Frame rust.

[Jeeperjamie]

It seems to me, judging by the problem existing on every single vehicle, that this is a quality control issue. Something in the process causes those scratches and scuffs that result in rust on a brand new vehicle. You would think after four years of making a vehicle they would have been notified and corrected the problem. What I’m realizing is that’s probably not gonna happen because 75% of Jeep owners know about the rust and just don’t care.

It blows my mind to even think about buying a $40,000-$80,000 vehicle, driving it home and immediately having to rattle can after sanding the frame.

It's been like this for as long as jeeps have been made. My 89 Jeep XJ and 94 Jeep TJ had so much rust under them it was crazy. I figure between the mud and crap and not rinsing it off was more than likely the culprit until I bought my 2010 JKU. It had some rust under it with just 21,000 miles on it when I bought it in 2013. When I sold it when I bought the JT in 2020 it really wasn't that much worse with 145,000 on it so I guess jeep has gotten better at it. Still pulled $11,500 at the dealership leaking water, beat up some from trails and with AC not working.

You think buying a $40,000 to $80,000 vehicle and then seeing a little rust is crazy how about buying a vehicle priced like that and then bouncing it off rocks. I find that more crazy than the rust but we still do it.

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[ShadowsPapa]

It's been like this for as long as jeeps have been made. My 89 Jeep XJ and 94 Jeep TJ had so much rust under them it was crazy. I figure between the mud and crap and not rinsing it off was more than likely the culprit until I bought my 2010 JKU. It had some rust under it with just 21,000 miles on it when I bought it in 2013. When I sold it when I bought the JT in 2020 it really wasn't that much worse with 145,000 on it so I guess jeep has gotten better at it. Still pulled $11,500 at the dealership leaking water, beat up some from trails and with AC not working.

You think buying a $40,000 to $80,000 vehicle and then seeing a little rust is crazy how about buying a vehicle priced like that and then bouncing it off rocks. I find that more crazy than the rust but we still do it.

Around here, 'frame off restoration' are a common phrase in the Jeep world.
And it's not just the body that needs work - lots of frame mending.
But it's like the Eagle of years ago - it's good in mud and sand and snow and ice - so it got abused, ridden hard and put away wet, only to rot out over the years because hey, it's a great winter vehicle!
The guy I sold my NOS 76 258 to was doing a full restoration, showed pics of the frame, bumpers and other parts they were patching up. (NOS = New, old stock. The engine had never been put in a vehicle)