cookrw

After I went wheeling today, I noticed a lot of cracks growing from the vent on my door pillar:




Past lots of body flex due to it being a two-door, maybe this has something to do with it?

mdnov

I am not too sure if you are asking for help or just showing off battle scars. If you would like to stop the cracks from spreading you can drill a small hole above the crack and one below the crack. This will prevent the cracks from growing.

Dan91

If by above and below you mean at each end, then yeah that method works well. Just wanted to clarify this so the guy doesn't go drilling holes randomly lol.

Anyways, once you do that you could have someone weld the cracked portions back together.

ktmracer419

drilling the ends of the holes will help the cracks from spreading. Stop drilling is not a fix though, it will still get worse.

eventually turned into complete a and b pillar failure.

you will need to strengthen the entire structure if you want it to last through hard wheeling, frame stiffeners and a well tied in cage.

mdnov

Yes that is what I meant. : ) It is always best to clarify.

cookrw

Yeah, I meant how do I repair it. Are those going to be the "only" cracks, or is there another spot that commonly gets beaten up.

I don't do much wheeling (Once every month or two, and still stock height and tire size). Will just welding the cracks back hold it together? Should I plate over the vent and weld it in solid as opposed to leaving the plastic vent and hole there?

mdnov

The more you wheel with it and the more stress that you put on your Jeep, the worse it will get. That is a down side of a uni-body. As KTM stated if you put strengtheners in and a cage you will be alright. If you do decide to weld the cracks, use a mig or wire feed welder. I would not plug the vents up.

cookrw

So I will need to weld it up, and take it easy from here on out until I get some frame stiffeners to reduce my body flex?

Edit: And why not plug the vents? To me, it seems like having a plate there instead would increase the strength of the pillar by a lot?

ktmracer419

the vents are there so no windows pop out when you close your doors. not sure how tight an older xj is sealed though... might be able to weld them up. but covering them won't strengthen the entire unibody structure. That is just the first place that usually shows cracks on a 2 door xj. Its a sign that the rest of the body is weakening.

cookrw

Does that mean it's a sign to fix it and cut my losses and not really wheel anymore? :/ This has to be my DD for hopefully at least another 12 months...

mdnov

I will be completely honest with you. I am not 100% sure why there are vents in the pillars. I am under the impression that they must be there for a reason. That being said I would not weld them up.

ktmracer419

mine was cracked about as bad as yours was when i got it, put frame stiffeners and put over 2 years of hard wheeling on it before it got to the point of failure.

You can probably not worry about there is really no telling. If the cracks bother you, or the doors stop shutting so well, I would plate around it with some 14 guage sheet metal, but still leave a hole for cabin decompression.

ktmracer419

cabin decompression. without them air wouldnt have a place to escape when the doors are shut and things will fall apart over time.

Boost Happy

Interesting, so apparently the 4doors are more rigid than the 2doors?

mdnov

Thanks. I thought that might be it but I would much rather admit that I do not know something then to give someone who is looking for an answer an incorrect answer. Thanks for the info! : )