wheel housing

[thistle3585]

The PO cut a strip out of the top of my rear wheel housing on the drivers side possibly to mount something but not sure what. I want to patch it but there are two ribs that run down the wheel housing and if I put flat steel in there then I'll have a 3" gap without the ribs. What would be the best way to do this? My only local salvage yard just shut down and crushed all their jeeps, so I don't have a source to cut a replacement piece from. Any ideas?

 

[IOPort51]

pictures please?

 

[007]

Where are you in Indiana? I know several places where you could probably get that piece.

 

[thistle3585]

Here is a photo. I've used Brown County Auto/Cars and Parts but they are closing and have crushed their Jeeps. I am in Columbus, IN.

 

[Torxhead]

You could also cover it with a storage box of some sort.

 

[Hedgehog]

Give the less than pristine condition of the rear bed a neat little patch on your wheel well wouldn't be so bad. By the looks of the rust hole you've got on the side you've got more than one patch problem

 

[007]

Not all that close, but you might try Midwest Jeeps in Vincennes, IN. Midwest Jeeps | New and Used Jeep Parts Dealer in Indiana

Rudy's CJ's in Ohio should have a piece as well. Either could probably cut you out a top piece and ship it.

That whole piece is available from many vendors as well.

 

[Colo Dean]

Do you have any machine/metal working shops in your area or possibly anyone that races stock cars? A lot of them have equipment to bead roll sheet metal that could put the ridges in a patch piece for you in a couple minutes. Then just trim and weld in the patch.

 

[jdarg]

Make a template from a couple pieces of wood block on both sides and a 1" or so dowel down the middle. The blocks should be a little lower in height vs. the dowel.

You be surprised how close you can get with this setup. You should be able to shape what you need from there w/ a ball peen hammer and no other tools/expertise with metal work. Might take a couple practice runs but you'll have a good piece in no time.

 

[Strike]

I assume you're trying to avoid replacing the whole wheelhousing as those are easily available but pricey for just a small patch missing. I'm actually doing the same on my 7 as there is a patch of rot in the same spot but the rest of the housing is good and costly to replace the whole thing. There is a sheetmetal forming tool available from Harbor Freight that will roll those beads into a piece of sheetmetal for you. That's the route I'm going.

 

[thistle3585]

I found a wheel housing that someone had bought with the plan on replacing but then changed directions. It cost me about $40 including shipping. Just need to figure out how to install it.