Pan head swap

[CentralWAbaja]

I am looking to cut a ball joint pan head off and replace it with a link pin pan head. Any good "how to" info out there before
I just start cutting?

I do not mean to be that guy and not do my own searching as I will this evening probably but figured I would just toss it out there in case one of you regulars happen across this and know of one.

[Ol'fogasaurus]

I have the complete photo series of 4 pix at home. Won't be back for 'till Thursday can you wait that long? I've posted the pictures a couple of times but I can't find any of the posts.

Basically the upper part of the pan is removed and replaced with a K&L plate. The lower piece will fit up to the K&L plate. The mounts for the beam are in that top piece. Since the BH and K&L top pieces interchange just make sure you are kind to the bottom piece while it is not supported.

Lee

[Ol'fogasaurus]

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=141473&p=1142141&h ... n#p1142141

Try this!

Lee

[Leatherneck]

CWB, at this point in time we are happy to have these questions. Hopefully get some more Off Raiders in here active. Is this for your old Baja or pick up another?

[CentralWAbaja]

Well what do ya know....that's just about how I was going about it

2242019202752.jpg

.

[dustymojave]

Well what do ya know....that's just about how I was going about it

2242019202752.jpg.

It seems this thread has been abandoned. But for those who are searching for how-to info I'll carry on.
The photo above shows the proper way to replace a frame head, whether its for a swap or replacing one that's fatigue cracked or bent from a crash. Leave the tunnel all the way to the front panel. If not bent, leave the bottom panel. Replace the upper part of the front panel and the outer shell of the frame head.

[CentralWAbaja]

Abandoned...nah just forgot to take pics before it left the shop and I went back to work on my car. The kid sent me these pics from his garage today.

Hard to see as well now that it is painted but we actually cut the lower cradle off and formed a new one using angle iron and some 1/4 sections of the proper size tubing.

512019181948.jpg

512019182043.jpg

[CentralWAbaja]

We did keep the tunnel extended all the way to the front and then welded it all up.

51201918215.jpg

512019182020.jpg

[Leatherneck]

That’s a pretty slick job, he do that by himself or a collaborative effort? Very nice!

[CentralWAbaja]

That’s a pretty slick job, he do that by himself or a collaborative effort? Very nice!

The fab work was a collaboration. I ran the plasma and the MIG. He was on the grinder and parts cutting/prepping. He now has it at his place getting ready to reassemble things.

[Leatherneck]

Cool beans, make sure he learns how to post in STF seeings we are part owner in looks that is.

[dustymojave]

So did you replace the pan head upper shell, then add the angle iron and 1/4pipe to fill the space at the bottom?

What about the face plate? Is it a ball joint? Or is it a Link Pin?

[CentralWAbaja]

So did you replace the pan head upper shell, then add the angle iron and 1/4pipe to fill the space at the bottom?

What about the face plate? Is it a ball joint? Or is it a Link Pin?

Yes and Link Pin

Did not snap any pics along the way. The late pan head was removed and then we actually did the same process to the old pan removing the Link Pin head. Our LP head was trashed at the bottom from years of abuse. So we welded the LP head back on the Late pan at the same horizontal line seen in the first pic. But the late pan hangs lower do to the wider spacing on the ball joint beam so once we had everything welded back on we reshaped the bottom tube cradle the way we did. Added the flat plate and angle knowing that it probably will still take abuse there. Probably lots of different ways to deal with the bottom, this was just one way.