Hahahaha. 44/9" is something I'm always thinking about.Sack up and build a 44. Then wish you built a 60. Wanna buy a built 44?
XJ Flat Belly/ X member Build. Is it possible? Let's see....
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Well, thought I'd do a build on this separate from my XJ build. For those who don't know, my XJ is on about 3" of lift and 35's. I wheel my XJ in big pointy rocks that love to rip on anything they can on the bottom of my rig. I love the low stance of my heep and it works well, but it has it's drawbacks. EVERYTHING under my XJ has been taken into consideration because of it's low height. When you are this low, you rub and drag on rocks a lot. Is this a bad thing? Well, if you have the right armor and have clearanced everything that should be, then no. However, I have left one of the most important items untouched and it's way overdue for a replacement. This would obviously be my cross member. The factory X member is weak and hangs below the frame rails. At the same time, the bottom portion of the transfer case also hangs below the frame rails. This holds me up. Some how, I have yet to have exploded my transfer case. In the wheeling trips I have had this year, I have managed to turn the factory X member into an upside down U shape, which actually lifted my transfer case above the frame rails. Still, the cross member hangs too low. In this next pic, I was denied from getting to the top of this rock, even after repeatedly slamming into it trying to bounce and slide the cross member over the rock....
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So, where does this leave me? It leaves me wanting a completely-flat -to-the-frame-rails-cross member, one that is strong, and wanting my transfer case completely out of the way. So first, out with the old....
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To do this cross member, I got a clocking jig
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and some 2x6 3/16 wall
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So after doing some measuring, finding the center, and how much material should be shoved up between the frame rails, I came up with this....
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Using the center point, I kinda (yes, kinda) figured where the trans mount should go. I drilled holes and got this....
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And this is where I leave you hangin' til I get some more work done!
So, where does this leave me? It leaves me wanting a completely-flat -to-the-frame-rails-cross member, one that is strong, and wanting my transfer case completely out of the way. So first, out with the old....
To do this cross member, I got a clocking jig
and some 2x6 3/16 wall
So after doing some measuring, finding the center, and how much material should be shoved up between the frame rails, I came up with this....
Using the center point, I kinda (yes, kinda) figured where the trans mount should go. I drilled holes and got this....
And this is where I leave you hangin' til I get some more work done!
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UPDATEZ!
Bent the sides to "hug" the frame....
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Bolted up...
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Painted...
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Now I need to clock the case. I'll probably start on that Thursday. Also, I plan to build a transfer case skid and a trans skid off the x member very soon out of 2" square tube and 3/16" plate.
Bent the sides to "hug" the frame....
Bolted up...
Painted...
Now I need to clock the case. I'll probably start on that Thursday. Also, I plan to build a transfer case skid and a trans skid off the x member very soon out of 2" square tube and 3/16" plate.
ERMAGHERRD this skid is a pig....
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At least all that weight is belowe your COG point, so it'll help keep the rubber side down
Looks good, but I'd worry a little about the mounting bolts below the frame.. I'd use countersunk bolts like I mentioned, I'm pretty damn sure you'll rip those off at some point.
Looks good, but I'd worry a little about the mounting bolts below the frame.. I'd use countersunk bolts like I mentioned, I'm pretty damn sure you'll rip those off at some point.
Yeah, I don't trust those for hard wheeling. I'm going to run bolts through the sides of the frame too. Instead of counter sunk bolts, I think I'll get some of the bolt protectors from ballistic fab.Timo_90xj said:At least all that weight is belowe your COG point, so it'll help keep the rubber side down
Looks good, but I'd worry a little about the mounting bolts below the frame.. I'd use countersunk bolts like I mentioned, I'm pretty damn sure you'll rip those off at some point.
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Well guys and gals, I'm almost done with the belly up. I managed a transfer case skid DAMN near flat (maybe a 1/2 inch lower than the frame because of my retarded measuring skills) without clocking the case. However, going completely flat isn't free. My power steering pulley is all but in the electric fan. In fact, it rubbed the pulley some. I trimmed the outer edge of the fan and it doesn't rub even on mild flexing. This would bother most people, but I could care less on my **** . However, it could have been fixed by "sinking" the trans mount into the x member, but I'm not worried about it. Another thing I've had issues with is the t case linkage. I'll be building a new one this week with some all thread and these mini heims....
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And of course, the skid...
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. However, it could have been fixed by "sinking" the trans mount into the x member, but I'm not worried about it. Another thing I've had issues with is the t case linkage. I'll be building a new one this week with some all thread and these mini heims....
And of course, the skid
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Looks good! ..now start skinning those rocker support legs so you can slide over the rocks even better and not get hung up on 'em :thumbsup:
..now start skinning those rocker support legs so you can slide over the rocks even better and not get hung up on 'em :thumbsup:
Thanks man! Acutally, I've never had an issue with those. I figured I would, but they haven't stopped me yet!Looks good!
Built a blingin' transfercase linkage out of 7/16" heims and some threaded stock. Had to flip the lever on the xfer case, cut it in half and put a 45 degree angle on it, and then welded it back together. Shifts a hell of a lot better and actually feels like it "clicks" into 4 hi and 4 low. Doesn't feel mushy anymore...
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Yup, I like it a lot. Shifts so much better! A buddy of mine has a Novak shifter and honestly, I can't tell the difference between mine and his. Well, except for the $150 I saved.
I needs to make me one of them linkages Factory linkage sucks, I was going to make a shift plate for my 242 in my ZJ with a linkage to eliminate that gay *** z bar bull****.
Factory linkage sucks, I was going to make a shift plate for my 242 in my ZJ with a linkage to eliminate that gay *** z bar bull****.
Just a little update, here is a sweet shot of my belly skid...
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