Frame Repair

I just sandblasted and welding my cj5/6 frame back together, and I now need to fix some cracks and rust holes in the frame. For those who have done this before, what is the best way to fix these issues? My idea was to cut the severely pitted/holes out and lap-weld a new piece on top of the cut out. Also, the gauge of the steel appears to be between 1/8" and 3/16" which have you used? Also, should the new piece be a particular shape or are square ends okay for strength? I am also intending to box the frame after the troubled areas are taken care of.

 

I welded the damage then plated the inside with 1/8" steel

 

A big can of worms to open. Much discussion here in the past, especially if you search frame boxing.

 

Just a comment ...

you realize that the bodies of these Jeeps rust out way sooner than the frames? That said, you'd think that there are an excess of good frames out there and a shortage of good bodies.

I'm sure this frame could be repaired, but you might want to search the usual sources for a while and you might turn up a good replacement. The frame does not change a lot between '55 and '71 - you could even use a M38A1 frame.

If I were to repair this frame, I would fill all the holes and strap the entire length of the underside. And, if you ask about this on the welding forums, you'll get a dozen responses that basically say it's either negligent or criminal or both for an amateur to weld on a car frame. So, are you going to do this yourself, and how good a welder are you?

 

This can be fixed but its not the cheap or easy way to go. I wish you lived closer i could fix you up with a frame.

 

Thanks for your pictures. 1/8th inch steel is what I was leaning towards as it is much more bendable with the equipment I have. Can you tell me a little more about the last picture? What is the fix for the spring pivot?

 

Look at the 2nd pic. I welded the cracked frame, used a grinder to get it smooth. Then did the reinforcing, all on the inside of the frame. I made sure to extend the plating way past the fatigued metal. Fyi got a 56 chassis for sale in the classified section

 

Yes, I still read The Welding Web and ask questions on the forum occasionally. Interestingly, I find much nicer people willing to help on the MIG forum, a UK based site. What I found is that many on the welding web criticize those amateurs who have the audacity to build/fabricate/weld big projects. I understand they are trying to guarantee everyone's safety--but I also think that a lot of them are just totally opposed and actually hostile to amateur welders. I know for sure that many on that site would scream about me welding on a frame...using colorful expletives with ** on why I'm not good enough and to leave this for the pros (a common reply to most amateurs). Well, I disagree. I think I can patch a frame and box it, especially if I get advice from the fine people who have done it before with good results. If I truly suck, then I guess you might see my Jeep broke in half and then I'll admit I was wrong. Below are the pictures of the trailer I built. Again, the welds are not perfect, but have good penetration (according to most who have see them) and I also have used grade 8 bolts on critical junctures like the coupler. For what its worth...

 

I must admit that repairing what you have even for a seasoned Fabricator would be a pretty good challenge..........Now, not to say that it cannot be fixed but looking at some of the base metal that is pitted and near rusted through makes it near impossible to get any form of weld to stick to it..............Basically your platform and foundation is pretty weak ............and just about every repair scabbed on there now pretty much should come off and be redone.............You would have to form numerous new pieces to repair what's there but there really is no good starting point.

Sometime's its better to lick your wounds and move on to something more sound to start with!................Just my opinion!

I seen your latest trailer project.......and on the surface looks pretty good..........But, It's one thing to weld on clean solid metal and a totally different animal dealing with old rusty trash..........they do not act the same! You'll know the first time you blow through what I mean. Good Luck!

 

I'm pretty set on trying to fix this one. I have a lot of steel laying around, and time to kill before my project fund builds up. If in the end, I just can't do it...I'll admit defeat. Until then, I'm going to keep trying. The pictures are the worst spots on the frame. I thought the rest of the frame was decent... for the pitted area would it be better to cut it out and then lap weld a much larger piece over top of it, or leave the pitted area and weld over top of it...carefully? I thought protocol was to cut it out, but I'm questioning why.

 

Yes, I've read the same posts. Hope I didn't touch a nerve.

Good looking trailer, BTW.

 

I think one concern would be that your frame has clearly been beat to crap. How many more places are fatigued, work-hardened and brittle, ready to crack after you've invested a ton of time?

 

The welds on the Jeep frame aren't too pretty. The welds on the trailer are better.
I'm not a certified welder, several of my welds have been checked out by a ASME inspector, he said I would pass the tests.
I only weld to keep the Jeeps going, otherwise I work with wood so my opinion isn't really worth much here.

 

A lot of the factory welds on Jeeps aren't too good either, not that I should be one to talk about them.

 

I think your welds look fine.
The saying about making a silk purse from a sow's ear comes to mind when I look at that pitted up frame. It looks like a lot of the original thickness of metal is gone, and it shows a lot of metal fatigue to have cracked in so many places.
I understand the feeling of wanting to restore something, but if I were you I would spend a little money to get a good frame instead of a lot of time working on this one. I think it will be marginal at best no matter what effort you put into it.

Don

 

Hey no problem , I think it's great that at least your willing to give it a shot............On your question..........I always like to get back to some clean metal that has a good foundation............so protocol would be to cut back to the point the metal is clean and near full thickness......From there a proper joint can be made and new metal can then be added..............But , that may be a problem in some of the area's shown at least from my view.............and when you say weld over the top? what are you welding to?............take a bad piece of that chassis and strike and arc with the MIG gun and see what happens.

 

Thanks. The welds pictured in the photos of the Jeep frame were not mine...thankfully. I plan on cutting and grinding the angle iron off. The spring pivot is damaged and needs replaced.

 

Ha! Maybe a little nerve or bad memory asking questions on the Welding Web. Its all good.