Frame broke

[ftwflh]

We were 5 miles from no where just got done dropping off a river bank onto the sand bar sliding a turn and heading back up the bank.Stopped for a chat and a cold one left and it sounded like a stick in the wheel well.Looked and the frame broke where the front of the rear spring mounts to the frame.Winch a chain and another winch got it pulled in place enought to get back to civilization.
Now what to do?Can a good welder reenforce the frame and fix it?Or am a SCREWED?
Sorry I didnt get any pics and left the Jeep at my folks 15 miles away from home

 

[mylittlecj5]

Yea, a good welder can bevel the crack, weld it up and install a fish plate over the repair to reinforce the damaged area.
Won't be cheap, or especially easy, but its better than replacing the frame altogether...

 

[Purple77CJ7]

I agree with mylittlecj5. I think the majority of us have dealt with the same thing. There are some other threads that discuss the fix.

 

[Incommando]

They make repair panels for that but IMHO they are a little pricey at $300 or so for the pair:
Jeep Parts Body Frames and Accessories from Morris 4x4 by Auto Rust for your Jeep CJ5 and CJ7

If I had to to do again I would make my own out of c-channel and a better spring hanger from ruffstuff or barnes. I used C-channel purchased very cheaply from a scrap yard to reinforce my frame. These pics are before final welding:

 

[ftwflh]

Got it fix.Plated and reenforced.Guy did a great job.Both sides for $300.
Now to find either a good 33x12.5x15 Discovery tire to replace the one that got messed up when the frame went or find another set.

 

[commo man]

Throttle Down Kustom in Montana fabricated a nice frame for my '68 CJ5

 

[Torxhead]

Your problem probably started with a crack, which on CJs is all too common, especially ones that see a lot of trail use. High lift springs can also create more stress above the spring pivot points. Other stress points are the front cross member, front spring shackle mount and spring pivot mounts I wish I could have been with you guys, but its always more fun when the breakage isn't yours.

 

[ftwflh]

Mine shouldnt brake there again.Reenforced it good.

 

[73CJ]

I broke my original frame at 3 places - 2 rear front spring hangers and 1 front rear hanger. Welded them up and lasted for years.

I had a 4" TrailMaster lift. When I was listing it on eBay, I found out that the spring rate was 550#/in. Stock is in the neighborhood of 230#/inch.

No wonder it rode like a tank. If you wheel hard, it's just a matter of time till the other ones break. . .

I went with 2.5" OME YJ springs. The shocks actually go up and down now.