Scored on Craigslist today. Picked up some unibody stiffeners for super cheap. Not the full wrap around style but for the price I can't complain and they're better than nothing. I believe the main rails are from HD Offroad and the front sections are Dirt Bound. They will probably take a little modifying with the current long arm cross member but I can make it work.

 

Made more progress today, got the pans lined up. Made the perimeter cuts. Should be ready to weld in by Monday.

 

Nice work are you going to weld them in? I need to get proficient at welding so I can do this and many other projects to come. First thing is first need to buy a good welder then practice a lot!

 

I will be welding them in. A good welder makes the job a little better. I've got a little Lincoln 180 mig. It gets the job done. My plan is to make it look like new. I've got seam sealer, undercoat. The works.

 

Yea I figured a good welder is best but I don't have the cash for a $400-$500 plus machine right now so I may have to settle with one used or cheaper. I would hate to go cheap though and not be worth a damn. If your going to do something righ might as well do it right.

I'm looking into buying all new floor pans on mine depending on the condition they are in when I get home and see hopefully in a few weeks. If they are not that bad and salvagble I will just cut out the bad and weld in patch panels.

Defiantly following your build good progress so far!

 

Nice score on the frame stiffeners too those are not cheap. Is it the full kit or just middle area?

 

It's the center section and the front section.

 

Don't cheap out on the welder. It's something you buy once for life if you get a good one. My buddy bought an Eastwood 175 and it sucked. Wire feed was always jamming and it wouldn't penetrate anything bigger than 1/8. So he ended up getting a Hobart. Cost him more in the long run buying the cheaper welder first. My Lincoln will burn through 1/4 no problem as long as I prep well. Also don't forget to calculate in cost for gas bottle, helmet, gloves, a cart and all the other misc. A cart isn't really required but it's way nice to have. Especially if you're running MIG not just flux core. I used building a cart as my first welding project. Cost me about $50 with the metal and casters.

 

Final cuts are made. Ready to weld in. Got the sub frame primed with SEM Weld Through primer. Hopefully it works as advertised. I will be finishing the inside of the rail with POR-15 Top Coat. Should work well for rust prevention. Although the rails looked really good.
Now I sit waiting for paint to dry.

 

Looking good and I completly understand the advice about getting a better welder which is probably what I will do anyhow. I had a harbor Freight Special awhile back and it worked or what I needed it for. Sold it and have wanted another good one that is since. So I will most likely save my pennies and get a Hobart setup with gas. Then practice and practice and practice!

 

What I would be a afraid of doing is burning through the floor sheet metal new templates because I had it up too high on heat or too much power, etc. So I will need to practice some before I do it.

 

Had the day off today and took the opportunity. Made a lot of progress. Wednesday I should have this floor issue wrapped up. Surprised my gas bottle on the welder held out. There were about 1 million spot welds. I may exaggerate a little. I'm satisfied with the seams, grinders and paint make me the welder I ain't. They look decent enough. Under some carpet they wont be seen so water tight was my biggest priority.
Put some paint on the inner rail before welding in the pans.
Seams lined up pretty good.


A better welder would take less grinding. But where's the fun in that.
Put plug welds in where I removed them.
Sealed with 3M seam sealer.

Used seam sealer to hopefully plug any tiny holes if there were any. Didn't see any looking at it but who knows.

If you haven't used one of these, get one. Made it through the entire project and it still has life left in it.
Got the inside painted. I will take care of the underside another night.
The bottom side will be done with POR-15 Top Coat, hopefully it should do well for rust prevention. Then I will go over that with 3M Rubberized Undercoat. I'm hoping it will match the factory. The goal is to make it look like it never happened. Now that this is wrapping up I should be able to move on to the fun stuff. Up next will be getting the rest of the ZJ seats mounted up. Then getting the roll bar reinstalled. It will be a shame putting a hole into my new floor. But, oh well.

 

Wow nice work and thanks for sharing because that really will help out a lot with when I do mine. I'm not sure if I will go the exact same route but I like what you did with it and then when all said and done it looks very clean!! Nice job on the welds!

 

Nice job on the floor! I love those Lennox cutting discs.

 

Thanks! It was my first time picking up one of the disks. I didn't know how it would work out. I'm sold now.