Holy Guacamole!

[blalp!]

This older repair is in the way of welding the new spring hanger. The large bar will get cut off, then clean up the existing weld, and put a plate over it.


Before all the welding starts, the Ross steering box, and pedals with brake master need to come off. This bolt on top of the rail was just long enough to slow the progress.


A sawsall did the trick, but time ran out. The brake lines are still holding the master in place. That can be a next weekend project.

 

[blalp!]

Isn’t it amazing how a household pet can fill such a large place in your heart? Last weekend was a hard one, especially because it came on so early. At least it was quick. We love her dearly and miss her greatly.

 

[blalp!]

Now to catch up on the progress.

Just about ready for a plate.


Front YJ shackle hangers fit and squared. I did “X” out the front of the frame and seems square. I say “seems” as both front shackle hangers had damage repaired, so I used bumper holes up front to the original main eye spring hangers.


I tacked the fronts.


Next I need to grind for welding the spring hangers. That should have been done BEFORE I squared everything. I guess it’s practice…

Then I have some 3/16 scrap plate that I’ll use for gussets on the inside of the frame at the spring hanger brackets. The gussets will close enough to the engine box sections that I’d like to tie them in.

 

[Alan28]

My Jeep was the same color, but repainted later in some military look, it was a 71. This green is a very nice color, do you keep it for the future ?

 

[blalp!]

My Jeep was the same color, but repainted later in some military look, it was a 71. This green is a very nice color, do you keep it for the future ?

While this tub would make for a great restoration candidate, I plan to keep it as is with the patina. If in the future if I decide to paint it, I would probably keep the color. It’s the same color as the first running driving Jeep I ever owned.

 

[blalp!]

With the spring eyes tacked, I’m unsure.

I started by marking the centerline of the spring hangers.


Then I got up and down 1000 times going side to side clamping and measuring.


Next, I tacked the spring hangers in places as well as the DOM in the shackle hangers so the springs could go in for a trial fit.


And here is my shackle angle. After spending a lot of time thinking about this and my shackle length, I split the difference between the equation NorCal69 uses and the factory YJ spacing. I’ll still put the axle in for testing, but I may end up moving the shackle hangers back.

 

[compostwerks]

Shaun, what's the plan for the front bumper, being that the fore hanger appears to be tucked up at the edge of the horn? I suppose you could notch the bottom rail of the bumper to make it fit....