Jeep Frame Repair and restoration - Offroaders.com 4x4 off-road trail reports, tech articles

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Project Jeep CJ-7
Frame Restoration Part 2

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Body mounts on the frame needing replacement were trimmed back using the grinder to accept a new piece of steel with a punched hole of the same diameter as the existing holes. Below are pictures where careful measurements were taken and custom pieces for each body mount were fabricated.

Some data was gathered from a diagram pictured to the right. For a larger image of the CJ-7 and Scrambler frame dimensions click the image to the right.

When notching the body mounts consideration was taken as to the weigh of the body on the mount. The notch was made as to hold the weigh without relying on the weld itself. Rust was cleaned off and the pieces were welded in.

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These photos show a method for coaxing out a couple of stubborn broken bolts. Heat was applied to the underside of the bold via a hole in the frame. When it glowed red, vice grips were used to back out the rusted bolts. I was amazed at how easily the bolts backed out when heated up. Cold they wouldn't budge even when treated with a lubricate such as liquid wrench for a few days.

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Once all the fixes were made the frame was completely wire-wheeled down and cleaned up including cleaning out as much rust and debris as possible from inside the frames channels using compressed air and a shop vac. I purchased a chassis kit from Eastwood Company comprised of Corroless® and a chassis black topcoat containing high solids and chip resistant. The entire frame was coated with Corroless and the inside was sprayed with a Rustoleum product for very rusty surfaces using the nozzle end from Carburetor Cleaner with the tube. It's not easy to spray inside a frame through access holes but I figured it was better to try than to allow it to rust internally while protecting the outside.

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The outside was then coated with the Chassis Black. The frame is ready for the axles. It just needs a little time to cure. Other work is underway in preparation to assemble the frame.

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As of the beginning of January 2001 work is being done to the T-18A transmission and Dana 20. Once complete the frame will get worked on with new custom hangers to relocate the front springs outward to meet the from axle spring pads. This is because without shortening the front axle the pads can't be relocated on the axle itself due to one of the pads being part of the housing. Then plans are to assemble the engine, trans, transfer and BDS suspension system and the Scout Dana 44 axles.

Project Jeep CJ-7 ~ The Frame

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