The frame

Refurbishing the Frame

02/12/2008

Well, after several months of screwing around pulling this thing to pieces; I'm down to the many sub-sections of a Jeep CJ-7. I figured, if I'm going to start putting it back in order I might as well start the rebuild with the frame. Everything else attaches to it, and if it is beyond repair, (I think it's in pretty good shape overall with a couple of rough spots) the project will have to be re-evaluated and take a different course. I have a few more small parts to take off, and a couple of phone calls to make. If I can call in a buddy and a favor or two, I might get a sand blasting and save myself some hassle. We'll see... But first its time to take some measurements and see if it's even close to factory specs and square.

Good news! The lovely and gracious Kellie helped me with some of the measurements last night and this frame is as straight as they come. And, after a good pressure washing and a close look, there's far less rust than I initially thought, due in part to all the oil that had leaked and attached itself to the frame over the years. Looks like the only real rust is at the very rear of the frame on the drivers side. Everything else looks like it will clean up nicely.

15 Feb 2008

Still waiting on an answer on the sand blasting, but with a three day President's Day weekend ahead, I might as well get started with some cleaning, sanding, and prep work.

16 Feb 08

Freshly powerwashed and de-greased.

17 Feb 08

Got the rear cross member off. Looks like about the last 16 inches of the frame is going to have to be replaced on both sides.

This is the worst of it on the Driver's side, the other side is better but not by much.

The bad chunks of the frame removed.

Nice clean white metal all the way around both tubes. Time to order some metal tubing and get welding.

Cleaning up the front of the frame.

23 Feb 2008

The top of the frame sanded to bare white metal.

The bottom of the frame nearly done.

Drawing pictures and thinking through some design options for the fabrication of the replacement section of the frame.

29 Feb 08

Starting the fabrication. The angle pieces tac-welded in place. Using a template to mark the cut lines. Lots of measuring and re-measuring to make sure everything is level straight and repeatable on the other side.