TJ Frame Fix??

[fubar62172]

Both of the upper control arms for the back axle have rotted of the frame. On the driver’s side the bracket is still connected but a piece appx 6 X 10 has ripped out of the frame (rotted).On the pass side the bracket has pulled right off of the frame (also rotted just not as bad).This is my daily driver so I need to fix it asap. I'm thinking of sandblasting all the steel, fish plating and re-welding where needed and then painting with rustoleum. Do it seem like I'm on the right track??Thanks for any info

Mike

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Sounds good, but I'd cut the rust out for a square hole, fill with a patch panel, then fish plate over that. Consider using POR15 rather than Rustoleum.

 

[jps4jeep]

^^^ That.

this is a very common issue with TJ's in the rust belt. This year alone we have repaired the frame of 2 97 TJ's.

Start with the worse side, start cutting out metal until you get to solid metal. little weld through primer inside the frame, patch, then fish plate on the ends of the patch. Ballistic Fab is having a sale this month on link brackets, if you call balistic and tell them what you are doing, they can get you the correct brackets. then use one side that you haven't cut up yet for measuring and put the new link mounts on.

 

[fubar62172]

There is two different typs of brackets on Ballistic Fab's website.How do I know which one to get? Zero degree or 22.5degree....:?:

Thanks

 

[jps4jeep]

Call them and ask

 

[volaredon]

I put a new frame under my 97 2 years ago for this; mien went just ahead of the hump going over the axle; boxed frames are stronger; BUT they need drain holes! (TJ's are lacking there)