CJ7 Frame question

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c - 14 Sep 2007 01:46 GMT

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

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L.W. (Bill) Hughes III - 14 Sep 2007 02:56 GMT

http://www.trailquest.com/body-parts/frames/index.shtml
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:LWHughes3rd@aol.com http://www.billhughes.com/

> 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
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>
> Chris

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Mike Romain - 14 Sep 2007 15:57 GMT

> 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
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>
> 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
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's - Gone to the rust pile...
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pictures.html?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

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c - 15 Sep 2007 02:46 GMT

>> 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
[quoted text clipped - 34 lines]
>
> 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

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