Visit us again at - WWW.RIGIDSTEEL.COM
Moving Day 09/17/04 Interupting the project to move into our new facility
My Current project is completely rebuilding from the ground up, my own CJ3A due to excessive frame and body rot. The idea with this one is to rebuild it as inexpensively as possible using all Jeep parts for simplicity.
This is what it used to look like - Engine AMC 304 V8, Trans Chrysler 904 Automatic, Model 300 transfer, Shortened CJ7 Chassis, 1978 CJ7 axles. 33 x 12.50 Super Swamper Tires.
.
Pictures of the new Chassis I fabricated for it out of 2" x 4" x 1/4" wall rectangular tubing. The front shackles were reversed and the wheelbase is stretched from the orginal 3A length to 84" - 3" CJ7 Lift springs are used with the Model 20 rear and the model 30 front axle. Even being a stright frame it still has 8" of suspension travel front and back, with the standard spring under suspension. A straight frame like this is very easy to construct and very low cost. It's been painted with some rust-oleum rusty metal primer just so it doesn't get all surfaced rusted while it sits outside awaiting more progress.
.
The body or what's left of it is in the background. The floors have all been removed since they were all rotted out. At this point I'm using it to check the fit of all the drivetrain components. The body was new 23 years ago so it's done it's job! Figuring the amount of time it takes to weld in new floors etc...a new body will be the way to go.
The project continues with a slight change in power train.
.
Trial fitting one of our new steel CJ3A body kits - looking more like a jeep!
Stay tuned - I'll add more pics as the project continues....