Hello all, I have a few questions regarding the frame stiffeners install process. Firstly, I know nothing about welding or auto fabrication. I would like to take it to a shop to have done but have been quoted 1k to do the job. Firstly does that sound about right to get a whole unibody kit installed? Next, Ive had a hard time finding the correct shops to try and undertake this project. Ive called 4 different auto fabricators and they don't want to undertake the project because they think my unibody could be rusted out (Its not), so should I just try and find someone that knows how to weld or does it need to be an auto fabricator? Finally, should I just buy a mig/stick welder and try to do it myself, as that would still be cheaper than the one quote I got. Thank you for any advice/suggestions yall may have.

 

Do you want to?

Doesn't sound unreasonable.

Cleaning the unibody is not a pretty process. You say its not rusted, but anyone with experience knows you always find some hidden surprises when you start to dig into something like this. I'd also be wry to put my name on the line for a job like this. Its one thing to do it and have it be safe/structural. Its another to do it in a way that will 100% satisfy a customer while remaining in budget. Its risky quoting a job like this when there are many unknowns.

What's the difference, really? Anyone can get a business license and call themselves a fabricator. Find someone you trust that understands the job and your expectations.

After you buy all the gear and spend time practicing, the cost will be a wash. However, you would have a new skill. Learning to weld has been one of the best skills I've ever picked it. it is invaluable.

Frame stiffeners were one of the first welding projects I ever tackled. They really didn't come out great, but several years later and they're still on there. I would absolutely not recommend your first arc you ever strike to be on your Jeep (or anything else that matters), but I feel its a good project to learn with because there is a lot of welding involved and even if 25% of your welds aren't tied in great there is still a significant strength gain and it won't kill anybody if it fails.

If you do want to weld them yourself, I would very much recommend putting the stiffeners on the back burner for awhile and look at welding as a project that needs to be accomplished first. Look for a welding class at local colleges. I took a semester long class when I was in college and got exposed to many different processes, and got torch time a couple days a week for a few months. It takes time. A lot of time. But its very much worth it.

"If you wanna learn, you gotta burn"

 

The above advice is very good.

I'm going to suggest not having this be a first project. Yes, you can do it, but there's a lot of out of position welding and that's definitely not for a newbie. I'm all for learning and diy, just that's a lot to chew on out of the gate.

Also, you really need a decent welder for this...stick is no bueno for this, MIG is the way to go. You can get a decent machine for around 5-600, stick with the big name brands. That said, you're also going to need a bottle, consumables, safety gear/apparel, clamps, more clamps, grinder, jacks, jackstands, see where I'm going with this? To do it right, it's going to take a lot of time, money, and practice before you're ready to do it. Oh, and space, you're gonna need a spot with adequate power as well.

I'm not trying to discourage you, just know what you're getting into.

 

Thank you very much for the in-depth response. I think im going to take your suggestion and find a welding class through my school for next semester. I do want to learn how to weld, but you answer has confirmed that this project may be to much for me as a beginner. I do want the frame stiffeners installed before the summertime though as I plan on doing some wheeling in moab. I am going to reach out to more people and see if they will be willing to undertake the project, and hopefully I can learn some stuff. I researched the cleaning part of the unibody, and think I can tackle that, should save on cost. I really do appreciate you taking your time to fully answer each of my questions.

 

Thank you for the additional information. I think you bring up a valid point about all the extra gear, I hadnt even really considered that. I appreciate the advice and think my first step will be to take a class through my school.

 

Classes are an excellent start for sure. BTW, I used to wheel Moab twice a year when I lived in Colorado. Never had stiffeners then, I didn't install mine until after I moved away. Just know they're not necessary, just wheel according to what you got and your skill level, and you'll be fine. It's also a great opportunity to figure out what mods you'll actually need, find out the limits of your rig

 

Good tools for this job are KantTwist clamps rather than C clamps, some bottle jacks, power sander, angle grinder, weld thru primer, drills to add drain holes into the stiffener that line up with frame drain holes. and a mig welder.
Buy a lot of steel of same thickness as stiffener and frame for practice of welding. You also will need a bright flood lamp so you can see well thru the welders helmet. When your ready to start, let us know and we can give detail instructions.

 

I jacked a guy $1,700, parts and labor to patch up part of the frame of his 4-Runner. It was rusty as hell, the safe-t-cap things aren't cheap, and welding rusty metal is not fun, especially when you are laying on your back and welding above your head.

I honestly believe that the frame stiffeners aren't worth it. I can get my XJ to teeter on opposing wheels and the doors all still open and close. The hatch doesn't always, though. Unless you are wheeling HARDCORE with Dana 60 axles and/or the frame is compromised somehow, there's really no reason. Besides, a little chassis flex will help with suspension articulation.

I am very much pessimistic when it comes to farming out work. Just because they are a "professional" does not mean that the work is going to be worth a damn. That being said, I just farmed out the construction of some custom cabinets for my laundry room. He did a fantastic job from what I can tell.
Also, I had some rock sliders built recently... when I got them, the part where it bolts to the pinch weld underneath the vehicle was totally crooked. I had to cut and re-weld it so it was straight. Ugh. "Professional job" they call it.

 

Stiffeners are not necessary for everyone, true...but they definitely make a difference. My XJ is TONS quieter on the road. Also, everything just seems more solid. That said I built mine for rock bashing, and if you plan on running any type of a cage or rollbar, it is absolutely necessary for tie in points.

Also, beefboss, here's a link to my build, at the point where I started to do my stiffeners. I actually shaved my control arm brackets, because I installed a 3 link at the same time. Just in case you want to see everything that is involved.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f46/ro...3/#post3226600

 

For me, if someone will install them correctly for a grand, I'll gladly pay them just so I don't have to lay under it and weld......or smell burning flesh or hair.......

Not needed, true, but I want to modify mine a good bit and don't want to try and put them on later..................plus I already have them.