Frame Rot...how long can I go

[robfg67]

Just noticed some frame rot on the right side rear frame. How dangerous is this? I need to have this truck make it through the winter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[xjrev10]

IMO it all depends where and how you drive. City driving you will most likely be fine. I wouldn't wind it up to 80 on the inter state but I would drive in town. Don't haul nothing too heavy.

[91coMANche]

I know you don't want to hear this but...just fix it. Fix it now. Don't wait. Nobody on a forum can give the accurate advice you want. What I CAN tell you is that it needs to be fixed and should be fixed now. Cutting it out and remaking that from thicker steel won't be difficult for someone with some knowhow.

[xjrev10]

That looks way to far gone to fix. Like buying a 1986 MJ with a V6 and wanting to swap a 4.0 into it.

[LarryH88bt]

Anything is fixable. http://www.comancheclub.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=25969&start=15 my frame rot repair thread. I haven't updated it in a while because I've been busy actually fixing it. I got the major patches welded in last week and once I finish the bed, its going to the shop to have the rest of it patched. Try to find cwlongshot 's thread of a similar frame repair.

 

It takes a lot of time and you'll need a small angle grinder and mig/flux core welder. Total, I've spent about $150 so far. $30 in cut off wheels, $75 to rent the flux core for a week, and $50 in paint and random hardware (I had steel from an old project, 1/8"). Labor though, it's taken me hours and hours. And more hours. Had to remove the bed and gas tank to get at it all.

 

As for how long it can go... my frame was probably heavily rotted for years and I had no idea until I decided to poke around with a screwdriver. Key thing to check is the spring hanger and if it is still attached to the frame above it. If not, then it shouldn't move until patched.

[robfg67]

The thing is I really don't want to put any more money into her. She is my DD until April. Come next winter, I have my sights on the next Jeep pickup. But this is a safety issue and I will address ASAP.

[ParadiseMJ]

Nothing personal and no offense meant, but that looks like something that has happened over a bunch of time. The fact that you "just noticed" it tells me you don't spend enough time on your back under the Jeep. e.g. The muffler and CAT look like they've had some work in the last, say, 2-3 years. Missing that much rot, :no:

 

Drive the Mustang, park the Jeep til you can fix it.

[1tonMJ]

The thing is I really don't want to put any more money into her. She is my DD until April. Come next winter, I have my sights on the next Jeep pickup. But this is a safety issue and I will address ASAP.

 

WHAT???!!!!

[robfg67]

Yeah, I haven't had the cause/reason to spend much time under the truck lately. You name it and it's already been replaced and/or repaired.

 

I never thought to look for frame rot-especially since I removed the bed and POR-15'd the entire underbody less than 3 years ago.

 

And yes, the next Jeep pick-up (Wrangler based with the new V6 Pentastar engine) is expected to be available late next year. I love my MJ, but it's time. :cry:

 

[ParadiseMJ]

I never thought to look for frame rot-especially since I removed the bed and POR-15'd the entire underbody less than 3 years ago

 

I guess I'm spoiled living out here in the west. My 88 has pretty much zero rust issues and I don't even KNOW how fast the crap can take over once it gets a full winter of salted roads, We use snd/gravel out here, and I have to go to the mountains looking for it. The rest of the time the roads are just...wet.

 

I would expect POR 15 to last longer than ME, let alone allow any corrosion to creep in 3 years later.

[Bigbike]

Ive got the frame rot too :(. Question It is on the edge of the frame under the pass side frame rail under the doors. Would you suggest a piece of angle iron over or graft a piece in to the rotted section?

[GreenF350]

I cut out my bad spots and welded in new patches. Once it was ground down it almost looked like it was never touched. Problem was though, the more I poked around, the more spots I found. Frame rot is what led me to pull the truck off the road for a year, get a new bed, and paint the whole thing. Very common problem for north east comanches. Makes me wonder how many were junked for this reason.

[beaterheep]

my 88 had one really bad spot when i bought it, by the pass front spring hanger, patched it with 3/16' steel, found 2 other spots and patched them too, just plated the last 2' of the rear frame when i built the rear bumper.

[freakjeep93]

that doesnt really look to hard to fix. anyone with the right skills could fix it pretty cheap.

[kyleag89]

Better fix my soon to be truck!

[robfg67]

You already have have 3 Jeeps :doh:

[kyleag89]

Whats wrong with 1 XJ and THREE MJs?

[ComancheKid45]

Whats wrong with 1 XJ and THREE MJs?

 

 

Yeah really! :yes: :clapping: