Let's talk about it: Frame rot

[Trailrated TJ]

Goal with this thread: Develop an approach to frame rot issues noting the following.

- Absolute sentimental connection with this particular VIN (i.e. ditching her is not an option).
- Understand that stubborn cling to this particular Jeep will lead to higher economic hit than simply finding another.
- Planning to keep Jeep long-term (So full-on frame replacement might be in the cards in the foreseeable future if necessary).

* Has anyone had success with partial frame repairs to address frame rot?
* Can anyone recommend a particular shop in the KY, OH, IN, IL, WI area for a frame project?
* Anyone have a lead on a donor Jeep on a 80% or better frame the owner is willing to part with?
* Any cautionary tales re critical failure as a result of ignored frame issues?

Disclosure: My Jeep is facing some pretty devastating frame rot on drivers side portions of frame. Before beginning the long term build, and understanding the importance of a sound frame, I want to take proper steps to address the issue a the outset of the build.

Here's to a robust discussion!

 

[bromel]

Frame swap is probably the most long-term solution as long as the new frame is completely rust free. That said, Safe T Caps are an excellent option if done professionally—emphasis on professionally. As long as the rot is completely cut out and treated, the caps can be permanent and even include drain holes for future protection.

I had a sentimental attachment to my Sahara (it also only had 70k with a Dana 44), so I opted to have Auto Rust Technicians (who make Safe T Caps) perform the work at their shop. Expensive, yes, but cheaper than a complete frame swap and should be just as permanent, if less showroom presentable. In my case, I had no other rot on the body or frame except for the classic places, i.e. under the skid plate and at rear control arms. Now I know better, and I'm religious about fluid film, Eastwood internal coating, etc, so I won't make the same mistakes again.

If you can do the work yourself, I'd say go for the frame swap. Otherwise, caps are a great option if you do it correctly.

 

[Trailrated TJ]

Getting a professional's skills on the job would be my preference. Particularly given foreseeability of persons/pets other than myself enjoying her. Sounds like I'll need to look into Safe T caps...

Thanks for the guidance!!

 

[Ericict]

Going thru this now with mine. I’m having the repairs done. The way I see it, you are either going to have it, or you already do. Once it’s addressed, not concerned that it has been done. Not concerned about resale either. There are only so many out there so the odds are they will continue to rot away and the market will correct itself. I think it was deadjeeps who had 3 clean frames for sale for $1200. For us, we wanted a TJ and knew this could an issue so we accounted for it in the purchase price.

I’m doing both sides, center section to the coil pad in the back. Once the frame is opened, they will clean it treat it, paint it. Install the repair parts treat and paint again. They are sending a flat bed to pick it up and transport it to the shop, 200 miles away. Transportation and repairs are $2800 in Kansas.

Go to the safe t cap website. They have a list of authorized installers.

Link to frames at deadjeeps. Used frames at dead jeeps. Disregard, already sold.

Added frame link.

 

[Hook_62]

If you have the means and the $$, you can always swap into one of Throttle Down Kustoms galvanized frames, should last.

https://www.throttledownkustoms.com/

 

[Ericict]

If you have the means and the $$, you can always swap into one of Throttle Down Kustoms galvanized frames, should last.

https://www.throttledownkustoms.com/

the Mfg of the part is a lot of work so the price is justifiable in my eyes. How much work is it to do a frame replacement? Man hours estimate?

 

[Chris]

Paging @jodomcfrodo. He can tell you all about frame rot, replacing his rotted frame with a new one, and the cost / labor involved.

 

[Superduty71]

Another source for frame repair pieces is Pocono Metal Craft... Just used some of their frame sections & a rear upper spring seat... We were really happy with the parts we purchased.

https://poconometalcraft.com/

They have an installer search section also...

 

[Not_Invented_Here_]

This is my kinda thread - good stuff OP.

@bromel , how happy are you with the Eastwood Internal Coating? I'm having an intense debate with myself about going to the trouble of applying it vs. just doing periodic Fluid Film dousings. The latter seems to be easier, have more positive feedback regarding results, and about the same cost effectiveness.

The most action my Jeep will see is light trails and winter snow but I also live in the midwest and we salt our roads in the winter... And I DD mine soooo...

 

[Not_Invented_Here_]

I’m doing both sides, center section to the coil pad in the back. Once the frame is opened, they will clean it treat it, paint it. Install the repair parts treat and paint again. They are sending a flat bed to pick it up and transport it to the shop, 200 miles away. Transportation and repairs are $2800 in Kansas.

Go to the safe t cap website. They have a list of authorized installers.

Heyo, don't see much from KS/MO on here! Mind if I ask the name of the shop you're using, just in case I ever need it?

 

[JDS123]

Thanks for the page @Chris. I might be helpful because I'm actually really close to OP.

Finding a frame in Illinois is a rough time. Davey's Jeeps is the closest place that might have one, but craigslist is also an option (I had very little luck on there though). Your absolute best bet is to post in TJ facebook groups asking if anyone has a frame for sale. There are tons of people with frames who just don't post them until someone asks. Be sure to very closely inspect a frame in person before purchasing. Also do not buy a safety capped frame which people actually do sell to unsuspecting buyers. Don't trust anyone to ship you a frame.

I considered buying a donor Jeep and swapping frames, but the math just doesn't add up money wise. You need to find a cheap TJ that you could part out. Problem is that cheap TJ's in the midwest are rusty. You would need to find a cheap TJ in Arizona, transport it, part it out, and then swap frames. It gets expensive when compared to finding a frame and transporting it.

One person mentioned DeadJeep above. Do NOT buy from DEADJEEP at all. Their frames are rusty for the most part and the guy who runs the place is a joker. I almost stopped by there when I was in Boston last summer. Didn't even bother after they sent me pictures of their "rust free" frames and read some online reviews.

How bad is your frame rot? There is a shop very close to you that will do repairs, but only frame swaps. They will not install safety caps. While they aren't a perfect shop and tend to rush a lot of work, they're definitely your best bet for TJ specific work. They only do off-road vehicles and do tons of Jeeps.


Make sure you accomplish everything you want during the frame swap. Since a shop was doing mine, they didn't spend the amount of time I would have if I was doing it personally. I would use this time to get the bottom of the tub fully sealed up and clear off any remaining rust. My Jeep will have to come back apart in a few years time so I can address a lot of the things that my shop simply didn't want to do.

 

[Trailrated TJ]

To this point looks like we have gathered the following:

* @bromel has seen success with avoiding full-on frame swap via Safe T Cap approach w/Auto Rust Technicians
—> https://www.autorust.com/

* As @Ericict points out "you are either going to have it, or you already do." Probably onto something there. Definitely a hard truth that there are a finite amount of these out there. *cough* clever comment re TJs being "last true Jeeps." *end-cough* (Potential splinter-thread?? ) One option might be: [ https://deadjeep.com/search?q=Frame+tag:wrangler,2002 ]. Shipping/repairs included depending on location but $3,800 including 200 miles worth of shipment doesn't seem too unreasonable.

* Want a brand spankin' new galvanized frame?: https://www.throttledownkustoms.com/c-1402124-frames-tj-tj-frames.html (Credit: @Hook_62 for the lead).

* In the PA area? [ https://poconometalcraft.com/pages/contact-us ] might be your answer. @Superduty71 can attest this North East shop gets is done.

* Per @Chris, @jodomcfrodo is a frame rot survivor and cautions against DeadJeep approach...

As always, when in doubt... Craigslist and conquer.

 

[Trailrated TJ]

Thanks for the page @Chris. I might be helpful because I'm actually really close to OP.

Finding a frame in Illinois is a rough time. Davey's Jeeps is the closest place that might have one, but craigslist is also an option (I had very little luck on there though). Your absolute best bet is to post in TJ facebook groups asking if anyone has a frame for sale. There are tons of people with frames who just don't post them until someone asks. Be sure to very closely inspect a frame in person before purchasing. Also do not buy a safety capped frame which people actually do sell to unsuspecting buyers. Don't trust anyone to ship you a frame.

I considered buying a donor Jeep and swapping frames, but the math just doesn't add up money wise. You need to find a cheap TJ that you could part out. Problem is that cheap TJ's in the midwest are rusty. You would need to find a cheap TJ in Arizona, transport it, part it out, and then swap frames. It gets expensive when compared to finding a frame and transporting it.

One person mentioned DeadJeep above. Do NOT buy from DEADJEEP at all. Their frames are rusty for the most part and the guy who runs the place is a joker. I almost stopped by there when I was in Boston last summer. Didn't even bother after they sent me pictures of their "rust free" frames and read some online reviews.

How bad is your frame rot? There is a shop very close to you that will do repairs, but only frame swaps. They will not install safety caps. While they aren't a perfect shop and tend to rush a lot of work, they're definitely your best bet for TJ specific work. They only do off-road vehicles and do tons of Jeeps.


Make sure you accomplish everything you want during the frame swap. Since a shop was doing mine, they didn't spend the amount of time I would have if I was doing it personally. I would use this time to get the bottom of the tub fully sealed up and clear off any remaining rust. My Jeep will have to come back apart in a few years time so I can address a lot of the things that my shop simply didn't want to do.

Any chance you can give me the shop name? I recently moved to the area (Gurnee, IL) so not too familiar with my options.

From the bluegrass state. Back home we just shove fried chicken in anything that's broke...

 

[Ericict]

Heyo, don't see much from KS/MO on here! Mind if I ask the name of the shop you're using, just in case I ever need it?

You bet, they are in Topeka. 4x4land

 

[Cornbread]

This is my kinda thread - good stuff OP.



@bromel , how happy are you with the Eastwood Internal Coating? I'm having an intense debate with myself about going to the trouble of applying it vs. just doing periodic Fluid Film dousings. The latter seems to be easier, have more positive feedback regarding results, and about the same cost effectiveness.

The most action my Jeep will see is light trails and winter snow but I also live in the midwest and we salt our roads in the winter... And I DD mine soooo...

I have been doing similar to fluid film, only cheaper and messier. I use my air compressor wand and fog the inside of my jeep frame with my used engine oil once or twice a year. While this may not be for every one it simply works for me. I debated using eastwoods frame coating and I just couldn't trust that the moisture and rust won't bleed through. I have had enough bad luck painting things I could see than to think painting blindly inside my frame would actually work. My frame wasn't real bad but definitely time to be treating it in some manner and so far this method looks like it will last an eternity for me.

 

[taylormade73]

Is this guy legit? I reached out to him a couple months ago and he repsonded quickly. His post is from Jeepz from 2016. The frame repairs in his before" during and after photos looks good.

https://www.jeepz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46751
Sent from my LM-V405 using Tapatalk

 

[taylormade73]

Is this guy legit? I reached out to him a couple months ago and he repsonded quickly. His post is from Jeepz from 2016. The frame repairs in his before" during and after photos looks good.

https://www.jeepz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46751
Sent from my LM-V405 using Tapatalk

He's near Indianapolis for those Midwesterners.

Sent from my LM-V405 using Tapatalk

 

[JDS123]

Any chance you can give me the shop name? I recently moved to the area (Gurnee, IL) so not too familiar with my options.

From the bluegrass state. Back home we just shove fried chicken in anything that's broke...

I'll PM you the name. They're really the only one's I know of who have experience with frame swaps. They did mine over this past winter and do frame swaps on everything from trucks to JK's to TJ's.

 

[Ericict]

You bet, they are in Topeka. 4x4land

Heyo, don't see much from KS/MO on here! Mind if I ask the name of the shop you're using, just in case I ever need it?

FYI...TrailratedTj they said they are currently doing 2-3 every month and getting more calls daily concerning the repairs.

 

[Not_Invented_Here_]

I have been doing similar to fluid film, only cheaper and messier. I use my air compressor wand and fog the inside of my jeep frame with my used engine oil once or twice a year. While this may not be for every one it simply works for me. I debated using eastwoods frame coating and I just couldn't trust that the moisture and rust won't bleed through. I have had enough bad luck painting things I could see than to think painting blindly inside my frame would actually work. My frame wasn't real bad but definitely time to be treating it in some manner and so far this method looks like it will last an eternity for me.

Nice and yeah that's my concern too. The driver's side of my frame is good condition front to back but the passenger side had some major flaking inside. I've cleaned the heck out of it but some damage has definitely been done inside already. No rot holes, still solid on the outside and all nutserts were functional last time I dropped the skid but the needs for one side are definitely different than the other.

FF would seem to be the best option for both. I want the one to stop getting worse and the other to stay the same obviously