Mike Romain wrote:
> c wrote:
>> Well, I went and looked at a 78 CJ7 for sale today and unfortunately
>> the frame isn't so good in the back end. The rest of the Jeep is
>> pretty decent, but I have a feeling that finding a good frame around
>> here (Norther WI or Upper MI) is going to be tough.
>>
>> This Jeep has a fiberglass tub, the engine is a 304 rebuilt with 25k
>> miles on it, paint is ugly, it has a hardtop that looks to be in OK
>> shape, brakes need to be done, interior is average for a 78. The owner
>> says the 93k miles on it are the original miles and the title verifies
>> it.
>>
>> Anyway, how hard is it to find a decent frame for these things? The
>> frame isn't totally gone or full of holes, but it has seen better
>> days, and I don't know if repairing it is the way to go. I would
>> rather stick a nice solid frame underneath his thing if I buy it, than
>> to patch the thing up obviously.
>>
>> Honestly, I am kind of shying away from this thing because of the
>> frame, but other than that it seems that it wouldn't be a bad project.
>> I have the capability to do the frame swap, but I don't want to buy it
>> and then not be able to get a frame for it.
>>
>> Any ideas or comments?
>>
>> Chris
>
> You can still buy CJ frames.
>
> Here is one place that sells them:
> http://www.rigidsteel.com/y226pC3tIGk0.html
>
> You are right about being leery of a rotted one. When the tails are
> gone, the rest has crystallized and will start cracking every time you
> go off road. My local shop laughs about me needing a welding truck
> following me.... I only cracked it (the frame) in 3 places this time
> when camping for 10 days last week way back in the Canadian Bush.
>
> Mike


Thanks Mike. I did find a few companies that make aftermarket frames
like that. Some are mandrel bent rectangular, and some are fabricated
like the ones on the site you gave me.

I'm still contemplating this. I really probably shouldn't buy a Jeep
right now since I am planning on moving overseas soon, but those plans
aren't set in stone yet as far as a timeline. My common sense self says
to wait until I move unless I find something that doesn't need a lot of
work and is a good deal price wise.

If I decide against buying this Jeep, and anyone is interested, I will
shoot some pics and get the phone number for you. It is located in
northern WI about an hour north of Green Bay.

Chris

 

Mike Romain wrote:
> c wrote:
>> Well, I went and looked at a 78 CJ7 for sale today and unfortunately
>> the frame isn't so good in the back end. The rest of the Jeep is
>> pretty decent, but I have a feeling that finding a good frame around
>> here (Norther WI or Upper MI) is going to be tough.
>>
>> This Jeep has a fiberglass tub, the engine is a 304 rebuilt with 25k
>> miles on it, paint is ugly, it has a hardtop that looks to be in OK
>> shape, brakes need to be done, interior is average for a 78. The owner
>> says the 93k miles on it are the original miles and the title verifies
>> it.
>>
>> Anyway, how hard is it to find a decent frame for these things? The
>> frame isn't totally gone or full of holes, but it has seen better
>> days, and I don't know if repairing it is the way to go. I would
>> rather stick a nice solid frame underneath his thing if I buy it, than
>> to patch the thing up obviously.
>>
>> Honestly, I am kind of shying away from this thing because of the
>> frame, but other than that it seems that it wouldn't be a bad project.
>> I have the capability to do the frame swap, but I don't want to buy it
>> and then not be able to get a frame for it.
>>
>> Any ideas or comments?
>>
>> Chris
>
> You can still buy CJ frames.
>
> Here is one place that sells them:
> http://www.rigidsteel.com/y226pC3tIGk0.html
>
> You are right about being leery of a rotted one. When the tails are
> gone, the rest has crystallized and will start cracking every time you
> go off road. My local shop laughs about me needing a welding truck
> following me.... I only cracked it (the frame) in 3 places this time
> when camping for 10 days last week way back in the Canadian Bush.
>
> Mike


Thanks Mike. I did find a few companies that make aftermarket frames
like that. Some are mandrel bent rectangular, and some are fabricated
like the ones on the site you gave me.

I'm still contemplating this. I really probably shouldn't buy a Jeep
right now since I am planning on moving overseas soon, but those plans
aren't set in stone yet as far as a timeline. My common sense self says
to wait until I move unless I find something that doesn't need a lot of
work and is a good deal price wise.

If I decide against buying this Jeep, and anyone is interested, I will
shoot some pics and get the phone number for you. It is located in
northern WI about an hour north of Green Bay.

Chris

 

Mike Romain wrote:
> c wrote:
>> Well, I went and looked at a 78 CJ7 for sale today and unfortunately
>> the frame isn't so good in the back end. The rest of the Jeep is
>> pretty decent, but I have a feeling that finding a good frame around
>> here (Norther WI or Upper MI) is going to be tough.
>>
>> This Jeep has a fiberglass tub, the engine is a 304 rebuilt with 25k
>> miles on it, paint is ugly, it has a hardtop that looks to be in OK
>> shape, brakes need to be done, interior is average for a 78. The owner
>> says the 93k miles on it are the original miles and the title verifies
>> it.
>>
>> Anyway, how hard is it to find a decent frame for these things? The
>> frame isn't totally gone or full of holes, but it has seen better
>> days, and I don't know if repairing it is the way to go. I would
>> rather stick a nice solid frame underneath his thing if I buy it, than
>> to patch the thing up obviously.
>>
>> Honestly, I am kind of shying away from this thing because of the
>> frame, but other than that it seems that it wouldn't be a bad project.
>> I have the capability to do the frame swap, but I don't want to buy it
>> and then not be able to get a frame for it.
>>
>> Any ideas or comments?
>>
>> Chris
>
> You can still buy CJ frames.
>
> Here is one place that sells them:
> http://www.rigidsteel.com/y226pC3tIGk0.html
>
> You are right about being leery of a rotted one. When the tails are
> gone, the rest has crystallized and will start cracking every time you
> go off road. My local shop laughs about me needing a welding truck
> following me.... I only cracked it (the frame) in 3 places this time
> when camping for 10 days last week way back in the Canadian Bush.
>
> Mike


Thanks Mike. I did find a few companies that make aftermarket frames
like that. Some are mandrel bent rectangular, and some are fabricated
like the ones on the site you gave me.

I'm still contemplating this. I really probably shouldn't buy a Jeep
right now since I am planning on moving overseas soon, but those plans
aren't set in stone yet as far as a timeline. My common sense self says
to wait until I move unless I find something that doesn't need a lot of
work and is a good deal price wise.

If I decide against buying this Jeep, and anyone is interested, I will
shoot some pics and get the phone number for you. It is located in
northern WI about an hour north of Green Bay.

Chris