1983 frame off refresh - finally

[mhinchliffe]

Here's what it's going to look like with the Gr8 fasteners on the gloss black frame.

Next on the list is the gas tank prime and paint, hard lines and axles

 

[Doc Savage]

Looking good. You are making progress faster than I am

Robert

 

[mhinchliffe]

It's been a while. I got the rotisserie fab bed up out of 2 harbor cheap 750 lb capacity engine stands. I added 7" to their height to allow for clearance. I used some scrap flat bar to attach to the vertical plate. I've got $60 and 2 hours of my time wrapped up in it and it is sweet.

I made a video of it in motion but can't upload??????

So then I moved on to the rear axle. I'm still stoked that I've got 1 piece axles! Took the wheels off, brakes, diff cover then had some real problems with the roll pin on the carrier.

I then made a tool to remove the old seal and the spacer I'll reuse. Nothing more than a piece of 1/2" black pipe. Look closely and you will see that that one of the captured nuts I removed.

Then it was off to the front axle. I removed the tie rod and didn't even have to use a wrench!, I just chiseled the nuts and they split they were so corroded

Here's the splits

 

[mhinchliffe]

Next I took the hubs off with no issues, then the hub/rotors to expose the spindles and apparently there had been some repair work done.

Here's what it looks like

And what it's supposed to look like

Side by side

Anyone have one laying around please let me know

Here's a pic showing how the Silikroil crept into where the spindle goes into the knuckle.

I had to weld a nut on one of the E torx fastening the caliper on. I have plenty of 1/2" nuts from work that are in coated and we use them for welding.

I then removed the knuckles. Having an oxy/acetylene rig does come in handy when you need some real heat!

Here's a shot at the end of the shift. Not too bad of a day in the shop. Now I've got more to blast, prime and paint! Can't wait to start assembling these and getting a rolling jeep. I sure am glad I decided to tear it down and rebuild it so I know when it's on the road it's safe and reliable.

 

[dmock]

Looks great! I used the HF rotisserie system too. It makes working on the tub much easier.

 

[mhinchliffe]

I borrowed your idea...........thanks by the way

 

[wm69]

Any more pics of that HF roteisserie? Must have missed that one.

What am I looking at with the spindles?

 

[dmock]

I borrowed your idea...........thanks by the way

Glad to help!

 

[mhinchliffe]

All I did was add some angle to box it in after I cut it. Here are a few pictures.

I notched their gusset out for clearance. I figured with both stands carrying the load I was no where near the 750# rating

So after work and before Girl Scouts tonight I wire wheeled the axles. They cleaned up rather easily and considerably faster than I thought they would.

Check out the "B" stamp. This indicates 3.31 axle ratio. I confirmed this by counting the ring (43) and pinion (13). I think this ratio will suffice for my purposes.

That's all I got.

 

[mhinchliffe]

Any more pics of that HF roteisserie? Must have missed that one.

What am I looking at with the spindles?

That is correct. It is the left side spindle. I'll post up a better picture or two. It gas been welded and ground down to what the repair technician thought was true.

 

[mhinchliffe]

Piddled just a bit doing the headlights. They're Hella H4's with the "city light". That's kinda like a daytime running light but in Europe some cities forbid the use of headlights at night so these act as dim headlights to identify the front of the vehicle. I'm going to wire them to a switch and maybe put an amber bulb in it.

Also took the time to install a new heater core and button up the heater unit

Took the family to monster jam Saturday night and I think we all really enjoyed it! With a 7 and a 4 year old it was fun to watch them amazed by the machines. Very cool dad day!

 

[mhinchliffe]

Here's gravedigger

 

[mhinchliffe]

I was able to knock out the gas tank. I wire wheeled and flapper disc'd it, wiped it down and shot it with etching primer and then hi temp aluminum. It came out pretty good I think.
I need to find an o ring for the sending unit and I'll complete that loose end.
Here are a few pics.

 

[mhinchliffe]

Here are a few pictures of the wiring harness that I refreshed. It did have the duct tape on the splices but was in really good shape otherwise.

Here's a crimp connection

And wrapped with 3M tape

A few overalls of the harness. I'm going to leave the computer control wiring in tact behind the dash. It won't be in the way or unsightly, under the hood is another thing.

More to follow

 

[timothy]

If I may make a suggestion. I've been doing some electrical connections on my 8 recently. I've been using Tyco brand solder/heat shrink butt connectors. No taping needed & the connection is more secure along with at least more water resistant if not waterproof. U will need to get a heat gun if u don't already have 1. I absolutely love them. Like I stated a suggestion/my 2 cents from my experience. Good luck

Tim

 

[jammer1]

I use heat shrink tubing. Can cut to size and when I solder the connection I don't shrink the end. After I do the solder I slide the shrink tube on and use a lighter to heat. I like having more shrink tubing on to get a better seal. I also like you're fuel tank. I have one for the cj8 I'm building and so far haven't found one for the cj7.

 

[firefighter736]

Hey mhinchliffe - digging the build. I think I'm going to steal your rotisserie idea. Do you mind fielding some questions about it?

1) I see you didn't extend the legs that are perpendicular to the body outwards. Do you ever worry about it tipping over?

2) I'm looking at the exact same engine stands, do you mind measuring the square tube on those legs? I think it's either 2 or 2.5"

 

[mhinchliffe]

Here's a shot of the outside of the box with HF item number on it

Being all things mass produced these days come from china it's a metric tube, 80mm x 40mm and not much more than a 16ga wall

I haven't had any worries about tipping. I've tied both together across the bottom with a length of tubing. Anything else I can do just shout.

 

[mhinchliffe]

Sorry, should have read s little better. The horizontal legs are 50mm square.

Have a great day

 

[firefighter736]

That's perfect. Thanks for taking the time to do that. I owe you one!