Seeking rust advice

[Semaj07]

Hey all,

I have a 1998 Sahara 5 speed with 148k miles. I’ve owned it for about 4 years now and while I don’t drive it nearly enough, I really do love tinkering and working on it. Mechanically, she runs like a top and every single thing works on the thing from AC to the cruise. Sadly while working on the rear brakes I noticed a soft spot on the frame by the rear lower control arms and took a screwdriver to it and boom giant hole opened up. Obviously a common issue. The rest of the frame passed the hammer and screwdriver test (obviously is not a perfect frame by any means though), but that spot is absolutely shot. Now my problem is I don’t have the mechanical know how to fix rust and metal, nor the fundage to repair it correctly (new frame, cleaning it all out and coating it etc…) as those options are going to cost thousands. So my question is what options do I have? I’m ok selling it is, but realistically what do I expect to get for something like I have (I live in New York)? Are there other options I should be looking into? I contacted a pro welder to check out some safe t caps but he was not keen on doing it as it’s a very labor intensive job and requires a lot just to get it in place (he had done them in the past and said he needed a lift too). Any advice is welcome. Thanks!!

 

[vinsanity28]

Call around to some local shops, or ask for Jeep shop recommendations here. Get an estimate to fix/patch the spot, and then get another estimate. It’s likely to not be cheap and from what I’ve learned the last month, once you have a frame issue it’s likely your fenders/tub/etc are also eaten up.

If you’re not attached to the Jeep, and you want another one, I would list it for sale honestly disclosing the rust issues. Sell it as is and take the money from the sale, add what you can, and start looking around in the south for some rust free examples.

Post some pics to give the experienced members here an opportunity to give feedback. Good luck

Vinsanity28

 

[macleanflood]

I'd say you've spent the last four years training for this moment...time to buy a welder and a grinder...you can do it.

-Mac

 

[TheBoogieman]

Pics or it never happened.

 

[TheBoogieman]

Hey all,

So my question is what options do I have? I’m ok selling it is, but realistically what do I expect to get for something like I have (I live in New York?

In mint condition it's worth $7500, so you decide or post pics.

 

[Shank]

In mint condition it's worth $7500, so you decide or post pics.

I'd say closer to $10k, but even still.

 

[Semaj07]

Thanks all for the replies! I can upload some photos of the problem area when I get home. And going off the previous comments, I actually really thought about trying my hand at welding lol. But I was a bit timid about trying it on that particular area because of how important it is to rear structure of the vehicle and how supportive my "welds" would be haha.

 

[Chris]

Post some photos please

 

[hear]

In mint condition it's worth $7500, so you decide or post pics.

Every market is different, but just about anything (without rust) priced at $7500 is sold same day around here. A mint condition TJ for $7500 would probably cause a DDOS on the FB Messenger servers.

 

[Semaj07]

Here is the bad side; a general look at the frame, the better side, and the entire (albeit dirty) Jeep. At one point it was coated clearly, but that is seemingly on the way out. Thanks again everyone for the input and comments!

 

[Granite]

I’m in a similar boat up here in NH - trying to gauge the rust issue against my desire to keep building my Jeep. And toying with the idea of learning to weld to keep this thing alive!
I am no expert but the rest of that frame *looks* alright … it’s just suspicious that you popped a hole through that one section. Water probably pooled up there.

I have a couple of good neighbors who weld that I would lean on. Maybe you should try to find some of those people who can weld and would trade their time for some cold beers!

 

[TheBoogieman]

Maybe you should try to find some of those people who can weld and would trade their time for some cold beers!

They'd have to be bad alcoholics to do that. That's a lot of work to do it right.

 

[Hopper]

I was able to talk my mechanic into using his lift. I cut the section and fitted it. He then ended it in. Wasn't to hard. The mid section was another story and alot more cutting. Fit the rear section, hook up control arm for placement, tack it, unhook arm and weld it.

 

[TheBoogieman]

 

[Semaj07]

Thankfully we aren't at THAT stage of rot yet, but it can definitely be getting there if it isn't addressed soon. I am100% able and have the tools to cut out the rot like he does in the video and get it all to the point of the actual welding of the piece in. There is a few people locally who specialize in just welding so I think I am going to just get some quotes from them and see where I am at after that. I am able to strip the frame and even clean out all the crap thats sitting in there, sure it is a lot of work and would require lifting the body up a bit to make sure i get ALL of the frame, but I think I can handle that. It is just the welding lol.

 

[frank1]

Thanks all for the replies! I can upload some photos of the problem area when I get home. And going off the previous comments, I actually really thought about trying my hand at welding lol. But I was a bit timid about trying it on that particular area because of how important it is to rear structure of the vehicle and how supportive my "welds" would be haha.

Check out to see if there are some evening welding classes in your area, one could learn a lot fast. Or even faster.

 

[steelhd]

Thankfully we aren't at THAT stage of rot yet, but it can definitely be getting there if it isn't addressed soon. I am100% able and have the tools to cut out the rot like he does in the video and get it all to the point of the actual welding of the piece in. There is a few people locally who specialize in just welding so I think I am going to just get some quotes from them and see where I am at after that. I am able to strip the frame and even clean out all the crap thats sitting in there, sure it is a lot of work and would require lifting the body up a bit to make sure i get ALL of the frame, but I think I can handle that. It is just the welding lol.

Hand the welder correct SafeTCap replacement pieces.
https://www.autorust.com/product/jeep-safetcap-kit-locations/

 

[Semaj07]

Slight update. I found a local guy with a lift who does Jeep and Toyota frame work as his side gig of being a welder and he quoted me $500 with the safe t cap and labor and that I found to be reasonable! He is a month out on appointments but that’s ok, I’m in no rush, so I think that’s the direction I’m going to go!

 

[Rcroane]

Have you put a camera inside the frame (available relatively cheap on Amazon)? Looking at the photo of your skid plate, I suspect you've got rot in the center section. If it were me, I wouldn't proceed repairing the one section until you've gotten a good look inside. It may change your decision on how to move forward. I don't mean to be a "wet blanket" but I suspect you have some pretty serious rot throughout the frame.