KZJ78 Chassis Swap
Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2013 7:10 pm
Oh well will start a new project thread, one which will be a long drawn out one...
Since I got my playdoh some 10 +years ago and when I started playing with lifts etc etc, I noticed that some of the factory welds looked different.
And over time discovered that the chassis was bent and straightened after an accident by a previous owner. Turns out its out of square and is fatter in the mid section where the front radius arms mount.
Now I have tried to compensate with some creative welding but its still not quiet right.
So always in the back of my mind was to swap out the chassis...
Well now that time has come...
Step one: Purchase a straight chassis (cheap
) done !
Step two: Tidy up chassis and add roll cage mount points (start soon)
Step three: Swap it over... (hahahah easier said than done)
Have worked out I can do it in my single garage...
So the new chassis has been hoisted up into the roof cavity so I can lower and play with it and then put it up out of the way... And still get the playdoh in under it !!
Plan is to build some gallows out in the drive to lift off the body...
Roll the rest into garage and start stripping stuff off the bent chassis and then cut it up as I go... Too hard to try and get it out in one peice...
Then lower down new one and start reattaching stuff....
Only issue I can see is supporting engine and trans but should be able to make up some supports to hold it up from the floor... Good old 4x2....
Then once done pull it back out and under the body....
Plan to do the exhaust at the same time.....get the 3 inch out to the back and around the winch...
Just for sh$ts and giggles here is a photo of the chassis flying.....
Its supported at three points and tied off with tie down straps...
Since I got my playdoh some 10 +years ago and when I started playing with lifts etc etc, I noticed that some of the factory welds looked different.
And over time discovered that the chassis was bent and straightened after an accident by a previous owner. Turns out its out of square and is fatter in the mid section where the front radius arms mount.
Now I have tried to compensate with some creative welding but its still not quiet right.
So always in the back of my mind was to swap out the chassis...
Well now that time has come...
Step one: Purchase a straight chassis (cheap
) done !Step two: Tidy up chassis and add roll cage mount points (start soon)
Step three: Swap it over... (hahahah easier said than done)
Have worked out I can do it in my single garage...
So the new chassis has been hoisted up into the roof cavity so I can lower and play with it and then put it up out of the way... And still get the playdoh in under it !!
Plan is to build some gallows out in the drive to lift off the body...
Roll the rest into garage and start stripping stuff off the bent chassis and then cut it up as I go... Too hard to try and get it out in one peice...
Then lower down new one and start reattaching stuff....
Only issue I can see is supporting engine and trans but should be able to make up some supports to hold it up from the floor... Good old 4x2....
Then once done pull it back out and under the body....
Plan to do the exhaust at the same time.....get the 3 inch out to the back and around the winch...
Just for sh$ts and giggles here is a photo of the chassis flying.....
Its supported at three points and tied off with tie down straps...
