One of the previous owners removed the skid plate and must have had the same problem because he drilled the holes one size bigger and retapped the holes and the nuts welded on the inside of the frame. I don't think I have enough meat left to do it again. I read on another sight where a guy drilled through the top rail and put long bolts in with crush sleeves to keep the frame rail from collapsing. The only way I can see of doing this is to drill through the body and drop the bolts down through from the top. The second problem I see is how do you get the crush sleeves inside the frame rail and how do you determine the correct length with out cutting an access hole in the side of the frame. Boy does this S#@k!

Jack...Like I stated in an earlier post, the trans shop I used did this after scratching their heads (myself included) trying to figure out what to do...They cut an access hole into the frame so they cut fit a wrench inside and simply ran grade 8 bolts up through the holes with nuts/lock washers on the inside of the frame. No, I didn't like the idea of cutting into the frame but it isn't at a critical stress point to begin with, especially if you weld the flap back when you're done. Yep, these kind of things suc#, especially with older vehicles when rust has begun to invade.

When I finish up school I promised myself a NEW vehicle with a WARRANTY. I'm absolutely DONE with wrenching on a daily driver (wife wanted the Jeep gone 2 years ago, heh, but I still love the 'ol Heep!). I LOVE working on project or hobby vehicles like my 88 Ranger, but not on daily drivers. I really just don't have the time for it.

We used to get guys in work (we called them "Banchi's" which meant redneck/hillbilly) that were in the store every other day covered in grease dumping gobs of $$ into their rotting- off-the-frame, broke down in the parking lot Blazers (we sold more parts for Blazers than any other vehicle) for example, and I would just shake my head and say, how the hell does someone live like that?

Sorry to get off point, but if I ran into a job like that again, the first thing I'd do is purchase a "For Sale" sign.

I wonder if welding angle iron pieces to the frame and making NEW mounting points would be possible? Leaving the existing points vacant..
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />