Frame Options

[Tomme]

I recently inherited 2006 Sport (4.0 with AT) from my son with 140k miles. I have always wanted a TJ due to their ease of repair and modifications and recently started tearing into this project.

My first task was to replace the muffler and that is where it all began. Nutserts were shot and had to cut the bolts to drop the skid plate. That led me to hours of cleaning rust and trying to clean out the inside of the frame. I have read multiple posts regarding frame and frame cleaning - but I am looking for options on what I can do to repair the frame. I would like to salvage the frame and keep this jeep for a while.

 

[hamhawk]

Youve got 2 options: repair the frame with safe t caps or frame swap it. The caps are about $900 and require cutting and welding, or do some searching for a frame. Theres a bunch of rust free frames near me in sc going for about $1800.

Ive done both, and id rather swap a frame than repair one.

 

[Mike_H]

If you decide to frame swap, be prepared to fight the whole way with rust and spend a bunch of money replacing things you didn’t expect to.

I’ve been working on bringing mine back from the “dead” for about 6 years now. I’ve had every bolted connection apart and have replaced a good amount of the rusty stuff, including the tub. When I first started working on it, EVERYTHING fought me coming apart. But as I did a project here and there, I cleaned it up and replaced what needed replacing.

Now, I’m down to only having the frame to replace. Mine is still pretty solid, just now starting to get a couple holes, so I have time until the right one comes along.

So…if you want to keep that Jeep for a long time, plan a frame swap and be prepared for a lot more. If you just want to keep it in the road, take it in and have safety caps installed.

Sorry for your loss, if you really did inherit it from your son. Parents shouldn’t have to bury children

 

[Tomme]

If you decide to frame swap, be prepared to fight the whole way with rust and spend a bunch of money replacing things you didn’t expect to.

I’ve been working on bringing mine back from the “dead” for about 6 years now. I’ve had every bolted connection apart and have replaced a good amount of the rusty stuff, including the tub. When I first started working on it, EVERYTHING fought me coming apart. But as I did a project here and there, I cleaned it up and replaced what needed replacing.

Now, I’m down to only having the frame to replace. Mine is still pretty solid, just now starting to get a couple holes, so I have time until the right one comes along.

So…if you want to keep that Jeep for a long time, plan a frame swap and be prepared for a lot more. If you just want to keep it in the road, take it in and have safety caps installed.

Sorry for your loss, if you really did inherit it from your son. Parents shouldn’t have to bury children

Thanks for info. And no - not that kind of inherit. So sorry- didn’t mean for it to come off like that. He is amazing and making prouder every day!

I’ve got a guy that is recommended locally that will patch frame and comes highly recommended - it’s all the bottom and sides are in pretty good shape.