Old Member Been AWOL Needs Help On A MUTT

[Tim Powell]

Hey Crew.
Trucker~Tim here.
A Friend needs help with his MUTT, The rear A-arms are rusted away from the frame.
The forward A-arm mounts are rusted away and the forward half of the arm are hanging by the brake lines.
I've got the Jeep in my shop and in the air, can attach pictures if that would help?
He want to be able to take it to parades and events, drive it around town. Can we save it?
Any help will be welcome, and please remember if you can't say anything positive,,,,,well??????????
He's a Vietnam Vet and I'm just trying to help.

1965 MUTT

[Rickf]

A1 or A2? And is it the cross member that is rotted? According to the manual when that part rots the vehicle is scrapped. That of coarse coming from the government who could just pull another one out of stock, we don't have that option. Anything made of metal can be replaced, you just need the skills and time and material to do the job. In this case I would say the entire cross member would need to be replaced probably. Without seeing pics it is hard to say for sure but if those mounting areas are gone I am sure the rest is close behind and you need solid metal to work with.

I do not believe I asked if it was an A1 or A2 when you have a picture right there of the A1 on the trailer! DOH!!! Too early and not done coffee yet!

In this case you may be able to get away with replacing just the center section. Still need to see pics.

[Tim Powell]

I do not believe I asked if it was an A1 or A2 when you have a picture right there of the A1 on the trailer! DOH!!! Too early and not done coffee yet!
In this case you may be able to get away with replacing just the center section. Still need to see pics.


Too Funny. I'm the same way till I drink my first pot of coffee for the day.
What is the worst is the center section of the cross member.
I can fab a new piece but a template would sure be nice. If not I can get her really close.
Thanks for the reply RickF!

[Rickf]

You will definitely need a template because the hole positioning is critical. That is what will set the rear wheel alignment. And please tell me there are more stands under the rear bumper! With that one suspension arm just floating by the shock and on hanger it could pop that spring out or break the bolt in the other hanger and you would be in a real bad way. When it comes time to do the work the diff, exhaust, and suspension will all have to come out anyway to give plenty of room to work and get things done right.

[W. Winget]

Going to need a really good welder and perhaps contact CMD for some body panels. They may have made a piece or two for their restoration and not commercialized them, or might make the parts for yours then sell parts to others. Detailed measurements of the area that is gone would be a must, blasting and rust paint body filler, undercoating before you can weld in any good repair.

scroll through this thread for CMDs works.
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=227412

Perhaps cutting a section out of a donor body (whole middle floor) and welding it in, or lay a piece of plate steel down, build your suspension then weld/bolt it to the rear area like a sub frame onto the original body area perhaps. (at this point almost should put a Ford Ranger solid rear axle in...)


Or left as is, Bubba can put a piece of angle iron and make horrendous welds to make a fix for slow parades....be a death trap for a future driver.

V/R W Winget

[Tim Powell]

Safety is a must in my shop.
Some stands moved for pictures, some stands not pictured.
Will contact CMD. I'm a good welder but will determine if this will be fixed in my shop.
As stated, not going to cobble up so someone gets hurt.
Bubba is not allowed on my property.
Thanks for the replies and tips. All input appreciated. Tim

[Rickf]

That rear cross member would be a very good candidate for Guy to replicate but the big problem is finding donors to copy. I have one in a crushed A2 that may or may not be good for the A2 copy. A1 is going to be a tougher find. Older dealers used to have fields full of half cuts but I fear these all went for scrap when the price of scrap was 17.00 a hundred. I know Daryl Bensinger had a bunch of them years ago? Last time I was at Murray's years ago he had none.

[Tim Powell]

Hey RickF.
Will do some checking around with these Folks to see what's available if anything?
In the middle of another project we're trying to finish up before the 4th!!! Never enough time.

[lpcoating]

Hello Tim. I have a NOS crossmember for an A2 that I have to reverse engineer. I also have an A1 that I could get the suspension mounting hole locations.

Guy

[Tim Powell]

Hey Guy!
Good to hear from you. No hurry as I am on hold with all of my shop projects.
Between the china crap and my Lori not doing so good things are at a standstill.
Let me know how you come out on the part and I'll try to stay in better contact.

[lpcoating]

Here is how I fixed my X cut.



Guy

[Tim Powell]

Thanks Guy!!!
Hope to get back in my shop soon.
We ever going to get back to "normal"?