CajunCJ's 85 Frame Off and Rebuild

CajunCJ · 11-16-2009, 07:38 PM

I wasn't going to do a frame off thread but my brother talked me into it so this is starting a little late in the rebuild but I will try and take pics and keep everyone that is interested up to date on how things are progressing.
To say I am a novice at this is not being modest, I am being generous to my abilities

Removing the old bed liner from the tub,did the paint stripper route but ended up using grinders and buffing wheels in the end.

Came across two aluminum diamond plates that were pop riveted to the rear floorboard

No big surprise on what they were hiding

This is what was stuck to the bottom of the plates. The PO must have used an entire tube of caulk per plate

OFF to the Fab shop!!

My welding isn't much but here is what I ended up with. I think I still need to grind it down some more.

CajunCJ · 11-16-2009, 07:44 PM

Some pics of the rolling chassis.

mudnut · 11-16-2009, 08:20 PM

Inspiring me to try this too, nifty little machine you found to move the tub around... don't think I've seen one of those at Harbor Freight LOL.

Keep the posts coming, I want to try this in the next year or so, I've got a lot of pop rivited patch panels from the PO that I would just as soon drill out and weld new steel in.

Great work!!

CajunCJ · 11-16-2009, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mudnut

Inspiring me to try this too, nifty little machine you found to move the tub around... don't think I've seen one of those at Harbor Freight LOL.

Keep the posts coming, I want to try this in the next year or so, I've got a lot of pop rivited patch panels from the PO that I would just as soon drill out and weld new steel in.

Great work!!

Thanks
It's nice when your boss allows you to do your build off in a back shop that no longer gets used. I have full use of the entire facilities tools and machinery, I just have to make sure all of my project is back in the back shop during working hours.

I removed the pop rivets with a chisel. Just pop off the heads and use a punch to drive the rivet through. Very easy and quick removal. Pulling against all the caulk well thats a different story. (big pry bars)

redbird2289 · 11-16-2009, 09:05 PM

damn sexy powertrain haha! i would be doing the same thing to my jeep if it wasnt my daily driver. what color you gonna paint it?

daltonw · 11-16-2009, 09:15 PM

looks good so far!! But i think you need a bigger tractor to move your tub around!

CajunCJ · 11-16-2009, 09:17 PM

Was going to do it a Hugger Orange but after seeing a few orange jeeps in town I decided to go with a BMW Titan Gray. I have a friend doing the paint job for free just had to pay for materials and he was about 90% complete with the tub when I yanked it back from him, when I decided to pull out the old liner and put a new one in. You can see in the first pic of the color it is going to be. Hope he won't be mad at me for having him do it twice.

Mark4883 · 11-16-2009, 09:21 PM

Subscribed. Man that frame and powertrain whoops ***, i'm envious

redbird2289 · 11-16-2009, 09:21 PM

grey jeeps always seem to look good and it being free will make it look that much better to ya lol keep the pics coming

**southshore30** · 11-16-2009, 10:17 PM

Very nice. Love the color! thats just about the same color I just ordered for my jeep. Very similar to the grey paint job Elenaor the Mustang from gone in 60 seconds is. Like the rear disc brakes too, that a D44? did you get a kit somewhere or adapt the Izuzu calipers?

**243** · 11-17-2009, 06:56 AM

The chassis looks SWEET!

And you definitely believe in power...nobody missed the forklift, did anyone notice that bigA$$ DeWalt with the cup brush????

CajunCJ · 11-17-2009, 08:29 AM

Thanks for all the replies. I was a little wary of doing a rebuild thread, I have seen some awesome rebuilds on here and was affraid mine might look a little silly compared to them.
Tonight I will be working in the tub doing some bondo work on some of the small dents and waves on the inside of the tub and try to get everything to "smooth" out a little before I prime and do a raptor lining. It will be my first attempt at body work. I will post pics tonight on how that goes.

CajunCJ · 11-17-2009, 09:48 PM

Tonight was my first night working with bondo. I have learned a couple of things tonight.
1.) There is a definite learning curve to this stuff and by god... I'm not on it!
2.) A DA sander is one of man's greatest inventions.
3.) I shall endeavor to persevere!

The pictures really do make it look a lot worse than what it really is. It is smooth to the touch(for the most part) I'm not trying to smooth out a fender or patch a hole I'm just wanting to hide where I welded the plates onto the floor boards and a couple of small dents on the deck. I personally don't think it needs to be that perfect since it will be under a coat of primer then a coat of raptor lining. Just don't want repairs to be noticeable. I still have some more sanding to do in areas but decided to stop for the night. Bondo work is very time consuming and I have a new respect for paint and body guys.
I plan on finishing up all the bondo work by the weekend and will post pics of the finished work before I primer it. Plan on priming it out on Saturday followed by the lining on Sunday.
Only could find two pics that I was willing to post and those are grudgingly. Will post a lot more when work is completed.

kw89425 · 11-17-2009, 09:54 PM

well the chassis looks sweet im sure the rest will match super job man

CajunCJ · 11-17-2009, 10:02 PM

Thanks
One thing I have learned after I started this was you have to have patience and you can't be afraid to go back and redo something. If I can't get it right I always have the Big A$$ Dewalt Grinder