Easy Jeep Frame Repair: Rust Buster Frameworks

XT is proud to feature Rust Buster Frameworks - this is a new product in our lineup, and for anyone looking to save an older Jeep from the dreaded tin worm, read on.

Jeeps are at their best when traversing harsh terrain in all weather conditions, and they often get “ridden hard and put away wet”, as the old saying goes. Rain, snow, road salts, big, fun puddles out the trail, and even atmospheric humidity can all conspire to wreak havoc on your frame. Dirt and other debris trap moisture in hidden corners and within frame rails, rusting your Jeep from the inside out. Older Wranglers in particular are susceptible to the creep of frame rust.

And, all too often, once the iron oxide takes hold, it can seem like there’s no turning back. Extensive rust in critical structural areas can even make your Jeep dangerous to drive. So, sadly, many Jeeps that are perfectly good topside and mechanically, are doomed for the scrap yard and eventually the crusher.

But that doesn’t have to be your Jeep’s fate! You can save that rusty, trusty old friend of yours with the help of Rust Buster Frameworks. Based in northeast Ohio, the Rust Buster team eats, sleeps, and breathes old Jeeps. They make weld-in frame replacement parts, brackets, and panels from CAD designed and laser cut steel, so you can be 100% certain of their fit and finish.

These cost-effective frame replacement parts are the solution for rusty CJ-5’s, CJ-7’s, YJ’s, TJ’s, and even XJ’s, with model years stretching from 1967 to 2006. Rust Buster Frameworks is always developing new frame replacements to add to their lineup.

This illustration shows all the frame replacement parts for a TJ Wrangler - you can see that whether you’re going for an all-out restoration, or just replacing one or two brackets, Rust Buster has you covered.

In addition, Rust Buster offers complete and in-depth installation video tutorials for all their frame replacement parts on their YouTube channel. These are an indispensable resource, whether you’re trying out your new welding skills, or hiring a professional. They’re one-on-one technical help is just a phone call away, too. Don’t abandon your Jeep to the scrap heap when you can repair it with Rust Buster replacement parts from XT, and keep it on the road - and the trail - for years to come.

Some Common Questions About Frame Replacement Parts

Question: What do you suggest as a rust preventer?

Answer: We recommend POR-15. By coating the bare metal parts with this, it can help slow down and prevent the chemical reactions that contribute to rust on metals.

Question: What skills and tools do I need to install your kits?

Answer: You will need a general knowledge of welding and fabricating, and of course, the welding gear to do the work. High mechanical ability is required, as other parts on the vehicle usually have to be removed to do a repair. Understanding of safety when working on vehicles is critical since you're dealing with high temperatures, and how that heat can act on other vehicle parts (rubber, plastics, etc). If in doubt, get help from a qualified source such as a body shop, welding shop, etc. Note: industrial welding shops might not be familiar with automotive welding, which uses much less heat than some factory work.

Question: Do these fit over the existing framework or does it all need cut out?

Answer: You will need to cut out the old rusted sections, and make other cuts to make the new metal parts fit tight and correctly. Rust Buster’s YouTube Channel has dozens of instructional videos to help you with the repair.

Question: What type of stick rod would you use for this application?

Answer: We like to use an MIG welder for this, but a 6011 rod would work fine.