So I am considering doing the fabled TJ-6 stretch this summer and I am trying to start putting together a plan. For anyone who doesn't know what I am talking about, its when you literally cut your Jeep in half, ad 15 inches of everything in the middle, and then sew it back together. These are some examples:
basically you are making your TJ into an LJ with the rear overhang of a TJ... if that makes sense.
there are several ways to go about doing this including taking an LJ tub and welding it to where you cut your TJ in half, or building your own panels and going about it that way.
regardless I will need 15" of a TJ frame for both sides, or similar sized tube, and then frame inserts to go on either side of said 15" piece of frame. I am going to fish plate the inside but just plug weld the outside and grind it smooth so the finish is clean.
Also will have to extend the fuel lines, brake lines, and all of the wiring for the tail lights, and fuel pump, as well as have the drive shaft lengthened. I currently have a Long Arm lift kit so I will need longer control arms as well. I may have to adjust some of the mounting angles as there will be different angles after the stretch.
The body is my biggest concern as far as figuring out how to bend sheet metal in order to mimick the bends at the top of the tub. ideally I can find a TJ or LJ tub to use for doner parts. If not, I will just go ahead and bend some sheet metal myself. the rails to attach the top can be purchased for an LJ from Jeep directly so if I take the later route I will probably just do that. the actual floor panel that would be added in would be 10 gauge steel bent over on the edges to add some strength.. I know PSC has uncut corners that I could use to cover up any flaws in the body work so that's the backup plan if it looks overly patchy, but Ideally I can do it clean enough where I can just paint it.
I understand this is a massive project and there is a lot of work and planning that goes into something like this. Basically I am going to spend the next 4-5 months assembling a parts list, getting said parts, and doing my research so I don't have any nasty surprises.
Is anyone around that has actually done this? All of the builds I have seen are a couple years old and I have yet to get any responses from the guys. What am I missing? What suggestions do you have?
Thanks guys! :thumbsup:
basically you are making your TJ into an LJ with the rear overhang of a TJ... if that makes sense.
there are several ways to go about doing this including taking an LJ tub and welding it to where you cut your TJ in half, or building your own panels and going about it that way.
regardless I will need 15" of a TJ frame for both sides, or similar sized tube, and then frame inserts to go on either side of said 15" piece of frame. I am going to fish plate the inside but just plug weld the outside and grind it smooth so the finish is clean.
Also will have to extend the fuel lines, brake lines, and all of the wiring for the tail lights, and fuel pump, as well as have the drive shaft lengthened. I currently have a Long Arm lift kit so I will need longer control arms as well. I may have to adjust some of the mounting angles as there will be different angles after the stretch.
The body is my biggest concern as far as figuring out how to bend sheet metal in order to mimick the bends at the top of the tub. ideally I can find a TJ or LJ tub to use for doner parts. If not, I will just go ahead and bend some sheet metal myself. the rails to attach the top can be purchased for an LJ from Jeep directly so if I take the later route I will probably just do that. the actual floor panel that would be added in would be 10 gauge steel bent over on the edges to add some strength.. I know PSC has uncut corners that I could use to cover up any flaws in the body work so that's the backup plan if it looks overly patchy, but Ideally I can do it clean enough where I can just paint it.
I understand this is a massive project and there is a lot of work and planning that goes into something like this. Basically I am going to spend the next 4-5 months assembling a parts list, getting said parts, and doing my research so I don't have any nasty surprises.
Is anyone around that has actually done this? All of the builds I have seen are a couple years old and I have yet to get any responses from the guys. What am I missing? What suggestions do you have?
Thanks guys! :thumbsup: