my89xj

ALL HELP IS WELCOME. So for those who don't know, me or my xj. My brakes locked up and sent me flying into a tree. My JCR bumper took most of the impact. The xj runs and drives. Only issue is the bending of the front of my unibody rails. The driver side isn't that bad due to the steering box plate on one side and the other bumper plate on the other side. The passenger side got bent and pushed back a little. I tried stretch it but that didn't end well. So I plan to cut out the damaged, replace it and reinforce it. And hopefully I can get some pics up.

ArmyGuy

To really fix it right, you are going to have to get the front end down to nothing. Take the front clip apart and possibly even pull the engine and front axle to ensure you don't have damage. If you cut/splice, you will have to go back that far anyways. cut out the front frame rails and then replicate with square tube, get stiffeners and tie into that. If you can't weld and fabricate, then get another jeep. You won't really know what is going on until you strip it. If it is unsalvageable, then at least you have the parts out for sale or swap into another rig.

my89xj

The clip and everything else is out. There isn't any other damage to the unibody besides that. Plan was to weld in another core support and unibody rail from another Xj.

bigfltruck

How fast were you going?

my89xj

Estimated 40mph on impact, maybe slower had a lot to slow me down.

ArmyGuy

I would take the opportunity to beef it up. Fabricate some stiffeners, and weld some channel in as a new front unibody, hell run stiffeners through the rest of the unibody while you are at it. If you have can weld, might as well beef it up.

my89xj

You Completly read my mind lol. Where can I buy weld able primer?

ArmyGuy

I have been using this with great success on my build...

hearsedriver

Just because the front is the only part that looks bent may not be so. I would suggest taking a flashlight and looking for any split seams or seam sealer. Chances are you can have a body shop put it on the frame rack and have measurements done (may cost a bit). If the damage is into the aprons you will have to go clear to the fire wall and replace the rails forward. As for weld through primer any auto body supply store should carrie it. I like the SEM brand use it every day almost. x2 on stiffen while your there.

PingPong

If it was me I would go back stronger. Pulll the motor, and cut the inner fender from frame rail. I would take some 2x4x.25, & some 1/8 plate and make new frame trails that way.definately stronger then what you have... Also easier then welding and dealing with unibody rails

my89xj

Thanks!
I've can over it several times, looking for paint cracks and what not.
I'm not sure if I'll be able to pull the engine, I had plan to buy full hd stiffeners

Northwoods Snowman

Is this a DD? Something else to keep in mind if it is is safety for your and your passengers. You could make the front end a tank, but if you get into another head-on collision the Jeep will not absorb the energy and it will be transferred to the occupants. Think of it as running into a brick wall on a bicycle at 20 mph wearing your shorts and t-shirt compared to running into that same wall on a bicycle wearing a sumo wrestler suit. I know that analogy is not EXACTLY accurate, but I think it demonstrates my point well enough.

If it's a trail rig only, by all means beef the heck out of it.

my89xj

I understood that perfectly, I don't plan on driving the Jeep faster than 45mph anymore. And I'm going to stick in some harnesses.

elkwagn

My 99 was wrecked in the front with an ARB bumper on it, both frame ends were bent and pushed sideways. I removed everything, including inner fenders, cut the rails off square, put square tube inside the unibody rails, and the welded on new unibody rails from a donor jeep by sliding them over the square tube and welding. I then plated the outside with 3/16 on both sides. I also had mine on the frame rack because the drivers door wouldn't even open and shut properly, now it's all good! I might even have pics somewhere

my89xj

That would be so helpful!