The CavFab Alpha Series 3 Link
Luckily for me, the kit has arrived and is installed except for the frame tie in brackets since I have frame stiffeners installed and the window where the flag nut is supposed to go into the frame rail is no longer exposed. Minor detail but should be a common detail as many people have frame stiffeners installed.
I assume it doesn't matter either way, but would probably be easier to just install the stiffener and drill and install the tube after.
I'm getting ready to install my mid frame stiffeners. I haven't mocked anything up for the Cavfab kit yet and I don't have the side brackets yet. I like the idea of welding tubing through the unibody and using nut and bolt rather than a flag nut. Would either of you recommend I install the frame stiffeners and drill the hole after and weld the tube or is it better to locate the hole, weld the tubing in before the frame stiffeners and then install the frame stiffeners?
I assume it doesn't matter either way, but would probably be easier to just install the stiffener and drill and install the tube after.
I assume it doesn't matter either way, but would probably be easier to just install the stiffener and drill and install the tube after.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 91
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From: Arizona
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
In addition to that make sure all three holes for the crossmember frame rail mount are are visible through the frame stiffeners. The stiffeners I used did not have a window for the front most frame hole(not the 2 stock holes) so it was a challenge drilling through the stiffener and getting center on the frame rail hole.
In addition to that make sure all three holes for the crossmember frame rail mount are are visible through the frame stiffeners. The stiffeners I used did not have a window for the front most frame hole(not the 2 stock holes) so it was a challenge drilling through the stiffener and getting center on the frame rail hole.
Sometimes i'd rather be lucky than good.
In addition to that make sure all three holes for the crossmember frame rail mount are are visible through the frame stiffeners. The stiffeners I used did not have a window for the front most frame hole(not the 2 stock holes) so it was a challenge drilling through the stiffener and getting center on the frame rail hole.
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 91
Likes: 1
From: Arizona
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 1
From: Detroit, MI
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6 4.0L
For the record... the RC long arm crossmember mounts pretty much exactly the same as the CavFab crossmember (minus the fact that its not a removable center section). If you guys are really having trouble, you can read through those.
Also, I think I saved a copy of the instructions for the OG kit, so I can post those when I get home if I did indeed save them.
Also, I think I saved a copy of the instructions for the OG kit, so I can post those when I get home if I did indeed save them.
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 5,924
Likes: 203
From: Greenville, SC
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by winksjeep
I am sure that info is in the installation instructions but I am not sure when the instructions are shipping out. Still no notification on that or the shirts. 

Yeah, I saw that it wasn't threaded and remembered reading about needing a 1/2-13 tap. I got the drivers side stiffener done, one more question, does the stud stay or does that get removed and replaced with a bolt?
Any tricks if it needs to be removed? I figure I'll weld a nut to it or maybe borrow a stud remover.
Thanks for all the tips everyone, hopefully CavFab will post the install instructions on their site soon.
Any tricks if it needs to be removed? I figure I'll weld a nut to it or maybe borrow a stud remover.
Thanks for all the tips everyone, hopefully CavFab will post the install instructions on their site soon.
Yeah, I saw that it wasn't threaded and remembered reading about needing a 1/2-13 tap. I got the drivers side stiffener done, one more question, does the stud stay or does that get removed and replaced with a bolt?
Any tricks if it needs to be removed? I figure I'll weld a nut to it or maybe borrow a stud remover.
Thanks for all the tips everyone, hopefully CavFab will post the install instructions on their site soon.
Any tricks if it needs to be removed? I figure I'll weld a nut to it or maybe borrow a stud remover.
Thanks for all the tips everyone, hopefully CavFab will post the install instructions on their site soon.
IF you have any issues with the threads being stripped out, you can re-tap those holes with a 7/16 tap which is one size larger than the factory bolts.




Well played.
