One thing that was bugging me for a while was the rear most exhaust hanger. Or the lack there of due to the rust. I thought it was just the hanger until I pried it off. Basically from the hanger holes back to where the shackle attaches is rotted pretty bad. From what I've read I have two options. Find a new truck or cut out the rot and rebuild. So my question is, what are my options for where the shackle attaches to the rail? Man I hate the northeast and all this salt. Smh

 

Around here (Ontario) there is so much salt on the roads for the winter rust kills all the vehicles.


You could do a shackle relocation bracket and some clever welding and a bit of steel.
Instead of just fixing, upgrading.

That pic doesn't look that bad. At least it is still there.

 

Seems to be more every year... This Ontario winter has NOT been well to my XJ and I've developed some frame rot too.


Options are to cut out the rot and patch it with some plate. Obviously this requires good welding skills as it is structural. Once done I strongly recommend getting a set of full-length frame rail stiffeners. HD Offroad Engineering has a package on for $350 or so that reinforces the entire length of the Jeep.

Also this is exactly why processes like Rust Check and Crown are so valuable. Oil-based undercoating prevents rot inside frame rails, rockers, etc. Once fixed it is a very good idea.

 

Same over here in New Hampshire. Winter doesn't seem to want to ever end. I'm clueless about welding I was going to sign up for some classes. Seems like a good thing to know how to do. In the mean time I'll try to find a friend that could help out. I was going to do a shackle relocation anyway. I need to cut away to see how far the rust reaches.

 

From the looks of that, I wouldn't wait too long.