Is this frame problem fixable?

[ElFabro]

Hi everyone,

I bought a fairly cheap 2000 TJ this last weekend and I want to apologize in advance if this post is in the wrong spot or if anything else should have been done differently. I was dreaming of getting a Jeep project for a long time and the one that I got seemed like a good deal with no huge issues (just the usual easy stuff.
Today I noticed a crack in the frame (see photos)..there is also a rectangular cutout in that location that created the weak spot leading to the crack. Is it possible to weld in a piece in that area or is my whole thing dead before I even started?

When I looked at the car I also looked underneath.. didn't see any significant rust and thought it was good :-/

Thank you so much for your advice!

 

[TJ Jim]

Cut some u-channel to fit and weld it up.

 

[SSTJ]

That's pretty discouraging. Looks to me like the TJ had serious rust, and that someone cut out a section of the frame to treat or inspect the inside (TJs usually rust from the inside out), and then painted over the rust with black paint.

Others will know better than I about what can be done to restore a frame. Safe-T-Caps have been discussed on other threads.

 

[ElFabro]

Cut some u-channel to fit and weld it up.

Thanks for your reply. My first thought was to cut a channel that fits around it and weld it on like a sleeve, basically covering the entire mess..is that what you are suggesting? I would also try to treat the inside first to keep the rust away (for a little while at least).

 

[Rickyd]

Thanks for your reply. My first thought was to cut a channel that fits around it and weld it on like a sleeve, basically covering the entire mess..is that what you are suggesting? I would also try to treat the inside first to keep the rust away (for a little while at least).

Grind all the cracks into a v notch and possibly drill the end of the cracks to stop them.then weld em up. Fit a plate to weld into the hole in your crusty frame. That would probably be ok. If you decide on plating over it weld up the cracks first anyway

 

[Artsifrtsi]

Good news is there are replacement rust free frames available...

 

[ElFabro]

I saw repair profiles that slip on..are those worth the money?

 

[SSTJ]

Possibly helpful reading:

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/has-anyone-used-safe-t-caps-before.22762/

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/anyone-installed-safetcap-to-repair-frame-rust.8345/

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/anyone-used-safetcaps-for-jeep-frame-rust-repair.13672/

 

[Sea Cot]

totally repairable. https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/2000-sahara-it-shoulda-been-a-part-out.38097/

 

[DuckNut]

Safe t caps

Premade pieces to fit thr frame. Just need someone who knows proper welding.

Proper welding. Or you can make it worse.

 

[Moglocker]

Safe t caps

Premade pieces to fit thr frame. Just need someone who knows proper welding.

Proper welding. Or you can make it worse.

Those repair panels are really for the bottom half,he has cracks going to the top of the frame,I would start hitting the frame with a hammer,probably soft all over,and if you buy a good frame the tub is still really rusted.

 

[Duck Doctor]

I would fully assess the frame and undercarriage then make a decision about whether it's worth your effort to move forward. That black paint likely hides some ugly rust.

 

[wigsajumper]

Either Safety T caps or Poconos Metal sells replacement sections that just need to be welded. They do need at least the top 1/3 of the frame to still be decent.

I used Poconos for my mid section repair.

https://poconometalcraft.com/collec...oducts/1997-2006-center-skid-frame-repair-set

Time to whack at the rest of the frame with a hammer to see if there is any other soft spots. That is the spot that my frame failed.

 

[Cooper Smith]

Hi everyone,

I bought a fairly cheap 2000 TJ this last weekend and I want to apologize in advance if this post is in the wrong spot or if anything else should have been done differently. I was dreaming of getting a Jeep project for a long time and the one that I got seemed like a good deal with no huge issues (just the usual easy stuff.
Today I noticed a crack in the frame (see photos)..there is also a rectangular cutout in that location that created the weak spot leading to the crack. Is it possible to weld in a piece in that area or is my whole thing dead before I even started?

When I looked at the car I also looked underneath.. didn't see any significant rust and thought it was good :-/

Thank you so much for your advice!

View attachment 614052

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View attachment 614054

It looks like the frame is coated with a rubberized undercoating. Rubberized undercoating MURDERS steel. It acts as a squeegee and sandwiches water and salt against the frame as the rubber "cracks" over time. It's nasty shit. I would be pretty confident in saying you've got a little more rust than what's evident. Safe-T-Cap may work, but your frame probably needs more work than just right before the rear (front) control arm mount.

Welcome to box frames in the salt belt. The one thing Tacoma/Jeep drivers have in common; frame rot.

 

[MikekiM]

You've got everything you need in the last few posts.

That's a common spot for failure as there is no way for water that enters the rails to get out. If you do safety cap it or do any other repair, make sure you clean the rails of any rusty chunks, debris, sand etc before you close it up. Add drain holes to the rails. 3/8" or 1/2" holes in the bottom of the rail. At a minimum, put them in the exact spot that is cut out of your rail, on both sides. Search "drain holes". More than a few posts here.

How does the other side look?

Welcome to the forums.