ARCHIVE Testing the Waters: 40-Series Frames (Brand New)

[Callahan Offroad]

Just like it says above, I want to see if anyone would be interested in brand-spanking-new frames for your 40. Price would run about $3000-$3500. They would be made from 3/16" rectangular steel tube.

I am working on a similar project for the 60-series. \

The question is, would you want direct replacement frames? OR would you want a bit of design improvement? If design improvement, what would you want?

All thoughts and ideas are encouraged.

 

[Living in the Past]

Unlike the 60 series the Fj40 have more changes to the frame over the years. To cover it from 61 thru 78 you would want to versions of rear frame member available. Pre 74 model and 74 to 78. The later 79+ had a spring mount change in 8/80. Other than that basically the same during those years. Have you figured shipping cost? I have few frames that are much lower priced and shipping cost has been the issue.

 

[kcustom73]

FYI but Aqualu sells their frames for the 40 for $2275US and they offer a pretty good selection.

 

[Callahan Offroad]

see, silly me I hadn't even heard of anyone making 40 frames at all. I knew that RMC had been making tubs but they went of of business.

 

[bikersmurf]

Aqualu making frames doesn't mean there isn't a market... They're here in western Canada, and shipping costs would be high to the States.

I've got a good frame, so I'd be a no, but there is a market for them.

 

[Fast Eddy]

FYI but Aqualu sells their frames for the 40 for $2275US and they offer a pretty good selection.

They specifically say on their site that the frames are not DOT certified and are for off-road use only. Probably a lawyer thing...

 

[kcustom73]

I was just giving him a price reference. From my understanding getting DOT certification is a PITA, so I don't blame anybody in this limited market for not getting it.

 

[Callahan Offroad]

I think the dot cert had more to do with if you built a cruiser from scratch with no Vin plates. It could be a pita to register something like that. That and it covers your butt in case someone buys one and can't get it registered or are told your rig is illegal after spending $40k building one. But I'm not an expert by any means.

 

[cjgoode]

The not DOT certified is a lawyer thing, look at some of the best off road seats you can find, that are far safer then seats in new car's and very few are DOT certified, and in fine print say for off road only. The cost to get them DOT certified and keep them certified is crazy expensive from what I hear and unless you can sell a large volume not worth the effort. I do not need a frame, but if I was going do design one, it would be open C channel only with as little boxing as engineeringly possible. Death of most frames is rust and rot from the inside, and boxed frames make it hard to clean inside causing real problems for offroading when mud is involved. So for me the steel boxing like you are considering would be out. Fj40 frames have little boxing and stay and lot cleaner then say a CJ jeep frame that is made similar to what you are considering mostly boxed. Having looked a tons of fj40's and CJs, CJ frames have much worse problems and frame rot.

 

[lcwizard]

It would be worth it if the frames were accurate. I have it from VERY good sources that the present frame on the market is not a good platform to build
an accurate rebuild. It's missing quite a few key components and not entirely accurate as far as suspension points and bends go. If you brought your FJ40 to a shop and dropped it with the aftermarket frame the labor dollars spent modifying the frame to fit the body would exceed the price difference
that Callahan is quoting. If someone took the time to build a really close facsimile of the stock unit with radiator mounts, bumper mounts, taillight provisions pintle hook spread , etc 3500.00 would not be a good price. I don't see it happening however. The time invested in the project divided into the projected sales would put it in a much higher price range

 

[SSCR]

Dave, I think I know who your source is
I have the aqualu frame and it was a disappointment. Definitely not "plug and play" so to speak. Luckily I got a couple of mad skilled guys doing the heavy lifting of the build and fab work for me. Check out my Aqualu/Vortec build for pics...

I would think the box frame, if properly set up for drainage or completely sealed would be not as susceptible to rust as a C frame but I'm getting mine galvanized anyways.


...via IH8MUD app

 

[FJ40Jim]

What happened to Matkins Extreme frames? Didn't they make a FJ40 frame?

 

[FishTacos]

How about an aluminum frame....anyone make one of those? Other than Ford for the new f150 that is.....

Would it just shatter? Cost $13k?

Definitely wouldn't rust.

 

[snobdds]

How about an aluminum frame....anyone make one of those? Other than Ford for the new f150 that is.....

Would it just shatter? Cost $13k?

Definitely wouldn't rust.

The new F150's frame is not made out of aluminum. It's the bed that is made out of aluminum...

 

[FishTacos]

Oh. I misread that somewhere, I guess.

 

[jim land]

one more
http://cruisersolutions.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=402

 

[SSCR]

one more
http://cruisersolutions.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=402

That's the Aqualu frame.....

 

[jim land]

ok

 

[Bear]

The very expensive ICON frames are made by Art Morrison, and although set-up for coil suspension, seem to work fine for their Aqualu bodies.

Might be an option for an expensive rebuild/mod.

 

[jimkyser]

What happened to Matkins Extreme frames? Didn't they make a FJ40 frame?

Matkins DID make FJ40 frames, as well as frames for several models of Jeep. They seem to have gone away about 5 or so ago. I have one of their frames under my Willys and I would say is suffers from some of the same issues as it seems the Aqualu one does, it's close but not correct. In fact, the Aqualu frames look closer to a stock FJ40 frame than mine looks to any CJ/Wrangler frame.