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Help with major rust repair on Jeep
2 years ago
Hey guys, I hate making journals like this, but I've run into a pretty nasty snag recently.
So, for those of who dont know, I live in the North East of the US. Specifically south central PA, not far from the state capital. Its in a little area known as "The Rust Belt". And the reason for this is well...
Shit rusts. A LOT. EVERYTHING.
Anything metal, tends to rust really badly. Especially cars, due to the heavy usage of road salt during the winter.
This brings me to the issue I've run into. My personal vehicle, an old early 00s Jeep Grand Cherokee, a vehicle I've put so much love into trying to maintain, fix, upgrade, and basically just keep alive, is in serious need of rust repair in order to pass my state's annual inspection. (its actually currently over due as of writing this, and has already failed the first inspection, where I found out about the rust issue)
It also happens to be my only means of transport.
Now, I've already had an autobody shop look at it and give me an estimate. What they've found is I need a new gas tank Skid Plate, EVAP bracket, and both rocker panels need to be fixed. In total, the cost would be close to $7000 worth of repair work, with the rocker panels being the most labor intensive part.
Heres some pics I took of the rust damage while it was at the body shop:
EVAP Bracket: https://imgur.com/gpytaGu
Skid Plate: https://imgur.com/UgOj9xp
Rocker Panels: https://imgur.com/xMfh64Q and https://imgur.com/PVOGaZX
(both rocker panels need repair, but the driver side shown in the pics is the worst of them. Passenger side is actually in better shape)
And I know what y'all are thinking. "Just buy a new car!" Well, I've already looked into that, and unfortunately, thats just not an option either. For one reason, I prefer older vehicles, due to being able to work on them myself, and save money, and 2, anything new, even a used vehicle of a similar year, is going to cost the same, if not more, and most likely be in this same situation. So personally I think its smarter to simply put the money into my current one.
The problem I've run into is that I just dont have the funds to afford the entire repair. I *should* technically have enough to cover the skid plate and EVAP bracket, but the rocker panels are way out of reach for me. I just haven't been making enough to even think of affording something like that. Thats one of the reasons why I haven't really posted new art in a while. I just... haven't commissioned anything new. In fact I've cut back on a LOT of stuff in my life. Dropped most subscriptions to various things, cut way back on the amount of food I buy, as well as stopped buying things that aren't basic essentials, all to try and save what little money I do have coming in.
All of this, is to say, I need help. A lot of help. I know everyone is in a hard spot themselves atm, so I dont blame you or anything if you simply cannot afford to help at all. In fact, I would prefer you dont, if you feel you're not in a position to help. If it means being able to eat, or help some random dumb furry on the internet, I'd rather you eat. :)
But, if you are able and willing to help, anything, even a dollar, would go a long way to helping. This vehicle is my link to the outside world. My only means of transport to and from work, the store, my family, etc. Losing the ability to drive it, would essentially mean losing my ability to earn money. To visit family. To even buy food. (grocery delivery is stupidly expensive in my area so its not really an option.
Even just sharing or boosting this journal, would mean the world to me. I'm basically at my wits end. I'm going to be wiping out my entire savings and maxing out my credit card, only to be able to afford half the needed repairs. And that also includes possibly being late with my rent, or even missing it entirely.
If you're able and willing, you can donate to my Ko-fi, here: https://ko-fi.com/kitsunelegend
Or, you can donate directly to my paypal, here: ehrengal[at]hotmail.com
TL:DR
I live in the rust belt, in PA, USA. My car, my only means of transport, therefor is badly rusted, and failed state inspection. It needs major repairs. I have no money, even after major cut backs everywhere in my life, so need financial help if you're able and willing to. Obviously dont choose me over food. I would prefer you buy food. Starving is bad, mkay?
Anyway, sorry for the wall of text and bullshit. I'll just go curl up under my covers for a while and quietly freak out over this whole thing. what a way to start 2024 eh?
So, for those of who dont know, I live in the North East of the US. Specifically south central PA, not far from the state capital. Its in a little area known as "The Rust Belt". And the reason for this is well...
Shit rusts. A LOT. EVERYTHING.
Anything metal, tends to rust really badly. Especially cars, due to the heavy usage of road salt during the winter.
This brings me to the issue I've run into. My personal vehicle, an old early 00s Jeep Grand Cherokee, a vehicle I've put so much love into trying to maintain, fix, upgrade, and basically just keep alive, is in serious need of rust repair in order to pass my state's annual inspection. (its actually currently over due as of writing this, and has already failed the first inspection, where I found out about the rust issue)
It also happens to be my only means of transport.
Now, I've already had an autobody shop look at it and give me an estimate. What they've found is I need a new gas tank Skid Plate, EVAP bracket, and both rocker panels need to be fixed. In total, the cost would be close to $7000 worth of repair work, with the rocker panels being the most labor intensive part.
Heres some pics I took of the rust damage while it was at the body shop:
EVAP Bracket: https://imgur.com/gpytaGu
Skid Plate: https://imgur.com/UgOj9xp
Rocker Panels: https://imgur.com/xMfh64Q and https://imgur.com/PVOGaZX
(both rocker panels need repair, but the driver side shown in the pics is the worst of them. Passenger side is actually in better shape)
And I know what y'all are thinking. "Just buy a new car!" Well, I've already looked into that, and unfortunately, thats just not an option either. For one reason, I prefer older vehicles, due to being able to work on them myself, and save money, and 2, anything new, even a used vehicle of a similar year, is going to cost the same, if not more, and most likely be in this same situation. So personally I think its smarter to simply put the money into my current one.
The problem I've run into is that I just dont have the funds to afford the entire repair. I *should* technically have enough to cover the skid plate and EVAP bracket, but the rocker panels are way out of reach for me. I just haven't been making enough to even think of affording something like that. Thats one of the reasons why I haven't really posted new art in a while. I just... haven't commissioned anything new. In fact I've cut back on a LOT of stuff in my life. Dropped most subscriptions to various things, cut way back on the amount of food I buy, as well as stopped buying things that aren't basic essentials, all to try and save what little money I do have coming in.
All of this, is to say, I need help. A lot of help. I know everyone is in a hard spot themselves atm, so I dont blame you or anything if you simply cannot afford to help at all. In fact, I would prefer you dont, if you feel you're not in a position to help. If it means being able to eat, or help some random dumb furry on the internet, I'd rather you eat. :)
But, if you are able and willing to help, anything, even a dollar, would go a long way to helping. This vehicle is my link to the outside world. My only means of transport to and from work, the store, my family, etc. Losing the ability to drive it, would essentially mean losing my ability to earn money. To visit family. To even buy food. (grocery delivery is stupidly expensive in my area so its not really an option.
Even just sharing or boosting this journal, would mean the world to me. I'm basically at my wits end. I'm going to be wiping out my entire savings and maxing out my credit card, only to be able to afford half the needed repairs. And that also includes possibly being late with my rent, or even missing it entirely.
If you're able and willing, you can donate to my Ko-fi, here: https://ko-fi.com/kitsunelegend
Or, you can donate directly to my paypal, here: ehrengal[at]hotmail.com
TL:DR
I live in the rust belt, in PA, USA. My car, my only means of transport, therefor is badly rusted, and failed state inspection. It needs major repairs. I have no money, even after major cut backs everywhere in my life, so need financial help if you're able and willing to. Obviously dont choose me over food. I would prefer you buy food. Starving is bad, mkay?
Anyway, sorry for the wall of text and bullshit. I'll just go curl up under my covers for a while and quietly freak out over this whole thing. what a way to start 2024 eh?
Best of luck with this, I live in a rust prone area with an old Jeep also ><
Since it sounds like that's the more expensive repair, would it be possible to get some outer rocker panels and put them on over the rusted ones after treating them, would that pass inspection? Some people were mentioning that on a Jeep forum, here's a link to the thread:
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/ro.....cement-171695/
Hopefully that would be more of an affordable option, just a suggestion for now but maybe spray the jeep with rust converter then some PB Surface Shield to stop any more rusting in the meantime also, could help (sorry for all the onsolicited advice ^^;)
Thank you so much for the help, it means a lot to me <3
And yeah, I've actually looked into that. It could work, but I'm a little worried about the longevity of that fix. However, I think I found a solution that could work. Basically just take a 2x6 steel box tube, cut out the whole rocker panel on both sides, and weld in the box tube instead. Apparently its an off roading trick called a "rock glide" and is supposed to be stronger than the stock rocker panels, and generally cheaper than replacing the rockers, so I'm gonna look into finding a place that'll weld them on for me. Hopefully it works!