Frame Work

First order of business, after getting everything organized, was working on the frame. The stock springs were discarded because the hinge bushings and spring eyes were nearly worn through. I guess the original farm owner didn't like to grease the bolts. That meant cutting these nasty bits off.


And while we're at it, might as well cut all the shackle hangers off and replace them too.


The original battery tray was pretty much hanging on by a spider web so I zipped that off too. Luckily, the previous owner had already purchased a new battery tray, but it was not installed.

After a bunch of grinding and working with a wire-knot wheel and my wire brush, I got a pretty clean looking and solid frame.


There are a couple areas of slight damage on the front frame horns that will need some attention.


So I'll straighten them out, patch-weld 2 small cracks near the crossmember tube and box them in with these.

The frame boxing plates are created by a member on thecj2apage.com forum. They are nicely made and just about dirt cheap.

A few weeks later and I found some time to put on 3 or so wet coats of SEM Rustshield. I attached the new spring hangers and shackle hangers I got from Walck's 4WD with grade 8 hardware and some red locktite. I'll back that up with welds before it drives.

Looks like new! Next stop will be putting Rancho 1" lift springs under it and the axles from my other 2A (recently rebuilt).