Chili Pepper Frame Swap

[TJ4Jim]

Brought the salvage frame home a couple of weeks ago and it's all cleaned up and repainted. Awaiting delivery on the Eastwood internal frame coating to protect the internals. Frame was remarkably clean inside and out, used the borescope to inspect the nutserts and they were excellent. One of the pics shows the inside with original black paint just forward of the rear spring perch.

Will probably have the body close to being off tomorrow, managed to remove 6 of the 11 body mounts without breaking and I'm happy with that. I'll add some pic's during the process.

 

[Tigger09]

Nice frame, what did it cost you?

 

[TJ4Jim]

Nice frame, what did it cost you?

$800 loaded on a trailer.

 

[TJ4Jim]

Managed to get her up and off the frame quite a bit today. Really was not a big deal except for snapping the bolt on the steering shaft. Going to roll her out in the AM and have at it with the power washer.

 

[Tigger09]

$800 loaded on a trailer.

I wish I could find that deal. They seem to start at 1500 in the Midwest.

 

[TJ4Jim]

Got the chassis out from under and gave it a good washing so at least I will not get filthy breaking her down. Time for a parts list.

 

[TJ4Jim]

Well this is all that is left.

 

[TJ4Jim]

Started some reassembly today and will keep adding components as each one is cleaned, re-built and painted. Should have her rolling by the end of the week.

 

[TJ4Jim]

Made decent progress over the last few days, actually going together without a fight.

 

[Squatch]

Made decent progress over the last few days, actually going together without a fight.

View attachment 124001View attachment 124003View attachment 124004

Damn, that's gotta have you feeling good!

 

[TJ4Jim]

Damn, that's gotta have you feeling good!

It's going to be weird driving what will be essentially be a new old jeep. She turns 21 this month.

 

[TJ4Jim]

Well she is back into a roller now and the steering is finished up, just have to do a basic alignment until she makes it to the alignment shop. Stripped down the engine accessories and getting it cleaned up for paint and most likely new freeze plugs.

 

[Offline246]

Great thread and awesome progress on the frame swap. I might be looking at a frame shortly. How do you determine if it’s bent/twisted?

 

[TJ4Jim]

Great thread and awesome progress on the frame swap. I might be looking at a frame shortly. How do you determine if it’s bent/twisted?

There are detailed dimensional drawings out there so if you have some concern it's possible to confirm. Probably the best tool is your eye though.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/tj-frame-dimensions.9746/

 

[TJ4Jim]

Got slowed down this week by the engine detail work but it is coming along, suspension, fuel lines and brake lines are complete. Blasted the valve cover yesterday and that was a nightmare trying to remove the powder coating but between the garnet media and the torch to heat the coating it finally came clean. Getting recoated tomorrow. The undersize bushings made a big difference with the front sway bar, all nice and tight now.

 

[TJ4Jim]

Pretty much finished up with the chassis, just waiting on a few bolt on parts. The torque box patch panels will be here Friday so I'll start under the cab this weekend.

Engine cleand up nicely.

 

[TJ4Jim]

Well the chassis is complete and the tub is about ready to drop back in place.

Just finished replacing the 4 body mounts and the patch panels worked out very nicely. Gonna scrub the underside tomorrow and undercoat the tub.

 

[TJ4Jim]

Time to put her back together, gonna miss the eye candy sitting in the garage.

Well it's on the frame.

 

[TJ4Jim]

Well Chili Pepper is ready to roll on her test drive this afternoon so this is a graduation photo. Phase II with a new coat of paint will probably start next fall.

 

[TJ4Jim]

Had her in for a 4 wheel alignment today and so far no issues, taking her on a 200 mi round trip tomorrow to see how she does.