Is this normal on all frames?

[SupK]

Have this indentation in three places of the driver’s side front on the front? Is this how its supposed to be?

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[Terrymo]

Just checked my ‘23 frame on both sides and it doesn’t have any indentations like that. I don’t have the knowledge to know if those small indentations matter.

 

[Jeepiner]

Not normal. Frame faces should all be flat. Is that a crack/separation in the first dent? It looks pretty deep.

Those are not pretty. However, if no cracks, I don't think it's enough to seriously endanger structural integrity of the frame. But under considerable force -- they could be among the first zones to crumple/crack. (though at that point, you'd have bigger problems anyway)

Background info:
Did you get the vehicle new/used? How old is it? Has it been wheeling on rocks? If the dents bother you, have the frame checked out by an expert you trust.

 

[SupK]

Not normal. Frame faces should all be flat. Is that a crack/separation in the first dent? It looks pretty deep.

Those are not pretty. However, if no cracks, I don't think it's enough to seriously endanger structural integrity of the frame. But under considerable force -- they could be among the first zones to crumple/crack. (though at that point, you'd have bigger problems anyway)

Background info:
Did you get the vehicle new/used? How old is it? Has it been wheeling on rocks? If the dents bother you, have the frame checked out by an expert you trust.

Hi,

I bought it new, its a 2022.
Seems like they were already there but I never noticed them. There seems to be paint there so if I were to do this damage I would expect the paint to be missing too.
It has not been wheeling on any rocks.

 

[Opus]

Yeah, the tan coloring near by says to me that it was probably scraped on rocks to add that color and leave those indentations. If you bought it new, somebody took it for a helluva test drive before you did.

Update: This is why I try to avoid looking under my Jeep...

 

[gl420]

Agree that the tan around it does look like it scraped something near there.

Perhaps some frozen dirt or something snow covered that you may not have noticed (going off your snowy profile picture).

 

[kah.mun.rah]

My 2018 had the same indentations (if you look at the top of the picture below). Congrats on having MUCH better welds on yours!!! This was my 2018:

This is a picture of a 2019 I took to compare to my frame welds. You can see that it has the same indentation:

 

[SupK]

The identations are the same shape and form so I doubt that a rock can cause the same shape indentation in three places that are quite far apart.

 

[NWJeepr]

@SupK, completely normal. I have the exact features on the frame of my '23 Rubicon. My JK Wrangler had them as well.

I just went out to my shop and took these pictures, driver's side front frame rail where the control arm attaches, and also higher up:

 

[Jeepiner]

@SupK, completely normal. I have the exact features on the frame of my '23 Rubicon. My JK Wrangler had them as well.

I just went out to my shop and took these pictures, driver's side front frame rail where the control arm attaches, and also higher up:

Any idea what the source/cause of the dents are at the factory?

I inspect the frame on my '22 Rubicon Diesel regularly and have never noticed them.

 

[BDinTX]

I also have them on mine. I figured they are to position the depth of the two frame halves before they are welded together.

 

[NWJeepr]

Any idea what the source/cause of the dents are at the factory?

I inspect the frame on my '22 Rubicon Diesel regularly and have never noticed them.

My best guess is some kind of alignment marker for pieces of the frame as it's welded together or an artifact from the manufacturing process, but I'm hoping someone closer to that with knowledge can answer. My other guess would be some kind of weep hole, but they aren't in a location where water would collect. A third thought would be an entry point in which anti-corrosion substances are sprayed into after the frame is welded.

 

[Deleted member 59498]

Maybe so the frame will give up in a crash like an extra crumple zone?

 

[kah.mun.rah]

My guess is that they are to help secure the frames to the carts during mfg:



[Edit] After reading the comment from @JW-UK below, my vote is for that being the correct answer. It's to set the overlap of the two halves of the frame before welding.

 

[JW-UK]

The indentations on the frame are a manufacturing feature.
They set the 'depth' of seam overlap on the stamped rails or crossmembers. One part is pushed into the other until it hits the indents, then it can't go further. The assembly is clamped in that condition for welding.
The indents will usually be spaced at intervals all along the frame/rails to maintain consistent section depth and assembly tolerances.

Note. The pictures show that they're always between 5mm and 10mm from the weld seam.

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