2000, 4.0. 4x4

I bought this Jeep and crawled all
over it looking at the frame looking for rust. Rust free. Some how I missed this. Am I screwed? I took it to a body shop and with out putting it on a lift the guy said the weld looks good, and it looks pretty square. He said he’d drive it but can’t guarantee any safety stuff, how long it would
last bla bla bla . I told him I was planning on lifting it and he said he wouldnt because it may put pressure there and something happen.

the plan is to have this as a daily driver/overland camping rig. Currently it’s all stock expect new head and gasket at 251k miles. I was planning on lifting it. Any one have any point of view on this? The front header piece and was replaced it looks like they hit something on the right hand corner. That spot on the frame doesn’t look like it’s load bearing except the sway bar is
mounted right at the cut. Everything lines up. The Jeep does sag but I chalked it up
to 23 yr old suspension. I have a giant brush guard mounted too so don’t feel like if I where to have anything hit the front it would further damage.

Inboard view

Under side view Top is inboard bottom is outboard

Outboard side with weld


How/is it worth repairing?
any one feel like I shouldn’t lift/off road with it?
should I abandon this ship?

any constructive help is appreciated

 

It looks like somebody didn't finish the job. If it was mine, I would weld and fish plate that area and not look back.

 

I agree. Unbolt everything, clean/prep the area, and plate it up.

 

thanks that’s what I need to see, I called around 300$ repaired and out the door

 

Go for it