Frame basically snapped in half today...I have a lot of questions.

jerseyjeep22 · 07-31-2010, 12:30 PM

So this morning I decided to drive to the gym, I pull out the driveway and as I shift into 3rd I feel the rear right side kick. I pull over, thinking I had a flat, and this happened.

Now the average person would think some duct dape and guerilla glue would fix that right up, but me (the intelligent person i am), I know i'm pretty much ****ed. definitly not a good morning.

Obvoiusly, my frame is rusty as hell, and I expected something like this eventually, but I guess today is as good as any day for me to be **** out of luck. I backed down the road slowly, and pulled back into my driveway.

I am in need of a frame swap. (if you think otherwise please let me know)

1) what year frames can I use with the I6?

2) can i use frames from a 4 cylinder? because I would love to buy a donor jeep with a blown 4 and swap in axles with 4.10's(I have 3.07's)as well.

3) I'm really hoping my dad and I can do all of this, is that realistic?

I dont really know what else to say. What would you do in this situation? are there any upgrades that I should do while its apart? What would you do?

Basically, I'm heartbroken, I love my jeep, and any help/advice would be great. This is a great place, and im hoping it can help me do this. Thanks guys

Edit: the reason I figure the swap is worth it is because the body is clean and the engine is running strong(knock on wood) at 93,000.

TeeJay00 · 07-31-2010, 12:41 PM

Ouch

Why didn't you fix the rusting problem before it got to this stage???

**theducksguts** · 07-31-2010, 12:43 PM

Motor mount locations for the 2.5 and 4.0 are different. If you got a donor jeep with a blown 4cyl it still is doable, you just would have to fabricate some new motor mount platforms. Everything else should be the same.

**thirdeye** · 07-31-2010, 12:46 PM

dannnnng man... you drive it in the ocean?

jerseyjeep22 · 07-31-2010, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thirdeye

dannnnng man... you drive it in the ocean?

haha no oceans for me. And as for fixing it before this stage...there really isnt much I couldve done I bought it about 7 months ago knowing the frame had a rust problem. Everything was too far developed for painting the frame or anything to help.

jerseyjeep22 · 07-31-2010, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theducksguts

Motor mount locations for the 2.5 and 4.0 are different. If you got a donor jeep with a blown 4cyl it still is doable, you just would have to fabricate some new motor mount platforms. Everything else should be the same.

Fabrication is something that is a kind of out of my league, I dont have welding equipment or anything. Is that something I could pay to have done, and how much would it cost do you think?

**theducksguts** · 07-31-2010, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerseyjeep22

Fabrication is something that is a kind of out of my league, I dont have welding equipment or anything. Is that something I could pay to have done, and how much would it cost do you think?

hard to say, there is a lot of measuring and test fitting for something like that.

vtx531 · 07-31-2010, 01:02 PM

That is a MAJOR problem area in TJ's. I would recommend drilling a drainage hole underneath the frame on each side there for your next frame.

Here are two pics - one is the front where there are no drainage issues and one is the rear. Can you tell which one is which?

To the OP: What does the front of yours look like?

jerseyjeep22 · 07-31-2010, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vtx531

That is a MAJOR problem area in TJ's. I would recommend drilling a drainage hole underneath the frame on each side there for your next frame.

Here are two pics - one is the front where there are no drainage issues and one is the rear. Can you tell which one is which?

To the OP: What does the front of yours look like?

Honestly, the front isnt bad at all beside a little surface rust. I will definitly take your advice on the drainage holes though. The rear spot right behind the body mount is a rough spot i guess.

SugarBear · 07-31-2010, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerseyjeep22

guerilla glue

sounds dangerous

That really sucks man, but I don't think a frame swap would be too hard. You could call around junkyards around you and see if they have an old totaled TJ or something (idk how it works), unbolt your tub, t-case, and engine/tranny, and set it on the new one.

jerseyjeep22 · 07-31-2010, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SugarBear

sounds dangerous

That really sucks man, but I don't think a frame swap would be too hard. You could call around junkyards around you and see if they have an old totaled TJ or something (idk how it works), unbolt your tub, t-case, and engine/tranny, and set it on the new one.

yeah im actually looking online for junkyards in the area as we speak, if anyone knows of any in the warren/sussex are of NJ let me know. And yeah as much as it sucks, I'm kind of excited to do this kind of work. Definitly a good experience as far as learning about jeeps goes. Should be interesting to say the least

jerseyjeep22 · 07-31-2010, 02:42 PM

what years are the frames the same for? I can use 97-what would it be , 2002?

catITguy · 07-31-2010, 02:59 PM

Quote:

I'm kind of excited to do this kind of work. Definitly a good experience as far as learning about jeeps goes. Should be interesting to say the least

Sounds brutal, but like you say, you will learn a lot and have the pride of saying you did it yourself when finished. Good luck.

xkuzme1 · 07-31-2010, 03:02 PM

I say that you should go buy a stick welder and some cut-off wheels, sanding disk, and some rustoleum paint and go visit your local "Metal by the Foot" place and fix it yourself.

Practice on some scrap metal for a while, watch some old episodes of Powerblock TV and figure out how to fix yourself. You'd then have an elementary education in welding and fabrication. See if you have any buddies that can help.

Dont be afraid to learn new skills because you are afraid to fail.

It'll cost you far more money to buy a parts jeep, then you've got to store it someplace.

Buy decent tools and they will last you a lifetime.

Im just sayin

**theducksguts** · 07-31-2010, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerseyjeep22

what years are the frames the same for? I can use 97-what would it be , 2002?

Pretty much. The changed ever so slightly in 2003. Different mounting bolt locations, etc.

As for welding it to fix it. I don't think you could cut and weld a fix that would maintain any soft of safe or sound structural integrity for road use unless you replaced the majority of the frame with new material.

If I were to tackle this project I would do as straight of a swap as I could.