'88 Grand Wagon frame rusted
 

Sad story...
My beloved '88 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, my trusted friend for the last 18 years,
apparently has a terminal case of frame rust that won't pass inspection. In
the past, my mechanic has fixed this by welding in patches but he now says
that the frame has to be replaced, it's so bad it cannot be repaired. I'd
love to keep this vehicle. I know it's hard to answer this because you don't
have all the details, but has anyone dealth with a frame restoration? How
involved? Expensive?

Thansk in advance.

Re: '88 Grand Wagon frame rusted
 

Mark Corbelli wrote:
> Sad story...
> My beloved '88 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, my trusted friend for the last 18 years,
> apparently has a terminal case of frame rust that won't pass inspection. In
> the past, my mechanic has fixed this by welding in patches but he now says
> that the frame has to be replaced, it's so bad it cannot be repaired. I'd
> love to keep this vehicle. I know it's hard to answer this because you don't
> have all the details, but has anyone dealth with a frame restoration? How
> involved? Expensive?
>
> Thansk in advance.
>
>

I am soon to be in that position with my CJ7. There is minimal
'repairing' I can do to it because there is no real steel left, it has
crystallized.

I know my body will come off in modules and in one piece because it is
fiberglass that I installed 7 years ago.

The big issue is how much steel is left in your body, particularly the
area around the mounts. If they are solid, then your Jeep might be
worth a new frame. In my case only one bolt came out of the body tub
without cutting or snapping....

Jeeps are nice because they do come apart in pieces pretty easy. The
wiring harness comes apart in modules at the fuse panel when you unbolt
the center bolt.

When the body is lifted off the frame, it is then relatively easy to
plumb up the new frame for gas and brake and vent lines before the body
goes back on.

I guess the trick is to find a new frame that the maker didn't think was
gold plated.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Re: '88 Grand Wagon frame rusted
 

Mark Corbelli wrote:
> Sad story...
> My beloved '88 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, my trusted friend for the last 18 years,
> apparently has a terminal case of frame rust that won't pass inspection. In
> the past, my mechanic has fixed this by welding in patches but he now says
> that the frame has to be replaced, it's so bad it cannot be repaired. I'd
> love to keep this vehicle. I know it's hard to answer this because you don't
> have all the details, but has anyone dealth with a frame restoration? How
> involved? Expensive?
>
> Thansk in advance.
>
>

I am soon to be in that position with my CJ7. There is minimal
'repairing' I can do to it because there is no real steel left, it has
crystallized.

I know my body will come off in modules and in one piece because it is
fiberglass that I installed 7 years ago.

The big issue is how much steel is left in your body, particularly the
area around the mounts. If they are solid, then your Jeep might be
worth a new frame. In my case only one bolt came out of the body tub
without cutting or snapping....

Jeeps are nice because they do come apart in pieces pretty easy. The
wiring harness comes apart in modules at the fuse panel when you unbolt
the center bolt.

When the body is lifted off the frame, it is then relatively easy to
plumb up the new frame for gas and brake and vent lines before the body
goes back on.

I guess the trick is to find a new frame that the maker didn't think was
gold plated.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Re: '88 Grand Wagon frame rusted
 

Mark Corbelli wrote:
> Sad story...
> My beloved '88 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, my trusted friend for the last 18 years,
> apparently has a terminal case of frame rust that won't pass inspection. In
> the past, my mechanic has fixed this by welding in patches but he now says
> that the frame has to be replaced, it's so bad it cannot be repaired. I'd
> love to keep this vehicle. I know it's hard to answer this because you don't
> have all the details, but has anyone dealth with a frame restoration? How
> involved? Expensive?
>
> Thansk in advance.
>
>

I am soon to be in that position with my CJ7. There is minimal
'repairing' I can do to it because there is no real steel left, it has
crystallized.

I know my body will come off in modules and in one piece because it is
fiberglass that I installed 7 years ago.

The big issue is how much steel is left in your body, particularly the
area around the mounts. If they are solid, then your Jeep might be
worth a new frame. In my case only one bolt came out of the body tub
without cutting or snapping....

Jeeps are nice because they do come apart in pieces pretty easy. The
wiring harness comes apart in modules at the fuse panel when you unbolt
the center bolt.

When the body is lifted off the frame, it is then relatively easy to
plumb up the new frame for gas and brake and vent lines before the body
goes back on.

I guess the trick is to find a new frame that the maker didn't think was
gold plated.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Re: '88 Grand Wagon frame rusted
 

"Mike Romain" <romainm@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:461fa809$0$31564$9a6e19ea@unlimited.newshosti ng.com...
> Mark Corbelli wrote:
> > Sad story...
> > My beloved '88 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, my trusted friend for the last 18
years,
> > apparently has a terminal case of frame rust that won't pass inspection.
In
> > the past, my mechanic has fixed this by welding in patches but he now
says
> > that the frame has to be replaced, it's so bad it cannot be repaired.
I'd
> > love to keep this vehicle. I know it's hard to answer this because you
don't
> > have all the details, but has anyone dealth with a frame restoration?
How
> > involved? Expensive?
> >
> > Thansk in advance.
> >
> >
>
> I am soon to be in that position with my CJ7. There is minimal
> 'repairing' I can do to it because there is no real steel left, it has
> crystallized.
>
> I know my body will come off in modules and in one piece because it is
> fiberglass that I installed 7 years ago.
>
> The big issue is how much steel is left in your body, particularly the
> area around the mounts. If they are solid, then your Jeep might be
> worth a new frame. In my case only one bolt came out of the body tub
> without cutting or snapping....
>
> Jeeps are nice because they do come apart in pieces pretty easy. The
> wiring harness comes apart in modules at the fuse panel when you unbolt
> the center bolt.
>
> When the body is lifted off the frame, it is then relatively easy to
> plumb up the new frame for gas and brake and vent lines before the body
> goes back on.
>
> I guess the trick is to find a new frame that the maker didn't think was
> gold plated.
>
For a Wagoneer? Good luck. I've seen some relatively intact vehicles in
New Mexico and Colorado used car lots, but they think the whole vehicle is
gold plated. There's an older one north of Durango on 550 with a for sale
for $500 sign on the windshield...

Earle

Re: '88 Grand Wagon frame rusted
 

"Mike Romain" <romainm@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:461fa809$0$31564$9a6e19ea@unlimited.newshosti ng.com...
> Mark Corbelli wrote:
> > Sad story...
> > My beloved '88 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, my trusted friend for the last 18
years,
> > apparently has a terminal case of frame rust that won't pass inspection.
In
> > the past, my mechanic has fixed this by welding in patches but he now
says
> > that the frame has to be replaced, it's so bad it cannot be repaired.
I'd
> > love to keep this vehicle. I know it's hard to answer this because you
don't
> > have all the details, but has anyone dealth with a frame restoration?
How
> > involved? Expensive?
> >
> > Thansk in advance.
> >
> >
>
> I am soon to be in that position with my CJ7. There is minimal
> 'repairing' I can do to it because there is no real steel left, it has
> crystallized.
>
> I know my body will come off in modules and in one piece because it is
> fiberglass that I installed 7 years ago.
>
> The big issue is how much steel is left in your body, particularly the
> area around the mounts. If they are solid, then your Jeep might be
> worth a new frame. In my case only one bolt came out of the body tub
> without cutting or snapping....
>
> Jeeps are nice because they do come apart in pieces pretty easy. The
> wiring harness comes apart in modules at the fuse panel when you unbolt
> the center bolt.
>
> When the body is lifted off the frame, it is then relatively easy to
> plumb up the new frame for gas and brake and vent lines before the body
> goes back on.
>
> I guess the trick is to find a new frame that the maker didn't think was
> gold plated.
>
For a Wagoneer? Good luck. I've seen some relatively intact vehicles in
New Mexico and Colorado used car lots, but they think the whole vehicle is
gold plated. There's an older one north of Durango on 550 with a for sale
for $500 sign on the windshield...

Earle

Re: '88 Grand Wagon frame rusted
 

"Mike Romain" <romainm@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:461fa809$0$31564$9a6e19ea@unlimited.newshosti ng.com...
> Mark Corbelli wrote:
> > Sad story...
> > My beloved '88 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, my trusted friend for the last 18
years,
> > apparently has a terminal case of frame rust that won't pass inspection.
In
> > the past, my mechanic has fixed this by welding in patches but he now
says
> > that the frame has to be replaced, it's so bad it cannot be repaired.
I'd
> > love to keep this vehicle. I know it's hard to answer this because you
don't
> > have all the details, but has anyone dealth with a frame restoration?
How
> > involved? Expensive?
> >
> > Thansk in advance.
> >
> >
>
> I am soon to be in that position with my CJ7. There is minimal
> 'repairing' I can do to it because there is no real steel left, it has
> crystallized.
>
> I know my body will come off in modules and in one piece because it is
> fiberglass that I installed 7 years ago.
>
> The big issue is how much steel is left in your body, particularly the
> area around the mounts. If they are solid, then your Jeep might be
> worth a new frame. In my case only one bolt came out of the body tub
> without cutting or snapping....
>
> Jeeps are nice because they do come apart in pieces pretty easy. The
> wiring harness comes apart in modules at the fuse panel when you unbolt
> the center bolt.
>
> When the body is lifted off the frame, it is then relatively easy to
> plumb up the new frame for gas and brake and vent lines before the body
> goes back on.
>
> I guess the trick is to find a new frame that the maker didn't think was
> gold plated.
>
For a Wagoneer? Good luck. I've seen some relatively intact vehicles in
New Mexico and Colorado used car lots, but they think the whole vehicle is
gold plated. There's an older one north of Durango on 550 with a for sale
for $500 sign on the windshield...

Earle

Re: '88 Grand Wagon frame rusted
 

On Fri, 13 Apr 2007 13:51:26 GMT, "Mark Corbelli"
<m_corbelli@verizon.net> wrote:

>Sad story...
>My beloved '88 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, my trusted friend for the last 18 years,
>apparently has a terminal case of frame rust that won't pass inspection. In
>the past, my mechanic has fixed this by welding in patches but he now says
>that the frame has to be replaced, it's so bad it cannot be repaired. I'd
>love to keep this vehicle. I know it's hard to answer this because you don't
>have all the details, but has anyone dealth with a frame restoration? How
>involved? Expensive?
>
>Thansk in advance.
>


There is a classic rust weakness area in the frame used under that
vehicle. Usually it is in front of rear axle were it rusts to the
point it breaks. Jeep used a thinner alloyed frame that was strong but
prone to rust. J10', fullsized Cherokees and Wagoneers were prone to
this problem. J20's were not because they had a much heavier frame. It
do not think it would be too hard to find a frame because the same
basic one was used for over 20 years. It can be done but I would
suggest that if you replace it sandblast and paint frame you plane to
use before installing it. If you want to get extreme, you could look
into using a J20 frame and shortening it to proper length. This is
extra work and cost but if cleaned and paint it would easilly out last
the rest of vehicle. Personally if it is in good shape I think it is
worth it because it is a real classic and was ahead of its time.
Sturdy vehicle too.
-----------------
TheSnoMan.com

Re: '88 Grand Wagon frame rusted
 

On Fri, 13 Apr 2007 13:51:26 GMT, "Mark Corbelli"
<m_corbelli@verizon.net> wrote:

>Sad story...
>My beloved '88 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, my trusted friend for the last 18 years,
>apparently has a terminal case of frame rust that won't pass inspection. In
>the past, my mechanic has fixed this by welding in patches but he now says
>that the frame has to be replaced, it's so bad it cannot be repaired. I'd
>love to keep this vehicle. I know it's hard to answer this because you don't
>have all the details, but has anyone dealth with a frame restoration? How
>involved? Expensive?
>
>Thansk in advance.
>


There is a classic rust weakness area in the frame used under that
vehicle. Usually it is in front of rear axle were it rusts to the
point it breaks. Jeep used a thinner alloyed frame that was strong but
prone to rust. J10', fullsized Cherokees and Wagoneers were prone to
this problem. J20's were not because they had a much heavier frame. It
do not think it would be too hard to find a frame because the same
basic one was used for over 20 years. It can be done but I would
suggest that if you replace it sandblast and paint frame you plane to
use before installing it. If you want to get extreme, you could look
into using a J20 frame and shortening it to proper length. This is
extra work and cost but if cleaned and paint it would easilly out last
the rest of vehicle. Personally if it is in good shape I think it is
worth it because it is a real classic and was ahead of its time.
Sturdy vehicle too.
-----------------
TheSnoMan.com

Re: '88 Grand Wagon frame rusted
 

On Fri, 13 Apr 2007 13:51:26 GMT, "Mark Corbelli"
<m_corbelli@verizon.net> wrote:

>Sad story...
>My beloved '88 Jeep Grand Wagoneer, my trusted friend for the last 18 years,
>apparently has a terminal case of frame rust that won't pass inspection. In
>the past, my mechanic has fixed this by welding in patches but he now says
>that the frame has to be replaced, it's so bad it cannot be repaired. I'd
>love to keep this vehicle. I know it's hard to answer this because you don't
>have all the details, but has anyone dealth with a frame restoration? How
>involved? Expensive?
>
>Thansk in advance.
>


There is a classic rust weakness area in the frame used under that
vehicle. Usually it is in front of rear axle were it rusts to the
point it breaks. Jeep used a thinner alloyed frame that was strong but
prone to rust. J10', fullsized Cherokees and Wagoneers were prone to
this problem. J20's were not because they had a much heavier frame. It
do not think it would be too hard to find a frame because the same
basic one was used for over 20 years. It can be done but I would
suggest that if you replace it sandblast and paint frame you plane to
use before installing it. If you want to get extreme, you could look
into using a J20 frame and shortening it to proper length. This is
extra work and cost but if cleaned and paint it would easilly out last
the rest of vehicle. Personally if it is in good shape I think it is
worth it because it is a real classic and was ahead of its time.
Sturdy vehicle too.
-----------------
TheSnoMan.com