Three questions about my frame:

[PaulS]

How badly modified is the front of the frame?� The plate is for the power steering unit, but what about the rest?� The spring mount is welded instead of riveted--I presume it got that way when the power steering was installed.� The right side is the same but without the plate, and the mount isn't welded.


What are these two bolts?� Right side, just behind the battery holder.� Why is the frame closed in there?


Are these two bolts for something?� That plate is welded, so it's not holding it on...� Note that I don't have a proper drawbar.


Thanks,

-Paul

[1955CJ-5]

The spring mounts were typically riveted and welded. Two rivets through the center base of the mount and frame, and then four welds, each an inch or so long in each end of the outside seam between the mount and the frame.� If you are planning to keep the power steering I would leave that plate alone.

Was your bumper bolted on?

The two bolts in the frame behind the battery box are there to hold a brush guard...just a flat plate that is about 10 3/8" by 8 1/2". there is also a hole or bolt in the outer lower section of the motor mount� that also would have supported the plate.

Those four upper holes, two of yours have bolts..where there for mounting the drawbar as you guessed. Also I'm told that they are spaced to accept a pintle hook for trailer towing. The lower two holes may have been added..I'll have to go look...

OK I went and looked...my 51 has all six holes in the rear cross member plate, but the bottom two are covered by the drawbar mount

[duffer]

Yep, stock, the spring hangers are rivited.  I think you can still get new ones-would try Walck's.  All that will likely grind off.

The frames are factory boxed in that area for added strength for both the spring hangers and motor mounts.  I am going to guess that is the most stressed area on the frame and the place where a lot of MB/GPW/2A frames cracked.

The forward of the 2 bolts shown is for the fender support and the rearward is for the front tub supports.

The 2 bolts in the rear wishbone support are not doing anything and could be removed.  That six hole mounting is typically used for a pintle hook or factory draw bar.

[PaulS]

Thanks!

I don't have an original bumper.  The one that was on there is stainless.  It was bolted on through the top and bottom of the frame rails--the holes (especially the bottom one) are visible in the picture.

Is the brush guard something that was optional, or something that was removed at some point?  What was it supposed to be guarding?

-Paul

[1955CJ-5]

Good question about the brush guard! I think it was a holdover from the M-38. On the 24 volt systems they mounted the voltage regulator there..

Here is a picture.



If you want more detailed pics I can take some...the frame is about 15 steps away...

[athawk11]

Hi Paul.

Photo 1.� Clearly the power steering mount doesn't belong.� The small vertical piece that is welded into the frame, just forward of the power steering mount, does not belong.� That welding on the spring mount was added.� Although, all of my spring mounts were riveted and welded.� Everything else is correct.

Photo 2. I have no idea what those bolts are for. Maybe a splash guard?� This is the 'correct' boxed in frame for a 3A.� This was done for addition frame strength to support the engine etc...� Don't be concerned about the 'sloppy' looking welds.� That is the very original look.� Original welds from WO are good, but not very clean looking.� Note the welding on the spring mount in this photo.� This is how all of mine were done.

Photo 3.� Those bolts would have held the original draw bar in position.� As you mentioned, your draw bar is missing.� If you Google 'Willys Jeep draw bar', you will see how the original was mounted. I think the PO probably just put them back in when he remove the draw bar.

Tim

�

[BMIC]

Paul I had a similar problem with the rear bumper, the PO had replaced the bumper with angle iron and welded the V brace to it.

[PaulS]

Thanks all!

I will be removing all these bolts for cleaning.  It is my intention to thread a bolt loosely into all tapped holes in the frame before painting, even if I won't be using them in the new build.

My assessment of the weld on that spring mount concurs with Tim's--while there is some weld on the others, that one clearly has more.

I do not currently plan on putting the power steering back into the Jeep--I am planning on putting the Ross box back in place.  But at the same time, I will probably not remove that mounting plate, so long as it doesn't interfere with anything.

I don't see any reason to try to replace the brush guard.

While I don't have an original drawbar, the Jeep did come with a "rear bumper" (not shown), which was a a heavy angle iron with holes drilled along its length like a drawbar.  It performs the function quite effectively, except for its height.  The PO mounted a dropped hitch onto it to get the hitch to the right height.

Thanks again!

-Paul