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Is this frame repairable?

76k5blazerr

76k5blazerr

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Was planning on trading my 79 k5 for an 81 cj7 this weekend. It does run and drive. Tonight I get a text from the guy with this picture attached, it's a 14 inch section of the frame in the back. Rusted pretty bad, does it look repairable to y'all? I have a good welder and ok fab skills.

image.jpeg

image.jpeg
 
The bigger question is do you really think that kind of rust is localized so a small are of the frame? I doubt it, rust like that doesn't just happen in a small area.

You'll need to cut more than that section out to get to good metal to weld to... if there's anything solid there.
 
Most of the rest of the frame is good. There's is 1 other place that is cracked but not rusted out. How hard would that be to repair. Only reason I'm still thinking about this deal is because I have 1000 bucks in my 79 k5 and this guy wants to trade the jeep and a car trailer for it. Now that he found this section of frame he said he'll throw in some more stuff. Until I saw the frame it was a smoking hot deal. What do y'all say?
 
A buddy of mine does Jeeps. When they are like this, he frame swaps, not worth repairing.

If you think you really want the Jeep or its a really bitchin trailer, sure. Otherwise it's a ton of work for little return on investment. A new frame won't make this jeep worth anymore. He's probably just going you will make his headache go away.

If your long term plan includes new frame, axles, engine and all you want it for is the body, you have that.
 
The trailer is a 7x16. Looks good to me. I have wanted a cj7 for a while, but can't afford them. That's why I want to make this trade. Guy might be throwing in a rifle as well. Still on the fence about it though.

image.jpeg
 
Well you have plenty to sleep on.

I wanted a Jeep once too. Couldn't afford it, either. Bought a K5 instead. Best decision ever next to divorcing my first wife
 
Yah. I will never get rid of my 76 k5. That's the only reason I'm considering this is because I have 2 k5s, was planning on restoring this 79 but the 76 means much more to me (first truck) so I think I would rather focus my attention on it. Been looking at some cj forums just now and guys have repaired worse than what this jeep has, maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all. Would be nice to have a trailer too.
 
Research the YJ frame swap for a CJ, might be enlightening for you and what is your likely most reasonable fix. I think CJs are made from compressed rust, i would never trust the frame in it now
 
Also, an 8.8 ford is a good upgrade that matches the late model D30 front. D35s go poof on bigger tires.
 
I'm with Ryoken--my friend has "repaired" a lot of jeep frames that look like that one,and the rot is never confined to one 14" spot,even though it may look that way from the outside...hit the rest of it with a ball pein hammer and I bet it's not very solid or thick,it'll be layers flaking off,rusts from the inside out..."made from compressed rust" is a good description..they delaminate like old plywood..

I'd swap a frame under that before wasting labor and money welding patches on it--many states wont let frames that have been patched or welded pass inspection too...
 
problem with jeep / totoyta / Nissan and others boxed frames for years is simple

SOME DIP SH!T FORGOT THE DAM DRAIN HOLES IN THE BOTTOM LOW POINTS .

they fill up and rust from the inside out .
 
:sign17:

If you want to build a trail ready Jeep. awesome deal. The trailer looks like its a decent one. Small and wont handle the K5 very well with the small axles in it. Add the rifle to the deal and it would be hard for any of us to pass up a trade where the K5 only cost us a grand.
 
Take a hard look at the Jeep beyond the frame. A CJ should have round rear flares, not squared off like that one. The picture also shows a roll bar that connects to the windshield frame, that started with YJ's in 87. The windshield frames are notorious for rusting badly, that could explain the later frame (if it is one). I would also question what the body looks like under that diamond plate patch, my bet is a rust hole at the lower front corner of the tub.

If it's being sold as a wheeler only these types of things may not matter but if it's a daily driver I'd question if this is actually a "rebuild" that someone has cobbled together.
 
I didn't even see the diamond plate the first time I looked at the picture.
It is a CJ though not a YJ in my book. The rear fender and roll bar is a later year possibility, but the rounded front to the front fender says CJ to me. The YJ wranglers had a distinct square to them IIRC. They had to match the square headlights.
 
I think you'd be ahead of the game by building a new frame.
 
I'm not sure what the deal is with the rear fender flares, it's a cj though, if you google "81 cj7" some of them have squared off and some have round flares. Under the diamond plate is a rust hole on one side, other side was diamond plated to match. He told me it has a new windshield, windshield frame, brakes, brake hoses and tires. He said it runs and drives good, I have heard it run and he said the clutch feels good. The windshield bars are for some bikini top he had, he sent me pics last night and it has the hardtop on it now and the bars are not there. At this point I'm thinking, get it, fix the frame to where it's semi-roadworthy, make it look cool, and take it to my grandparents place at the beach and use it there. (Speed limits are 35) haha. We will have to see what kind of rifle this guy has....
 
There are all kind of Jeep frame repair panels out there for sale.....In this case, replacing the frame would be the best way to especially if your planning on keeping it for a while.
 
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