Cj7 Frame Under A Cj5?

The frame of my ‘72 CJ5 is rusted beyond reasonable repair. I need to buy or build a new(er) one.

Not far from me is a “roller” frame, blasted & painted, sitting on (probably) AMC axles. The price is decent, at $800, but it’s a CJ7 frame.

Is it practical to modify it to accommodate a ‘5 tub and driveline? I can weld it myself, so that’s not a big deal if it’s just shortening and moving mounts, etc. it has different shock mounts, I think, than a standard CJ5.

Another I’ve found nearby is a Wrangler ‘Sport’ with a tub on it. Possible? Practical?

Jon

 

anything is possible with skills and a welder

 

There is a correct CJ5 frame for sale over in the classified

 

Everything changes for 1976.

The '72-75 Jeeps are an update of the original CJ-5 and CJ-6 from the 50s. The frame was lengthened 3" and the hood and fenders lengthened 5" to accommodate the AMC 6-cylinder engines. Components like steering, brakes, and axles were updated.

The "new" CJ-5 and CJ-7 in 1976 were completely redesigned. It is easy to list what stayed the same - engines, front axle, transfer case, tailgate, fenders, hood and grille. Everything else changed. Frame is different (boxed, wider at the back, all the cross members are changed), body is different, windshield is different, rear axle, rear brakes, cables, electrical, steering column, seats, seating position, fuel tank, lights, accessories, controls, no more toolbox, springs, etc, etc, etc.

The CJ-7 wheelbase is longer, and the body is different from the CJ-5 too - different length, different door openings, different tailgate, and so forth. The YJ Wrangler is pretty much the continuation of the CJ-7, so not much different. TJ Wrangler goes to coil springs, complicating further.

So yeah, it could be done with enough effort. But you don't gain very much because it's a CJ. I'd keep looking.

 

An intermediate frame showed up for sale today in the classifieds

 

I’ve sent a message to the seller about that one. No reply yet, though.

It’s ~450 miles from me, so $300 in fuel - and maybe trailer rent, if brother-in-law doesn’t want his to go that far.

Jon

 

There's always this option...

 

You can easily haul a bare frame on a pickup box. Run two 2x4's across the top of the box and lash the frame on top of it. Hang a couple orange flags off the ends of the frame horns and protect your rear window. I hauled my CJ5 frame on a Dakota pickup with a 6.5' box 60 miles to get it sandblasted and back. Worked out well.

If you have tie downs in the box and a full sized pickup you can also open the tailgate and lay the thing in the box. Again orange flags for the over length.

 

Ooh! An extra-long cowl. I kinda like that. Plenty of room under the hood.

And, yes, I was thinking a CJ5 frame would fit in the pickup box. I have a 6-1/2’ box and lots of carrying capacity.

I’m thinking of a set of taillights on the frame rails, plugged into the trailer connector.

Jon

 

Longer cowl seems wasteful. Adding that length to the bed would be much more useful.

 

C-Dubb and I are corresponding about his frame. I’ve sent some measurements from mine; he’ll check them against his. If the numbers match, I’ll be on my way to Kansas soon.

Jon B.

 

But it looks so cool with the original wheel arch and bed length. I'm digging the longer cowl look. Would be nice to see it with fenders and hood.

 

Well shiver me timbers... I'm smitten.

 

Interesting. This build is taking place in the shop of a guy who was apparently kind of a big deal in the sand drag world in years past. If I remember right, the CJ7 needed a tub and they found an early CJ5 w/the glass tub for a donor. I thought it was kind of a strange approach, but maybe it's something they've done before. They've got all sorts of interesting project builds.

 

Hi all,

I posted pics of a CJ5 tub extended to fit a CJ7 chassis last year. I stopped over to visit my buddy a couple of days ago and thought I'd share a couple of quick pics of the finished project. Sorry for the lousy pics - I don't have a good excuse.