XJ: Jeep Ute with LS1 V8 build

[layback40]

Originally Posted by Mudmonster

thought of all that, the rear doors are being welded shut and the original tail gate is being welded to the back.
she not going to bend once we finish

I fully realize with you on the job MM, it will be stronger than a brick ...... !! When you say that the tail gate is going back on, Is it going behind the seat? It will be a pain if the gate at the back of the tray doesnt open. Cross bracing behind the seat linked to cross bracing in each of the back doors & back side panels & across the back floor would probably make up for what stiffness/strength has been lost in the roof & rear pillars.
It would be interesting to see the engineering calcs ~ LOL !!
I take it you intend on registering it.

When I was in year 11 & 12, a small group of us built a small ute that had a FJ holden front subframe , we built a chassis from 4x2 rhs. It worked well, that thing went all over the place in the north of SA. Back in those days there was no need for certification. A couple of us went on & did engineering at uni, probably would not have done 1/2 of what we did if we had known what we learned !!

[Mudmonster]

here is a rough picture of what it is going to look like.





i was thinking of cutting the tailgate in half therfore allowing the top half with the window to open?? not sure yet.
it will be a pain to get stuff out of the back, but ill try not to put stuff behind the seats

yes she will be fully road registered and legal (i hope).
should be as im using the existing rear pillars. and where it is getting put will be stonger (in a roll over) than factory. but its getting a roll cage put in as well just in case

from the back of the jeep to the back doors is going to have a full rectangle steel frame to give the side strength and the sub fram more strength.

[bruggz351]

This is going to look sh1t hot Nathan.
Mate, have you got the services of an engineer yet?
Just sayin as they like to be in the loop from the beginning...

cheers

[layback40]

Originally Posted by Mudmonster

here is a rough picture of what it is going to look like.

Attachment 58569

Attachment 58570

i was thinking of cutting the tailgate in half therfore allowing the top half with the window to open?? not sure yet.
it will be a pain to get stuff out of the back, but ill try not to put stuff behind the seats

yes she will be fully road registered and legal (i hope).
should be as im using the existing rear pillars. and where it is getting put will be stonger (in a roll over) than factory. but its getting a roll cage put in as well just in case

from the back of the jeep to the back doors is going to have a full rectangle steel frame to give the side strength and the sub fram more strength.

You are right on the job with what is needed. It never had intrusion beams in the back & you are adding them.
You are probably best having the back behind the seat fixed. It removes a potential weakness.
I agree with Bruggz on the need to have your engineer in the loop early. All welds will need to have been certified as being done by a registered welder. Lots of pics as well. Need to show pic of prep for every weld. You need that stuff so as the engineer giving you the certificate has his backside covered.
Good Luck !!

[drover]

This is going to be a great build. Using the back door like that is really good.
Looking forward to the future.

[Mudmonster]

Thanks Guys glad you all like it,

project has stopped as we need to buy decent welder first.

and work out our stuff up
the back of the jeep is about 200mm narrower so we have 100mm a side,
we need to do something with to fit that back piece in properly and still have the tail gate sit flush. hmmmmmmmmmm.............


as for the engineer , dont have one, there is no local engineer in coffs area, my mate has done quite a few chops and got them engineered with plenty of pics and documents, so it should be all sweet finures crossed.

anyone got any idears on colour/colours?? i want it to be noticed but not stand out, (though it will be noticed anyway )

[layback40]

Originally Posted by Mudmonster

Thanks Guys glad you all like it,

project has stopped as we need to buy decent welder first.

and work out our stuff up
the back of the jeep is about 200mm narrower so we have 100mm a side,
we need to do something with to fit that back piece in properly and still have the tail gate sit flush. hmmmmmmmmmm.............

MM are you referring to the tailgate looking wider than the cab as in your 2nd pic? If so, you probably should be able to remove part of the sides between the window & the round edge. Make sure you have an overlap when you weld (mig) it back together. You can just cut a bit off the base of the railgate to get the height right.

Originally Posted by Mudmonster

as for the engineer , dont have one, there is no local engineer in coffs area, my mate has done quite a few chops and got them engineered with plenty of pics and documents, so it should be all sweet finures crossed.

anyone got any idears on colour/colours?? i want it to be noticed but not stand out, (though it will be noticed anyway )

I would be getting your mate to talk to his engineer ASAP & get you an introduction.
The compliance requirements are getting harder as time goes by.
Good Luck !

A little mig/tig is what you want.