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eassycool

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Oct 8, 2006
Threads
17
Messages
59
Location
Mississauga, ON.
I have a 1977 fj45 frame I am working on at the moment, the front section is rusty. I was thinking of cutting the front section and replacing it with a much solid 1978 Fj40 with disc brake. Can this be done? has anyone?, is it safe? would it pass safety inspection?. Thanks.:o
 
This has been dicussed before, I think the general reaction was joining frames wasn't a good idea. Have a look at the work on this frame (current thread) and you will get the idea. I know my welding isn't up to this and once you get into the rear of the frame welding to that might be a problem.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj45-owners-club/116839-1964-fj45-lb-%93rb1%94-project-5.html#post3792105

I would like to shorten the frame on my FJ45 LWB, which I can do easily rear of the spring mounts, I have thought about shortening the wheelbase by moving the hump forward, I still shorten the wheelbase but perhaps just by moving the mounts forward.
 
eassycool said:
I have a 1977 fj45 frame I am working on at the moment, the front section is rusty. I was thinking of cutting the front section and replacing it with a much solid 1978 Fj40 with disc brake. Can this be done? has anyone?, is it safe? would it pass safety inspection?. Thanks.:o
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That's surprising, they usually rust from the back of the cab area back. The mid to rear section tends to get the worst of it from what I've seen on the cdn 45's. Mine was almost ready to fold in half between cab and box.

You could repair it by making a splice like the early 45 frames had, and use your 40 frame as the front section. Yours had the one peice rails unlike the stretched swb frames of the 60's.

The quality of work and how recognizable it is as a repaired frame will determine if it slips through inspection and whether or not it is safe. If you have to ask if it's is safe maybe the cautious answer is no.
 
Yeah it can be done. I once was involved in removing about 36" from a Western Star gravel truck between the rear axles and cab (I was the swamper, not the welder). We mad a long diagonal cut, removed 36", measured the alignment about 50 times and then welded the cut ends together. Then we added large diamond shaped plates to both the inside and outside of the frame channel. Just use a ticketed shop or a journeyman welder to make sure the welds are up to spec. As far as the legality - I can't speak to that. A couple of phone calls to find the right authority and get an answer are cheap. Having a quality looking finished job would go a long way when and if it is inspected.
 
BC40 said:
That's surprising, they usually rust from the back of the cab area back. The mid to rear section tends to get the worst of it from what I've seen on the cdn 45's.
Click to expand...

That fits with what I have seen, I had a frame i scrapped that did break around where the front of the rear spring hanger joined.

My concern would be picking a point to join the frames and finding it wasn't sound, moving back a bit and in the end having nothing left to join to.
 
:bang:Reading everybodys reply doesnt give me anything concrete to based my project. Seems like "catch 22", I see everyones concern. I just dont want to go ahead and labour, spend some $ on this project and find out later I would not pass roadworthiness.
 
If done correctly it will be road worthy.

Google Brute Conversion for Jeeps. They have very detailed pictures of how to lenghten a frame properly.

eassycool said:
:bang:Reading everybodys reply doesnt give me anything concrete to based my project. Seems like "catch 22", I see everyones concern. I just dont want to go ahead and labour, spend some $ on this project and find out later I would not pass roadworthiness.
Click to expand...
 
You know there is a company that MAKES an aftermarket FJ45 frame. Seen it mentioned on the forum before. I wish I could remember the name. Begins with Mat______
 
Almost any type of frame modification can be completed and still have the vehicle pass safety inspection. The big thing with frame mods is to have a company that has experience playing with frames do the work---this is not a job for a weekend mechanic. Many Hod Rod frames are made by simply piecing flat stock together with a welder. I would find a shop in your area with the experience and see what they say. Good luck.
 
BIKERSO,

I think thats the path I am going to go. I just dont want to waste all the time and materials I have spent and :confused:accummulated. Or maybe wait for a for sale FJ45 frame to come up? (I know fat chance)!
 
65swb45 said:
You know there is a company that MAKES an aftermarket FJ45 frame. Seen it mentioned on the forum before. I wish I could remember the name. Begins with Mat______
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matkins, looks like they may be done. can't find a web site, lots of links to other forums "matkins extreme frames". mostly jeep and bronco stuff. i know they make (or made) a 40 frame. i did contact them years ago to see if i could get a 60 frame, they said they could do it, but i would have to send them a frame to copy. shipping frames all over north america was going to be too much $$$. ended up buying another 60 with a good (better) frame.

i know these guys make them too Aqualu Industries Inc. but be prepared to spend some $$$.

i would make/build/mod my own frame, but steel and i get on well (pays the bills you know). but that's just me.

it can be done.

HTH's

cheers
crusty
 
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