DirtyMJ
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Prince George, BC
Well, after too much getting hit in the head, breathing noxious fumes, and sitting out in the snow in shorts and t-shirts; I have come to the conclusion that I want to build a 'frame' for my next project. Remember to keep breathing.
The idea is that I will take a MJ cab (got a line on more than one, FWIW) and cut it off of the unibody ugliness. Then it will go on my frame. Ah, but you ask, why build a frame?
Well, I want to run a Chevy 4.3 or 350, a SM420, and NP205 for starters. All of which don't suit the stock unibody too well. I also want to dove-nose the front to a width of about 34" to accomodate that I wish to move the front axle foreward about 6-8" from the stock location. The rear I also wish to cut down considerably; I'd probably move the rear axle foreward about 6" in comparison with the stock SWB. And make it taper after the cab.
Now, I know I could do all of these things with the unibody, but, why? I won't save any weight after I factor in plating it, and building massive tie-in brackets. I also like the concept of being able to whip up a nice rolling frame that has all of my supension (it'll be links this time, no more front/rear leafs) and drivetran tied to it - which actually makes the sheetmetal quite expendable.
I figure that to make the actual cab mountable to a frame will be relatively easy. I think that actually cutting it away from the rest of the donor truck will be the hard part. After that, I'm pretty sure I will be able to get away with little more than welding a strip of FB along each side of it, and drilling holes (About 6 on each side!) to run bolts through them to mount it. I'd use rubber isolators, just to be fancy.
I also think that I could make the frame rails far enough apart that they would nearly serve double purpose as a rocker gaurd. At least from upward blows. Then the whole inside between them could be covered by a skid plate (I have silly ideas on how to make one of these light) and the exhaust, LPG lines, and battery cables would all be perfectly out of harm's way. Along with the entire drivetran.
As far as a cage goes, I think that a combination of an endo/exo cage would be best. The area in front of the cab would be endo caged, with the tube used to hang the sheet-metal from. From there it would extend through the hood (which would be foreward tilting if I even run hinges on it) and up the A-pillars on the cab and follow the lines of the cab. Part of the problem is that while it would obviousy have to be functional, I would also like to make it is that the cab portion could be removed with minimal cutting of welds/tube so that in the event I decide the cab has become too carnaged I can get a 'new' one.
Oh, and why am I not just building a buggy? Not for me. I like my cab. Keeps me warm, dry, and it might still be identified as a MJ. Although, normally people think they're toyotas anyways...
So, anybody who bothered to read this, thoughts? I know it's not very clear when all you get is ramblings and zero pictures. I'm still not at that stage of planning yet. Yes, this project is going to take a while, and probably cost more than my last jeep.
The idea is that I will take a MJ cab (got a line on more than one, FWIW) and cut it off of the unibody ugliness. Then it will go on my frame. Ah, but you ask, why build a frame?
Well, I want to run a Chevy 4.3 or 350, a SM420, and NP205 for starters. All of which don't suit the stock unibody too well. I also want to dove-nose the front to a width of about 34" to accomodate that I wish to move the front axle foreward about 6-8" from the stock location. The rear I also wish to cut down considerably; I'd probably move the rear axle foreward about 6" in comparison with the stock SWB. And make it taper after the cab.
Now, I know I could do all of these things with the unibody, but, why? I won't save any weight after I factor in plating it, and building massive tie-in brackets. I also like the concept of being able to whip up a nice rolling frame that has all of my supension (it'll be links this time, no more front/rear leafs) and drivetran tied to it - which actually makes the sheetmetal quite expendable.
I figure that to make the actual cab mountable to a frame will be relatively easy. I think that actually cutting it away from the rest of the donor truck will be the hard part. After that, I'm pretty sure I will be able to get away with little more than welding a strip of FB along each side of it, and drilling holes (About 6 on each side!) to run bolts through them to mount it. I'd use rubber isolators, just to be fancy.
I also think that I could make the frame rails far enough apart that they would nearly serve double purpose as a rocker gaurd. At least from upward blows. Then the whole inside between them could be covered by a skid plate (I have silly ideas on how to make one of these light) and the exhaust, LPG lines, and battery cables would all be perfectly out of harm's way. Along with the entire drivetran.
As far as a cage goes, I think that a combination of an endo/exo cage would be best. The area in front of the cab would be endo caged, with the tube used to hang the sheet-metal from. From there it would extend through the hood (which would be foreward tilting if I even run hinges on it) and up the A-pillars on the cab and follow the lines of the cab. Part of the problem is that while it would obviousy have to be functional, I would also like to make it is that the cab portion could be removed with minimal cutting of welds/tube so that in the event I decide the cab has become too carnaged I can get a 'new' one.
Oh, and why am I not just building a buggy? Not for me. I like my cab. Keeps me warm, dry, and it might still be identified as a MJ. Although, normally people think they're toyotas anyways...
So, anybody who bothered to read this, thoughts? I know it's not very clear when all you get is ramblings and zero pictures. I'm still not at that stage of planning yet. Yes, this project is going to take a while, and probably cost more than my last jeep.
?
