If it really doesn’t have a bolt on that one side, if you could find one bolt and get it to thread that would work till you could get it fixed. Problem is finding one of those bolts. Maybe order the kit linked to above and have it on hand.
Preparation questions about 2005 Rubicon I'm taking delivery of Thursday
- Thread starter Henchman59
- Start date
If it really doesn’t have a bolt on that one side, if you could find one bolt and get it to thread that would work till you could get it fixed. Problem is finding one of those bolts. Maybe order the kit linked to above and have it on hand.
I’m wondering if the two are just seized together and the pure power of rust is holding up half of the entire drivetrain
. Mother nature’s weld.
I’m wondering if the two are just seized together and the pure power of rust is holding up half of the entire drivetrain
My thought too: rust weld holding that together, which in this case is a good thing.
My thought too: rust weld holding that together, which in this case is a good thing.
that or they held it up there until that frame coating dried and it's just glued together, TEMPORARILY ! Maybe they mixed in a little JB Weld and duck tape too
. Sorry OP but when I see stuff covered up like this it makes me go 
I just hope you don't wind up having to do a a frame swap in the near future.
Moab a couple years ago, we had a fellow member who only had a bolt or two holding on his trans/tcase skid and it was noticed on one of the trails.
I’m wondering if the two are just seized together and the pure power of rust is holding up half of the entire drivetrain
Or someone tried to take off the bolts and the heads broke off!
Between all but 1 of the skid plate bolts missing and this weld, I'd say your in for one heck of a rusty surprise. Skid looks like it could be welded to the frame.
The dirt on this frame makes it very hard for me to see clearly but it is possible that frame was completely rusted and painted over.
All of them have corrosion between the skid and frame. My Florida TJ had it, my TX LJ had it but it wasn't bad.
Yeah I agree, my LJR is from Wyoming and has some as well, but it's minimal like yours pictured. Too me that spot i circle appears to have a weld that's been coated with undercoating. and this would make sense with it missing almost all of the tcase skid bolts.
My Texas TJ, I'm spoiled. On the frame, listen to the Rust Belt folks, I am unaware of what is good, bad or really bad, ha.
This looks like it had rust, someone put POR15 or something on it to stop it. Might be great for that region. I've seen them look much, much worse on this forum.
Either way, I have an 05 and love it. I love the 6 speed, have had 3, and don't sweat all the negativity on those either, ha.
Rubicon setup, looks like it's been a street Jeep so not all beat up, ha. Good stuff.
I completely transformed mine, and I got most of the tips and walk throughs here, and then some YouTube to see what I was going to do.
I don't, been on the planet a long time, and appreciate the alpha. My first vehicle was a 66 Plymouth, 3 on the tree, it wasn't even 10 years old and needed a lot of love. Back in the day cars rusted in no time. I owned a lot gull wings, lot of muscle, and a lot of beaters. Today... it needs some love, as we all do, it's not that old and I like the TJ's. I would rather put time and money in to learn and take credit for making it a killer toy. Input makes me aware of what needs to be immediately put on my radar. Thanks all! It's why I'm here. to get your input.
Hello folks. Got it home, 106 miles down Mass Pike 70-80 mph and it's peppy, or as peppy as a stock TJ with 265/75-16 tires can be, so maybe a tad over 80 with cruise. Rode really well, it's still a Jeep. Here are some pics.
I followed up on the plate. It's welded on both sides the length of it. Not sure why, as I really got into the frame this morning. Scrapped away where there was some flaking, and It's really not bad. Probed and fingered all the holes
not bad, jus say'n.
Why would the skid plate be welded on? I'm thinking they welded to brace the frame. It does have a class two tow hitch, the spare was removed, and it looks like all hardware and plates are brand new for it, so I'll reinstall.
Passed inspection no problem. Pic with new tires and I will add a 2" spring lift. Swung by my buddies shop and we'll dig in a little as well. Couple little oil leaks, nothing too bad so it very drivable. Carfax shows a 47 maintenance records and one light front end accident. Color of hood stands out. It's a pretty good buy from what I've learned.
I followed up on the plate. It's welded on both sides the length of it. Not sure why, as I really got into the frame this morning. Scrapped away where there was some flaking, and It's really not bad. Probed and fingered all the holes
not bad, jus say'n.Why would the skid plate be welded on? I'm thinking they welded to brace the frame. It does have a class two tow hitch, the spare was removed, and it looks like all hardware and plates are brand new for it, so I'll reinstall.
Passed inspection no problem. Pic with new tires and I will add a 2" spring lift. Swung by my buddies shop and we'll dig in a little as well. Couple little oil leaks, nothing too bad so it very drivable. Carfax shows a 47 maintenance records and one light front end accident. Color of hood stands out. It's a pretty good buy from what I've learned.
Hello folks. Got it home, 106 miles down Mass Pike 70-80 mph and it's peppy, or as peppy as a stock TJ with 265/75-16 tires can be, so maybe a tad over 80 with cruise. Rode really well, it's still a Jeep. Here are some pics.
I followed up on the plate. It's welded on both sides the length of it. Not sure why, as I really got into the frame this morning. Scrapped away where there was some flaking, and It's really not bad. Probed and fingered all the holes
Why would the skid plate be welded on? I'm thinking they welded to brace the frame. It does have a class two tow hitch, the spare was removed, and it looks like all hardware and plates are brand new for it, so I'll reinstall.
Passed inspection no problem. Pic with new tires and I will add a 2" spring lift. Swung by my buddies shop and we'll dig in a little as well. Couple little oil leaks, nothing too bad so it very drivable. Carfax shows a 47 maintenance records and one light front end accident. Color of hood stands out. It's a pretty good buy from what I've learned.
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My guess is that at some point, the bolts or receiving nuts that hold the skid to the frame either broke or failed, and someone just welded the sucker up instead of fixing the problem. We don’t see it a ton, but we do see it.
Sounds good. This looks like a good find in the Northeast. Glad it run well. Who knows what you get when or if you pull that apart. That is, even really rust free Texas TJ's, that area almost always has some rust, so that area could be a suprise.
Sounds like you've got a mechanic / shop to help, personally, I'd get the 6 Nutserts from Black Magic, and bolts to match, and the tool to install those. I'd Pull it apart to see, and get that back to where it should. But, with what you are looking to do, that may be farther down the line. You might just have that on the "list" for later, if you're wanting to do other things.
Sounds like you've got a mechanic / shop to help, personally, I'd get the 6 Nutserts from Black Magic, and bolts to match, and the tool to install those. I'd Pull it apart to see, and get that back to where it should. But, with what you are looking to do, that may be farther down the line. You might just have that on the "list" for later, if you're wanting to do other things.
I will eventually cut it free as I will want access. I’ll look a little deeper into it, but when it goes on the lift at my buddies we’ll really start getting into it. I’ve definitely driven some beaters in my day. Still here and I think this is a decent base to play with… time will tell. Until then… I’ll share what I do, and see what happens over time.
You should start a "Build Thread" and track what you do. Looks like a great TJ to start with, and a good price considering your budget. Good stuff, and a Rubicon, all good.