YJ - Frame Rust and Suspension Rebuild (OME 2.5")

[YJfromPA]

Hey All

As the name says, my YJ is a recent transplant from PA to AZ. Went on a my first AZ wheeling run on Friday and when doing the post run damage check noticed that there was a 2-3in hole in the frame right near the driver side rear shackle mount. Also, the frame repairs I had done in PA on the same part of the frame were falling apart. Great.

When showing my wife the frame damage (and getting the repair budget approved lol), she noticed the Jeep was sitting a little lower on the driver side. Did some looking into that, and it turns out that my leaf packs on the right side have some broken leafs in them.

As a bit of background: This jeep is my first vehicle. I have had it since I was 16 and after paying to get it cross country I'm not getting rid of it now. It's currently got a beat up skyjacker 4" lift on it that was used before I put it on 10 years ago, so it could use all new shocks, bushings, and bolts in addition to the springs that broke. It has some beefy 1" lift shackles on it that are actually still in good shape. Its currently set up with stock drive shafts and a T-case lowering kit that came with the skyjacker lift.

For the rust repair: I'm looking at grinding and wire brushing the entire frame to see exactly how bad this problem is. After its down to the metal and I can see what I'm dealing with, I was planning to weld on frame repair sections that are sold by most 4wd parts suppliers, repairing any mounts, and then priming/painting. Still not sure if I'm going to pull the body off the frame...but I am thinking that it will be necessary to really get all of the rust off this thing. This jeep is staying in AZ, and my goal is to solve this problem for the next 20+ years.

For the suspension: Planning to go from the current set up to a 2.5" OME leafs + 1" body lift + my old 1" lift shackles, and run 33"s. Down the road (when I have $$ for a v8, axels, drive train mods, steering, SR, etc) I'm planning to do an SOA, and I think this set up will let me transition pretty easy.

I appreciate any feedback/thoughts on the above repair plans. Don't want to overlook something. ("Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.")

Also: Any recommendations on shops to do this work? I'm sure i could do it myself, but I live in an APT complex. A buddy volunteered his side yard, but I'm not sure his wife will tolerate my rust bucket being on his property for too long. lol I'm thinking the frame work is going to need to be done by a specialized frame repair or vehicle restoration place.

Thanks in advance!

[Rhino]

First of all---
Welcome aboard from the East Valley! ! !
We do have a few shops around here that are forum sponsors that could help you out.
What part of the valley do you live in?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[YJfromPA]

First of all---
Welcome aboard from the East Valley! ! !
We do have a few shops around here that are forum sponsors that could help you out.
What part of the valley do you live in?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

I'm in Chandler, but am willing to drive to a good shop that specializes in Jeeps and/or frame work.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[OTR-93YJ]

Welcome to the board.
There is a guy in the buckeye area that really knows jeeps. I know he has done many restorations frame up. But that's quite a trip to make. If nobody else chimes in I'll post his info.

I would call around to the salvage yards and find a frame. It sounds like frame swap is the way to go. AMC 4X4 Salvage in Glendale would be a great place to visit.

Look under the frame where the steering gearbox bolts on. It's probably cracked there.

[TreeKiller]

As for doing framework on your rig and whatever else you want to have done by a shop, I'm just going to list the forum sponsoring shops capable of fabrication, frame plating, etc, along with a few others that you might want to talk to.

Knuckle Busters (Mesa) - Dave
(480) 634-8846
https://www.knuckle-busters.com/

LetzRoll Offroad (Mesa) - Andrew
(480) 797-0469
https://letzrolloffroad.com/

RPMFab (Tempe) - Don
(480) 329-2992
http://rpmfab.com/

Former sponsors and other reputable shops

4 Wheeler's Supply (Phoenix) - Ben
(602) 273-7195
https://4wheelers.com/

Raven Industries AZ (Tempe) - Ray or Rico
(480) 559-7873
http://ravenindustriesaz.com/

Hunter Offroad (Tempe) - John
(480) 557-7577
http://www.hunteroffroad.com/

Desert Fab Motorsports (Apache Junction) - Todd
(480) 288-4213

Bent Fab (Phoenix) - Paul (although Ernie is a member here)
(480) 326-0855
http://www.bentfabaz.com/


Scott

[YJfromPA]

As for doing framework on your rig and whatever else you want to have done by a shop, I'm just going to list the forum sponsoring shops capable of fabrication, frame plating, etc, along with a few others that you might want to talk to.

Knuckle Busters (Mesa) - Dave
(480) 634-8846
https://www.knuckle-busters.com/

LetzRoll Offroad (Mesa) - Andrew
(480) 797-0469
https://letzrolloffroad.com/

RPMFab (Tempe) - Don
(480) 329-2992
http://rpmfab.com/

Former sponsors and other reputable shops

4 Wheeler's Supply (Phoenix) - Ben
(602) 273-7195
https://4wheelers.com/

Raven Industries AZ (Tempe) - Ray or Rico
(480) 559-7873
http://ravenindustriesaz.com/

Hunter Offroad (Tempe) - John
(480) 557-7577
http://www.hunteroffroad.com/

Desert Fab Motorsports (Apache Junction) - Todd
(480) 288-4213

Bent Fab (Phoenix) - Paul (although Ernie is a member here)
(480) 326-0855
http://www.bentfabaz.com/


Scott

Thanks man. Giving them a call.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ShmUDE]

i did some frame rust restore on a YJ and it was a huge pain. I would suggest pulling the tub and doing it right if you are going to do it. You'll end up with broken body mount bolts, rusted out bumper bolts and all kinds of other crap. Might as well do it once instead of keep chasing it.

[YJfromPA]

Took it to a few shops to look at. It's funny how AZ locals react to a bit of body/frame rot. You can tell it's not the norm out here. Lol

Got lots of great advice, and I appreciate them taking a look. Consensus was: if I wanna keep the Jeep long term, I should replace the frame.

Debating getting a new frame from TDK or picking a used one out of a salvage yard.

Given that AZ is the Mecca of rust free frames, I'm hoping to find one out here.

Anyone got one to sell? 95 YJ 2.5L


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[johnstd]

Welcome to Chandler.....good luck with your repairs.

[azgypsy]

A-1 truck & salvage in apachejunction has like 3 of em in their yard right now!

[YJfromPA]

A-1 truck & salvage in apachejunction has like 3 of em in their yard right now!

Ty for the tip!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[OTR-93YJ]

Ty for the tip!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That tip was from Dave, not Ty.

LOL!

[figx4]

"Ty" I think he is trying to say Thank you, Doug, 😄😄

Sent from my LG-K373 using Tapatalk

[OTR-93YJ]

Yea I know.
Ty designated TY as "thank you" and Ty has his name. TY for the info though!