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Cj5 Tub To Trailer Conversion

Discussion in 'Jeep Trailer Tech' started by Navy Joe Ret., Jan 23, 2017.

  1. Jan 23, 2017
    Navy Joe Ret.

    Navy Joe Ret. New Member

    Pittsburgh
    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2016
    Messages:
    15
    My brother and I are about finished with a 69 CJ5 rebuild using a MD Juan body. While waiting for the paint to dry the other day we talked about using the old tub and making it into a Jeep trailer. We discussed different options for a framework under this tub. We bought a used trailer frame with suspension thinking that it would work fine. Well that turned out poorly. Now we have a trailer to sell. We decided to use some tube steel that I have, and ann some hubs that Jim has, and build our own axle. We will get leaf springs and shakles from E-trailer . We will post pictures and info along the way. Any advice is welcome.
     
  2. Jan 25, 2017
    Navy Joe Ret.

    Navy Joe Ret. New Member

    Pittsburgh
    Joined:
    Jul 13, 2016
    Messages:
    15
    [​IMG]
    We will start with this.
     
  3. Jan 25, 2017
    Desert Runner

    Desert Runner Member 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hickory, Pa
    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2005
    Messages:
    806
    I'm interested!!!!:)
     
  4. Jan 25, 2017
    string284

    string284 New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2014
    Messages:
    25
    Are you sure you just don't want to sell the old tub?? hint..hint..:whistle:
     
    Daryl, dozerjim and Twin2 like this.
  5. Jan 26, 2017
    Wirework

    Wirework Navy_Jim

    Pittsburgh, PA
    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2016
    Messages:
    542
    Ah... err... What is an old tub worth? (Hint, hint ) :)

    Actually, Joe is so excited about doing the trailer, there is no way on God's green earth I could sell the tub now.

    But...we also didn't use the brand new MDJ hood (no side marker holes) or MDJ grill (≥1972?, longer tunnel), and we have two rust free and very serviceable (some dents and dings) fenders (<1970, no side reflector/light flats), and a fiberglass hood (ditto). We'll talk about selling these at the completion of the project.
     
    Last edited: Jan 26, 2017
  6. Jan 26, 2017
    Wirework

    Wirework Navy_Jim

    Pittsburgh, PA
    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2016
    Messages:
    542
    [​IMG]
    I found this in a different earlycj5.com trailer post (credit: 48cj2a). 'Looks like good envelope info to think about when planning a Jeep trailer design.
     
    Last edited: Jan 26, 2017
  7. Jan 26, 2017
    Wirework

    Wirework Navy_Jim

    Pittsburgh, PA
    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2016
    Messages:
    542
    I asked Joe if I could post some pictures of the direction we think we can go with this and he said, "sure" ...so here goes.

    A while back someone posted a trailer build thread and a response person posted a link to a German(?) trailer build. I captured some of the photos from that site (I'll credit them when I find them again) and I'm pitching this idea to Joe as a model for our cj5 tub-to-trailer conversion. Please feel free to also let us know what you think.

    Here is where the other guy ended up:
    [​IMG]
    Obviously not an early CJ, but you get the idea.

    [​IMG]

    This is how he got there:
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]


    If we go this way we sacrifice only the short (center) section of our tub, the firewall, and the cowl top. And a homebuilt frame is easy to make from (Joe's) existing materials. What is halarious about doing this is the amount of body work required... I bought the MDJ tub to avoid all the body work required to save my existing tub... This tub-to-trailer conversion project requires all of that ...and more! But it really feels good to save our original tub this way.

    Other ideas: keep the current tub fully intact and modify just the firewall. That provides a larger interior but an odd floor. But it would suggest using a cj frame.

    Another idea removes just the cowl top, squares up the front, and replaces the firewall with a flat face. Ditto on the frame.

    Lots and lots of ideas and options.

    The one featured above seems about the right scale behind a cj universal, but a bit longer front is appealing too. Hmmm... 'Nice to have as good an example as this one to look at though. 'Very professional looking. I liked it the moment I saw it!
     
    fhoehle, eyotajeeper and string284 like this.
  8. Jan 26, 2017
    string284

    string284 New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2014
    Messages:
    25
    To bad, i have fenders, hood, grilles, tail gate, and windshield frame, and even a spare frame, just don't have the body for my 68 anymore. long story there.
    Had the same idea years ago about the trailer, just no time to do it.... yet, a CJ7 tub is an easier build or mybe a cj8, i had planed on using rounded corner panels on the front to complete the look.
    I'm often in Altoona so if you end up needing something let me know i might have it.
    Still looking forward to your trailer build, then the car???:)
     
  9. Jan 26, 2017
    Wirework

    Wirework Navy_Jim

    Pittsburgh, PA
    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2016
    Messages:
    542
    On line we've seen a number of home built jeep trailers using two cut tub's welded back to back. That looks way easier than the approach we'll be taking but looks really good. Burning up two spare tubs is certainly a luxury we don't have :)

    Shaping the front rounded corners is likely to be a challenge, that and maintaining the top lip/step into that front turn. I have a Pittsburgh "TechShop" membership and there I snagged a half dozen 90 deg curves made of square tubing, just the right size... so maybe that will give us a fighting chance. TechShop also has an "organic" metal bending shop which should come in handy here (and on Joe's 1933 Pontiac.)

    Thanks for the head's up on your available parts!
     
  10. Feb 2, 2017
    eyotajeeper

    eyotajeeper Member

    Iron Range
    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2010
    Messages:
    59
    [​IMG]
    This one was done locally many years ago by a good friend of mine. Still one of the coolest custom ones IMO!
    Started with a DJ tub, top and frame. even used the rear axle and springs. The front clip was an after thought, just shortened everything.
     
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2017
    ITLKSEZ likes this.
  11. Feb 2, 2017
    Wirework

    Wirework Navy_Jim

    Pittsburgh, PA
    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2016
    Messages:
    542
    ;)

    Joe was kicking around a more Jeep body look too. We do want to have some fun with it.
     
  12. Mar 24, 2018
    Autogatto

    Autogatto New Member

    Littleton - CO...
    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2018
    Messages:
    27
    Here's a little trailer I bought from a friend years ago. It was built by his dad using 2 CJ5 that had been crashed.

     

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  13. Mar 30, 2018
    fesser

    fesser Napa, CA 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Napa, CA
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    Oct 16, 2014
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    Lots of good ideas. I am leaning toward keeping the rear corners on all four corners look. If I run the CJ frame then I get the advantage of a spare gas tank.
     
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  14. Apr 16, 2018
    masscj2a

    masscj2a Member 2023 Sponsor

    Ware, Mass
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2013
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    You guys are cutting up tubs we in New England would die for.
     
  15. Jul 4, 2018
    7jeeps

    7jeeps New Member

    Tennessee
    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2017
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    8
    No joke
    I'm down in Texas selling off my collection of jeeps and parts
    New England people want the tubs and rolling chassis going for $75-$450 but shipping is the killer
     
  16. Jul 4, 2018
    masscj2a

    masscj2a Member 2023 Sponsor

    Ware, Mass
    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2013
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    743
    Yes it is. I'm looking for a early 5 tub up here and no luck. Then I see one down there and its like new. Then I see a Scrambler tub and frame and its like new. Its killing me
     
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