So I have this 99 Cherokee that I bought about 6-8 weeks ago. Found it on Craigslist and met the kid selling it at a parking lot halfway between us. When he showed up, the Jeep was covered in mud. I gave it a going over and what I saw, I was fine with. I already knew it needed wheel bearings but everything else seemed good. I got it home and it sat for a few weeks while I was busy with other stuff. Fast forward to 5 days ago when I brought the Jeep into the shop to do the front end. As I'm doing ball joints {surprise!} and wheel bearings, I notice that where the drivers side upper control arm bolts to the frame has a 1/2" wide crack that goes almost completely around the frame. The previous owner had to know about it because there is a piece of 1/8" steel plate half-*** welded to the side of the frame. I had previously asked him specifically about the frame and he was all "Nope, no problems at all." So now I have to figure out a plan. I'm thinking about welding a C-channel over the whole thing, or at least a heavy duty piece of angle iron where I can reach without access to a lift. Any ideas or suggestions?

 

Post some pictures so we can see how bad it is. Best bet is to plate your whole frame I would say but I'm not the authority on cracked frames.

 

I'll get some pics of it tomorrow.

 

I'll never buy a jeep that isn't stock and/or adult owned for this reason, unless I know where it's been and how it's been treated. They do make good parts trucks though

 

the "correct" way of welding a crack if there is such a thing is to... and this is just what i heard so don't everyone get fired up in arms.... is to drill holes at the very end of each side of the crack. grind out a little groove or channel down the lengh of the crack so you can get a good penatrating weld. the holes at the end keep the crack from progressing further out in either direction.

 

X2 The radius of the hole keeps the crack from spreading. Weld the crack as Agent mentioned then grind the weld down flush then weld some plate over it. If you get a good root bead then re-enforce it with plate you should be fine

 

There may be nothing suitable to weld to, until you get in there with a grinder you won't know the real extent of the carnage. If it's a bucket, you can always use it for a parts Jeep.

 

Not really sure why I can't post pics on the thread I think I'll weld a flat plate to the bottom of the frame rail, and then a piece of angle iron over that plate and the inside of the frame. Then tie it all together with the plate that is already welded to the outside of the frame rail. The passenger side is fine with no cracks or rot.