78 Jeep CJ-5 Frame Replacement – Part 2

Rocker Guard Fabrication and Roll Bar Frame Mounts

The Jeep originally had round nerf bars. I tried in the past to use rocker guards that attach to the body but the fiberglass is not a very good mounting point for heavy steel. I am forced to make something that attaches to the frame. I used 2X3 square tube with 2X2 mounts to fabricate custom rock guards. I temporarily put the body on and lined it up to ensure the guards would look correct and not be any lower than they needed. After everything was lined up and fitted it was all welded up, cleaned up, and POR-15 applied.

body on for fitment

test fit

guard finished

I wanted to attach the roll bar to the frame for some added safety. I used some 1.5″ tubing and some plate and fabricated mounts that bolt to the frame and extend up into the rear fender wells. My Jeep’s roll bar is an earlier style that mounts entirely on top of the rear fenders. I also placed mounts for the front section of the roll bar on top of the center mount on the rocker guards. I left about 1/2 inch above the rear roll bar mount for installation of a polyurethane bushing to absorb some vibration and not put excess stress on the body during flex.

drivers side mount

drivers side mount front – installed

drivers side mount rear – installed

Reassembly, clean up, painting, new exhaust, and rear bumper

With everything painted and dry I was ready to start re-assembly. I took the opportunity to clean everything up after years of mud. I also gave almost everything a fresh coat of paint too. A new stainless steel brake line kit was installed.

ready for assembly	parts cleaned up and painted
ready for the body	rolling chassis

 

After all the areas needing repair, restoration, and fabrication were complete I gave the frame a thorough coating of POR-15. From the POR-15 website “POR-15® is a high-tech, high performance rust-preventive coating designed for application directly on rusted or seasoned metal surfaces. It dries to an incredible rock-hard, non-porous finish that won’t chip, crack, or peel, and it prevents rust from recurring by protecting metal from further exposure to moisture.” This stuff is great – tip: wear gloves

Single Exhaust System

Years earlier I installed Hedman headers, I grew tired of the constant leaking gaskets and the lack of room under the Jeep from the mufflers and pipes. I decided on a single exhaust with the original manifolds. I used 2 inch primaries from the manifolds and ended them in a 2 inch to 3 inch Y collector from Flowmaster. (See above photos) From there there the exhaust is a single 3 inch all the way out. There is a 3 inch performance catalytic converter and a 3 inch Flowmaster muffler. I custom made the entire exhaust using mandrel bends cut apart and re-welded.

rear view

new single exhaust the collector, cat, and muffler

 

Rear Bumper using My Tire Carrier

I purchased an Olympic rear Rock Bumper. It mounted to the factory holes on the rear cross member. I reinforced the mounts at the frame to ensure everything stays together in the event I am pulling (or being pulled) from the bumper receiver. I created this tire carrier years ago and I wanted to retain it. It used to mount directly to the rear cross member. I was never completely happy with this so I opted for a change. Click here to see more on the tire carrier. I fabricated a mount that bolts to the top of the bumper to create a hinge for the tire carrier to swing out.

bumper and carrier	rear view
hinge	frame reinforcement

Finished pictures

ready to roll!	rear view
3″ exhaust	front