Hey guys, I need some advice. 1998 Jeep Cherokee, lots of sentimental value, only 79000 miles, love this vehicle. It has the saggy leaf springs in the back and so I've ordered replacements, examining the area, it was much worse than I originally thought.

Rust has completely gutted the frame in this area, several large gaping holes (hey at least I won't have a problem getting the weld-nut off the back of the leaf spring bolt). I'm thinking my options are 1) fabricate some sort of steel shoe or bracket that would slide up against the frame and connect it with good metal and drill holes through that. 2) maybe consider doing coil springs in the back.

I'm not a welder or fabricator or anything like that, I can unbolt things and bolt new things on and that's about it. I was thinking I could try craigslist services to find someone that could build the bracket and weld it.

I just need some advice...Attached are pics to show the carnage. The passenger side is just as bad.
One more thing, I'm on a pretty tight budget...
Thanks for any help
Tony
St. Louis

 

Your not going to like what people tell you but your better off starting with another jeep, once the rust gets that bad, espcially in a very structural portion of the body it becomes no longer safe to operate. If it was mine i would pull the engine, trans, pretty much everything and get another jeep

 

unfortunately its done, unless you really want to fab up new frame parts and weld everything in and brace the hell out of it...mine is rotted bad too, but only the floor, not the structural area of the frame, so mine is easy enough to save...but if you insist the Jeep live on (and I'd feel the same way) I'd sell it to someone on here to build a buggy out of.

 

X2, with only 79K miles on it I would definitely pull everything and find one with a blown motor/trany and swap it all out.

 

A very sad case but very typical for all the rust. If you really want to save her for "sentimental value" you may want to find another one and cut out what you need and replace the parts. But make sure that you are very well proficient at welding. Beleive me I do know what you mean as for the sentimental value. I have a 65 Chevy pick up that my father gave me just before he past. So, I do know what it feel like.

 

IMO I would part out and find another jeep, but if you really love this jeep find yourself a grinder and welder and fix the rust.

 

Before doing anything on this Jeep, inspect the entire undercarriage, including above the fuel tank and floor under the carpets; pull the front wheel well liners and inspect the previously hidden structure. Inspect the front suspension and axle systems for corrosion. Give it a good going over.

What you find may change your mind about trying to fix it.

 

Thanks for all the information and replies. I'm having a sinking feeling as I type this. I'll keep you all posted as to what happens. I would like to save it, the other areas along the frame rail really are not that bad, around that front leaf spring mount is by far the worst.
Thanks again
Tony

 

With enough money, anything is possible. Just have to weigh the benefits of dumping your money into that one or starting from scratch.

 

There 'ya go. It's fixable, the question is whether or not doing so is worth it to you. Rust is often like an iceberg, what you can see is only a small part of the problem...make sure you know the TOTAL extent of the damage before making your decision. Now that those rails are wide open, they're probably rotting from the inside out. At minimum, along with Ken's post above, tap every inch with a ball-peen hammer, listening for a sharp, crisp bell-like ring. Rusty areas will produce a dull, mushy thud..