I broke it

[DMFH]

Well I went a little hard on the TJ last sunday and when driving to work today i noticed an odd feeling that I just couldnt place once at work I put it up on the lift to see that I broke my frame in 3 diff places. so now I cant decide which way to go, Im either going to find a factory frame n swap it over but I wanted to do some changes soon anyway such as 4links n coil overs so Im thinkin of building a frame outta 2x4 steel. I dont like the factory frame so Im leaning towards the build. has anyone on here built a frame for a TJ outta 2x4 steel, if so hit me up, and no offense but Im not looking for a bunch of opinions on this I have alot of my own lol so please just people who have actually done this. I have a factory print sheet for the frame with all the measurments so shouldnt be to hard.

[XJchris98]

Are you wanting to bend the 2x4 to match the factory frame?

It takes one hell of a bender to bend that, so finding someone in the area that can do that, NOT charge an arm and a leg, and keep the tolerances close may be hard. You would probably be better off to find a factory replacement or an aftermarket one.

[DMFH]

nah Ill be cutting and welding

[jim91303]

for now you can weld the frame back together and put on fish plates.

as for the re build ... i would go with 2x4 1/4'' wall and build it.
search the jelopyjernal.com
it is a hot rod rat rod site ... they have some frame builds on there, might give ya ideas on how to.

[limegreentj]

i wouldnt use 1/4...i think that is way overkill...a jeep frame is only 1/8" thick

i know you dont want to hear peoples opinions...but it never hurts

[jim91303]

as bad has DMFH beats that thing ... he better use 1'' lol thats why i would use 1/4'' heavy but strong

[ZJ_5.2LIMITED]

/\ agreed.... he got off easy by only having 3 broken spots. or he didnt find the other dozen.... baha

[ridgerunner97]

3/16 tops regardless of driving style, tons of strength in 3/16 box tubing. You have a 4cyl don't you? You don't want to add any more weight than you have too or it will turn into a giant poky heavy ass turd as far as handling and capability goes...

[jim91303]

3/16 tops regardless of driving style, tons of strength in 3/16 box tubing. You have a 4cyl don't you? You don't want to add any more weight than you have too or it will turn into a giant poky heavy ass turd as far as handling and capability goes...

lol ... it is already like that

[wozz]

wanta share that factory sheet?

[fedorchak1635]

I would look for a good used frame & strenghten it. Maybe if you would put lockers in it you wouldnt have to beat it so much. Just sayin.

[DMFH]

I plan on using 1/4 wall for the main rails and 3/16 for the crosses cause it will be beaten, the weight is not really that much diff between the 2 and as for the power its already a turd on the road now but does just fine in 4lo lol, but I am planning on moving up to a v8 next winter anyway so only 1 sluggish summer wouldnt be bad.

wozz, the sheet I have is 1-1 scale, I could see if staples can copy somethin that big but idk, ill have to get back to ya, if not I can lend it to you when Im done which will be soon cause I cant stand my baby bein hurt lol.

[muddeprived]

I would look for a good used frame & strenghten it. Maybe if you would put lockers in it you wouldnt have to beat it so much. Just sayin.

I like this idea. Just plate it and increase it's strength, like us XJ guys do all the time with our fake frames.

[we3jeepers]

in case you change your mind Daveysjeeps has a pile of frames......

[jim91303]

where is that frame yard at? is that the guy from texas ?

[tjblair]

Ohio
http://www.daveysjeeps.com/

[PaMountianbiker]

Sorry to hear it. I know you will build it bigger and better. Time to lower it and fit those 40's!!!! LOL

[justin'sbig7]

2x4 3/16"wall = 6.8lbs per foot if you put 34 feet into a frame its gonna weigh 231#
2x4 1/4" wall = 8.8lbs per foot would be 299#
these are not including brackets.
tj frame with all brackets is about 175#

keep in mind, 3/16" is used in a lot of super high HP buggies with heavy axles and gettin whooped. i would say 3/16" would be more than sufficient and you may want to use 2x3" as well. good luck and post pics.

[DMFH]

no 40s I can barely afford the gas with 35s lol. this is def gonna get my but movin on some things Ive been wanting to do, gonna make going to coil overs and 4 link alot easier than modding the stock frame



after looking at prices of a used frame including the shipping or driving to get 1 plus the time of cleaning and reinforcing it, changing brackets and just to end up with the same issues down the road, the tj frames rust and break its just gonna happen. be easier and cheaper to build and I will have new and be able to do the 4 link set up and coil over brackets easier.


"keep in mind, 3/16" is used in a lot of super high HP buggies with heavy axles and gettin whooped. i would say 3/16" would be more than sufficient and you may want to use 2x3" as well."

3/16 would be fine for a buggy or offroad only but this Jeep is driven alot and long distance and needs to remain straight, I have a new bumper I made on the front that is 2x4x3/16 and it has s couple dents already now it will hold up for sure but I need somethin a little stronger to bash into rocks with. and the diff in weight wouldnt be as much as 125 cause Im only using 1/4 for the main rails and if I switched from the 75ft of chains in the back to straps Id prob come out ahead lol

[limegreentj]

the reason your frame probably took so much abuse is partly because you have a bumper on there made out of thicker material than the frame

[PaMountianbiker]

His bumper has issues pulling the nissan back down waterfalls .. LOL

[soupy688]

His bumper has issues pulling the nissan back down waterfalls .. LOL

Yeah no doubt. Pulling up to a tree and hammering the gas. " Tell me when its straight" That was funny.

[DMFH]

lol thats why i had to build the new 1