Hello all,
Absolutely hate that I have to make this post asking for suggestions on my Jeep. Bought it about 2 years ago, Jeep LJ 160k 4.0 automatic. Runs great and drives pretty well. There’s a shitty lift kit that I’m planning on upgrading at some point as well as plenty of other stuff.
Unfortunately when I bought it 2 years ago I was still relatively new to the LJ game and I didn’t notice the obvious frame damage to the passenger side front section. Honestly I Probabaly never noticed because it still drives really well.
The damage is kinda odd, if people want to see I’ll post pictures if I can. right above the front lower control arm mount, basically in line with the upper control arm mount (where the big like 1.5 inch hole in the frame is) it’s vertically crinkled and there’s build up of weld from what looks like a shitty flux core welder on the bottom of the frame where I’m guessing the frame split a bit. If I go up the frame behind the spring mount there is another vertical crinkle on the inside of the frame. There is also more weld build up on the bottom of that crinkle as well. From the very front of the frame to the spot where the springs mount its perfectly straight. Everything is painted, no rust and seems to be functioning perfect, even the small amount of off roaring I’ve done hasn’t bothered any of it. The original front bumper has also been replaced and the front radiator mount has also been shittily welded back on where it looks like it has been broken off.
Here’s what I think happened, the previous owner hit something like a tree stump with the front right corner of the Jeep, below the fender and only hit the bumper. That crumpled the frame in those spots but did little damage anywhere else. Someone pulled the frame back to the correct length and tried to weld the splits of the frame and painted it. Any symptoms of the frame not being straight are not present. Jeep drives straight, none of the control arms looks out of place at all. Tie rods and steering all seem to be correct. If the frame didn’t have obvious repair I wouldn’t even know it was damaged.
Here’s where I need help. The frame is in immaculate shape other than this issue with almost 0 rust and anything else. I WANT to fix this and I’m capable of welding and other vehicle repair. I can get a frame repair kit for the lower part behind the axle but nobody makes a full front repair kit or anything of the like. With jeeps being a commodity, it’s hard to find damaged jeeps with the front in tact. I can’t afford to take the Jeep to a professional and spend thousands to have it repaired
How can I fix this issue myself?
Is anyone selling that section of frame? I can get 3/32 steel to box it with after butt welding the frame pieces?
I want to fix this before doing a bunch of suspension upgrades in the coming years.
Absolutely hate that I have to make this post asking for suggestions on my Jeep. Bought it about 2 years ago, Jeep LJ 160k 4.0 automatic. Runs great and drives pretty well. There’s a shitty lift kit that I’m planning on upgrading at some point as well as plenty of other stuff.
Unfortunately when I bought it 2 years ago I was still relatively new to the LJ game and I didn’t notice the obvious frame damage to the passenger side front section. Honestly I Probabaly never noticed because it still drives really well.
The damage is kinda odd, if people want to see I’ll post pictures if I can. right above the front lower control arm mount, basically in line with the upper control arm mount (where the big like 1.5 inch hole in the frame is) it’s vertically crinkled and there’s build up of weld from what looks like a shitty flux core welder on the bottom of the frame where I’m guessing the frame split a bit. If I go up the frame behind the spring mount there is another vertical crinkle on the inside of the frame. There is also more weld build up on the bottom of that crinkle as well. From the very front of the frame to the spot where the springs mount its perfectly straight. Everything is painted, no rust and seems to be functioning perfect, even the small amount of off roaring I’ve done hasn’t bothered any of it. The original front bumper has also been replaced and the front radiator mount has also been shittily welded back on where it looks like it has been broken off.
Here’s what I think happened, the previous owner hit something like a tree stump with the front right corner of the Jeep, below the fender and only hit the bumper. That crumpled the frame in those spots but did little damage anywhere else. Someone pulled the frame back to the correct length and tried to weld the splits of the frame and painted it. Any symptoms of the frame not being straight are not present. Jeep drives straight, none of the control arms looks out of place at all. Tie rods and steering all seem to be correct. If the frame didn’t have obvious repair I wouldn’t even know it was damaged.
Here’s where I need help. The frame is in immaculate shape other than this issue with almost 0 rust and anything else. I WANT to fix this and I’m capable of welding and other vehicle repair. I can get a frame repair kit for the lower part behind the axle but nobody makes a full front repair kit or anything of the like. With jeeps being a commodity, it’s hard to find damaged jeeps with the front in tact. I can’t afford to take the Jeep to a professional and spend thousands to have it repaired
How can I fix this issue myself?
Is anyone selling that section of frame? I can get 3/32 steel to box it with after butt welding the frame pieces?
I want to fix this before doing a bunch of suspension upgrades in the coming years.
. So long as you got an angle grinder and welder.
