Hi from a Noobie!

[JeepThang]

Hi there from a brand new potential welder!

After looking at a number of forums, this one seems to be the best and everybody seems very friendly, so a bit of background.

My reason for wanting to learn the art of welding is that I've been a Jeep enthusiast and offroader for quite a while now and whilst I can do most automotive modifications to my Jeep, I'm getting to the stage now where I feel that welding for fabrication purposes will allow me do develop my offroader more.

For example, I plan to build a full rollcage in the future but my projects for this winter include adding strengthening plates to the chassis and replacement shock mountings to the axles.

I presume that for the work I intend to do, I should be looking at MIG's. I haven't bought my first MIG welder yet, and will probably ask loads more questions to get the right kit before I part with the cash. If I can, I also plan to take a course at my local college as a mature(!!!) student just so I can get some good advice under my belt.

So stooopid questions coming up and please be patient with me.

 

[shenion]

Welcome to the forums

I used to have an old '51 Willys CJ3B, now drive a '90 Cherokee.

Welding axles will be more than most hobby MIGs can do. Best to tack them up and take then somewhere to be done with a BIG welder. Just shock mounts may be doable on an 180A MIG.

Roll cages can be done with 150A. 150A MIG will do up to 3/16".

 

[JeepThang]

Hi Shenion

I too have a Cherokee but extensively modified.

I'm looking to weld chassis strengthing plates to the uniframe to reduce flexibility and when I replace the rear D35 with a D44, I'll be looking to attach shock mounts that do not hang down past the line of the axle tubes.

Having looked at a couple of Jeep Forums in the US, both look easy to do for the DIY welder. Just need to attend the course now and get some practice in!!

 

[jugs]

Hi there from a brand new potential welder!

After looking at a number of forums, this one seems to be the best and everybody seems very friendly,

So stooopid questions coming up and please be patient with me.

yup, you've come to the right place.
The 3 most useful words are How,Why & Where.

 

[shenion]

Keep us posted on mods.

My 1990 has a 3" lift. The suspension was worn out. The lift kit had new springs, bushings and upper control arms. I replaced the lower control arms to to get rid of those crappy stamped steel ones, so it has 4 tubular steel ones.

I wanted something I can beat up and do some off-road on; mainly to get places for caving/hiking. Bought it from a dealer for $1k; engine sounded like a big diesel with several collapsed lifters and maybe some low end knock (hard to hear over top end.) I looked at several Cherokees, most seemed to go for $5k.

A few clicks on the internet and over the next 2 months had new engine with 100k guarantee, new suspension. You can get all kinds of stuff for it real easy. Just was a month of hard work.

Was a cheap build. Probably under $4k total. That is until I found out the 5-th gear problem in the tranny these are known for. Stuck 120 miles from home but got lucky and found local place to do the tranny rebuild.

If you have any tranny work done, have them replace the 4-5th hub. They are known for cracking. There is a heavy-duty replacement available; the shop that did the work put one in.

I never checked the axle type. Would like a D44. Will be watching your progress on a swap.

BTW, when doing the shock mounts, use stainless wire as the tubes are cast iron and using regular wire will get real brittle.

It was one reason I got into welding. I would like to make some custom bumpers, probably tubular.