Jeep TJ Wrangler Extreme Frame Rust - Can it be Saved?

[@gregmacklin9758]

This is possibly the best video I've ever seen regarding problematic rust areas on a TJ.

[@TabooCustoms]

Thanks, we keep working on getting videos out. Hope to soon have a video talking about the Jeep tub subframe and how bad those can get. We have one right now where the body is sitting on the top of the frame, which is about 3/4" from where it should be.

[@MrCharlesray]

Most channels scare people away badly against very little rust, for these cars it is to be expected when they are 20 years old, but little rust can be repaired, if not too bad. I hope a lot of people get to watch this video and find hope to buy a jeep with little rust and take care of it. :) great video

[@TabooCustoms]

Thanks, anything can be fixed given enough time, money and material. A lot of it is the know how of how much really needs done for it to be safe an reliable. I see a lot of Jeeps that had very poor repairs.

[@Cstanton04]

This gives me high hopes for fixing mine up. This is my absolute favorite model ( tj ) I have a 2000 with a 2.5L five speed. Learned how to drive a stick on it so I have a bunch of sentimental value in it. Watching from Michigan and interested in seeing the process. Subscribed

[@TabooCustoms]

We are working through it and only have one more kit to install. We will then be doing a finished video. I will say that frame wise this would definitely be on the edge of what we would recommend could be repaired and at that something like this needs to be repaired by a somewhat skilled fabricator/welder. If you would like you can send us some pictures of your rusted frame and we can let you know what we think.

[@THE_RAMALAMADINGDONG]

Owned a 04 Unlimited for 4 years looking over forums for almost the same amount of time for the exact information in this video....messed up part is I just found this channel like a hour ago... good part is you got a subscriber till I die !!!

[@THE_RAMALAMADINGDONG]

Bad part is I'm terminal and only have hours to live ....

[@thomasheer825]

Live in North Central Ohio and have fought this battle on my 99 Wrangler. Use a technique learned while in the military. That is not that hard to do if you are willing to work and it actually is stronger than factory. First cut out the rust back to solid material. Use cardboard and a hammer to make a pattern. Transfer that pattern to 1/4" steel, needle gun the hell out of the frame where you are working. Weld in that transferred plate and grind it flat. Next take your pattern and make a plate 1.5" longer as a top plate. Use a hole cutter and cut holes in this plate. Weld this top plate in and weld the holes around, this makes a better strength area stronger than the factory frame. Have done this on several vehicles and have always had success with this method. It actually isn't costly but work intensive.

[@tekn0713]

this is quite nice to hear about, iv got a 2000 tj 4L, its got some rust on the bottom, not too worried about it right now. however, this is the vehicle i want to try an experiment with, and keep running and driving for as long as i can. so if a part breaks, just go and fix it kinda deal. its nice to hear that even a frame like that can be repaired

[@nmforman50]

I love your Jeep videos. You give us "rusty jeepers" great hope!

[@TabooCustoms]

Thanks 👍

[@trevoranthony7084]

Your kit saved my 99 wrangler great stuff

[@TabooCustoms]

Awesome, always happy to hear it saved a jeep.

[@robjohnston5292]

Why only 826 subscribers??? This is a very informative, well thought out, well presented video. You've gained a subscriber.

[@TabooCustoms]

Thanks, much appreciated. Once we get set back up we hope to be able to get many more done.

[@ArtimusFreeman]

THIS IS AMAZING! Thank you! Just got an awesome TJ with some rust issues. Not as bad as in the video, but similar arears. I look forward to seeing your repairs and some of the repair kits you will have available. Thanks again.

[@jeffersondane1554]

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[@marshalljaxxon4425]

@Jefferson Dane Instablaster =)

[@jeffersondane1554]

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[@jeffersondane1554]

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[@marshalljaxxon4425]

@Jefferson Dane you are welcome :)

[@saratc660]

Wow 😱 I came across tiny bits of rust on the body and the floorboards, but this is just crazy

[@jimjohnston3188]

It's my understanding that all this could have been avoided if the factory would have drilled some holes in the bottom of the frame. Is this correct?

[@TabooCustoms]

It would certainly have helped to have more holes for drainage.

[@zell863]

If they hot deep galvanized frame would not be problems.

[@masonjames7308]

Just replace rear driver side of my TJ frame, good job Chrysler with poor judgment on the way u made the frames

[@davidcassia1595]

i have a 2005 toyota 4runner which i need the get the rear repaired because it has holes i could send a pic to you to see what you think

[@TabooCustoms]

Sure, send them to [e-mail].

[@Tater4200]

I wish my xj wasn't uni body lol. Ive got all the panels pulled and half the uni frame..

[@heavychevy743]

I don’t have any holes in my frame but it’s flaking pretty good inside should I just go ahead and put your kit on before it rusts through

[@TabooCustoms]

If you do just make sure that you take as much rust off as possible before plating, you don't want to sandwich any rust between plates if you can help it. Be sure to use a good weld through primer.

[@mundanestuff]

We have an 04 TJ x we got for $3k 4 or 5 years ago. Upstate NY so yeah, rust belt. What's this sort of frame repair cost? Ballpark? It's such a shame, a typical new York jeep, runs amazingly well, hard top, full doors, rusted all to hell. It's a shame to junk it or part it out, but that might be what has to happen because the frame looks just like this one, thought the rear control arm connections are a little better.

[@TabooCustoms]

The parts price isnt to bad, for $300-500 you can get parts to do most of the frame, the labor is what is the bad part. To do what I did with this one I would expect anywhere from $600-1500 depending on who and where you take it.

[@mundanestuff]

@@TabooCustoms heck, that's totally doable. Lots of assumptions of course but if I could save this old gal for $1500 I would do it, and then hit the tub later. If I had enough garage space I would give it a shot myself. I'm already restoring two 59 Austin Healey Bugeye Sprites in it, no room for a full sized car LOL

[@stewhaines4554]

Videos are really helpful and appreciated. Dealing with some rust and have found useful information in all of what i've watched. What is your generally opinion on frame paint, rust encapsulators? I've got a shop doing a section of my frame with safetcap so i'll have a mix of bare metal, some isolated rust spots (at welds, openings), and then a lot of area with original frame paint (the rust is mainly on the inside - using internal frame coating for that). I know there is no shortage of opinions - e.g. POR, RustBullet, etc. Just curious to know what you most often use as a practical matter.

[@TabooCustoms]

Thanks, prevention once you have a lot of rust is tough, a lot of those products really only work if you get all of the flaking and deep rust off, which on the inside of the frame is nearly impossible. When I do restorations of frames I have them sandblasted then will coat the with POR 15. When we do small rust repair we will try to cut out the bad rust as much as possible and use a weld through primer on the inside of the kit then prime and paint the outside. I would say that any of those rust prevention coatings with paint will perform better than just standard primer and paint.

[@paulusamail7664]

@@TabooCustoms I appreciate you taking the time to respond.

[@kennethnewman744]

The effing cricket that wanted to be part of this video

[@TabooCustoms]

Lol, yeah the old shop would get tons of crickets and toads.

[@ickyiceful]

Can it be saved or should it be saved I think that if you really hustle the amount of time you would spent grinding cuttting and welding away at a frame would be a good head start of time on a frame replacement not repeat besides they wasn’t coated from the factory on the inside out and is thin vs a throttle down customs frame that’s much thicker property coated inside and out to ensure no more rust cancer

[@PhatboyHD88]

Man that Tub is toast to .. im all for fixing things , but even if ya got a new frame that tub is really bad also , id strip it for good parts and scrap it .. but thats just me..

[@williamsantuzzi5808]

just curious,would it be a good idea to sandblast the frame before doing any repairs to the frame.?

[@TabooCustoms]

Yes, if possible that would be the best start to removing rust, grease, etc.

[@jamesrichardson8499]

I need frame work done to my tj

[@TabooCustoms]

Close to SE Iowa?

[@mikeandrew8973]

Excellent ... but whats the price tag ? $1500. ?

[@TabooCustoms]

Haha, yeah that will vary a lot depending on who does it. To this degree i would expect $1500 if not more.

[@TabooCustoms]

Thing is the options aren't great either, part it out or try to find a different frame. Swapping everything to a different frame is going to cost you about the same.

[@jaecenwhite2590]

“It’s a little bit sketchy” - I can see the wall on the other side of the Jeep, man, that’s a lot bit sketchy.

[@TabooCustoms]

Lol, yeah maybe a bit understated.

[@danielreeves4799]

How much does it typically cost to have a frame kit done

[@TabooCustoms]

Depends on what and how many areas you have to have done. Most places that are businesses that will do it will be pretty expensive as its seen as a liability. I would typically recommend getting in touch with your local jeep clubs and seeing if they know of anyone in your area that does them.

[@danielreeves4799]

Are you close to memphis. I'll bring mine to you

[@TabooCustoms]

Not very close. We are in Montrose IA.

[@cmi580]

Do you have kits for Jeep Liberty's? 2006 Jeep Liberty to be specific.

[@TabooCustoms]

Sorry we currently do not. If you are close enough to SE Iowa we might be able to custom make one for you.

[@TheSlyhound]

How much would this normally cost if someone brought their car in to get it done?

[@TabooCustoms]

This specifically, $2000-2500.

[@ronphillips3204]

Where is your shop located? My tj has been repaired before I bought it but I'd like it fully checked by someone who specializes in these types repairs. My local shop says my jeep isn't worth fixing up the way I'd like it to be. I'm not trying to build a mall crawler or a monster mudder just a nice play toy.

[@TabooCustoms]

Montrose IA. If you are close we would be happy to take a look, if you are not maybe we can look at some pictures and advise.

[@ronphillips3204]

@@TabooCustoms I just saw your location on Google! I'm excited! You're only about a 130 miles from me! I'll definitely be calling to set up an appointment! I need an honest answer to see if it is worth fixing up. I'd like to do a 3 in lift as well as make it a dependable jeep. This other shop basically told me I'd be better off buying one already fixed up.

[@TabooCustoms]

@@ronphillips3204 Sounds good, best way to set it up is probably through email. [e-mail]

[@buckfiden6102]

I bought a 02 jeep tj from a car lot they sprayed the frame with black spraed painted on the rusty spots and things. It snapped rusted frame... I almost got into a car accident.can I sue them?

[@TabooCustoms]

I've seen folks fill frames with spray foam, bondo and other stuff just to get them sold off, also seen a lot of bad fixes where they just throw a plate over it. As for the dealer I'm guessing somewhere in the paperwork that was signed there could be a legal out for the dealer. We have in the past though repaired some frames that were paid for by a dealer because they had just sold the vehicle to the customer, time after sale might play a factor there.

[@danielreeves4799]

And where are you located

[@TabooCustoms]

We are located in Montrose IA

[@dirtmouf]

@@TabooCustoms would you be willing to work on my 01 tj? The rust isn’t nearly as bad as in this video but it’s definitely something I’ve really been wanting to get fixed. I’m in Macomb IL & willing to drive your way

[@TabooCustoms]

@@dirtmouf I'm not able to take on new jobs right now but I do have a guy in Quincy that does them with my kits. Email me at [e-mail] and we can talk about it.

[@MidnightPolaris800]

Thats the rustiest tj frame ive ever seen

[@TabooCustoms]

The crazy thing is this is the worst we have seen for the center to rear section of frame but one of the best at the very front of the frame around the steering box, which can be an issue. We are finishing up working on this soon and will have the update video out in a week or so hopefully.

[@jon-xq2lc]

you have not seen mine haha its a shame too because its mint everywhere else..BTW get that frame paint for inside the frame, comes with a 8' nozzle with 4 spray holes to coat 360 degrees, at you feed the tube in the hole as far as you can go spray as your pulling it out, I'm in search of a frame,now.,

[@jxyjayjxy]

@@jon-xq2lc what is the name of the interior frame paint you are referring to and where to purchase?

[@jon-xq2lc]

@@jxyjayjxy Its a product made by Eastwood... search Eastwood internal frame coating- Paint. Amazon has it $25.00 a can, I believe two cans will do it .....There are some videos here on KZbin, Coating the interior of the frame and some great details of how they go about doing so.... Good luck.

[@jxyjayjxy]

@@jon-xq2lc Excellent! Thank you 👍

[@cherokeefit4248]

I’d sadly junk it.

[@TabooCustoms]

I wouldn't blame you. In the follow up video we talk about that.

[@cherokeefit4248]

My 2000 xj is really good. It’s sitting in heated storage and staying safe from the winter salt here in Ontario Canada. The Jeep Xj and tj are a dying breed and mostly in memories at this point.

[@WilliamVG]

Jeep Wrangler is plagued with corrosion issues, the 2018+ haven't improved, watch out.