I need some advice and guidance on where to go with my frame rot issue, particularly on the driver-side before the transfer case crossmember. I've searched through hell and high water not just on this forum but also across the internet for a Jeep xj with a crack in this location but haven't had much of luck. Do you think anything can be done for this and what would be the cost for having this crack properly repaired?

I don't plan on doing any off roading where higher loads loads be exposed to that part of the car. It's just my daily driver with the occasional Chicago snow storm. I'm currently in school and plan on moving out to warmer climate following this year.

Car info:
1996 Jeep Cherokee SE
138,000 miles
All stock


Location of the issue


The issue (view 1)


View looking towards the rear , the metal actually bends towards the front of the vehicle as you can see in view 1.


The worst view of the issue.


Thank you for the help!

 

I am 90% sure I see carpet where floor pan should be.

And I am 100% sure you need to find a replacement vehicle.

 

The floor pans are rusted out no doubt there. It's just unusual because the rate of rust in this particular is much worse than the rest of the car. The rear control arms are golden, same with the rear floor pans and trunk. Even the passenger side only had a small rot hole in the floor pan for the same area. My family has owned this car since new and as they moved to Florida I "inherited" it so i'm a little more willing to spend more on a repair since I'm into it for zero.

 

Looks like shes done for without a lot of grinder and welder work to basically rebuild the frame with channel or plate. I wouldny even want to drive that around

 

yeeeeee-ikes! That might be the worst I've ever seen. I don't think you're coming back from that.

 

To properly fix that is going to cost you around $1000 from a certified welder, then find someone who will pass it for inspection. It looks like the whole unit body is twisted since the other side is still connected.

 

I would find a new body and move over all your parts , the rust looks bad , it would take a lot of work to bring it back . you have to strip out all the Interior and see if there is any floor there . now that you know that it is rusted into two parts I would not drive it . it is not safe ,you hit a bump hard it could finish braking .

 

Alright so repairing doesn’t seem like the best option at this point. How hard would it be to swap the engine, trans, and transfer case from mine to another?

 

can you do the work and have some friends that can help

 

Basically physical labor and using the sensors from the new vehicle. You're only limited to a 99 or older XJ or ZJ unless you want a 0331 head.

 

Yeah I’d do it with my dad he’s retired now.

 

I honestly prefer the 96 and before’s interior.

 

Oh yeah. I forgot you're getting a vehicle, not a motor. D'oh!

 

Yeah unfortunately it couldn't be the other way around as pulling an engine at a yard is a whole of a lot easier than the rest of the car haha.

 

Here in STL you can find a cherokee without the engine for $400-$800 on marketplace or craigslist