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Shortening a Chassis
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2003 9:37 am
by Wooders
Lads,
Just after a bit of advise.
I'm looking at a CJ10 (ya know those pretty square headlighted Jeep ute)....I'm only after the running gear and chassis.
BUT the chassis wheelbase is 120" and I'm only after about 104".
So anyone shortened a wheelbase before?
How difficult is it getting engineered?
etc....
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2003 9:50 am
by moose
do a good job , make it look original !!!!
engineers dont usually measure wheelbase !!!!
they wouldnt even notice !!!!
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2003 3:58 pm
by paz
u got a few options wooders,,,u could either hack out 14" of the chasis somewhere where it runs parallel between the axles,,cut it at 45 degress and weld it back together and fishplate it,,or being a jeep you may be able to cut the hangers off(only riveted with a small weld) and move them...get a pic of the chasis 
,,soon be able to tell then...
paz
p.s....engineering wont be a problem if you do a tidy job,,,,,i have done a few trucks lately and we havnt had a problem......
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2003 4:05 pm
by Wooders
paz wrote:p.s....engineering wont be a problem if you do a tidy job,,,,,..
Bugger that's there goes any chance of doing it myself
:wink:
Hmm moving the spring hangers......
Well right now I'm jut trying to decide if:
A. it's worth the cost and still haveing a load of work to get it to fit.
B. If the wife will pay for it
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2003 4:33 pm
by paz
Wooders,,,just how bad is your old chasis,,i cant remember from when i saw it,,why not use it and the running gear out of the cj-10,,just use the springs and hangers out of the "10" ,,its not that hard to make engine mounts and a crossmember to put the motor and box in,,also if you use your old chasis then you get to keep the original chasis number,,this way you wont be affected by as many adr's(maybe 3,,,lol) and will give you virtually open slather on mods you can do to it....
paz
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2003 4:47 pm
by Wooders
Paz,
That's another option.
But the chassis IS in a pretty sorry state.
It's been tweaked from some sort of front end hit, has a fair bit of rust and also a few cracks....
Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2003 9:09 pm
by GURU
G'day Wooders,
I have a Range Rover Chassis which has been shorterned from 100" to 90".
I haven't been to the engineer yet, but as long as you do it the way "Paz" said you will be right. A neat job is required, but doesn't have to look original. Mine actually is stronger than a standard chassis and won't be breaking in 2 anytime soon
How come you want/need to shortern it? to fit your current car or to build up a new truck?
Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2003 8:23 am
by Wooders
Das,
One of my project rigs is a Willys Wagon that I collected for nix from a paddock where it had been sitting for about 40years.....
Although it has no engine, tranny, t/case, front diff etc....I have only been able to track down less than a dozen remaining in Aust...So I figure it's a worthy project rig.
Unfortunately the chassis is showing MUCH or the wear of time and I'd either need to perform some very extensive repairs to it, or start with a another chassis.
After doind more reseach - I think that I'm going to be stuck with the original chassis because it's very different in shape to the latter chassis (very large taper towards the front).
So thanks all for your input.....Actually even keeping the current chassis the above posts are helpfull in dealing with the cracks etc that I will need to address.....I'm just clearing sufficient space 9in the garage) & time to undertake this task now......