Damn man first of I was like I hope he's still alive haha hadn't seen a post in a while :-) so when I saw you had an update I was like new reading material! Awesome update so much to see I really ha to get a build thread together! In due time my front bumper will be done in the next couple days got my new transfer case in this weekend so much stronger now!

 

Ohh yeah, I'm still alive Thanks again man, its coming along slowly but surely. Can't wait to see your build man! You get a new TC or rebuild one?


So last night, my dad and grandpa came up to the shop to get the front end straight enough that my new bumper build and front frame stiffeners can get started on. Since my dad's frame puller is down, grandpa said we could get it close enough the way he used to do it "before all those fancy machines." LOL I asked Grandpa how long he had been doing body repair and he said about 70 years, he knew it was before he was married and that happens to have been 65 yrs ago today; I asked dad the same question to which he replied, "I dunno, about like you, grew up in the shop and knew enough by college that I did odd jobs for money." So my best estimate to years of experience in that specific discipline between the two would be somewhere between 110-119. Talk about knowledge! So armed with some chains & binders, oak blocks, 3 hammers, 2 bottle jacks and a forklift we got to work.

Positioning the blocks and bottle jack.


Jacking up on Jeep to put frame under pressure.


With frame under tons and tons of pressure, dad & grandpa would tap and beat on the frame strategically in order to make it move back. You will literally see the metal "jump" back towards its original form.


We had to go through the process of taking slack out of chains, jacking up and hammering several times but it only took about an hour total. As you can see, its not perfect because we didn't have on a laser guided machine and the bumper is a little twisted from all the pulling and the damage from the initial accident so its pointed a little down but its night and day compared to before plus the front of the frame horns are now straight. This will definitely be ok for the purpose in which this rig will be used.

 

That's awesome man I'm in the collision repair trade I'm a painter I can do it all but painting is my strongest suite! Lol.... I got a used 231J and through a fresh chain and all new seals in it, it was much needed my stubby front bumper is almost done should have it coated in bed liner tomorrow after work!



Backside of it




Welded the dring tabs from the back and the front




Front side

 

Love it dude, stubby looks great! Those D rings, goin nowhere. Body repair rocks, although I'm a novice. I love watching those guys, esp my gramps, do lead work on cars. Talk about a dying art form. How my gramps can get that lead to stick onto steal just by flipping it on there while still working a torch, paddles & the tallow is beyond me. You make the extended mounting plates or you get them somewhere? I wanna make mine, just wondering how much a pain in the rear it will be.

 

the lead is a dying breed sadly I really would love to learn it but it takes some serious dedication to even remotely be decent at it lol.... I did make the extended mounts it's actually really easy I'm 100% confident you could do it I made card board templates first and taped that to my unidody then poked holes through the card board in the center of the bolt holes get what I mean? I can take some pics and send them to you I incorporated my steering box bolts also the previous bumper I made I did the same thing it was so strong lol

 

Wouldn't let me PM you pics of the template so here ya go hope this helps











Pass her side cut of steel

 

Nice!! Gonna get on those this week. I appreciate it very much!!!

 

Ofcourse anytime man!

 

It is coming along very nicely -- I did not catch the part about bashing your front end. It is GREAT that you have your Dad and Grandpa helping you out and fixing things "OLD SCHOOL" style !!! My Grandpa was an auto mechanic and part time carpenter and taught me a lot when I was young.
Too bad mine are both gone now --- enjoy your time with them and keep your respect level high.


Good luck and keep us posted, Randy

 

A little stubby bumper inspiration for ya bub!

 

Worked great, thanks!

So after another 2 weeks I figure I should probably update my build. As of last night I am done w/ the structural welding, so now I can wheel this weekend! After I was able to get help straightening the front as best we could I got right into installing the front frame stiffeners and building the front bumper. My dad came out and welded the stiffeners while I worked on bumper for the front.

Dad not happy with angle of left front frame horn so he got out the hot wrench and the slide hammer. It is as close to straight as it will ever get w/out a true frame puller.

Wife snapped this of my grandfather, dad, son & I all inspecting a part we had put on drill press. I'm a lucky guy.

Front bumper mount extensions. Made from 3/8" plate.

Stubby front bumper build w/ stinger & 2" receiver for winch cradle.

 

Here are the pics of my front hoop & fenders w/ mud flares. Rear tire carrier done, will get pics in a little bit.


tube for flares is 3/4"x3/4" 16 ga, diamond plate is 1/4"

 

Love it! It's just so different from everything else on here and that's why it is so cool!

 

Thanks bro! Thats what I love about Jeeps, you can just do whatever the heck you want. Got to get some sheet metal cut & riveted to the fender tubes then the body is pretty well done. Next comes lights, wiring, cb, etc. I picked up a donor XJ last week. Kid got drunk & destroyed the body & lower control arm while drinking one night w/ his buddies (decided to go down atv trails, lol). Parents decided he didn't need the jeep & sold it for what he owed them. 97', 2 dr, 4.0L, auto, 8.25 rear; $500, starts & drives. Gonna put auto tranny in my XJ & keep the rest of the parts for when I break down. Maybe someday I'll run out of stuff to do to her, lol

 

Friggen sweet! His loss your gain!