Drilling Drain Holes in a Jeep Wrangler Frame to Prevent Rust and Rot

As many Wrangler owners have discovered (the hard way), Jeep frames have a tendency to rot out. This is largely due to the fact that there were no drain holes installed in the bottom of the frame from the factory. Today I addressed this issue on my own Jeep. This video shows the method I chose to implement on my personal vehicle. Any modifications to a vehicle frame can have structural implications, consult a qualified professional prior to performing any modifications.

[@notice_fpv]

I love this channel! I've never met such a wise and industrious pair of gloves in my life.

[@Jarod1941]

I always drill a 3/8" hole just behind the front control arm mount and just ahead of the rear mount. Reasons being: I can easily use a Q-Tip to cover the bare metal with paint to prevent any rust issues.

[@roblennard9505]

As an owner of a 97 tj sport...thank you! Not all of us jeeples are made of money, and we enjoy wheeling as much as the $50k jlur rock crawler owners do, so yeah, thanks for the budget friendlier build.

[@TheGhjgjgjgjgjg]

How can such a massive design flaw be over looked when the thing is literally made to go through mud and water?

[@redwolf8151]

A great addition to this would be to spray Fluid Film oil with a soft 360 degree sprayer snake from end to end of the inside of the frame. Did this to an 88 4Runner and frame was perfect after 31 years, 18 of those being winter years with road salt.

[@paulramsay5371]

Excellent idea to make that jeep last longer than others.

[@p47rr]

Thank you. I just drilled mine out today. Same place. And same size. Will touch up the holes with paint in the morning.

[@moabwheeling]

I learned something new today from you . I just subscribed to your channel as I am really liking your content . Just watched your 8.8 rearend swap . I'm not going the 8.8 route yet on my TJ .I'm building the super 35 instead . I don't do any rock crawling or crazy stuff , just easy trails nowadays.

[@ronmiller7916]

I'll tell you another rust so. Top of each front fender a few inches back from the light around where the hood latch is, centered. If you look there under the fender you will see something that looks like corragated metal on the underside of the fender. Debris collects there fast and created a concentrated rust spot that eventually rust thru the top of the fender. Takes about 10 years and you get nasty rust holes.

[@mccwho]

You also need to consider after you coat the inside of the frame the hole will be smaller. There will be small rocks and debris that needs to be able to escape and if the hole is to small it will just get clogged and the debris will stay inside the frame.

[@joehastings1]

FYI when you're drilling in that position you definitely want to use some really good eye protection.

[@aeyb701]

Good point about surface tension. I Didn’t think of that.

[@jimmyschmidt14]

if you drill under the body mount then it is easier to access and you will be able to see when the hole is clogged with debris. i did this to my truck and put drains in my rad support also. the factory drains cup upward which does not allow all the water out. i may do quick, easy grinder notches on my next frame.

[@TheSchmed]

A mechanic friend told me the problem is Hyundai made a lot of those frames and the steel used was not treated properly

[@detroitbluesguy]

All Wranglers..and most trucks..after that squirt in some ATF trans oil in frame once a year.

[@h.r.puffnstuff8705]

It ain't just the frame. Look for plugged body drains. Like the ones in the lower pinch welds.

[@developingdaddy]

That is a nice frame...

[@djkunter]

Hey those are the same Ravine aluminum wheels I have. I made a comment on your budget crawler 33” tire episode 4.

[@Masterhughesproductions]

a lot of the jeeps are rusting , cheap steel , they want 40 or 50,000 for a jeep and their made with shit steel, my old cj was 30 years before it had significant rust.

[@ONE_GEN_X]

Like the surface tension experiment. I’m not a scientist but I was thinking about the size of the container. The frame is wider and much longer than the cap. If it takes such a large hole to drain the cap could it take a larger hole to minimize tension in the frame? Thanks for the video because I never noticed there weren’t drain holes in my frame and I learned something new about water lol