Hello,
I have installed a new repo tub on my M38, and I have it all lined up good, and also level, but my dilemma is that the steering column does not fit in the dash indent very well now. It is off sideways approximately an inch. My question then is can the steering gear box be shimmed out away from the frame a little, to help alleviate this situation? Maybe this has been answered before; maybe not. Your help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Groundhog
Lakeview, Michigan
1 - Frame is bent. Frame alignment will often require a Porta-Power and a torch but the check dimensions are in the chassis TM.
2 - Tub being an offshore unit is not always dead nuts on! It is always better to get an undrilled tub (mount bolt holes) so you can fudge the hole positions to make the items near the firewall align properly. IE strg, pedals, starter kick pad.
3 - Proper tub installation requires aligning the tub first with rear crossmember and slowly work forward.
I am moving your post to the technical board. This board is for folks to follow a project jeep from beginning to end.
Thank you. Although I tried starting from the rear, then the fenders and grill wouldn't line up. I read a thread on one forum, elsewhere that he did the opposite, with making sure the fenders and grille all matched up. That bent frame is very possible, I suppose. I knew that there would be some problems, with aligning a repo tub, from reading about others.
With the tub off that frame is very easy to straighten. It sounds like she is bent a bit and this is the best time to make it right. You can follow the manuals or roll the frame on a trailer and take it to a frame shop.
After reading about all the trouble other people have had, here and all over the web about the repro bodies, I feel very lucky. My grandson, a professional body man installed mine with very little trouble. of course we had to make a few minor adjustments but nothing serious. And he knew what all to look for and how to pull everything together. And the frame was in very good shape. And luckily all the hat channels were in the correct place.
I am actually farther along than it may appear. The engine, all of the drive train and axles are all installed. I guess as a newby, I wasn't anticipating checking the frame straightness prior to this assembly. Now I am sort of scratching my head as to the least radical fix I can achieve. Your advice is appreciated.
