Hi gang,
I need some advice !

My nephew tried to tear the nose off my 1982 Scrambler, the frame is trashed.
I've found 2 popular replacements... TDK and Matkins.

If anyone knows of any magazine reviews of these frames... please reply here.

What I've been able to understand is:
TDK => uses a smaller than stock frame height, but they use thicker metal.
      the frame is bent (Mandrel ? ), so there is some loss of strength.
      easy to get from 4WD Hardware etc.

Matkins =>   uses a larger then stock height, and thicker metal.
            the frame is welded, should be Very Strong... but butt ugly.
            supplier seems to be tempermental, some people get a frame quickly
            with no problems... others have to wait and wait.


If anyone has used these frames, I'd like your advice.

Did you have to do any Mods to frame, or was it just bolt-on when you got it ?

I'm doing this in my driveway so I can't be cutting and welding stuff.
Besides for $2,000 it ought to fit right !

Since both of these frames are different than the stock frame height... will that cause any problems with installing suspension, body, wiring etc. ?

Thanks,
JerseyDevil  

I never did anything like that, but my thought is to go with the Matkins frame. It's a bit bigger than stock and heavier duty, just slap some paint on it to pretty it up. If you have a phone number for these two companies, I'm sure they could answer any questions....especially for that kind of money.  

http://delaware.craigslist.org/pts/472751483.html  

We used an AFW (now TDK) frame for our clubs Charity Scrambler.  It is one awesomely built frame.  We had no fit up issues at all.  I would highly recomend the TDK.  Check out cj-8.com and do a search, lots of good Scrambler info on that site.

Also check out the `Charity Scrambler'

http://www.cj-8.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=68  

hi jerseydevil

 I read a lot of post  about people looking for new replacement cj8 frames and they are actually quite easy to find . I build a lot of cj8's .   All AMC did was take a cj7 frame and add exactly 10 inches to the straight secting between the second and third body mount  and the the third body mount was moved forward 10 inches , if you look a a 7 frame you will see the 3ard mount is  just behind the spring hanger and on the 8 it is just past the spring hanger , Then to complete the frame the added 13.98 inches to the rear  and then welded on a cj7 cross support and there it is a cj8 frame . I buy cj7 frames and  it cost about 250 to have the machine work done  and when its finished you can not tell them apart.  good used cj7 frames  and still easy to get  so  you may want to try that rout . My next project  will use a yj frame   with the same mods .

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