Frame Rust... What to do?

[Zcheney]

I just bought a 2000 TJ. My wife and I love this jeep. It is super clean... body and interior are in pristine condition, nice wheels/tires, etc. It has a 4 inch lift, with Teraflex shocks and disconnects. BUT... the frame is super rusty.

My wife and I bought this to wheel but I've been learning a lot in the past few weeks about jeeps and I'm wondering if I should sell this and buy a different one before I spend the money paying for tax/licensing.

I have a few concerns... This jeep has a Dana 35 rear axle and from what I've been reading I feel like it's just a matter of time before I break the axle turning 33's on the rocks. I'm a pretty careful driver and don't plan to get too extreme but I do plan to take it to Moab a few times each year. I figure if I break the rear axle I could then just go find a Dana 44 and replace it at that point... however, with the frame rust I'm wondering if It's not worth the investment to build it up with nice parts. Am I better off selling this and finding a different one? How much should I worry about frame rust? Maybe it's not such a big deal??? What would you do?

 

[ChestonScout]

wheel it......if you break or bend the frame......use your parts to build a buggy!






Thats what I would do anyway

 

[bryson]

You have pictures of the rust? Are you sure it isn't just surface rust?

 

[TooeleBronco]

Have you looked at other jeep frames? Rust is very common in Utah due to the salt they put on the roads. It's good to spray off the underside of your ride when you wash it in the winter to get the salt off.

 

[Chevycrew]

Wash with high pressure soap and water, then paint everything you can with rustoleum. Repeat annually.

 

[rholbrook]

Wash with high pressure soap and water, then paint everything you can with rustoleum. Repeat annually.

X2

I have your 44 sitting in my garage right now and it's out of a TJ. You
ay have to get it regeared but it fits and there is a regearing special going on here.

 

[Zcheney]

You have pictures of the rust? Are you sure it isn't just surface rust?

Here are a few pictures. I think the rust goes pretty deep in some places.

 

[Zcheney]

X2

I have your 44 sitting in my garage right now and it's out of a TJ. You
ay have to get it regeared but it fits and there is a regearing special going on here.

I may be interested. What would I be looking at in terms of $ to take it off your hands?

 

[Caleb]

Here are a few pictures. I think the rust goes pretty deep in some places.

IMO, I wouldn't worry aout that rust. It's not that bad. If you're worried, hit it with a wire wheel to knock off the look and bubbled paint and then re-seal it. Pick-up Russ' D44 throw it in and you've got a good rig.

 

[bryson]

I second the idea to wire wheel the rust off, and then cover it up with some good rust inhibiting paint. And then wheel the pants off of it.

 

[Zcheney]

Sounds like i need to bust out the wire wheel. I guess I'm still concerned about the rust up by the shock mounts and in places where it might be making the welds weak. I guess if it breaks it breaks... at least I'll be having fun.