Baystate Jeepers

I'm back after my STD, NO it's not what you're thinking ... " Short Term Disability "



Started back to work a few weeks ago on light duty ( can you say 1000's of emails ) and saw the my surgeon on Friday for the second time.
The Doc gave me the OK to begin using my arm a little
I'm not supposed to lift angthing above my head so I am taking it easy, I just do my wrenching standing up
I started my fame swap this weekend and was able to get the donor frame cleaned up and treated with after blast to protect it in the short term. I reinforced anything that proved to be a weak or rust spot on my existing frame and removed excess brackets and mounts.I still need to french the rear spring mounts and decide if I want to switch to XJ springs in the rear at the same time to soften the ride.....
Removed the old Heap's body with the aid of a dozen or more cut -off wheels ,lots of PB Blaster with impact wrench and liberal amounts of knuckle skin.
The old frame was way worse than I thought and I'm amazed it did not seperate/ break on some of the harder runs last year
Couple of pics of the frame prep and body extraction.....

Looking good! But can you leave at least one 2x4 in your rebuild for old times sake?!?

Looks good. I'm going to have to do that soon too, or in the very least jack the body to make more frame repairs.

ITS ALIVE!!! ALIVE I TELL YOU!!

welcome back Dave, those frame pics are SCARY!!

johnsxj wrote:Looking good! But can you leave at least one 2x4 in your rebuild for old times sake?!?

I was thinking the same thing
I may save a piece of the "old body support structure " and carve it for suitable mounting on the new unit as tribute to the excellent service it had provided....

Welcome back Dave!!

I am pretty sure though that when the Doc said light duty he wasn't talking about removing a tub from a frame.

Dave do you need any help? Perhaps a couple extra hands?

nhdcoye wrote:

DAVE!!!!!! welcome back!!

Welcome back Dave, and PLEEEEEEEEEEEASSSSSSE be careful!! Let us know when you could use some hands and we'll drop everything for ya!!!

Big D !! You call that short term ? Dude, I didnt think she was that bad. Wow! Your right about splitting it on a trail. Glad to see you have the clearance from Clarence to start foolin around. With any luck you can make a run this year. Good luck and good health to you buddie. FjR68

I'm taking it easy and letting the tools do the work.
Thanks for the offers but should be able to pick away during nights and weekends.
Who knew 12 oz curls would come in handy one day

Second weekend is in the books and I now have 2 completely disassembled jeeps
I did learn my exhaust manifold was basically cracked completly thru , O' well can you spell aftermarket replacement header to match a new cat back exhaust that will replace the crushed beyond functioning existing pipes and muffler
I will take this opportunity to replace the noisy alternator, clutch,pressure plate, bearing assy and front drive shaft u-joints now that they are easy to get at
I'm on my second can of PB Blaster keeping the exhaust manifold bolts moist and wet in the hopes they will come out in one piece
Next I'll finish the donor frame by mounting the spring perches before the chassis paint is applied. Route and mount the new brake lines before installing the drive train.
I was shocked to see just how bad the frame was as you can judge by the movement in the video caused by a single finger




< Frame Video > Click to follow link

OMG Dave ! Do you only have that sheet metal cross member in the whole frame ? I would add at least two more. There are three cross members in my frame. Kudos , to working on stuff without the body ! Is that trick photography , how do we know that log isnt rotted . (ha ha) I assume your in good with your neighbors. Just started my repairs also. Happy Trails to you ! FjR68

Yes, good with neighbors as I have always lent them a helping hand.
As for the cross brace , Yup thatis it other than the skid plate when it is mounted. I have some 2" squaure tube I will likely add jaust behind the skid to add rigidity. I also have some 3/16 plate I will tack on to the rear cross member as well

nhdcoye wrote:Yes, good with neighbors as I have always lent them a helping hand.
As for the cross brace , Yup thatis it other than the skid plate when it is mounted. I have some 2" squaure tube I will likely add jaust behind the skid to add rigidity. I also have some 3/16 plate I will tack on to the rear cross member as well

idk those neighbors across the street can be a real pain in the butt if you know what i mean lol

lookin good