1. Sep 15, 2010
    '72CJ5

    '72CJ5 Member

    Modesto,...
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    I will have to google it and search around and find out what years changed to what. Either way Im going with the waggy box simply becasue its easy to work with and the pump im getting is off of the same truck so I will have all the lines, belts, brackets etc. for the box.
     
  2. Sep 15, 2010
    Jokenring

    Jokenring Member

    Wetside of...
    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2006
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    Your shackle angle looks good. Right around 60ish degrees?
     
  3. Sep 16, 2010
    '72CJ5

    '72CJ5 Member

    Modesto,...
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    ...I dont know hahaha. I had welded the shackle mounts first and then bolted the spring to them and then slide the spring mount forward till the shackle was at a 90 degree with no weight on them then did the same to the other side and just meassured to make sure they were they same. Thanks though, she is ALOT softer now then what it used to be. I cant wait to get her all done and see how she does.
     
  4. Sep 16, 2010
    '72CJ5

    '72CJ5 Member

    Modesto,...
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    Got a little bit more done on her yesterday morning. Welded the outriggers up to the frame in the front and will be mocking up the front as soon as I can.

    I think Im getting better at this welding thing........what do yall think?
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    Last edited: Sep 16, 2010
  5. Sep 16, 2010
    '72CJ5

    '72CJ5 Member

    Modesto,...
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    And yes I know..I know. A screwdriver is not a "suitable" jack stand....adjuster holder but the jeep was starting to tip on me and I couldn't reach my pins so I grabbed the two closest things I could stuff in there. I will change it i promise.
     
  6. Sep 17, 2010
    skeely

    skeely New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2009
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    hey '72cj5
    regarding the welding. the vertical weld on the web of the channel needs to be removed! when you weld in the vertical position , the travel of the welding is always up-hand(bottom to top). this is easily determined by the semicircles of the weld in the "frowning position" . this is indicitive of welding downhand. welding in the up hand method produces a semicircle in the "smiling position". welding downhand traps flux in the weld, does not provide proper penetration and does not allow for a proper weld profile. the horizontal weld towards the top of the frame has some problems as well. the weld profile varies in shape rather drastically and there appears to be undercut at the frame rail. the spring hanger is so crucial as failure would be catastropic for you and any vehicles near you. perhaps you could practice a little more on material similar in size to the frame and hanger and when you have the right amperage/voltage, preheat, consumable and skill level to make an acceptable weld , then you could tackle the real deal. i hope this does'nt sound harsh, but i do this for a living and the welds as shown are rejectable.
     
  7. Sep 18, 2010
    '72CJ5

    '72CJ5 Member

    Modesto,...
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    Oh no, I accept any advice I can get espeacially from someone who does this for a living. I really do appreciate the advice you gave and will for sure be practicing the them. Like I have stated before, I am by no means a good welder...or really even a welder at all. I have done it a few times in the past and just recently started trying to get better at it. At the time I welded those on, they looked purdy good to me but I was also up for about 28 hours and alot looked good to me at the time. I was looking at them again yesterday evening and noticed ALOT that I didn't like. I will grind them back off and practice some more and see what you guys think before rewelding them back on. If you dont mind checking it from time to time when I post here and telling me what I need to do differently, I would really appreciate it.

    Also, forgive my ignorance, but what do you mean when you say "undercut at the frame rail?
     
    Last edited: Sep 18, 2010
  8. Sep 18, 2010
    Posimoto

    Posimoto Hopeless JEEP Addict

    Minden, Nevada
    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2003
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    4,538
    I've been welding (read, learning to weld) for about 3 years as a "do-it-yourselfer". I've made a lot of crappy welds in that time. I have a pretty high level of confidence in my welds now, but I still have a certified welder do any welds that have safety issues. ie: steering, brakes etc. A spring bracket welded to the bottom of the frame that lets go may be only an annoyance as the bracket will generally stay in alignment with the frame and have support. Outboarding, however, is a horse of a different color. If it lets go while you are bombing down the freeway you are going to have a serious issue. I suggest having them done by a certified welder, but if you must do them yourself, take a BFH to them when you are done and see if you can bust them loose. Don't be nice, hit them hard. If they can take that you are probably good to go. Just my .02
     
  9. Sep 18, 2010
    '72CJ5

    '72CJ5 Member

    Modesto,...
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    I am going to have the jeep looked over by a local shop that said they would look at it for me and reweld any places that need to be. No time was I planning to just head out on the trail or street on my welds and just hope they hold...I aint that couragous. But thanks for the advice and one nice thing about the outriggers I am useing is that they have alot of weld area unlike the rear mounts just welded to the frame (which will have guessets by the way).
     
  10. Sep 18, 2010
    Posimoto

    Posimoto Hopeless JEEP Addict

    Minden, Nevada
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    Sounds like a good plan. I know it's not that easy to do with a frame, but I fab and tack together quite a few items that I take to a welder and have him burn them together. If there are no safety issues, I burn them. That's how you learn. As for the outriggers, I'm not so sure it's a good idea to weld the verticals anyway. I avoid vertical welds on the frame because they tend to create areas for cracks to develop. A proper weld on the top and bottom should be enough. I noticed you had a welding shield in one of your photos. If you don't have a helmet, I highly recommend getting one. You need two hands to make good welds. Auto darkening if you can afford one. Harbor Freight has some OK ones. Better to get one at a welding supply though.
     
  11. Sep 18, 2010
    '72CJ5

    '72CJ5 Member

    Modesto,...
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    I have a helmet but it is very dark when your welding and you just barly see what your doing. The hand held came with the welder and I was useing it because I could see better with it, but ya with only one hand your really shaky. I actally went and bought a new wide view lincoln helmet today...Home Depo had them for about $35. I also practiced today on some vertical welds which I will post a few pictures of tomorrow if I find the time. Im finding out the your hand speed is just as important as how you have your welder set up or your metal prep for that matter.
     
  12. Sep 27, 2010
    '72CJ5

    '72CJ5 Member

    Modesto,...
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    Well FINALLY got a good few hours in on the jeep yesterday and finished mounting the front axle today. Due to the springs having the same weight rating, I didn't give the front as much of a shackle angle as I did the rear to help compensate for some of the weight. I will get the stands off the frame tomorrow and get the full weight of the 5 on all 4 springs and see how it sits.
    Had to leave fast to get my boy from school and forgot to take photos but I will for sure tomorrow and post some up for yall.
     
  13. Sep 29, 2010
    '72CJ5

    '72CJ5 Member

    Modesto,...
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    Alright, well here are some photos of the front axle hung. They show the full weight of the jeep on the front springs. Will be taller once I put the tires on but I think I am going to need to do some more spring research and find another option for the front. The rear is where I want it to sit, but useing the same springs for the front smashed them almost perfectly flat.
    [​IMG]
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  14. Sep 29, 2010
    Posimoto

    Posimoto Hopeless JEEP Addict

    Minden, Nevada
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    Hey, your welds are looking a lot better on those mounts. Flat springs ride nicer on the trail too. Here's a little tidbit I learned too. The longer you make your shackles, the less angle you will have in them. Small amounts one way or the other can make a pretty big change in that angle. I measure the spring along it's length and then measure from eye to eye. Your shackle has to allow the spring to "grow" to it's full length. That would be your minimum shackle length. The greater the arch in your spring (lift) the greater the difference between the two measurements. Don't know if I explained that very well.
     
  15. Sep 29, 2010
    '72CJ5

    '72CJ5 Member

    Modesto,...
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    Ya you explained it well. purdy much, the flatter the spring the more shackle angle. On a more arched (lift) spring you will need less shackle angle so as the spring flattens and grows, the shackle can compensate for it. I am really hoping that when I get my front tires put on (stuck in the bed of my GMC which is on a car lift) that she will sit level or close enough to level that I wont care. And thanks alot on the weld comment. I have been practicing. There is a really nasty lookin one on the passenger side which i didn't show but will be takin care of that one later this week.
     
  16. Sep 30, 2010
    '72CJ5

    '72CJ5 Member

    Modesto,...
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    Well, todays to-do list is to finish dropping the trans and tcase, adding tires to the front if I can get them and hopefully getting the 435 mount onto my cross member. Wish me LUCK
     
  17. Oct 2, 2010
    '72CJ5

    '72CJ5 Member

    Modesto,...
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    Couldn't get anything done the past few days to do stuff always seeming to get in the way, but tomorrow I got a full day to play with it and will be getting that tranny up there. I dont have a floor jack so anyone got any advice for lifting 200lbs of iron 2 feet into the air while on your back? Im all ears...
     
  18. Oct 2, 2010
    rusty

    rusty Well-Known Member

    norfolk,va
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    Call around and see if you can rent a trans. jack. Or maybe it's time to buy a floor jack. ;)
     
  19. Oct 2, 2010
    bkd

    bkd Moderator Supreme Staff Member 2022 Sponsor

    K-Town Tenn.
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    I bought a tranny jack at HF, and strapped it down on that until in place.......learned the hard way how not to do it :rofl:
    Jim
     
  20. Oct 2, 2010
    cj6/442

    cj6/442 Sponsor

    Fallbrook, Calif
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    MX8000,and a little creativity
    worked like a charm,all of it in 1 shot .
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