Oddball Cj6

I’m working on building this ’66 CJ6 at work. Crate LS, crate 4L80-e trans, new Atlas, new D70/D80 axles on 42s….



Check out this body though….
The rear fender houses are a few inches lower than factory, and there was a filler piece added in the wheel arch. The work was done well enough to make it look factory. Anyone here ever seen this before?

 

I'ld say not factory, someone had a lot of time for it.

 

My guess: increase passenger capacity so as to seat folks longitudinally with their rears on the lowered fenders, facing the opposite side.

 

What kind of steering box will you use?

 

That was done so the fender wells could be used as troop seats. Discussion on here about it in the past. If you’ve ever seen the movie Hatari! One of their CJ-6’s is just like that and people are riding on pads on the rear fender wells.

 

That looks so fun to work on.

 

Weren't those export CJ6's?
Remember Wuze? (whatever happened to him?)
I think his 6 was like that...

 

Here's an old thread discussing this: CJ6 - rear wheel opening shape

 

Interesting... yeah if there aren't signs of previous welds higher on the body for the wheel wells than it must be original. The position of the wheel well filler matches wuze.

 

From Fireballs link...at first I thought, NAH! After seeing this picture, it grew on me quick.
I like it on the "6".

 

Lots more Dog room in that rig!

 

True that! I like the look with the long straight edges of the rockers and tub. The squared off fender blends in and looks like it belongs.

 

Oh look, one of those 'little' CJs.

Is that a spare set of frame rails to bring along for trail repairs?

That is going to be an expensive but nice rig when it's all done.

 

The frame rails are for the next full build, a scrambler with a brand new aluminum body. The axles for that just showed up on Friday, $25k worth of Trail Gear fabricated housings and third members.

 

Wow.

 

I have a CJ5, a Commando, and a Wagoneer, and I don't have $25k total in all 3.
Of course they're garbage, but they all run and drive....

 

it's a RICH mans build
here's my check book
anyway glad your still enjoying the new job . does this mean you got moved to the fabrication shop

 

“Enjoying” is a strong word.

I guess I’d be considered #2 fabricator in the shop, but that’s still not saying much. Everything goes through the main fab guy, and 98% of the welding is done by him. He’s told me I’m the only welder in the shop he trusts, but boss-man doesn’t want to loosen the reigns and let anyone else in. Whatever. I get paid the same regardless of what I’m doing. It’s less stressful to just install a lift kit than have everyone critique every inch of my welds.