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PLS help w/ fate of my TJ,. replace frame?

54K views 97 replies 40 participants last post by  jthal12 
#1 ·
So I bought my 98, 4.0,manual TJ for $1500.00. I thought I just had a few rot holes in the frame.I sent it to the body guy I use and he informed me the frame is rotted badly & wouldent advise to fix it.Sooo do I get rid of it or spend another prob 3k to replace the frame.I have a place to do the work & a friend to help.The body is in great shape,engine runs great & shifts fine-new clutch.
I have all these shiny new parts waiting to go in.This rots-literally.
Just want some input.Ive never replaced a frame but me & my buddy could def do the work.
 
#37 ·
Too funny.I spoke with him a few days ago & he has a mint frame for $500.00.Hes about 3 hrs away from me so I put some money down on it & going Sat to check it out.He says its one of the cleanest frames hes had.
 
#43 ·
Here in NC there are frames on craigslist all the time. There is someone on CL in NC right now with a "clean straight no rust" frame for $500 and someone selling a total TJ minus engine/trans for $1500. I hate seeing my fellow WF people needing stuff that I see around here for cheap all the time...Sorry.
 
#44 ·
Thanks for the responses everyone.What kills everyone up here is the shipping to get it here.If this frame turns out to be as clean as he says Im extremely happy to get it for $500.00.He said it is from down south so for the money I cant beat it since I only have to spend a total of 5-6 hrs to avoid a $800-$1000 shipping fee while getting a southern frame
Ill post pics of it.i never thought Id get soo excited about a frame lol..
 
#53 ·
btw what tools are necessary for a frame swap? i will need to do this eventually. i would imagine you need i lift or hoist for the engine, 4 frame jacks, a quick jack to drop the tranny and ahoist to lift the body. i'm assuming you also need a crapload of Kroil/PB blaster,a grinder/cutting wheel, a boatload of bolts etc, i'm also assuming that there may be more prep work than just spraying your bolts down a few times a few days before you start the project. am i missing anything? thanks
Jack
 
#56 ·
Well got back with it. It came with a welded on bumper that looks pretty freakin tough.





 
#64 ·
Im feeling the love now lol Well the swap is done.Right now the bit of rust under the door is getting fixed.Then I can do tires,lights bumer etc:






 
#65 ·
Where else was your frame rotted besides what we see in the pictures? It would have been temporary (if you fixed your old one), but to me it doesn't look too bad. But there is probably more to what that picture shows.

Either way, your in good shape now. How long did it take you?
 
#66 ·
Yeah,It was bad in a few spots.Also both sides of the rear where the bumper bolts.I feel it was too far gone.Seemed where I hit it with a hammer it punched a hole in it.It took mayby a month.with 2 people working on it.I cant believe the body bolts came right out.The rest of the Jeep is in really good shape surprisingly.
 
#67 ·
It also got a new radiator,,t stat,all brake lines,rear main seal,oil pan(rotted),rear diff cover,both diff seals & complete exhaust from the manifold back
 
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