Custom rear frame cross-member

bgredjeep · 07-25-2007, 11:11 PM

I've gotten a few questions about this so I thought I would post a quick thread on the swap.

I took some vacation time a few weeks ago and did a little work on the Jeep. Just a little project that I had wanted to do for a while but never got around to. I wanted to beef up the back of the frame, add some good recovery points, improve the departure angle, and setup for a future wheelbase stretch.

Here is a before pic with the rear bumper on. This bumper is now the rear frame cross-member

I started off removing everything from the rear of the frame. I tried to save the stock cross-member for a friend but there was no way I could find to cut all the welds so I just chopped it.

all clean

welded nuts inside the frame for CJ style shackle hangers

and inside the bumper for future XJ spring stretch.

Here is the bumper mocked up on the frame. Marked for d-ring mounts as well

The JKS slickrock hanger bolted in place. These things are major beef!

and on the far side you can see how the mounts will be run for XJ springs when the time comes.

and here its all welded up, d-ring mounts installed (weld through), added some additional bracing from the frame around the recovery points. I turned the bumper around backwards to get the receiver hitch in closer (I tested to make sure a hitch would still work this way first).

bgredjeep · 07-25-2007, 11:12 PM

The shackles pictured are too long. Tonight I installed a pair from Copperhead that are about 1.5" shorter and the ride height looks just right. I'll get it out of the garage and get some finished pics this weekend.

GrimJeeper91 · 07-26-2007, 08:00 AM

Nice! Looks real beefy now. The stock cross member is pretty sad. Scary when people bolt up bumpers to them without reinforcement and expect to be able to tug on them hard.

**rustywrangler** · 07-26-2007, 08:06 AM

This will be my next task while my rig is torn apart.

TSEJEEPERS · 01-01-2009, 04:19 PM

Hey looks good and I am in the process of doing this. One question what did you do about the rear body mounts?

TSEJEEPERS · 01-02-2009, 05:37 AM

Anyone else have any ideas?

**rustywrangler** · 01-02-2009, 09:14 AM

It actually looks like he may have skipped that step LOL. All you would need to do with his setup is not box in the ends and you could run a bolt straight up to the body mount. If you look at his pics, you can see the outer corners where the bolt was mounted and his bumper sits right under them.

If you did the crossmember so that it sat outside the tub edge, you could just make a tab on the inside of the bumer out of the scrap from making the bumper and mount it similar to the mid body frame mounts.

E_ROCK · 01-02-2009, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSEJEEPERS

Anyone else have any ideas?

You could also tie in the body like I did for my cage. It works as a body mount also. I put in comp cut corner protection and they eliminate the rear body mounts also.

You can see it in the rear wheel well in this picture. It sits right below my "C" pillar cage plate

**Burlbook48** · 01-02-2009, 11:22 AM

bgredjeep, are you using a fuel cell? Just wondering, because it looks like that angled frame brace, not to mention the shocks, would get in the way of the factory gas tank.

Nice job, BTW!

**rustywrangler** · 01-02-2009, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burlbook48

bgredjeep, are you using a fuel cell? Just wondering, because it looks like that angled frame brace, not to mention the shocks, would get in the way of the factory gas tank.

Nice job, BTW!

Fairly certain that is what he runs.

TSEJEEPERS · 01-02-2009, 08:45 PM

Thanks guys. Rusty the rear cross member is not close enough to run a bolt straight through the cross member but too close to run a truss from it for the body mount.
ERock someone else suggested the same thing. I have been waiting to tie my rear cage to the frame untill I did my stretch which is why I am doing the cross member fab. I guess I will go that route.
Just a little worried I would not have time to tie everything up before next run.
Hey Erock is that the same Jeep as you have always had? Last picture I can remember the body was in pretty bad shape.
Looks good!

CSCmrwizard · 01-14-2009, 08:03 PM

nice!!! my old cj needs this thanks

91jeepkidd · 01-14-2009, 08:08 PM

the stock shocks arent like that....

since im a nood and have MUCH to learn, why would someone make them on diff angles?

sorry for the thread jacking.

too bad theres no classes in college for jeeps hahah.

57plymouth · 07-10-2009, 07:41 PM

Am I the only one that can't see the pictures?

**rustywrangler** · 07-10-2009, 07:42 PM

Looks like a pic link failure. I will contact the OP.

07-26-2007, 08:06 AM	#4
rustywrangler Got my eye on you..... Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 18,657 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	This will be my next task while my rig is torn apart. __________________ http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...k_banner-1.gif Congenital Heart Disease is a reality for me, BOTH of my children have it. Please read up and become aware for future generations Lydia Ann-Acquired 08/05/05 Open Heart surgery 08/10/05 Jacob Patrick-Acquired 01/17/08 Open Heart surgery 02/15/08

01-02-2009, 09:14 AM	#7
rustywrangler Got my eye on you..... Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 18,657 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	It actually looks like he may have skipped that step LOL. All you would need to do with his setup is not box in the ends and you could run a bolt straight up to the body mount. If you look at his pics, you can see the outer corners where the bolt was mounted and his bumper sits right under them. If you did the crossmember so that it sat outside the tub edge, you could just make a tab on the inside of the bumer out of the scrap from making the bumper and mount it similar to the mid body frame mounts. __________________ http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...k_banner-1.gif Congenital Heart Disease is a reality for me, BOTH of my children have it. Please read up and become aware for future generations Lydia Ann-Acquired 08/05/05 Open Heart surgery 08/10/05 Jacob Patrick-Acquired 01/17/08 Open Heart surgery 02/15/08

07-10-2009, 07:42 PM	#15
rustywrangler Got my eye on you..... Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 18,657 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Looks like a pic link failure. I will contact the OP.