welding a CJ frame!!

[mudslinger]

HI, I have an 84 CJ7 that just failed its New York state inspection due to serious rust rot on my frame. I am going to sand the bad spots down and weld some plate steel to patch the spots. Question is what size and type of steel would be best to use and what type of rod? I have a 220V arc welder. Any help would be great. P.S. The inspector actually put a small screwdriver through my frame in about seven different spots.

[habman]

If the frame is bad enough that a screw driver could be poked through at 7 different places, I would consider buying a new frame probably would be less work, safer and more reliable in the long run.

But with that said;

Before you start you have to identify ALL areas that are badly rusted, and bridge them all with new plate that extends into GOOD metal. This includes all surfaces of the frame. If you do not do this, and weld in new metal the old metal can crack due to creating hard and soft areas in the frame.

The original frame was about 3/16's thick, so anything that thick or thicker would work. As for what rod to use, it depends on the steel you are adding to it, but a good general purpose rod would work just fine.

I had a rust problem with the rear crossmember on my 1977 CJ7 and fab'ed up a new crossmember with sleaves that fit over the frame rails. I welded this all on and it is much better than new.

Good Luck,

HABMAN

[rockmup]

I'm with HABMAN. If it's that bad buy or build a new frame.If your going to weld it up and your metal is clean use a 7018 rod. If it's dirty use 6011. Have fun, Todd