Wide Track Frame?

[joe21228]

I am doing a frame off restoration. Just going to buy a new frame. Trust me, it works better for me. Looking at different magazines, the want to know if it is "Wide Track"

How do I know? It is an 86 CJ7.

This is what I know:
Chevy 350 - Motor
T-176 - Trans
Not sure what axles. How would I know this?

Any help is appreciated.

[Numidian]

Wait...the same guy who can't figure out a charging problem wants to tackle a frame off rebuild of a truck...

I'll never tell anyone they can't do something, because I know I hate it when someone tells me that, but you need to really look objectively at the job you're about to undertake...

[bleoh]

It should be a wide track. The easiest way to tell is the wide track had front shock mounts that bolt on. Narrow track had them welded on (and they are much shorter).

Your stock axles should be a D30 front and either an AMC 20 or D44 rear. The AMC is easy to ID, it has a round cover. Both of the Dana axles (30 and 44) have covers that are closer in shape to a stop sign. Google "what axle is in my Jeep) and it will pull up links with pictures.

Numi is right, this is a bunch of work, but you can get plenty of advise along the way.

[joe21228]

Thanks for the advice. Yes, I was having problems with the alternator. Traced it back to a ghetto rig wiring job before I bought the jeep that was buried in protective sleeving. Basically, went from 10 gauge wire out of firewall, to 16-18 gauge wire to the starter, spliced together, then to the alternator - half 16or 18 gauge wire buried in the sleeve, then back to 10 gauge where it connects to the alternator....but never fear, I fixed the problem.

As for the frame off build, I have already put the on a lift, did the 350 conversion and replaced the tank, brakes, tie rods, ball joints and various other things. Trust me, I am no mechanic by any means, but I can turn a wrench and ask for help from guys like you all.

I am sure I will be asking many questions, you guys are much more knowledgable about things than I.

Thanks for you help with my alternator and I look forward to any help / advice during my build.

[bleoh]

Typically a fusable link is 2 wire sizes smaller then the wires it is protecting. So if you have 10ga wires to the alt you should have spliced in a 14ga fusable link.

And I would not be surprised if the ghetto rig wiring was factory. The splices and connections AMC used in their harnesses look like crap.

[LUGNUT75]

Numi, Please post under Lowdown.... When making that statement.... Just like he paid 17.95 for f250!!! But hasnt ran in 1 1/2 years!!!!!

[Numidian]

Thanks for the advice. Yes, I was having problems with the alternator. Traced it back to a ghetto rig wiring job before I bought the jeep that was buried in protective sleeving. Basically, went from 10 gauge wire out of firewall, to 16-18 gauge wire to the starter, spliced together, then to the alternator - half 16or 18 gauge wire buried in the sleeve, then back to 10 gauge where it connects to the alternator....but never fear, I fixed the problem.

As for the frame off build, I have already put the on a lift, did the 350 conversion and replaced the tank, brakes, tie rods, ball joints and various other things. Trust me, I am no mechanic by any means, but I can turn a wrench and ask for help from guys like you all.

I am sure I will be asking many questions, you guys are much more knowledgable about things than I.

Thanks for you help with my alternator and I look forward to any help / advice during my build.

Right on. I didn't mean it in a bad way at all. I know I personally wouldn't even think of tackling a restoration (of any kind, I'm more of a demolition kind of guy than a resto kind of guy LOL!) I just wanted to make sure you realize what you were getting into, which it sounds like you do :cheers:


Numi, Please post under Lowdown.... When making that statement.... Just like he paid 17.95 for f250!!! But hasnt ran in 1 1/2 years!!!!!

Is English your second language or did your school system have a rash of English teacher suicides that just happened to coincide with you being taught by that teacher?

[lowdown]

numi, please post under lowdown.... When making that statement.... Just like he paid 17.95 for f250!!! But hasnt ran in 1 1/2 years!!!!!

Get your facts straight before posting some stupid shit like that..I only paid $13.99 for my F250. I imagine you've seen Chronus driving it around.

[LUGNUT75]

Not looking at you Lowdown speakeing of the last buy.... (JR) How great it was!!! Im dun......Need a drive shaft or a Vw!!!!!

[lowdown]

Not looking at you Lowdown speakeing of the last buy.... (JR) How great it was!!! Im dun......Need a drive shaft or a Vw!!!!!

It's all good..I consider sarcasm one of my strengths.