Frame rot

[fossil]

My lovely 79 Cherokee has a case of rotten frame by the rear wheel(s) that I didn't notice when I bought her.
Does anyone have any tips BEFORE I go to a welder?

[Tad]

fossil,
Being that I am a welder, or welding teacher as it is now, get me some pic's and let's see how bad it really is. Is it so bad you can pound a screwdriver through it? I really don't know what you are up against. Does it just flake off, or flex with weight on it, are pieces missing yet? You can email/send pic's directly to me or post. You should probably do both, there is a ton of knowlegable people on this board and eveyone I have delt with is willing to try to help.

[ARJeepman]

You can get a kit from Autorust for about 150 or just make some cardboard templates and get some steel and fishplate it in to where you have good metal. I've got mine to do this spring. It's probly more work to just get the tank out! Be sure and replace the rear brake line while you're there!

[Sgt. Dave]

Sandblast or wire wheel the area and see just how bad it is. You have to remove all the rust before you start your repair. Then either use the kit ARJeepman mentioned, or have the welding shop fab up some repair pieces.