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Author Topic: Coil spring converto in a Flatty  (Read 10881 times)

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Offline garage gnome

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Coil spring converto in a Flatty
« on: April 09, 2012, 11:20:03 AM »
Hey guys, I wanted to share the latest big jeep build I've done. Last year just before the 4th, I wasted the 2A frame under the Jalopy's. It broke so bad right in the center of the driver's side frame rail. I already repaired it a few times up front and in the rear, but this one took the cake!!!! So I got all mad at it and started to build a new frame.

In May, just before I graduated from high school, I started building it. I took some rough measurements of the old frame and started cutting!

The basic frame. I got this done so I could bring it into school to add fish plates and cap the ends. I know, I'm a weird kid. I built a matching jeep trailer and a custom jeep frame all in the same year! Actually, the ironic thing is, I brought to school using the '53 and the trailer!




Front looking to back


You can see the gang looking on. :)

« Last Edit: April 09, 2012, 11:20:42 AM by garage_gnome »
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Nate in Western MA 1953 3A #3268, The Jalopy, '47 2A Wheelin' rig, '49 3A, #37071, unmolested, bone stock named Ted

Offline Gunslinger

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Re: Coil spring converto in a Flatty
« Reply #1 on: April 09, 2012, 06:18:05 PM »
I don't know about weird, I'd go with "Creative" or maybe "Motivated" certainly "Skilled".  I hope you got an "A" in the class!!!
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Offline Comanche_County

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Re: Coil spring converto in a Flatty
« Reply #2 on: April 09, 2012, 09:44:30 PM »
Wish I got an early start like you, heck, I'm filled with gray hair now and I'm still new at this stuff.
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Offline garage gnome

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Re: Coil spring converto in a Flatty
« Reply #3 on: April 09, 2012, 10:06:26 PM »
Quote
I don't know about weird, I'd go with "Creative" or maybe "Motivated" certainly "Skilled". �I hope you got an "A" in the class!!!

Yes I did! I was the only one.  ;D
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Nate in Western MA 1953 3A #3268, The Jalopy, '47 2A Wheelin' rig, '49 3A, #37071, unmolested, bone stock named Ted

Offline Jesse

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Re: Coil spring converto in a Flatty
« Reply #4 on: April 09, 2012, 10:27:40 PM »
Well you are at least working on a jeep, most people know what that is. People seriously thought I was high when I explained that I wanted to build a motor-tobaggan in shop class

-Jesse
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Offline garage gnome

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Re: Coil spring converto in a Flatty
« Reply #5 on: April 10, 2012, 06:47:40 PM »
The fish plates I added at school.



Steering box mount. I know, I'm spoiled with the ps. ::) I made the tubing on the frame water tight, thats why I did it this way instead of just drilling holes through.











Front bumper made to accept the Warn 8274 winch.

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Nate in Western MA 1953 3A #3268, The Jalopy, '47 2A Wheelin' rig, '49 3A, #37071, unmolested, bone stock named Ted

Offline calvinhunt

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Re: Coil spring converto in a Flatty
« Reply #6 on: April 13, 2012, 12:12:26 AM »
Amazing!!! Thanks for sharing your project with us.  Please keep the updates coming.
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Offline garage gnome

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Re: Coil spring converto in a Flatty
« Reply #7 on: April 23, 2012, 08:38:16 PM »
After making some measurements, I found out that the distance between the point where the axle tube is welded to the knuckle is 36" and my frame is 29" wide. The coil springs are 5" in diameter too. Dang it. I had to notch the frame quite a bit to get them to fit properly.



It ended up being 1/2" thick. :shock: So I made up this 3/8" plate to weld in there.







and I welded a support on the back.



And then I had to beef it back up some more, so I used some 6" pipe as my coil spring mounts.



and the axle mounts





and I mocked it up on a junk axle. The short axle tube is exactly 5" long and I hit it perfectly! :D

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Nate in Western MA 1953 3A #3268, The Jalopy, '47 2A Wheelin' rig, '49 3A, #37071, unmolested, bone stock named Ted

Offline Comanche_County

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Re: Coil spring converto in a Flatty
« Reply #8 on: April 23, 2012, 10:36:05 PM »
Lookin good.  What's your plan for bump stops?  
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Offline garage gnome

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Re: Coil spring converto in a Flatty
« Reply #9 on: April 24, 2012, 08:30:55 PM »
On the rear, I did add some and the front I use the shocks as bump stops. This project was done about 8 months ago.  ;)
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Nate in Western MA 1953 3A #3268, The Jalopy, '47 2A Wheelin' rig, '49 3A, #37071, unmolested, bone stock named Ted

Offline Gunslinger

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Re: Coil spring converto in a Flatty
« Reply #10 on: April 24, 2012, 10:07:48 PM »
Dude, that is nice!! :)  Can you share some photos of the final project?
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Offline garage gnome

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Re: Coil spring converto in a Flatty
« Reply #11 on: April 29, 2012, 08:14:41 AM »
Here's a few of it flexing when I just got it drivable after putting the tub back on.







And the finished product:







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Nate in Western MA 1953 3A #3268, The Jalopy, '47 2A Wheelin' rig, '49 3A, #37071, unmolested, bone stock named Ted

Offline garage gnome

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Re: Coil spring converto in a Flatty
« Reply #12 on: April 29, 2012, 08:20:23 AM »
Under the hood. I moved the engine forward 2-3" because with the T18, my rear driveshaft was really short. My lower radiator hose just cleared.





Also since the build, I changed my front suspension around a lot. It now a pretty reliable rig. No frame flex, my biggest enemy!
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Nate in Western MA 1953 3A #3268, The Jalopy, '47 2A Wheelin' rig, '49 3A, #37071, unmolested, bone stock named Ted

Offline Carls_jeep

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Re: Coil spring converto in a Flatty
« Reply #13 on: April 30, 2012, 08:56:05 AM »
Nate, that was an interesting article. The coil springs will give it more travel than flat springs could.
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Offline Williamsmar

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Re: Coil spring converto in a Flatty
« Reply #14 on: April 30, 2012, 01:22:44 PM »
Did you widen it some by wider tires or is the frame you built have a wider footprint.  I was wondering by converting is it top heavy?  Looks graet!!

Thanks williamsmar
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