My Willys 3A and 3B Community

3A, 3B, DJ Technical Knowledge Base => "Original"-- Technical Questions, Answers, Observations => Topic started by: Kirkski on October 07, 2015, 05:37:48 PM

Title: Body work plan of attack
Post by: Kirkski on October 07, 2015, 05:37:48 PM: All,

I wonder if someone could shed light on the best plan of attack for doing the body work. To allow for the best way to do the work without a rotisserie.

Currently I have minor floor repair including removing the tool box. Hat channel replacement, most is good but I want to take the wood out. Cowl area reinforcements, and front panels.

If I do the hat channel first, that may make removing the floor difficult without ruining that work, etc.

My Jeep is now on its side, and I suppose I could attack it like that, any ideas or printers would be appreciated.

Kirk
Title: Re: Body work plan of attack
Post by: 1955CJ-5 on October 07, 2015, 06:26:36 PM: Kirk,

What I did, and I'm sure there are other ways...was to leave the body mounted on the frame for most of the parts replacement process, like hat channels and floors...that way as you replace one section at a time alignment is assured when it comes time to fasten your tub to the frame.

Your tub looks pretty solid..you may be able to put it upside down to replace the hat channels if you are only going to replace sections of the channel.

I did use 2x4's to mount my tub so i could move it and tip it on it's side...helpful at times but awkward at others....
Title: Re: Body work plan of attack
Post by: athawk11 on October 07, 2015, 10:10:06 PM: Based on the condition of your tub (pretty nice), you'll have good success if you replace the needed pieces one at a time. This will ensure the shape and integrity remains as it should.

I did not have a rotisserie. I turned it on its side for the floor repairs and did one section at a time. Side repairs were made with the tub on a set of saw horses.

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa397/athawk11/tubundersidesheetmetal20101231.jpg)

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa397/athawk11/tubunderside20110916.jpg)
Title: Re: Body work plan of attack
Post by: bretto on October 08, 2015, 07:39:54 AM: It might be easier, if you have room to work on it horizontally, set it up on on saw horses or on the ground with proper support underneath as needed, and like Tim and Randy said, brace as you go to keep stuff aligned.

A rotisserie is worth its weight though!ï¿½ Mine was on the real cheap though.ï¿½ Hung the tub from an overhead beam by 2 bed frame peices and some ghetto looking attachement points to the tub. :-[

(http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb356/1brale/M38%20restore/IMG_0809.jpg)

Hey Tim, I forgot you added extra rear hats.ï¿½ Great idea, at a minimal cost.ï¿½ Is that middle one just angle?
Title: Re: Body work plan of attack
Post by: athawk11 on October 08, 2015, 11:50:25 AM: Quote

Hey Tim, I forgot you added extra rear hats.ï¿½ Great idea, at a minimal cost.ï¿½ Is that middle one just angle?

Yep, just a piece of scrap angle.ï¿½ I had purchased 2 new channels and intended on keeping it stock.ï¿½ The original front channel was still good, so since I had 2 new, I figured I stiffen it up under there.ï¿½ The spacing really wasn't working with 3 total channels, so I added the angle.

Bretto, Oh yah...have I mentioned how much I admire your ingenuity?

Tim
Title: Re: Body work plan of attack
Post by: bretto on October 08, 2015, 01:10:13 PM: Quote

Bretto, Oh yah...have I mentioned how much I admire your ingenuity?

force by budget usually
Title: Re: Body work plan of attack
Post by: Kirkski on October 10, 2015, 07:50:11 PM: All great information as usual from you guys thank you!
Title: Coating
Post by: specialty on November 23, 2015, 07:43:46 PM: athawk11,
what did you coat the bottom of your tub with? Is it primer? I am doing my floor boards now on my CJ3A now and was just wondering. The front pans on my tub are gone. I replaced one side today and hopefully the other this week. I also have to fabricate all the support channels. Luckily I have a beak and a shear along with a mig.
Title: Re: Body work plan of attack
Post by: athawk11 on November 23, 2015, 08:43:24 PM: Hi Specialty,

I coated the entire Willys with Materseries Silver.

http://www.masterseriesct.com

This is interesting stuff. I am a fan. It's a rust sealer, pit filler, seam sealer etc.

The photo above shows the underside after two coats of the silver and after sanding it down a bit. I put another coat on after this photo was taken.

This is how it looked prior to some filler primer, red oxide primer and the final OD finish coat...

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa397/athawk11/TubApril2011.jpg)
Title: Re: Body work plan of attack
Post by: Kirkski on November 24, 2015, 06:48:57 AM: Looks great, you guys really bring the A game.
Title: Re: Body work plan of attack
Post by: Oilleaker1 on November 24, 2015, 07:52:24 AM: Tim is fooling with you, he just bought a new body and took pictures of it! 8-)
Title: Re: Body work plan of attack
Post by: athawk11 on November 24, 2015, 08:18:00 PM: Darn it Leaker! I had them fooled till you showed up! ;)

Tim