Fred/N0AZZ

Damn Mark that's a bummer for sure hate to see it. May be time to search for a new body and frame to swap your stuff over on and still have parts left over.




Like we all know that is the one thing that does total one the quickest.

2000CHERO

That sucks. That's like my worse nightmare when it comes to my baby haha.

However, am I only one who thinks it's funny that you happened upon that massive hole looking for a noise? I poke and prod my jeep every chance I get to prevent exactly that from happening; try to catch em when they're small holes and easier to fix.

I say fix it OP, if you have a lot of blood, sweat, and $ into yours like I do with mine haha.

BlueRidgeMark

Good advice. I'm headed outside to get the hitch off of it today so I can take a good look all over.

I assume the bolts are well rusted in place, so I'm just going to cut the heads off and remove the hitch. I'll worry about removing the remaining bolts later.



What kind of repair would that $350 get me? Rusted metal cut out, new welded in?

What about taking that section from another Jeep and welding it in? I have a '94 that has an intractable computer problem. It also has the rusted eyebrows (windshield mount) problem and broken door hinge mounts (PO abused it), so I have pretty well decided to scrap it. I'm wondering if it could be a donor for this project.

BlueRidgeMark

Well, I have not been able to get the hitch off. I can't get to most of the bolt heads with the grinder. There just isn't room. I've got to get my air compressor put back together and get the air tools on it, I guess. (Crazy - it's an 18mm bolt head. Who uses 18mm???) Oh, well, that can wait.


I did inspect it everywhere I could which is pretty much everywhere except under the hitch.

Other than that one bad rail, it looks very good. There's some minor surface rust here and there. I think it's had too many oil leaks to get very rusty up front. Really, there are only these three trouble spots:

1. The ugly mess that started this thread
2. Frame rail on the opposite side where the bump stop mounts (already pictured above).
3. Some rocker panel rust on the driver's side, rear door. I've seen lots worse.

It feels solid where the paint is.




So, again for those who know welding - you think this is fixable?

I don't have a lot in this Jeep. It's a DD, not tricked out. Other than the purchase price and various repairs, I don't have money sunk into it.

On the other hand, if I drop a grand into fixing it, that's still a lot cheaper than finding a decent replacement.

TwistedWrench

If you happen to have a donor on hand, it's not a bad way to go. But typically I'd simply fab up a new piece, not as hard as it seems. Find where the rust stops, cut it back a few inches beyond that. Clean and treat all the surrounding metal, weld-thru primer. Overlap, spotweld then seam-weld. Once it's seam sealed and painted, good as new.

BlueRidgeMark

Thanks, TW.

I do have a donor. Checked the '94, and it seems to be rust free.

Bummer, eh?


While I'd love to tackle this myself, I'm a newbie welder, and I just don't have the time.

Now to find a good welder in the northern Virginia area.

Suggestions?

TwistedWrench

Lol, San Antonio here brother, no idea.

madmanmarty

That's a bummer Blue.
Someone here must know someone.
If not post in the Virginia thread.
Good luck & keep us updated.

BlueRidgeMark

Yeah, that was directed at the whole community. I see I didn't do a very good job of making that clear.

Well, actually, I did a lousy job of it!



Good idea!

EDIT: Do you mean the Mid-Atlantic thread? Or is there a Virginia thread?

madmanmarty

Mid Atlantic.
And I would get 1,2& 3 done together.
Maybe even have frame stiffeners installed at the same time for extra support.
Then you won't have to worry at all.
P.S. Make fluid film your best friend.

BlueRidgeMark

Yeah, I just discovered that stuff a few months ago. I've been using it on just about everything. I sure like it so far. My only gripe is that it goes on too thick for some uses. I use a cheap HF chip brush to apply it to tools. Spray the brush and wipe it on.


No replies yet on a shop on the mid-Atlantic thread....