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I'm finally getting to it... 72 CJ5 frame boxing and other nonsensical modifications

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by djljeep, Mar 24, 2012.

  1. Mar 24, 2012
    djljeep

    djljeep Meandering Aimlessly

    Western Maine
    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2008
    Messages:
    199
    I am finally getting around to rebuilding my Dad's 5 after years of threats.
    The Jeep when he got it
    [​IMG]
    Which lead to
    [​IMG]
    and eventually
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    It has been known by many names, some of which are not repeatable, some like Timex (takes a lickin..) and The Relic
    Time (and 3 teenagers plus my father) have not been nice to it. The frame has more welding rod in it then frame steel. It often broke, but stayed true to its reputation, it ALWAYS came out of the woods under its own power. (and then promptly died in some way on the drive home)
    The last abusive trip it was on was Jeep Jamboree a few years ago when our wrangler spit out a rear end two weeks prior to the event while we were pre-running trails. Day one it toasted a wheel bearing and came off its tow bar and bent the frame. The next day it came out of the woods leaking every fluid except the transmission (I assume it was empty). On the way home the wheel bearing gave out and axle shaft and all, exit stage right. I fixed everything but the frame (brakes don't count, they never really worked) and brought it to our big midcoast ride a couple years ago and it became apparent that the frame was just too far gone. My dad came over a ledge with the tub going one way, the frame another, the fenders another, and the hood was like "screw this" and popped up. If it wasn't a Jeep I was responsible for, I would have been laughing with everyone else.

    So here we are. The plans:
    -New frame I stripped out of another 73'
    I plan to 100% box it in- more on this below
    -Refresh the motor
    probably just re-ring what is there -258
    -Possible T-18 swap
    -Power steering
    -Maybe replace the floors when I get the tub off depending on how bad they are
    -Paint
    ???
    -Teach my nieces how to drive in it the same way their mothers did.

    For the initial questions
    Frame boxing- I am content with doing this. I know I lose flexibility, but the way I figure, having a flexy frame didnt stand up to his driving before, so i want to try something else.
    I use the same thickness plate to box as the original frame? any leeway here? I have some stuff that is a "little" bit thinner but is pretty close, but if it is a big deal i will get the right stuff.

    How should I paint/coat the inside of the frame to-be boxed. I am between tractor painting the inside then boxing it in, and fluid filming the inside without paint. I know the paint will get screwed up if I weld near it, but I also don't want to burn all the oil out too, but bare-metal doesn't seem like a good choice either.

    As for progress, I have the new frame in the shop and have begun cleaning it up. This summer I have a internship that will leave me busy all week but free all weekend (in theory) so I hope to get a
    lot done this summer, and have it ready to use by Jamboree in October. I need to figure out what is up with my sand blaster to get the nooks and crannies that i cant get with the wire brush.

    I will of course provide pictures as I take them, but be warned, this will be slow progress. Feel free to call me out on dumb plans, the only one I am dead set on is power steering and boxing the frame.
     
  2. Mar 24, 2012
    bkd

    bkd Moderator Supreme Staff Member 2022 Sponsor

    K-Town Tenn.
    Joined:
    Apr 29, 2007
    Messages:
    3,294
    Re: I'm finally getting to it... 72 CJ5 frame boxing and other nonsensical modificati

    boxing the frame with plate that's close should be fine........heard guys pore frame paint into frames through holes and move frame around to disperse as evenly as possible............yep , post up pics,,,,slow progress or not
    Jim
     
  3. Mar 24, 2012
    TexasBlues

    TexasBlues JEEP-Hockey-Holic

    Marietta, GA
    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2007
    Messages:
    529
    Re: I'm finally getting to it... 72 CJ5 frame boxing and other nonsensical modificati

    Dude... i think thats the coolest idea

    post LOTS of pix

    i admire your drive and determination

    :beer:
     
  4. Mar 24, 2012
    djljeep

    djljeep Meandering Aimlessly

    Western Maine
    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2008
    Messages:
    199
    Re: I'm finally getting to it... 72 CJ5 frame boxing and other nonsensical modificati

    We also did this on jamboree, I forgot about it.
    [​IMG]
    Yes, by back felt AWESOME after that.

    The tub is heavily armored, and the bumpers are beef and i intend to keep it looking like it did back in the day, my sister got mad at me when i did a rattle can paint job and i didn't repaint the front fender red...
     
  5. Mar 25, 2012
    djljeep

    djljeep Meandering Aimlessly

    Western Maine
    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2008
    Messages:
    199
    Re: I'm finally getting to it... 72 CJ5 frame boxing and other nonsensical modificati

    As she sits notice bent frame around front spring hangers/fenders:
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    Fun Fact: those swampers are from 92' or 93' and hardly no cracking or rot. They were the biggest tires around back then.

    New Frame being brushed down
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Parting picture for the evening:
    [​IMG]
     
  6. Mar 25, 2012
    djljeep

    djljeep Meandering Aimlessly

    Western Maine
    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2008
    Messages:
    199
    Re: I'm finally getting to it... 72 CJ5 frame boxing and other nonsensical modificati

    The plate I have appears to be 1/8" the frame appears to be 3/16"
    close enough?
    yay or nay?
     
  7. Mar 25, 2012
    TexasBlues

    TexasBlues JEEP-Hockey-Holic

    Marietta, GA
    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2007
    Messages:
    529
    Re: I'm finally getting to it... 72 CJ5 frame boxing and other nonsensical modificati

    im no expert, but i think 1/8 should be sufficient for boxing the frame...

    are you boxing ALL the way down... front to back?

    are you going to fill it with blow-foam or just oil it on the inside?

    im gonna watch this one fer sher

    :lurk:
     
  8. Mar 25, 2012
    djljeep

    djljeep Meandering Aimlessly

    Western Maine
    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2008
    Messages:
    199
    Re: I'm finally getting to it... 72 CJ5 frame boxing and other nonsensical modificati

    I want to go front to back, I am between trying to paint the inside and oiling the inside
     
  9. Mar 25, 2012
    Posimoto

    Posimoto Hopeless JEEP Addict

    Minden, Nevada
    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2003
    Messages:
    4,538
    Re: I'm finally getting to it... 72 CJ5 frame boxing and other nonsensical modificati

    Someone had posted up a company that had a kit for painting the inside of the frame after boxing, but darned if I can find the link now. I'll keep looking. I used a tube from a WD40 can on my rattlecan and just sprayed the zhit out of the inside on mine. I cut holes in the plate so I wouldn't be trapping moisture inside the frame.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Mar 25, 2012
  10. Mar 25, 2012
    djljeep

    djljeep Meandering Aimlessly

    Western Maine
    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2008
    Messages:
    199
    Re: I'm finally getting to it... 72 CJ5 frame boxing and other nonsensical modificati

    I like the way that came out. I think I will box it, I was planing on putting holes in it to mount stuff like the cross member. I think I'll box, paint as much as I can then oil/fluid film it.

    I posted in intermediate tech but can anybody identify the bracket on the front right corner of the frame?

    There probably won't be any progress for a couple weeks. gotta go back up north for school. Progress should come this summer when i am home on the weekends.
     
  11. Mar 26, 2012
    redrider88

    redrider88 Member

    Sonoma, ca
    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2011
    Messages:
    67
    Re: I'm finally getting to it... 72 CJ5 frame boxing and other nonsensical modificati

    I've seen paint designed to spray inside the frame rails from a company called Eastwood. It has a long wand and sprays in a conical pattern. I've never personally used it but i plan on trying it when i get to that part of my build. If you do a search for eastwood automotive paints, you should be able to find it.
     
  12. Mar 26, 2012
    Posimoto

    Posimoto Hopeless JEEP Addict

    Minden, Nevada
    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2003
    Messages:
    4,538
  13. Mar 26, 2012
    pfmg

    pfmg Member

    Billerica Mass
    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2010
    Messages:
    258
    Re: I'm finally getting to it... 72 CJ5 frame boxing and other nonsensical modificati

    Looks good,
    I saw your club name, use to be a member about 15-18 years ago, still have the jacket hanging in the garage.
    [​IMG]
     
  14. Mar 26, 2012
    djljeep

    djljeep Meandering Aimlessly

    Western Maine
    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2008
    Messages:
    199
    Re: I'm finally getting to it... 72 CJ5 frame boxing and other nonsensical modificati

    If you remember him, I'm Don Lawrence's Son. the Jeep I am rebuilding is the green one he used to drive back in the day. Some of the same people in it today, along with alot of good additions.
     
  15. Apr 5, 2012
    BrettM0352

    BrettM0352 Member

    Fort Worth, TX
    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2010
    Messages:
    448
    Re: I'm finally getting to it... 72 CJ5 frame boxing and other nonsensical modificati

    I've used the Eastwood internal frame paint. It worked out pretty well. It's messy though since you can't really help but have runs all over the place as you drag the hose through. I would use it before I coated the outside of the frame for that reason alone, especially if you just spent a lot of money on POR15 or something like that.
     
  16. Jun 11, 2012
    djljeep

    djljeep Meandering Aimlessly

    Western Maine
    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2008
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    199
    Re: I'm finally getting to it... 72 CJ5 frame boxing and other nonsensical modificati

    Well I have actually been working on this, and taking pictures now and then, but I never get the camera/garage/computer thing synchronized at the same time. I have the frame 1/3 of the way boxed and a bunch of I-Should-Have-Been-working-instead planning done. This next weekend I am hoping to get the frame ready for outside exterior Paint. I also want to figure out how much the engine needs. I may get lucky and not need to re-ring, but highly doubt it. Probably slap my spare 2 barrel aluminum intake on it or find a good motorcraft Carb or something along that lines. I want to get it Back together in time to run it for our big mid coast ride in august (wont happen) or Jamboree. I need to get it together for implementation of Senior Project for school though. I'll post pics when i find the right memory card.
     
  17. Jun 18, 2012
    djljeep

    djljeep Meandering Aimlessly

    Western Maine
    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2008
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    199
    Re: I'm finally getting to it... 72 CJ5 frame boxing and other nonsensical modificati

    So I got some stuff done. Not as much as I had hoped, But I am alone this next weekend, so I should be able to finish up boxing Friday night/ Saturday afternoon.

    [​IMG]

    Is it worth fish plating the joint in the boxing? I was planning to, but having second thoughts.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Possible Chassis Paint. We have a couple gallons of industrial/Marine paint we got from a modular home manufacturer, presumably to paint their frames with. Given my time and budget crunch, I think I am going to use it.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    Back to the mystery Bracket question. What was this for and do I care? I assume it was for some ill conceived aftermarket trackbar, or maybe one of those steering box braces? I know it isn't stock for a 73.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    Upside down:
    [​IMG]


    I need suggestions for how to re-do the front bumper. I want the same look, but that width is unnecessary considering I am planning to cut the fenders. I have more of that pipe, and I also intend to seal it for OBA. Thoughts on how wide to go or other ideas?
    [​IMG]

    This is the rear bumper that is incredibly well built and rugged, and I will re-use.
    [​IMG]

    I also finally got a cart for the welder that isn't a crappy bent microwave cart! woot!
    [​IMG]
    hellokitty

    In other news: Chances are good of a T18. We have a friend with one that has been trying to get rid of for years, hooked to the D20 and everything. Came out of his son's jeep because it turns out a T18 isn't ideal for daily driver duty...

    I compression tested the motor in the jeep now. It tested irritatingly good.
    This motor was a junkyard motor like 18 years ago and has never had an air cleaner on it while in this jeep and the hole on the valve cover had always been open. It ticks, leaks, but runs strong as hell.
    I didn't wet test it, the dry run was pretty decent. I also noticed that I was getting higher pressures on repeated tests, which is not surprising, I knew it had to have some oil either leaking through the valves or blowing by.

    #1 120
    #2 145
    #3 135
    #4 110
    #5 130
    #6 135

    I know it isn't a great set of results due to variation, but it is hell of alot higher than I was expecting, and is good enough to run in the short term. Down the road I may swap a 4.0 or something, but I need this back together for October, so I am going to clean the motor up, replace the leaking gaskets, put a different intake and carb on it and run it. I may get ambitious and try to locate the tick, but at this point I have bigger things to work on.

    Also have a tentative deal for a Micro Lock. Considering this jeep hasn't had brakes in 15 years, working brakes and a micro has me excited.
     
  18. Jun 22, 2012
    djljeep

    djljeep Meandering Aimlessly

    Western Maine
    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2008
    Messages:
    199
    Re: I'm finally getting to it... 72 CJ5 frame boxing and other nonsensical modificati

    I am working on it all weekend since I am by myself. I should have it ready to paint or painted by sunday night. I still can't figure out that dumb bracket. I think I am going to fish plate the 1 seem on each side. Have to switch back to the Hobart since I ran out of gas in the mig.

    What does the mighty ECJ5 think looks like a good width for an old school mill pipe bumper?

    extra points or E-beer for photoshop.
     
  19. Aug 12, 2012
    djljeep

    djljeep Meandering Aimlessly

    Western Maine
    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2008
    Messages:
    199
    Re: I'm finally getting to it... 72 CJ5 frame boxing and other nonsensical modificati

    So I had a scheduling setback. We went on a expedition/camping trip 200 miles round trip.
    The cool parts:
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    The not so cool part was the nearly destroyed bearings in my isuzu rear axle that took a couple weekends to track down parts for plus a transfer case swap.



    But I got the frame with the first coat of paint on it, second coat in the morning, a wiring diagram drawn up, and plan to start disassembling the old frame tomorrow.
    Oh and I want it done by the weekend in September so I can have two Rigs ready for Trail guiding Jamboree. Awesome.
     
  20. Sep 12, 2012
    djljeep

    djljeep Meandering Aimlessly

    Western Maine
    Joined:
    Oct 18, 2008
    Messages:
    199
    Re: I'm finally getting to it... 72 CJ5 frame boxing and other nonsensical modificati

    Oh Look, Progress!
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    T18 is on the floor waiting to go in.
    Power steering gear next to it thanks to Sterlclan.
    Is getting brakes and fuel lines plumbed up as we speak by somebody who knows what they are doing.

    The race is on.
     
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