SgtBenny
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Mt. Laurel, NJ
I just picked up a 96 XJ Sport from a kids father after it sat for a year in his front yard. Dirt cheap with a 4.5" RC lift, slip yoke, 33x12.5x15 Goodyears on DC1's & a rebuilt 4.0 35,000 miles ago. The kid "Backed into a tree last winter", but I suspect it was at about 40mph. The Passenger Frame Rail has buckled behind the axle, next to the gas tank, between the axle and the leaf shackle causing the rear quarterpanel to be about 3-5" shorter. It also "ripped" the frame rail 3/4 of the way through.
The body is square, except for the section that is beat up. Otherwise it is in good shape. Some dumb kid mistakes on the lighting and air intake, but easy fixes.
I've been to a few local body shops to get it pulled straight and they are all worried about welding to the "High Tensile Steel" and liabilities. Nobody wants to touch it.
I've got a few guys who will do the welds but I want to be able to shut my hatch so I need it pulled.
Here is my plan:
1. Drill the smallest hole I can in the "Frame Rail".
2. Attach a chain.
3. Attach chain to sturdy tree.
4. Drive away....
5. Repeat if necessary.
6. Have buddy weld in a few pieces of steel.
7. Wheel until something else breaks.
I could use any thoughts or ideas on how to proceed. It's my first XJ and I have to say.... I love it. The wife can't jump high enough to get into it and my daughters all fit in the back! Almost perfect. This is a basic mudder through the Pine Barrens in Jersey that goes camping and on the occasional trip to work. Just want it NOT to break on the trail.
Thanks, Shawn
The body is square, except for the section that is beat up. Otherwise it is in good shape. Some dumb kid mistakes on the lighting and air intake, but easy fixes.
I've been to a few local body shops to get it pulled straight and they are all worried about welding to the "High Tensile Steel" and liabilities. Nobody wants to touch it.
I've got a few guys who will do the welds but I want to be able to shut my hatch so I need it pulled.
Here is my plan:
1. Drill the smallest hole I can in the "Frame Rail".
2. Attach a chain.
3. Attach chain to sturdy tree.
4. Drive away....
5. Repeat if necessary.
6. Have buddy weld in a few pieces of steel.
7. Wheel until something else breaks.
I could use any thoughts or ideas on how to proceed. It's my first XJ and I have to say.... I love it. The wife can't jump high enough to get into it and my daughters all fit in the back! Almost perfect. This is a basic mudder through the Pine Barrens in Jersey that goes camping and on the occasional trip to work. Just want it NOT to break on the trail.
Thanks, Shawn